A human hair weft, also known as hair extension, has become a popular accessory in the world of beauty and fashion. A human hair weft provides a simple and effective way to add length, volume, or color to your natural hair without the need for chemicals or long-term commitment. Made from 100% human hair, these wefts are designed to blend seamlessly with your own hair, offering a natural and realistic appearance.
Types of Hair Weaves
- Virgin Hair Weaves: This is the highest quality of human hair available. Virgin hair is unprocessed, meaning it has not been dyed, bleached, or permed. It is collected from a single donor, ensuring the cuticles are intact and aligned in the same direction. This results in hair that is tangle-free, durable, and can be colored or styled as desired.
- Remy Hair Weaves: Remy hair is considered a high-quality type of human hair weave because the cuticles are kept intact. It's collected in a way that ensures all the strands stay aligned in their natural direction. This makes Remy hair less prone to tangling and keeps it looking smoother and shinier.
- Non-Remy Hair Weaves: Non-Remy hair is collected from multiple sources and the cuticles are not aligned. This type of hair is more prone to tangling and matting. To prevent this, hair is often treated with a silicone coating, which gives it a smooth and shiny appearance initially, but wears off over time.
- Yaki Hair Weaves: Yaki hair is a type of hair weave that is designed to mimic the texture of relaxed Afro-Caribbean hair. It's available in both synthetic and human hair versions. The hair strands have a crimped appearance, offering a unique texture.
- Brazilian Hair Weaves: Brazilian hair is thick, strong, and beautiful. It's known for its versatility, density, and full body. It has a shiny appearance and feel. Brazilian hair is also relatively easy to maintain and can hold curls for a longer period of time.
- Indian Hair Weaves: Indian hair is very light, airy, and full of bounce. It's known for its soft and wavy texture. It can be easily curled and styled and tends to hold its style over time.
- Peruvian Hair Weaves: Peruvian hair is extremely durable and versatile, making it easy to style and maintain. It's coarser in texture than Indian or Brazilian hair and also has a higher density.
- Malaysian Hair Weaves: Malaysian hair is very soft and shiny. It can initially appear excessively shiny, but after a few washes, the shine lessens and takes on a more natural appearance. This type of hair weave holds curls well and has a lot of volume.
The Benefits of Human Hair Wefts
- Versatility: A human hair weft is made from 100% real human hair, allowing you to style it just like your own hair. You can cut, curl, straighten, and even dye them. This flexibility gives you the freedom to change your look as often as you like.
- Natural Appearance: Since hair wefts are made from real hair, they blend seamlessly with your own hair. This gives a more natural look compared to synthetic extensions, which often have a shiny, artificial appearance.
- Durability: With proper care, hair wefts can last for a long time. They're resistant to damage from heat and styling products, unlike synthetic hair extensions, that can easily get damaged.
- Non-Damaging: Unlike other hair extension methods that use glue or other adhesive substances, a human hair weft is typically sewn onto braided strands of your own hair. This method is less damaging to your natural hair and scalp.
- Variety: Human hair wefts come in a wide array of colors, lengths, and textures. This allows you to choose extensions that match your natural hair or experiment with new styles.
- Adds Volume and Length: If you have thin or short hair, hair wefts are an excellent way to add instant volume and length. They provide a fuller, thicker look, making them popular among individuals dealing with hair loss or thinning.
- Low Maintenance: Although it requires regular washing and gentle brushing, a human hair weft is generally low maintenance. Once installed, you can treat them like your natural hair.
- Cost-Effective: Even though hair wefts may have a higher initial cost compared to synthetic alternatives, their durability and ability to last longer make them a more economical choice in the long term. They can be reused multiple times, saving you money on replacement costs.
The Criteria in Choosing the Right Human Hair Weft
- Quality of Hair: The best extensions are 100% human hair that has not been treated with harsh chemicals or coated with silicone. Options include Virgin and Remy hair, both known for their superior quality and durability.
- The Type of Hair: The type of extension you choose should depend on your own hair type – whether it's fine, thin, or thick. For example, hand-tied extensions often work well for fine hair.
- Lifestyle Compatibility: Your lifestyle and routine can determine what type of extensions will work best for you. Some types require more maintenance than others, so it's important to consider what will realistically fit into your daily routine.
- Hair Extension Tests: There are various tests to determine if the human hair extension you're considering is of good quality, such as how it responds to washing and styling.
- Budget and Hair Texture: Your budget and your hair's texture should also influence the type of extension you choose. Some extensions are more expensive than others, and certain types may work better with certain hair textures.
- Extension Type: There are different types of extensions, including clip-in, tape-in, sew-in/weave, and fusion/pre-bonded. Every variety has its unique benefits and drawbacks; hence, it's crucial to thoroughly investigate each option before finalizing a decision.
- Processing and Manufacturing: The way the hair is processed and manufactured can greatly affect its quality. Unprocessed (Virgin) hair is the highest quality, while hair that's been overly processed may be prone to damage.
- Desired Look: Your desired look will also determine the type of extension, length, and texture you choose. For instance, if you want a long, voluminous style, you may opt for longer, thicker extensions.
- The Length of Extensions: The length of the human hair weft can dramatically change your look. Length should be chosen based on your personal preference, natural hair length, and desired final look.