Keke Palmer’s Iconic Hairstyles and the Rise of Seamless Clip-In Hair Extensions
Today’s News: Keke Palmer is once again in the spotlight with exciting updates. Earlier this month, the multi-talented star made headlines at the Oscars 2025 after-party, turning heads in a stunning sheer vintage Versace gown (eonline.com). Now, Palmer’s latest film - the buddy comedy One of Them Days co-starring SZA - is set to reach an even wider audience as it hits Netflix on March 31st (thatgrapejuice.net). The box-office hit has already grossed over $50 million globally, and its streaming debut cements Palmer’s status as both a Hollywood it-girl and a savvy businesswoman. Beyond her on-screen successes and red-carpet buzz, Keke Palmer continues to captivate fans with her ever-evolving personal style - especially her hair. This style chameleon’s ability to transform her look seemingly overnight aligns perfectly with today’s beauty trends, highlighting the popularity of seamless clip in hair extensions and other innovative styling tools that empower women to switch up their hairstyle with ease.
Image Reference: Keke Palmer all glammed up with long, gorgeous, brunette bombshell locks (buzzfeed.com).
Keke Palmer’s Ever-Changing Hairstyles: A Trendsetter’s Journey
Keke Palmer has never been one to shy away from bold beauty choices. Over the years, the actress-singer has sported an array of iconic hairstyles, each reflecting a moment in time and often setting trends in the process. From ultra-short cuts to waist-length tresses, Palmer’s hair evolution is a masterclass in versatility and self-expression. Below, we highlight just a few of her most unforgettable hairstyle moments and how they resonated with broader hair trends:
2017 - The Purple Buzzcut: Keke stunned fans when she shaved her hair into a close-cropped buzzcut and dyed it a vibrant lavender-purple hue (glamour.com and byrdie.com). This daring look came at a time when vivid hair colors were all the rage, and Palmer fully embraced the trend. She even did the coloring herself, later saying “I love trying new things. I love finding new versions of myself” (glamour.com) - a mantra evident in her fearless choice to rock a Lisa Frank-level purple pixie.
Image Reference: Keke Palmer sporting a bright purple shirt to match her purple buzzcut (glamour.com).
2018 - Fiery Red Faux Locs: The following year, Palmer switched gears with long, waist-length red faux locs (dreadlock-inspired extensions). The fiery copper-red locs not only complemented her dynamic personality but also showcased the rising popularity of protective styles in mainstream beauty (byrdie.com). By donning faux locs, she celebrated natural hair textures and cultural styles while still making a high-fashion statement.
Image Reference: Keke Palmer with fiery red, waist-length faux locs (buzzfeed.com).
2019 - Glam Cornrow Braids: Palmer continued to celebrate her roots and versatility by appearing on the red carpet with sleek, lovely cornrow braids in 2019 (buzzfeed.com). Braided styles like cornrows were having a major moment, seen on runways and celebrities alike, and Keke’s elegant braided look at a Gotham Awards event exemplified how such traditionally Black hairstyles had become proudly embraced in Hollywood glamour (buzzfeed.com).
Image Reference: Keke Palmer with sleek, black cornrow braids (buzzfeed.com).
2021 - Voluminous Vintage Curls: Fast forward to the 2021 Met Gala, where Keke delivered big Diana Ross-inspired curls that oozed disco-era glamour (buzzfeed.com). The voluminous, bouncy curls she wore (likely with the help of extensions or a textured wig) paid homage to ‘70s iconography and proved that retro styles were back in vogue. Her oversized hair at fashion’s biggest night was a talking point, aligning with the trend of celebrities channeling vintage looks with a modern twist.
Image Reference: Keke Palmer at the 2021 Met Gala with big, Diana Ross-inspired curls (buzzfeed.com).
2023 - Copper Red Revival: In early 2023, shortly after welcoming her son, Palmer debuted a fresh copper red hair color that had fans on social media absolutely thrilled (buzzfeed.com). The rich copper shade - a blend of cinnamon and auburn tones - lit up her complexion and became one of her most praised looks. From long layered waves to spiral curls, she showed off the hue’s versatility in various styles (buzzfeed.com). This move tapped into the ongoing “Copper Hair” trend that has been sweeping Instagram feeds, with many women trying out warm ginger tones for a bold yet flattering change.
