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.
Depending on the brand, length, quality and material of the hair, the cost of hair weaves varies. For example, synthetic hair is cheaper than 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 colored or chemically processed before. If you pick this hair type, you’ll notice that it’s not dyed, permed, colored 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 Brazilian – 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. Brazilian 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 Malaysian or Indian hair, it doesn’t lose moisture that easily. Interestingly, Brazilian 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 Brazilian 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.
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 colors. Just like Indian hair, if you do find someone selling a lighter color, 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, color 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 customize texture and color while virgin Indian hair is unprocessed and totally natural. Remember, every Indian hair type comes in dark colors. Be wary of bleached or light colors of hair weaves that are labelled as ‘Indian hair’ as they might not be authentic.
Peruvian Hair
As compared to Brazilian 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 color will love to bring home Peruvian hair.