Have you ever been to the hair store, or attempted to shop for hair extensions online? Have you noticed that your initial excitement of getting your hair done fades quickly when you discover you need to navigate the interesting world of hair extensions?
Well, us too, and many more just like you. It takes some time to learn the lingo, however, it’s fairly simple once you understand. Let’s break it down.
Pause to read
If you haven’t done so yet take a look through the posts Raw, Virgin, Remy, and 100% Human hair extensions to help you get a deeper understanding of these terms, also peek at this post about the hair extension brand names.
Recap
Alright, so far we understand that “Raw” human hair is hair that’s in its natural state.
“Virgin” human hair is hair that has not been processed chemically or had any heat treatments.
“Remy” hair is hair that has undisturbed cuticles facing the same direction, which is the direction of hair’s natural growth (down).
We have also identified that “Non-Remy” hair extensions have been stripped of their cuticles and coated in silicone for a temporary tangle-free finish.
We also know that names such as “Indian, Malaysian, Peruvian, etc.” are describing certain characteristics the hair is believed to possess, the country of origin, or it could just be a marketing tactic.
But, “what the what!” do these words mean in the names manufacturers and vendors use when naming their hair extension products?
Let’s dig a little deeper.
We will take some of the most commonly used names for human hair extensions and break them down for you.
#1 Brazilian Virgin Human Hair Extensions
Scenario #1
- Brazilian = Donor Origin
- Virgin = It is hair that has not been processed in any way
- Human Hair = The source the hair grew from and the type of hair, and it can be treated just like your own hair
What the manufacturer or vendor may be implying – The hair is from a Brazilian donor and has not been processed in any way. It is real hair that can be treated like your own natural hair.
Scenario #2
- Brazilian = it is being used for Marketing Purposes
- VIrgin = It is hair that has not been processed in any way before they got it.
- Human Hair = The source the hair grew from and the type of hair, and it can be treated just like your own hair
What the manufacturer or vendor may be implying – Brazilian, virgin human hair is in demand, we have “some” human hair, so please purchase from us.
#2 Brazilian Virgin Remy Human Hair Extensions
Scenario #1
- Brazilian = Donor Origin
- Virgin = It is hair that has not been processed in any way
- Remy = the cuticles are aligned in the right direction and will not tangle unnecessarily therefore it will last you a long time
- Human Hair = The source the hair grew from and the type of hair, and it can be treated just like your own hair
What the manufacturer or vendor may be implying – The hair is from a Brazilian donor and has not been processed in any way. The hair will last you a long time and will not tangle unnecessarily. It is also real hair that can be treated like your own natural hair.
Scenario #2
What the manufacturer or vendor may be implying – Same as the explanation in the first “Scenario #2”
#3 Virgin Remy Human Hair Tape In Extensions
Scenario #1
- Virgin = It is hair that has not been processed in any way
- Remy = the cuticles are aligned in the right direction and will not tangle unnecessarily therefore it will last you a long time
- Human Hair = The source the hair grew from and the type of hair, and it can be treated just like your own hair
- Tape In = Hair extension installation method
What the manufacturer or vendor may be implying – The hair has not been processed in any way, it will not tangle unnecessarily, and will last you a long time. It is also real hair that can be treated like your own natural hair, and you install it by using the tape-in installation method.
Scenario #2
- Virgin = It was virgin when they sourced the hair but they have now modified the natural state of the hair in some way
- Remy = this may be used for marketing purposes and there could be some silicone coating on the hair, so it will take some time before it tangles excessively and will not last you a long time
- Human Hair = The source the hair grew from and the type of hair, and it can be treated just like your own hair
- Tape In = Hair extension installation method
What the manufacturer or vendor may be implying – The hair was not processed in any way when we sourced it. It will not tangle for a short while, however, it will tangle after using it for a while and will not last you a long time. It is real hair that can be treated like your own natural hair, and you install it by using the tape-in installation method.
#4 Virgin Indian Remy Body Wave Human Hair Extensions
Scenario #1
- Virgin = It is hair that has not been processed in any way
- Indian = Donor Origin
- Remy = the cuticles are aligned in the right direction and will not tangle unnecessarily therefore it will last you a long time
- Body Wave = this is the hair’s curl or wave pattern which was achieved by steam or chemical processing
- Human Hair = The source the hair grew from and the type of hair, and it can be treated just like your own hair
What the manufacturer or vendor may be implying – The hair has not been processed in any way. It is from an Indian donor, will not tangle unnecessarily, and will last you a long time. There has been some steam processing to achieve this wave pattern, and It is real hair that can be treated like your own natural hair.
***For hair to be considered virgin, it must be unprocessed. Steam processing is a form of processing.
Scenario #2
- Virgin = It was virgin when they sourced the hair but they have now modified the natural state of the hair in some way
- Indian = Donor Origin
- Remy = this may be used for marketing purposes and there could be some silicone coating on the hair, so it will take some time before it tangles excessively and will not last you a long time
- Body Wave = this is the hair’s curl or wave pattern which was achieved by steam or chemical processing
- Human Hair = The source the hair grew from and the type of hair, and it can be treated just like your own hair
What the manufacturer or vendor may be implying – The hair was not processed in any way when we sourced it. It is from an Indian donor, It will not tangle for a short while, however, it will tangle after using it for a while and will not last you a long time. There has been some steam processing to achieve this wave pattern, and It is real hair that can be treated like your own natural hair.
Scenario #3
- Virgin = It was virgin when they sourced the hair but they have now modified the natural state of the hair in some way
- Indian = Donor Origin
- Remy = the cuticles are aligned in the right direction and will not tangle unnecessarily therefore it will last you a long time
- Body Wave = the hair’s curl or wave pattern which was achieved by steam or chemical processing
- Human Hair = The source the hair grew from and the type of hair, and it can be treated just like your own hair
What the manufacturer or vendor may be implying – The hair was not processed in any way when we sourced it. It is from an Indian donor, will not tangle unnecessarily, and will last you a long time. There has been some steam processing to achieve this wave pattern, and, It is real hair that can be treated like your own natural hair.
