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If you are considering purchasing a human hair topper, you may be feeling confused or overwhelmed by the varying price points that exist on the market. With so many different types of toppers available, it can be hard to know what you’re really paying for. And when you’re investing your hard-earned money, you want to be confident about your purchase, not unsure about whether it’s worth it.
Daniel Alain has been in the alternative hair industry for over two decades. We have become experts at creating the most natural-looking human hair wigs and toppers. We have helped countless customers find the perfect hair topper for their needs, and we’re passionate about sharing our expertise with you. Whether you ultimately purchase from us or a different company, we want to empower you to make a decision that you’re happy with and meets your specific needs.
In this article, we will provide you with a comprehensive understanding of the different factors that drive the cost of a human hair topper. We’ll cover the quality of the hair, hair length and color, and construction methods. We’ll also discuss the importance of considering brand reputation when purchasing. With this information, you will be better equipped to find the perfect hair topper for your needs while feeling confident about the investment you’re making.
Hair quality in human hair toppers
You’ve researched the differences between synthetic and human hair toppers, and you’ve decided a human hair topper is the right choice for you. But how do you narrow down your options for human hair toppers? The price points vary greatly and after all, isn’t all human hair the same? How do you know you’re getting your money’s worth and aren’t just paying more for something you could have bought for less elsewhere?
Firstly, not all human hair used to make wigs and toppers is the same quality.
Hair origin
Human hair toppers are generally made from European, Chinese, or Indian hair. While each of these hair types has its own uniquely beautiful characteristics, resulting toppers vary drastically in quality.
European hair is considered to be the premium hair type for making human hair toppers. Not only is it extremely smooth and sleek, but it also has exceptional movement and healthy shine. European hair is rare and almost impossible to source, which makes it sought after and highly desirable.
In contrast, Chinese and Indian hair is much more readily available, and are the most common hair types used to make less expensive human hair wigs and toppers.
Indian hair is textured and has a natural body and movement. Toppers made from Indian hair are dense but bouncy and easy to style.
Chinese hair is the most readily available hair type and is straight, silky, and strong. Each strand of Chinese hair is thicker than European or Indian hair, making it coarser to the touch.
Closed cuticles
The cuticles of the hair, which are the outermost layer of the hair shaft, play an essential role in the quality and durability of human hair toppers. Cuticles that are intact and aligned in the same direction, also known as “closed cuticles,” create a smooth and healthy appearance resistant to tangling and matting.
Patricia Wrixon, founder of the Salon at 10 Newbury in Boston, the county’s leading hair replacement center, says that the cuticles on each hair “should be totally closed, and you’ll get that nice smooth, airy look that doesn’t tangle like inexpensive human hair toppers do.”
Hair that has undergone harsh processing, such as bleaching or acid baths, can damage the cuticles and make them lift, leading to rough and damaged hair prone to tangling and shedding.
To ensure a high-quality human hair topper, it’s important to choose hair that has intact cuticles that are aligned in the same direction.
The collection methods used for obtaining human hair vary depending on the region and this will impact the quality and cost of the final product. Chinese and Indian hair is often collected as ‘fallen hair’, where the hair is collected from hairbrushes, salon floors, and sink drains. This method is the least expensive but the resulting hair is of poor quality and will need chemical treatments and heavy processing to be suitable for use.
European hair, on the other hand, was collected in ponytail form. The hair is tied into a ponytail and cut above the band. This method ensures that every strand lays in the same direction and is much easier to process.
“Follea hair toppers from Daniel Alain are made from 100% European hair,” Patricia points out. “The cuticle is completely closed. This is the most important part of choosing the right hair.”
Hair length and color for human hair toppers
The most natural-looking hair toppers blend seamlessly with your existing hair and it will need to match in color and length. Hair length and color are two cost-determining factors when it comes to human hair toppers. Longer hair lengths are less common and more difficult to source because of the time it takes to grow. Shorter hair lengths are much faster to grow, quicker to collect, and more commonly used to make toppers. Hair donors willing to part with 18” locks are rare and because the demand for long hair is often higher than for shorter lengths, this can increase the cost of long hair toppers.
Hair color also plays a role in the cost of a human hair topper. Natural hair colors such as black and brown are much more abundant and therefore less expensive, while lighter shades and blondes are more expensive due to their scarcity.
Human hair topper construction methods
Aside from hair quality, length, and color, a major cost-driving factor to human hair toppers is their construction. If you have an active lifestyle or expect to wear your hair topper for working out at the gym, it will need to be robust enough to withstand daily wear, yet be beautiful enough for a completely natural look.
Like human hair wigs, hair toppers are made with either a lace top or a silk top. A lace top is a lightweight, breathable option that is constructed from one layer of lace but will not give you the most natural look. If you look closely at the part line, you will be able to see the lace material. Silk tops, on the other hand, will give you a true scalp appearance and the most realistic part.
“Silk top toppers look totally natural. The scalp looks exactly like a real scalp and as if the hair is growing out of your head,” says Patricia.
A silk top is constructed from several layers of material, so they can be hotter to wear but the difference is minimal and well worth it to people who want the most natural look. Silk tops typically cost more because they require a more complex manufacturing process and use higher-quality materials.
“The cost of a human hair piece can sound expensive, but the look is priceless and totally natural-looking,” says Patricia.
Human hair topper brand reputatioN
Brand reputation plays a significant role in the cost of a human hair topper. We know there are many brands on the market and a well-established company will be known for its quality and reliability.
A great brand with a good reputation will likely have invested heavily in research and development, sourcing high-quality materials, and employing skilled workers to produce world-class hair toppers. They have also likely built a loyal customer base over time through positive real customer reviews, word-of-mouth recommendations, and repeat business.
On the other hand, a lesser-known brand may not have the same level of expertise or resources to produce high-quality human hair toppers. They may also lack the same level of customer trust and loyalty that a well-established brand enjoys.
Am I ready to explore Follea human hair toppers by Daniel Alain?
Losing your hair can be an emotionally difficult experience, but here at Daniel Alain, we believe that finding the right human hair topper to meet your specific needs, shouldn’t be. We understand it can be confusing to know where to begin your search for a hairpiece, especially when you’re faced with such a wide range of price tags. You’re nervous about spending a significant amount of money with very little understanding about what you’re paying for.
We hope this article has helped you to determine the major factors that influence the cost of a human hair topper. Whatever decision you make, being armed with the best information will help you as you move toward making the right decision for you.
If you’re thinking about our Follea human hair toppers and wondering which one is best for you, making an appointment for a free consultation with one of our experienced consultants is the very best way to get your questions answered. We know that living with hair loss can feel overwhelming at times. Every day our consultants help women find the right hair topper and set them on a path to regain their self-confidence and feel more like themselves again. We’re ready to help you, too.
