Unfortunately, finding the right wig can be quite a challenge. A quick search for natural wigs will pull up endless choices that leave you feeling confused, uncertain, and farther from your dream hair. You'll also quickly realize that not all wigs are created equal: there are synthetic, natural, virgin, and Remy, but which is right for you?
Daniel Alain is the leading-expert for hair care solutions and offers expert insight to help us understand the different types of natural wigs.
Over the years, Daniel has witnessed firsthand the power a good wig can have on a person's self-esteem and wellbeing. However, finding the right wig can be elusive.
“Just because it's human hair doesn't mean it's good quality; it can be floor hair or bad quality. There is no one to police (the wig industry) because it's not FDA regulated,” Daniel said.
Not to worry because we're breaking it all down for you in this guide! You've heard of Remy, virgin, and 100% human hair, but are they the same? The short answer is no. To get the long answer (and your best hair ever), keep reading.
Wigs, extensions, and hairpieces are on the rise thanks to trendsetting celebs like Beyoncé, Kim Kardashian, and Hailey Baldwin. Why are they so popular? Because unlike synthetic wigs and hairpieces, human hair wigs move and bounce naturally.
Still, just because it's human hair doesn't make it good hair. The fact is, there are drastic variances between products. Factors like production, manufacturing processes, hair types, and chemical additives can turn a natural wig into a messy, tangled nightmare.
In other words, you'll need to conduct your due diligence to vet the market for high-quality natural wigs, and we're here to help you do that.
First order of business: What's the difference between Remy, virgin, and 100% human hair?
Understanding hair quality in human hair wigs
Hair grows through the cuticles from one direction on a scalp, and you'll want that same fluidity from your wig. Quality wigs have an intact cuticle that naturally directs the hair and produces a natural-looking sheen, but very few human hair wigs prioritize cuticle direction.
Daniel explains it's not always easy to know if a wig has intact cuticles. Another way to spot natural hair?
“When you wash and shampoo the hair, you can tell: if it becomes slimy and silky, the hair has been chemically treated. If the hair feels dry: it's natural hair, it's Remy."
But what if it's not Remy hair?
Non-Remy hair refers to human hair that has been collected without ensuring that all the cuticles run in the same direction. When the cuticles are not aligned, the hair is more prone to tangling, matting, and breakage because the strands rub against each other. This misalignment creates friction and makes the hair more difficult to manage and style smoothly.
In human hair wigs or toppers, non-Remy hair can significantly impact the overall quality and durability. Since it tangles easily, wearers might find themselves spending more time detangling and maintaining the piece. Non-Remy hair also tends to have a shorter lifespan and may not hold styles as well as higher-quality hair, such as Remy or virgin hair. Because of these issues, wigs and toppers made with non-Remy hair may feel less natural and comfortable and often require more frequent replacement.
This leads us to another snag. The wig industry is entirely unregulated, which means anyone can advertise human hair as Remy without proof of quality or origin. And you can't go on prices alone since manufacturers can throw whatever price tag they want on their wigs.
Daniel's advice for dodging the bad to get to the goods?
“You have to check the brands and reviews to see what everyone is saying. Go to a wig shop and try them on. When you try on a high-quality wig, you'll notice a difference right away. It's very hard for a woman to go backward from the highest quality; that's how you get the education."
Before you start shopping, let's get up to speed on the difference between virgin, Remy, and non-Remy hair.
TYPES OF NATURAL HAIR
Virgin, Remy, and non-Remy hair are all 100% human hair, but they are far from the same.
- Virgin hair is 100% human hair that's never been chemically-treated or dyed.
- Remy hair is human ponytail hair with the cuticle in one direction, but it can be dyed or treated hair.
- 100% human hair is any hair from a human scalp — meaning it can come from the floor of a hair salon, a brush, or even a corpse.
And now you've fully realized why learning the difference between the three is crucial! But as Daniel explains, treatments aren't the only factor to consider. We need to look at the manufacturing processes that differentiate cheaper wigs from premium ones.