Image Reference: Keke Palmer with long, voluminous copper hair (yahoo.com).
These standout moments (among many others in Keke’s style repertoire) illustrate her chameleonic approach to hair. One day she’ll sport a dramatic buzzcut, and the next she’s dripping in waist-length waves - there seems to be no look she can’t pull off. Importantly, each hairstyle Palmer dons often intersects with what’s trending in beauty at that time. Whether she’s leading the trend or simply having fun with it, Keke’s ever-changing hair has made her a young style icon for a generation of women looking to experiment with their own tresses.
Versatility and Self-Expression in Keke’s Hair Evolution
Keke Palmer’s hair journey is more than just a series of pretty looks - it’s a form of storytelling and self-expression. Time and again, she’s used her hairstyles to send a message or mark a new chapter in her life. For instance, when she chopped off her hair and went purple in 2017, it symbolized a fresh start. “I wanted to start over,” she said of that decision, noting that years of styling had changed her natural hair texture (glamour.com). Embracing the buzzcut was both liberating and a bold style statement. By contrast, her later return to longer styles - like donning those glamorous faux locs and big curls - showed she could switch between edgy and classic with ease.
What’s notable is how Palmer balances experimentation with authenticity. She has openly discussed learning to love her natural hair even as she enjoys wigs and extensions. “For my characters I am flexible and I feel there is no problem with a weave or a wig or extension every now and then - it’s fun,” Keke shared in 2018 (teenvogue.com). This refreshingly honest take resonated with many young women who use hair extensions as a fun way to change style, but who also sometimes struggle with embracing their natural look. Palmer admitted that she had to “check herself” when she felt “underdressed” without a wig, reminding herself and her fans that one should feel “beautiful at all times but especially in our natural state” (teenvogue.com). In doing so, she set an example that you can enjoy the versatility that wigs and extensions offer while still loving the hair you were born with.
Palmer’s comfort in switching up her appearance has undoubtedly influenced her followers. In the age of Instagram and TikTok, every time Keke unveils a new hairstyle, it becomes a mini cultural moment. Followers flood her comments with praise - recall how the internet buzzed over her copper-red hair reveal, with fans calling the color “EVERYTHING” and remarking that the actress was literally glowing (buzzfeed.com). Such reactions underscore a broader shift in beauty culture: women today feel more empowered to experiment with different hair colors, lengths, and textures, a freedom that stars like Keke wholeheartedly endorse and embody.
Image Reference: Keke Palmer in an eddy outfit with copper-red hair styled in a voluminous blowout (byrdie.com).
Beyond individual inspiration, there’s a larger trend at play here. Celebrity influence has made transformative hairstyles and hair extensions mainstream. Decades ago, a dramatic hair change often meant a risky permanent cut or dye job; now, with the wide availability of high-quality hair extensions, anyone can mimic a red-carpet hairstyle for a weekend and go back to a regular ponytail on Monday. Celebrities from Beyoncé to Ariana Grande have famously used extensions (think Beyoncé’s endless cascade of curls or Ariana’s signature high ponytail) to define their looks (fabulive.com). This has helped normalize extensions as just another tool in our beauty arsenal. As one industry observer noted, stars adopting extensions has “significantly impacted the standards of beauty in society” by making it commonplace to play with your appearance without long-term commitments (fabulive.com). Keke Palmer stands as a prime example of this phenomenon - her fans see her seamlessly oscillate between hairstyles, which sends the message that you too can have that freedom.
Crucially, Palmer’s embrace of diverse hairstyles also speaks to inclusivity and celebrating Black beauty. She has rocked styles that range from straight and silky to kinky-curly, from Eurocentric glam to Afrocentric braids. In doing so, she represents a generation that refuses to be boxed into one look or cultural expectation. This diversity in her hair styling reflects a larger acceptance of varied beauty standards, encouraging women of all backgrounds to celebrate their hair’s versatility - whether that means wearing it natural, adding extensions, or anything in between.
