In the hair industry, extension technicians use terms like remy hair and virgin hair all the time. But what do these terms actually mean? I get asked this all the time so this post if all about the different types of hair.
- Remy hair: This hair comes from hair donors. Once the hair is cut off, it is bundled together so that all the strands are facing in the same direction and don’t get messed up. This is very important. When the hair cuticles all face the same direction it means the hair is less likely to tangle. Remy hair will, however, tangle if you don’t look after it and follow hair care rules.
- Non remy hair: This hair should be avoided at all cost. The hair strands (cuticles) are facing in different directions so it will tangle, that is guaranteed. A common way that this hair is collected if from hair salon floors. Don’t worry too much about hygiene though… the hair is so processed once the hair extension manufacturers receive the hair nothing nasty will survive.
- Virgin Hair: This hair is the best quality. It hasn’t been processed at all (eg. coloured). The result is that your hair extensions will be extremely manageable, they won’t tangle and will last longer that processed hair. If money is no object, then this is great hair and you should buy it.
Buying The Right Human Hair
The problem with virgin hair is finding someone that supplies it! GENUINE virgin hair is actually quite rare. Hair extensions have become so popular in recent years and so there just isn’t enough hair to meet demand. It is amusing seeing online auction sellers offering virgin hair for around $1 per extension. This hair isn’t virgin hair, it probably isn’t even remy hair. I have clients coming to me every week upset at the hair they bought from dodgy sellers on auction websites. So be warned.
How do you avoid shonky hair?
Good question, it is difficult. When you receive your hair extensions they will look great. Even non-remy hair has a silicone spray added to it which gives it shine and makes the hair feel silky and soft. After one or two washes the true hair will be revealed! Dry, brittle and difficult to manage.
You can tell whether hair is remy, non remy or virgin under a microscope. But it needs to be VERY powerful and I’m guessing the average person doesn’t own a hight powered microscope. So the best way to avoid bad hair is to buy from a trusted supplier.
How to increase your confidence in the hair extension supplier?
- Check the suppliers before and after photos. Whether it is an online supplier or a hair salon, they should be able to offer genuine pics. Not photos of celebrities with hair extensions or model photos with nice hair.
- A few customer references. You’re going to spend quite a bit of money so why not check with a few previous customers that the product is as good as advertised. A good supplier can offer a reference or two.
- Get a sample. Ask for a sample of hair from the hair salon or supplier before handing over the cash. Give the hair a few washes and ensure it still looks as good as when you first received it. A good supplier that is confident in their hair will offer a free sample.
Tags: remy hair, virgin hair
I wish I’d read this before buying my first lot of extensions. I’ve just had a nightmare with hair that has matted and gone all brittle in a few days of adding. I thought it was something I was doing wrong but I’m starting to think it’s more a problem with the hair I bought!
I got some fusion extensions off ebay and they matted in a few days
Won’t make that mistake again.
I get so over people complaining about their extensions matting. YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR. Why complain if you have problems and only pay peanuts for your hair. Research the hair you’re going to buy and don’t buy from crappy ebay sellers.
Whats ‘100 % Human Hair, Remy hair, Cuticle-Free’ hair? Where does that fit in to the above article? How can it be Remy and Cuticle-free? I’m not the buyer of the hair, our manager is- but i can tell you it has a huge price tag for our clients…
Good question Greenfairy? Remy hair means the cuticle is intact and they are all facing the same direction. If it’s cuticle free then it must be non-remy and therefore not premium hair. Cuticle free hair usually results from the acid baths the hair is put into to process the hair to the desired tecture and colour.
I have also heard of hair manufacturers shaving off the cuticles when the hair is non remy. This reduces the tangling. They then add a polymer coating to give it back its shine. This healthy look doesn’t usually last more than a few washes though.
FYI, Wikipedia have a page outlining the different types of hair here I’ve never seen so many different types of hair and to be honest I’m not sure how accurate this page is.
Hi guys , ok so where do i start? Well firstly its pretty crazy out there and like most things on the internet theres no regulation so people can write what they think, or like. After having the same problems that you girls did I found that human hair, which it actually it isnt, only contains 10% of human hair and the rest is other fibres. this is what you can buy in your local hair shops, now how confusings that? And then you’ve got remy hair. All hair starts of being virgin (actual real human unprocessed hair)but after multiple chemical processing for cleansing, colour, and texture the hair is then usually left without any cuticles depening on the manufactor and how the hairs processed and the type of chemicals there using and this will depend on the grade of hair and quality (non remy, or remy) Now thiis where the trouble begins because you dont really know what your buying and most advertisements are very misleading.
let me give you an e.g. extensionist selling real human virgin hair extensions in blonde. which unless the hair is from a european country i.e russia or sweden then it cant be virgin hair because the countries where the morjoroty of the hairs are sourced from are prodominantly dark haired so therefore the hair must have been coloured making it remy hair of what quality I dont know, but usually lasting around 3-5 months if your lucky. so its kind of a gamble so get recommended. Real virgin remy hair will last you 1-5 years depending on the origin and can be coloured yourself. very good quality remy hair will last you maybe 6- 8 months, this all depends on how well the Hair has been processed.
A couple of years ago I got fleeced online trying to buy brazilian virgin hair , and was sold a less expensive type because most wouldnt know and I didnt for about a month and could’nt get my money back so decided to set up my own company.
Ive got the most gorgeous hair someting for everyone. check out my website which I literally just started oh and I can get Russian and european too.
(watch out for european terms online too, type in european hair and then type in russian european. Do your research!
Hope this helped x
http://www.candycurls.co.uk
Thanks for the spam Candycurls.
Sorry…