Virgin Human Hair
Virgin European hair has never been tainted by toxic chemicals or dyes. However, as Daniel points out, you can't get it anymore. Decades ago, manufacturers sourced virgin hair primarily from China, India, Vietnam, and Russia. During that time, women in the countryside could make a good income by selling their virgin ponytails with the cuticles laying in the same direction, which became known as "Remy" hair.
Now, manufacturers can no longer get virgin European hair.
As hair trends and styles evolved, it became more difficult to track down virgin European hair that hadn't been chemically processed. Fortunately, Daniel spent decades perfecting the art of human hair wigs, amassing a private collection of about 135,000 pounds of premium European hair.
“We are the only ones who have a big stock of virgin European natural hair. If you buy one of our Chic or Grandeur wigs, you'll see that it wasn't chemically treated and can last you for years and years and years."
How does non-Remy hair compare? Simply put, it doesn't.
Non-Remy Hair
While non-Remy hair is 100% human hair, it's much cheaper because it's more readily available. How do manufacturers get the hair? Unlike FOLLEA's private collection of natural hair, most manufacturers use a mixture of hair from China, Vietnam, and India. To streamline the production, the hair undergoes chemical processing in huge acid baths to strip away the cuticles.
“Say you take non-Remy hair off the floor; it'll be all different textures. The way to fix it with a low quality wig is to perm it. Straight hair, curly hair, all that hair has been really processed," Daniel explains.
The result is a "one size fits all" product. The problem with this method is that we all have unique hair types. If you have wavy, fine hair, you deserve a wig made from wavy, fine hair, right? Right.
Remy Human Hair
Contrary to popular belief: Remy and virgin hair are not the same. Remy hair is natural hair that can be either virgin or treated. Remy hair wigs and extensions often come with highlights, lowlights, and color treatment to make them ready to wear. But again, just because it's sold as Remy doesn't automatically mean it's good quality.
There are two key components to premium Remy hair: origin and manufacturing processes.
Daniel Alain works with European hair and sorts hair by type (thick, thin, fine, coarse, curly, straight) and cuticle direction.
Most manufacturers soak all hair in an acid bath to produce as much as possible. Unfortunately, the quality plummets because the cuticles aren't intact, and thus, the direction of the hair isn't consistent.
Daniel Alain's process?
“We have (a staff of) 100 people making sure the hair maintains one direction; that is a specialty to ensure the hair stays in the same direction throughout the entire manufacturing process."
The final result? Beautiful hair that perfectly matches your natural hair color, type, style, and above all — personality!
“This hairline is flawless. I can't even tell I'm wearing a wig in this picture!!," writes Natalie of @Alopecia_Fashionista.
There's a method to the magic, so are you ready to finally get the wig you deserve?
Ready to explore follea by daniel Alain's human hair wigs?
You're not alone if you've struggled with the endless choice in wigs or feel a bit clueless about the differences between Remy, virgin, and non-Remy hair. Fortunately, experts like Daniel Alain have dedicated years to perfecting the art of wig-making and offering valuable insight to help consumers like you make informed decisions.
As the offspring of two pioneering parents in the hair and wig industries, Daniel's work isn't just a passion; it's in his blood. His mission? To empower people and make them feel beautiful.
With the information laid out in this guide, you now have the tools to distinguish between premium wigs and lower-quality alternatives to ensure you invest in a piece that enhances your appearance, boosts your confidence, and matches your personality and lifestyle.
Now that you know all about the difference between Remy, virgin, and 100% human hair, you should feel better prepared about making the right choice for you. If you'd like to know more about the premium-quality human hair wigs we make here at Daniel Alain, we encourage you to consider using our expert consultation services. Our consultations are free and private, and can take place in our Newport Beach, CA showroom, or virtually over Zoom from the comfort of your own home.
“You can transform a woman in five seconds, just put the wig on and see."