The Popularity of Seamless Clip-In Hair Extensions in Celebrity Beauty
In dissecting Keke Palmer’s ever-changing hairdos, one secret becomes clear: hair extensions (especially the clip-in variety) are a game-changer. It’s virtually impossible to go from a pixie cut to waist-length waves overnight without a little extra help. Like many style-savvy celebrities, Palmer often relies on high-quality wigs and clip-in extensions to achieve dramatic transformations while keeping her natural hair healthy. The recent buzz around seamless clip-in hair extensions in particular shows how far this beauty tool has come - and why it’s more popular than ever.
Traditional clip-in extensions have been a staple for years, but the newest seamless versions take things to the next level. So what does “seamless” actually mean in this context? It refers to the design of the extension weft (the band that holds the hair and clips). Seamless clip-ins use an ultra-thin, skin-like weft that lays super flat against the scalp, making the extensions virtually undetectable even in fine hair. For example, Barely Xtensions uses a 1/4-inch micro-thin skin weft in its products, which allows the added hair to blend in flawlessly without any bulky seams. The clips themselves are designed to be lightweight and lie flat, so you don’t get that telltale bump that older extensions sometimes have. The result? You can toss your hair up into a high pony or let it down loose, and no one will know you’ve got extensions in - not even from up close.
Another reason seamless clip-ins have surged in popularity is comfort. Anyone who’s worn extensions knows that heavy, poorly-made wefts can tug on your roots or feel uncomfortable after a few hours. The new micro-thin wefts are not only discreet, they’re also lighter and more flexible on the head. In fact, many users report that they barely notice them once clipped in (nypost.com). A recent roundup of top-rated hair extensions even noted that wearers could “hardly feel” the Barely Xtensions pieces, praising them as “pretty and comfortable” for all-day wear (nypost.com). This level of comfort is crucial - it means you can glam up your look for a night out or a photoshoot like Keke does, without dealing with headache-inducing clips or itching scalp.
From a stylist’s perspective, clip-in extensions (especially the high-quality Remy Human Hair ones) offer incredible versatility. They can be colored, curled, straightened, and styled just like your natural hair. This is how Keke Palmer, for example, can one day have a sleek, shoulder-length bob and the next day appear with flowing mermaid waves - the extensions can be pre-styled or quickly heat-styled to achieve the desired look. Volume and length are at your fingertips: if Palmer wants a voluminous updo for an awards show, her stylist might add a few wefts of seamless extensions to pump up the fullness without any visible pins or tracks. If she’s feeling a long, dramatic ponytail for a performance, a clip-in ponytail piece can instantly give her the length that her real hair (kept healthy and relatively shorter) might not have.
It’s not just about length, either. Clip-ins are a non-committal way to play with color, as Keke has. When she flaunted blue highlights in a music video cameo, chances are those electric blue streaks were clip-in extensions or dyed wigs, allowing her to achieve a bold look without bleaching her own hair (byrdie.com). Similarly, when she stepped out with that now-famous copper mane, she could have used extensions to enhance the thickness and vibrancy - or even to test the color before fully committing. The everyday person can take the same approach: craving some peekaboo highlights or a fun ombré effect for summer? You can clip in extensions that add pops of a different shade, no dye required. And when you’re done with the look, you simply unclip them.
Image Reference: Keke Palmer with blue highlights in her rich black hair (byrdie.com).
Perhaps the biggest draw of seamless clip-in extensions is how they marry glamour and convenience. They bring red-carpet-worthy hair within reach for anyone with a few minutes to spare in front of a mirror. You don’t need a glam squad or a long salon appointment to use them. Modern clip-ins are very user-friendly - a few strategic placements and snaps, and you’ve got instant volume and length. It’s this DIY ease that has made them a go-to for not just celebrities, but also working professionals, busy moms, and college students who follow stars like Keke Palmer and want to recreate those looks. The extensions can be put in for a special occasion and taken out when it’s time to go back to the gym or to a more low-maintenance routine.
