Hair extensions are the easiest way to get the hair you’ve always dreamed of. Whether you’re looking to add some luxurious thickness or want to produce length beyond your wildest dreams instantly, hair extensions are the answer.
But when you’re shopping around for hair extensions, you’ll run into one big problem – there is a seemingly endless number of hair extension options. From the hair color to the application method, there’s a truckload of extensions to choose between – and that’s not even including the type of hair used to make the extensions!
While you might need some help deciding which installation method is suitable for you (clip-in, tape-in, keratin, etc.), today’s focus is solely on the different types of hair that extensions are made of.
Don’t be stuck in a “hairy” situation – find out what hair extensions are made of below!
Contents
- Types of Hair Extensions – Real and Synthetic
- Real Human Hair
- Human Hair/Natural Hair
- Virgin Human Hair
- Remy Human Hair
- Synthetic Hair
- Blended Hair
- FAQs
- Are hair extensions made of real hair?
- Where does the human hair for extensions come from?
- Which material of hair extensions is best?
- There Are Many Materials Used to Make Hair Extensions!
Types of Hair Extensions – Real and Synthetic
When it comes to what hair extensions are made of, you have two choices: real hair or synthetic strands. Seems pretty simple, right? Unfortunately, it’s not that straightforward. There are different kinds of real and synthetic hairs that you need to consider before purchasing.
Real Human Hair
Human hair extensions are an excellent option. They can be treated like your natural strands, which means they can be washed, dyed, and heat styled without skipping a beat. While all real human hair extensions are better than synthetic strands, some are still recommended over others.
Human Hair/Natural Hair
If your hair extensions simply say that they’re sourced from “human hair” or are described as “natural hair,” don’t get too giddy. While these are still superior to synthetic strands, natural hair isn’t the gold standard. They’ve likely been processed or dyed, making them sub-par in the industry.
This doesn’t necessarily make them bad, so don’t panic – you still got your hands on some lovely hair extensions. It just means they’re not as good as other human hair extension options.
Virgin Human Hair
Next on the list is virgin human hair, which is a step up from natural human hair. Virgin means one thing – high-quality hair that has never been dyed, bleached, chemically treated, damaged, or altered in any way.
Remy Human Hair
If you want the best of the best in the hair extension biz, purchase Remy human hair extensions. Remy hair refers to human hair that is healthy, virgin, and with the cuticles still intact.
Why does this matter?
Well, since the cuticles are still intact, Remy human hair is noticeably smoother and more natural looking. It is also longer-lasting than other human hair extension options and won’t succumb to tangles or mats as easily.
Synthetic Hair
Synthetic hair has gotten a bad rap over the years but has recently taken considerable strides in quality. So, if you’re new to the hair extension world and don’t know if you’ll like them or simply want to save money on your next pack, consider buying synthetic hair extensions.
But which synthetic strands are best?
Just like human hair extensions, synthetic extensions come with their own range of materials, including acrylic, polyester, polyvinyl chloride, and Kanekalon – and they are not created equal.
Kanekalon tends to be the best type of synthetic strands on the market. They have a more realistic appearance that’s less shiny and noticeable compared to other options. Yet, they still come with a relatively low price, which is good news for my babes on a budget.
Blended Hair
The last option on the list is blended hair extensions. These extensions can be described as “the best of both worlds,” as they include the resilience and durability of synthetic strands with the natural and texturally-appealing benefits of human hair.
FAQs
I hope this article helped you understand what hair extensions are made of. If you’re still a little iffy about this information, here are a couple of frequently asked questions to help you understand. Let’s dive in!
Are hair extensions made of real hair?
Some extensions are made of real hair, while others are not. You need to make sure you’re purchasing hair described as natural, virgin, or Remy human hair. Remy human hair is the absolute best type of human hair extension on the market. They’re well worth the extra cost.
Where does the human hair for extensions come from?
Human hair can be sourced from all over the world. However, the most common places where human hair comes from are China, India, and Malaysia. The package should be able to indicate where the human hair has been sourced from.
Which material of hair extensions is best?
The premier material for hair extensions is Remy human hair. Remy human hair is healthy, virgin, and has the cuticle intact. This results in hair that looks and feels flawless. It can be treated like your natural mane, meaning you can wash, dye, and style it however you please.
There Are Many Materials Used to Make Hair Extensions!
When it comes to hair extensions, you have plenty of materials to choose from. Real human hair is recommended over synthetic, although synthetic strands can be great if you’re new to the extension world or are on a low budget. Remy is the optimal choice for all and worth the money, if possible.
What type of material do you prefer for your hair extensions? Did we miss any materials? Share in the comment section below, and let’s chat!
