How to Select the best hair type for your new wig or hairpiece

Best hair for your new wig or hairpiece

Selecting a hair type

As a wig stylist and boutique owner I’m often asked, “what’s the best hair type for me to choose for my new wig or hairpiece”.  That’s a major consideration and one that takes some thought, a decision that should only be made by the wearer after some factual comparisons. Here are a few of the most popular hair types and a little about each one to aid in your decision-making process.

Synthetic Hair:

Synthetic hair is often the first stop in one’s wig wearing journey. It is usually the most economical, easiest to care for and has the widest array of styles and colors available.  Wigs made of synthetic hair fibers usually come pre colored and pre styled straight from the factory and need little personalization. These wigs are as is, meaning what you see is what you get every day, every time you put it on.  Synthetic wigs are designed to stay the same each time you wear them. In some ways that is a very good thing, especially if you are someone with a signature style or one who only periodically desires a style change it’s a sure thing. On the other hand, if you are someone who likes to change it up in an instant, you may need to invest in a few synthetic styles to suit your moods.  Synthetic wigs cannot be re-colored. Price-wise synthetic wigs are usually the most economical.

Heat Friendly Synthetic Fiber Hair:

Heat friendly synthetic fiber is just as it sounds, tolerant of “some” heat styling.  For the most part the only difference between this and regular synthetic hair is that it can be heat styled using low temperature styling tools. It still has the same staying power and ease of care as synthetic hair fibers but gives the wearer the ability to manipulate the original style as long as the manufacturers guidelines for temperatures settings are strictly adhered to.  These heat friendly synthetic wigs are not re-colorable are often slightly more expensive as true synthetics, but often worth it for the flexibility.

Blended Hair:

Blended hair is a relative new kid on the block that’s still evolving as far as hair types go. It usually consists of a blend of human hair and heat friendly synthetic fiber.  It is like having the best of both worlds. They often project the look, feel and heat styling ability of human hair while maintaining the ease of care that attracts many to synthetic hair.  Always be mindful that different manufacturers may use varying percentages of both the human and synthetic hair in their product.  With that said, be sure to always thoroughly read and follow the manufacturer’s directions.  Blended hair is not recolorable and usually falls right in the middle of the synthetic hair versus human hair price range.

Human Hair:

Human hair is just as it sounds.  It is a wig or wearable hair product made of 100% human hair. Human hair items are often the most natural looking and most manipulatable as far as styling goes giving you the most versatility. The texture of human hair pieces can be changed through styling manipulation for a temporary change or through chemical processes much like one would use on their own hair for more permanent results. Unlike the hair types previously mentioned, human hair products can often be recolored.  However, I highly suggest you seek a trained professional for assistance and always preform a patch test. Human hair items vary greatly in price with length and ethnic origin being two of the major factors. In a nutshell “Indian” and “Chinese” hair are usually the most economical while “European” is the most expensive.  A general rule of thumb is the lighter and finer (in natural color and weight) the hair in its natural state the mor expensive is going to be. In addition, contrary to popular belief Remy and Virgin are not stand alone hair types, they are types of conditions of the hair types cultivated from the different donor’s ethnic type and or region. True Virgin hair and Remy hair both come from any ethnic origin or region (IE; European Virgin versus Indian Remy). The difference is the original donor of the Remy hair may have used dye, color, perm or some other chemical before donation. Whereas the virgin hair is chemical free. Remy hair must often be arranged during processing so the hair strands are all flowing in the same direction, and the virgin hair should be cultivated naturally in its natural direction. The cuticle on both Virgin and Remy hair should be intact and all flowing in the same direction.

We hope this grants you a little more help and insight in your selection process.  If you have additional questions, feel free to contact us and good luck in your hair journey!