Achieve the Look: Seamless Clip-In Extensions for Everyday Glam
After seeing Keke Palmer effortlessly switch hairstyles, many of us are itching to try a dramatic hair transformation of our own. The good news is that you don’t need celebrity budgets or genetics to get Keke-worthy hair - you just need the right products and a spirit of experimentation. Seamless clip-in hair extensions are an accessible, high-impact option for anyone wanting to boost their hairstyle game. If you’re looking to add length, volume, or even a splash of color, consider investing in quality clip-ins from Barely Xtensions.
Barely Xtensions’ Ultra Seamless Clip-In Hair Extensions come highly recommended (they were even ranked the “Best Overall Hair Extensions” in a 2023 expert roundup (nypost.com)). These extensions are made from 100% Remy Human Hair, which means they look and feel natural - crucial for achieving that undetectable blend that celebs demand. The wefts are extremely thin and lie flat against your head, so you can confidently wear them knowing there are no obvious bumps or extension tracks showing. As one ecstatic reviewer put it, “They’re so seamless that you can’t even tell where my real hair ends and the extensions start” (nypost.com). That level of invisibility is exactly what you want if you’re mimicking a star like Keke, who always appears camera-ready from every angle.
When choosing your extensions, match the color as closely as possible to your current hair (or go for a slightly lighter/darker shade to create a highlighted effect). Barely Xtensions offers a wide range of multi-dimensional colors - from jet black and deep espresso brown to sun-kissed caramel blonde and vibrant reds - so you can find your perfect match or even mix-and-match for depth. Length options range from mid-length (18 inches) to long (20 inches), allowing you to pick how dramatic you want your look to be. For example, if you adore Keke’s voluminous long waves, an 18" or 20" seamless clip-in set could give you that glam length in minutes. On the other hand, if you’re aiming for a more subtle boost for an updo or bob, you might use just a few wefts strategically to add fullness and bounce.
Pro Tip: Treat your clip-in extensions as an extension of your own hair (pun intended). You can curl them with a curling iron to mirror Keke’s luxe curls, or straighten them for a sleek look. If you plan to heat-style, just use a heat protectant spray as you would on your real hair to keep the extensions silky. One benefit of using extensions for styling is that they hold a style well - you could pre-curl the wefts before clipping them in, which can actually save time and help the curls last longer. And maintenance is easy: gently brush them after each use, and only wash them occasionally (when they become hard to style due to product buildup) with a sulfate-free shampoo to keep them fresh (since they’re human hair, they appreciate a bit of conditioner too) (nypost.com).
When you’re ready to channel your inner Keke Palmer, simply section your hair, clip in the extensions layer by layer, and style as desired. In little time, you’ll see a transformation in the mirror - perhaps it’s you with those head-turning red-carpet waves or that envy-worthy volume. The beauty of seamless clip-ins is that you get all this impact with zero long-term commitment. Want to go back to your natural look tomorrow? Just unclip, and you’re back to basics, no harm done.
Barely Xtensions Product Picks:
To help you get started, here are a couple of product recommendations from Barely Xtensions:
18″ Ultra-Seamless Clip-In Extensions - A best-seller that adds instant length and volume. This set is perfect for medium to thick hair types and is known for its comfort and natural look. With its micro-thin skin weft and Remy Human Hair, it virtually disappears into your own hair (nypost.com). Use it to replicate Keke’s long styles or to give an elegant updo more fullness.
18″ Ultra Volume, Ultra Seamless Clip-In Extensions - If you have thicker hair or just crave extra volume, Barely Xtensions now offers an Ultra Volume set that comes with additional wefts and grams of hair for a fuller finish. This is a great option if you were wowed by Keke’s big, curly mane moments - it provides the density needed to achieve those bouncy, red-carpet curls while still laying flat and comfortable.
All Barely Xtensions products are made with care (each clip is hand-sewn and the hair is gently processed to ensure quality), so you can trust that your investment will last. By opting for seamless clip-in extensions, you’re equipping yourself with the same kind of tool that actresses like Keke Palmer rely on to keep their look fresh, fun, and fabulous.