What Wigs Are Made of: Human Hair and Synthetic Fibers
You might already know that wigs are made using different types of materials: human hair, synthetic fibers but what’s the real difference between them and how do you choose the right option for you?
In this article we will explain how the materials a wig is made of impacts its natural appearance, texture, durability, and cost. At Daniel Alain, we make high-quality human hair wigs, but we believe that understanding these nuances will help you choose a piece that suits your lifestyle and hair loss situation, no matter what your wig is made of.
Read on to find out more.
What Are Wigs Made Of?
At the most basic level, wigs are made from two main categories: natural human hair and synthetic hair fibers. If you’re exploring brands, you’ll find a noticeable difference within these two categories. Synthetic hair wigs usually start at about $20 for something that is more cosplay than every day, and go up to several hundred dollars for a piece that has a more natural appearance. Human hair wigs also have a wide price range with the most expensive wigs likely to cost you several thousands of dollars.
Let’s take a look at what you get for your money, no matter how much you’re spending.
Human Hair Wigs
Human hair wigs are made from real human hair and are the closest you can get to a natural look and movement. These wigs are most commonly made from Indian hair, Chinese hair and Indonesian hair, where these regions have high numbers of people willing to grow and cut their hair for money. Wigs are also made from European hair, but they’re extremely rare simply because there are fewer Europeans willing to sell their locks.
Each of these hair types have their own beautiful natural characteristics that make them unique. Asian hair is shiny, strong, and straight, with each strand being thick and coarse. Indian hair has a natural wave which gives it volume and thickness. European hair is very fine and soft and each strand is much thinner than other hair types.
Human hair is usually bleached then dyed before being made into a wig. Indian and Chinese hair is naturally very dark in color and has to be processed to lighten it. European hair naturally comes in a wide range of colors from white blonde to dark brown and everything in between!
Some companies approach wig making as an art, and the highest quality wigs are handmade by artisans with years of experience. Wigs made from European hair are especially rare because the raw materials are so rare and of the highest quality. It’s almost like spinning gold! Lower quality wigs, on the other hand, may be machine-made and mass-produced in a factory assembly-line. This is more affordable for those on a budget, but doesn’t achieve the most realistic look.
One reason people love human hair wigs is because they can really make a piece their own. They can be cut, dyed, and styled just like your own hair. Whether you want to create beautiful bouncy waves with heat tools like curling irons or cut bangs for an original look, human hair wigs give you the versatility to help make the piece like a real part of you. Remember that if you want to style human hair wigs, always use a heat protectant to protect the quality of the hair fibers and maintain its natural shine.
As for care and maintenance, you can wash human hair wigs as you would wash your natural hair, except in a basin. Use good quality products like a cleaning shampoo and hydrating conditioner that have been designed especially for human hair wigs. Wash your human hair wig every 7 to 10 wears, or sooner if you use a lot of products or are very active in your piece. Air dry a human hair wig on a wig stand overnight, and then style it just like your own hair.
Human hair wigs can have impressive durability and with proper care and maintenance. The highest quality human hair wigs can last up to several years. They’re a great long-term solution for someone who is willing to invest in a high-quality, natural look.
Remy Human Hair
Have you heard the term ‘Remy human hair’ and wondered what it means? Human hair has cuticles that run in the same direction as each strand grows from the head. Remy hair is natural hair that has been cut from the ponytail with all the strands of hair running in the same direction and tied to a wig cap. When the hair has the cuticles laying in one direction, the wig is less prone to tangling and has a most realistic appearance.
Non-Remy Hair
In contrast, wigs that are made from non-Remy hair usually come at a lower cost because the hair is collected from hair brushes, salon floors, and sometimes even sink drains. Workers bundle these strands up but there’s no way of knowing which direction the hairs are supposed to lay in, so they chemically treat the hair with acid to remove the cuticles. This heavy processing affects the quality of the hair and while these wigs are usually more affordable, they lose their natural shine, are prone to tangling, matting, and breakage, and don’t last as long.
Virgin Hair
Virgin hair is real hair that has never been dyed, bleached or permed. This hair is usually very good-quality hair because it has never been chemically treated, making it a blank canvas for you to customize yourself if you choose.
Synthetic Wigs
Synthetic hair wigs are made from engineered synthetic fibers like acrylic, polyester, and polyvinyl chloride (PVC). These hair fibers are produced in factories under high temperatures and spun into ‘hair-like’ strands before being dyed and cut then made into wigs.
These synthetic hair fibers are designed to mimic the look, feel, and movement of natural hair, although they’re not completely indistinguishable from natural hair. Most synthetic wigs are pre styled with built in shape and hairstyle like curls or waves.
Synthetic wigs are typically more affordable than human hair wigs, require less maintenance, and hold their original style even after washing and wearing.
Pros and cons of synthetic hair
Synthetic hair wigs are low maintenance and lower cost, making them a great choice for someone on a budget. However, they do have limited durability and only last a few months of daily wear before needing to be replaced. They’re prone to pilling or fraying as the fiber breaks down over a short time, and the cost of regular replacements can really add up over time. You should take this into consideration if you’re looking for a long-term solution.
Synthetic wigs can look convincing, but they don’t truly replicate the natural appearance of real hair. Lower quality fibers are typically unnaturally shiny, move more stiffly, and can’t be customized with heat styling, unless labelled heat-friendly.
Heat-friendly synthetic fibers can withstand low heat from styling tools like curling irons to create curls, (following the manufacturer’s recommendations) but they’re still less versatile than human hair and have reduced long-term durability. Frequent heat styling often reduces the longevity of a heat-friendly synthetic wig, so avoid too many heat tools if possible, even on pieces that can withstand heat.
You can wash a synthetic wig and since they are pre styled, they will pop back into shape once dry. We recommend using a shampoo and conditioner especially designed for synthetic wigs and following the manufacturer’s instructions to help preserve the style and texture for as long as possible.
Synthetic hair wigs have come a long way in recent years, look more realistic than ever before, and are very affordable. On the other hand, if achieving the most natural look is your priority, you might want to consider a human hair wig.
Human Hair Wigs or Synthetic Hair Wigs: Which is Best for Me?
Now that you know what wigs are made of, you might be wondering which option is best for you. This checklist will help you narrow down your options.
Choose a human hair wig if:
-
You want the most natural look
-
You’d like the freedom to style your wig with heat tools like curling irons or straighteners
-
You prefer a soft, realistic texture that moves like natural hair
-
You want to customise the color
-
You’re planning to wear your wig regularly and want something that can last with proper care
-
You don’t mind a little more styling time and maintenance as part of your routine
Choose a synthetic wig if:
-
You want a style that’s ready to wear with minimal effort
-
You prefer a low maintenance option that holds its shape after washing
-
You’re looking for an affordable way to explore different styles
-
You don’t plan to use heat tools regularly for styling
-
You want a consistent look, with curls or straight styles that stay in place
Which Wig Should I Choose for the Most Natural Look?
Now that you’ve read all about what wigs are made of, you probably have a better understanding of why there’s such a huge price difference between different styles and what you’re actually spending money on when you make a purchase.
At Daniel Alain, we’re known for making some of the highest quality human hair wigs available. We exclusively use Remy human hair for our hairpieces and compared to other brands, there’s a noticeable difference. They have an exquisite texture, beautiful natural shine, and can truly make a woman feel like this is her own hair.
But don’t take our word for it. We encourage you to continue your research, read reviews and testimonials, and see what people are saying online. If you’d like to try one for yourself, don’t hesitate to book a free consultation for a Fit Kit that will allow you to try on wig caps and check out hair samples from the comfort of your own home.
