What’s a ‘hair weave’, you ask? It’s basically a type of hair extension which involves sewing hair wefts (lines of hair) into braided hair and later styling it into any hairstyle you desire. Always remember that when investing in hair weaves, you have to prioritize more on the quality than on the price tag. The cheaper the price, the poorer the quality. Low-priced hair weaves are prone to shed and tangle more often. After using it a couple of times, you’ll notice that the existing texture starts to deteriorate too.
If you’re a newbie to hair weaves, I would suggest that you start with finding one that’s closest to your natural hair’s texture and colour. Also, try not to randomly pick up a hair weave and expect it to suit you at the very first try. You’ve got to experiment a little. Start by finding a type of human hair that works for you. Let me name a few popular ones – Brazilian, Peruvian, Indian, Mongolian, Chinese and Virgin hair. Did all of those terms go above your head? I figured they would! Let’s take some baby steps, shall we?
Different Types of Human Hair Weaves
Depending on the brand, length, quality and material of the hair, the cost of hair weaves varies. For example, synthetic hair is cheaper than a human hair. Synthetic hair costs about 3-5k while human hair costs can start from 8k and go up to 20k per bundle! Synthetic hair is not that tough either. They last for only a couple of months and melt away when they come in contact with hot styling tools. Synthetic hair is okay for temporary use, but don’t think of it as a long-term solution. If you’re looking for a weave that’s going to stay with you for a while, invest in good quality human hair.
Virgin Hair
Virgin Hair is hair that’s never been coloured or chemically processed before. If you pick this hair type, you’ll notice that it’s not dyed, permed, coloured or blow-dried. It’s all-natural and cuticles remain intact and run in one direction. It’s going to be a healthy, silky and an extremely natural-looking hair extension. Just a small tip for when you purchase virgin hair, remember to buy it from the same donor, this is the best way to make sure that you get the same quality and texture of hair. If you are an Indian, look for a virgin hair weave that’s either Indian, Malaysian or Brazillian – it’s going to be closest to your own hair texture. From all the human hair types that you can invest in, virgin hair looks the most natural and has a longer shelf life, about 6 months – 2 years. And because it’s the best quality of hair, it is also the most expensive.
Brazilian Hair
Believe it or not, but one of the most popular hair types in the market is Brazilian hair. Most people love it because of its thickness, durability and natural shine. Brazillian hair generally comes in a thick bundle. That’s great because you would need fewer bundles to create a fuller look. Also, another plus point is that unlike Malayasian or Indian hair, it doesn’t lose moisture that easily. Interestingly, Brazillian hair can be divided into 3 classes – Grade A, Grade B and Grade C. In Grade A – the hair comes from a tiny area in Brazil that has Anglo and European descents. The texture is silky, fine and straight. Grade B, on the other hand, is the most popular out of the lot. It has a thicker volume and a wavy texture. Grade C is pretty unique. It comes from the Afro – Caribbean population in Brazil. It’s a very curly type of hair and quite difficult to style. Also, to check if your Brazillian hair is real or fake, try the flame test. Cut off a small bundle of hair and place it above a candle. If you spot a big flame, then it’s synthetic. If smoke or a burnt scent follows, then that’s human hair.
Malaysian Hair
Most celebrities today use Malaysian hair. They prefer to use it because it looks natural and feels soft. It has a thick volume and feels heavy when held. When you first buy it, you’ll notice how shiny and glossy it is. However, it will take a few washes for the shine to fade into a more natural finish. I recommend that you use our Coconut Milk & Green Apple Shampoo to wash the strands and our Coconut & Jojoba Creme Conditioner to keep the hair weaves soft and smooth.
Another reason to love this hair type is because of its durable nature. You can wash it, dry it and style it in whichever way you please. Women who like curling their hair should try doing it on Malaysian hair. It not only holds the curls well but also stays intact for a longer time. The best part about this hair type is that it comes in a variety of finishes. Wavy, curly, straight, deep wave – basically whatever you want it to be.
Mongolian Hair
Mongolian hair comes from Mongolian women who come from poor family backgrounds. Since Mongolia has a small population, getting your hands on real Mongolian hair is difficult and an expensive task. If you’re wondering what the hair type is about, it’s a cross between Chinese and Malaysian hair. This particular hair type is soft, fine and shiny. Since the hair type is fine, you may need to splurge on more bundles to create more volume.
Chinese
This hair type comes from China. They’re sold by Chinese women who want to support their families financially. The texture of the hair is straight and not so curl-friendly. If you’re looking for naturally straight looking hair, then you might find what you need in a Chinese hair weave. If you do want to curl it, the hair needs to be exposed to excessive heat in order for it to hold a curl. Most Chinese hair is processed because it’s too rough and thick to manage. Chinese hair usually comes in dark colours. Just like Indian hair, if you do find someone selling a lighter colour, it’s probably not authentic.
Indian Hair
Indian hair is one of the most common hair types available in the market. It has a naturally silky and shiny finish and good density. If you purchase it, you will also notice that it has a slight bounce to it. It’s one of the easiest hair types to work with and people love it because of its texture, colour and shine. Keep in mind that there are two types of Indian hair. One is virgin Indian hair and the other is Indian Hair Remy. Indian Remy is lightly processed to customise texture and colour while virgin Indian hair is unprocessed and totally natural. Remember, every Indian hair type comes in dark colours. Be wary of bleached or light colours of hair weaves that are labelled as ‘Indian hair’ as they might not be authentic.
Peruvian Hair
As compared to Brazillian hair, Peruvian hair is rougher and thicker. This hair type is sourced from the remote villages of Peru. Since there are not too many donors, sourcing the product gets expensive. Although when you first buy Peruvian hair, it looks straight. After a couple of washes, the texture changes to curly. Also, do keep in mind that Peruvian hair lays thick when put on, which essentially means that you need fewer bundles to give your hair that added density. Women who prefer dark or light brown hair colour will love to bring home Peruvian hair.
FAQs
Where does human hair weave come from in India?
At a temple called Venkateswara in Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh. Pilgrims would shave their heads as an act of devotion. What does the temple do with the chopped locks? They collect and sell them at auctions. Barbers in India also sell their customer’s hair to make a few extra bucks.
What is remy hair?
Hair that’s harvested from a human scalp can be termed as Remy hair. This hair type comes from Russia, Ukraine and Romania. It’s expensive, but the quality is the one the best. It looks shinier, feels smoother and appears healthier.
What happens to virgin hair after its chopped?
The moment virgin hair is chopped, it gets washed and later disinfected. After the cleansing process completes, it’s woven into a double drawn weft.
How many types of human hair do we have?
A few popular types of human hair are Brazilian, Mongolian, Indian, Peruvian, Chinese, Virgin and Malaysian.
Which Websites To Buy Good Quality Human Hair From?
Head to these websites to shop – humanhairlounge.com, www.sgihair.com, remyhairextension.in, indianhumanhairfactory.com.
Which hair type to choose?
It all depends on your preference, of course! If you fancy straight hair, then choose Brazillian or Chinese hair. If you like curls, Indian hair is a good option. If you’re in the mood for experimenting, I suggest that you play around a little with Peruvian or Malaysian hair.
Should you ask for a ‘certificate of authenticity’ from the sell?
Yes, absolutely! For every single bundle of hair you purchase, you must ask your supplier for a ‘certificate of authenticity’. That way you’re sure that the product is bought from a genuine source and you are not taken for a ride. The certificate should also have the company’s name and contact information of the seller. You spend a lot of money on this and it’s only just if you get your money’s worth for it.
Now that you have a brief idea on the different types of human hair out there, we would love to know which one of these caught your attention.
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