Synthetic vs 100% human hair

Ann Ruthenburg Fashion
Hello everyone,

I suppose I will not be able to run away from Wigs and Wigs, because they have taken the world by storm, and I mean literally the world.

So I shall make it my job to make sure Zimbabweans are not cheated out of their hard earned money because of a lack of information, when it comes to hair extensions.

This week I am going to attempt to chat to you about Synthetic vs 100% Human Hair.

Cheap is not always a bad thing, in as much as expensive is not always a good thing. I have seen women wear 100% Human $600 dollar wigs, but look terrible. In the same vein I have seen women wear Synthetic $50 wigs and look absolutely gorgeous. The trick is to know which is right for you in a particular season.

Human Hair and Synthetic Hair have advantages and limitations which make them the right choice at different times. Both are great choices for you depending on your budget, time, and needs. Like me, you could choose to have both, as they each have their pluses! Here are the facts so you can know what circumstance is most beneficial for each.

Part One — Human Hair

Human Hair offers the most natural look and feel. It is remarkably soft with a shine and movement that is not easily duplicated in synthetic hair. It is also extremely versatile. Human Hair can be cut, coloured and styled to suit your personal tastes. And while it can be a more expensive pick, with the proper care, it is also more durable and can last for years.

There are generally five basic types of human hair used in wigs: Chinese, Indonesian, Indian, Peruvian and European/Caucasian. The majority of wigs are made from Asian hair.

Chinese hair has a thicker denier (unit of fineness) which results in the hair being extremely straight. It is a bit more resistant to curl and can therefore be harder to style. Indonesian hair is found in greater supply and is less costly — it can often be found in ethnic style wigs.

Indian hair has thinner denier close to that of European hair but with a bit more texture. Peruvian hair looks like Bi-racial hair especially when wet, and costs much more than the three mentioned previously, but it lasts longer, styles better and is lighter and easier to wear. European hair is the most sought after for its fine denier but due to its increasingly limited supply in the marketplace, it is more expensive.

The origin of the hair is not the only factor, however. Processing technique is directly related to the strength and quality of the end-product. The chemicals needed, to sanitize and strip away the original colour to produce different curl patterns and colours, are very strong and can affect the integrity of the hair depending on method used. When a higher quality of chemicals and a more artful approach to processing is used, the results are higher quality product and thus higher price.

Remy human hair is considered a premium option. Hair follicles are kept running in the same direction when collecting and crafting the wig or hairpiece. With cuticles all running in the same direction, tangling is greatly reduced and hair looks and feels silkier. Beware imposters with suspiciously low-priced product. Here is a rough idea of what good quality or genuine Synthetic Fibre or Human hair weaves or wigs would cost.  Good Synthetic Weaves start from $15 upwards. Good Synthetic Fibre Wigs start from $50. 100% Human hair Weave bundles start from %70 per bundle. 100% Human Hair Wigs Start from $250.

Always purchase hair from someone who can tell you how to look after your hair extension, so that you have maximise its lifespan. It is extremely important to use care products specifically formulated for highly processed human hair. Also keep in mind that wearable hair does not benefit from naturally occurring oils from the scalp. It is important to hydrate and condition hair daily. Human hair is by far the superior choice if quality is the only factor. Other than price, the main drawback to human hair is required maintenance — as with natural hair, it requires effort. For many, daily styling is actually preferable as it allows for more control over the appearance as well as a sense of normalcy that can come with the daily hair styling ritual. Keep in mind that human hair does not come out of the box ready to wear. You may choose to have it customized by a professional stylist to get exactly the look you like. It does take a bit of extra effort… but is worth it!

Until next week, God bless.

Fashion Diva can be messaged on 0772933845 or may be found Wig Boutique inside Meikles Department Store.