Remy Hair: Separating Facts From Fiction

There are a lot of misconceptions concerning Remy (sometimes spelled as ‘Remi’) hair. The confusion seems to stem from the common assumption that all, or most, Remy hair originates in India. How did this come about? Well, likely from the abundance of advertisements on the web and in hair salons that push ‘Remy hair’ or ‘Virgin Remy hair’ from India. When is the last time you heard about Remy hair from Europe or Remy hair from China or anywhere else?

REMY HAIR CAN BE FROM ANYWHERE

The terms ‘Remy hair’ and ‘Virgin Remy hair’ don’t denote any ethnicity or place of origin. They do, however, define the way the hair is cut and it’s natural state prior to being sold to a supplier. In fact, the easiest way to understand this is to pull your own hair into one pony tail or several tied-off locks. When they are gathered together, and then cut, each bundle is genuine Remy hair. What makes it so?

YOUR NATURAL HAIR IS REMY HAIR TOO

Preserving the natural directional flow of the hair is what makes it true Remy hair. So, in essence, your own hair is Remy hair if banded and cut too! The hair is tangle-resistant because the cuticles all move in the same direction. If the cuticles moved in counter directions on the various strands of hair, it would behave somewhat like Velcro and cause the hair to snag on itself. Of course, even your own natural hair can tangle sometimes.

THERE’S NO SUCH THING AS TANGLE-PROOF REMY HAIR

Think about the times when your hair has become tangled. It’s a safe bet that something has caused the cuticles to move in counter directions. A brisk towel-drying, a windy day with no head covering or even a good head scratch is enough to do it. Hair is not totally tangle-proof; it happens now and then under specific circumstances. Whether it’s the hair on your own head or the hair on a wig, it happens.

However, it’s easily remedied when you’re dealing with Remy hair. A good conditioner and a gentle combing will remove the tangles as the hair will fall back into its natural alignment. However, non-Remy hair is so mixed up directionally that it’s not going to sit right no matter how much conditioning or styling you do. You can rip Velcro pieces apart but they’ll catch together as soon as they touch again. The same is true of non-Remy hair; the cuticles will hook each other when moving in opposite directions.

YOUR NATURAL HAIR MAY OR MAY NOT BE VIRGIN REMY HAIR

There’s even more misunderstanding when it comes to Virgin Remy hair. Most consumers (and even professional stylists!) believe that Remy hair is considered ‘Virgin’ if it comes from one individual. Actually, the hair can come from twenty different people and still be ‘Virgin Remy hair’. The hair is ‘Virgin’ if it’s process-free. This means it has not been bleached, dyed or undergone any chemical process at all.

THERE’S NO SUCH THING AS A LITTLE BIT VIRGIN

Too many suppliers try to play with that fact. One leading wig manufacturer, who has been in the business for nearly a century, has encountered some astonishing and frustrating exchanges when purchasing bulk Virgin Remy hair. When he asks the supplier if it’s Virgin Remy, he’s assured that it is. Yet, if he asks if the hair has been colored, he’s sometimes told that it has been. If he asks if the hair has been lightened, he’s sometimes told that it has been.

Why are suppliers offering up chemically treated or colored Remy hair as ‘Virgin Remy’? Well, some are simply being dishonest. They want to command top dollar and adding the word ‘Virgin’ to the product description will do the trick. However, many suppliers are just as confused as the general population regarding Remy and Virgin Remy hair.

YOUR ABSOLUTE BEST SOURCE FOR VIRGIN REMY HAIR

Your own hair, as it sits on your head, is Virgin Remy hair if it has not been through any chemical or coloring process. In fact, it makes the perfect Virgin Remy hair for your wig or hair extensions. Simply band it, cut it and keep the cuticles falling in one uniform direction to be guaranteed that you have what you’re looking for. Or, have a friend or co-worker with long, natural, beautiful hair that you’d love to have? Ask if you can tag along for the next hair-cutting appointment. You can’t get a better, more direct source.

Remy Hair: India Is Not The Only Source

Although a lot of Remy hair comes from India, it’s not the only source. It is, however, a major contributor to the wig industry because the great population supplies an impressive and seemingly never-ending abundance of bulk hair. Indian Remy hair also just happens to be of a color and thickness that’s in high demand around the globe.

THE SOURCE OF REMY HAIR MAKES A DIFFERENCE

All hair is not alike. Of course, this is obvious when comparing African-American hair to European hair. Would you believe there’s also a notable distinction between Brazilian hair and Russian hair? There’s also a distinct look and feel to Chinese hair. Are you looking to make a realistic match or to experience something new?

A WIG’S PURPOSE ALSO MAKES A DIFFERENCE

As a general rule, consumers look for a near match to their own natural hair thickness. Depending on the purpose for ordering a wig, hairpiece or extension, the texture and color can also be closely matched or something completely different. Those who place an order for vanity purposes tend to want their own look to be duplicated. Cancer patients and others who suffer from hair loss are typically very self-conscious and strive to recapture their pre-condition appearance.

Modesty that’s dictated by religious tenet also drives some consumers to select wig hair that can pass as their own. Muslim and married Orthodox Jewish women are supposed to keep their natural hair covered when they’re in public. Wigs are generally accepted as a suitable compromise.

THERE IS NO SUBSTITUTE FOR REMY HAIR

There’s only one way to get the look and feel of human hair; that’s to use real human (Remy) hair. Synthetics have their place in the wig-making industry. Some are quite similar to human hair but they don’t fully make the grade. It’s possible to use a blend of Remy and synthetic hair but it calls for an expert touch with the highest quality of both. There aren’t many wig human hair wig manufacturers capable of pulling it off.

Animal hair is sometimes used in wigs, also. What kind of animal? Well, you name an animal with medium to long strands of hair and it has probably been used. Some known and popular sources for animal hair include horse, dog and yak. Again, it isn’t a believable substitute for Remy hair.

THERE’S GOLD IN THAT GARBAGE

Because there’s nothing that can take it’s place, Remy hair remains in high demand. There’s a lot of profit to be made by the original sources and the supply houses in the industry. As with any other business, there’s high competition wherever there’s an easy, high profit to be made.

Consider the fact that a large portion of the Remy supply from India comes from hair donations. Yes, donations! Those who give their hair as a sacrifice to their Gods at the Temples don’t think about the monetary value. If they did, it would be on a par with blasphemy in the Christian world. Yet, the Temples sell the hair cuttings to processing houses who, in turn, sell it to supply houses or directly to wig manufacturers.

The finest Virgin Remy hair from India can command up to $100 or more for one ounce. The hair that falls on the floor when the cutting takes place is simply a loss. Or is it? No, it isn’t. It’s swept up, along with dust and dirt, and it’s processed too. Of course, it shouldn’t be sold as Remy hair at all because it’s no longer bundled with the cuticles in one direction. Even if it’s ‘Virgin’ hair, it’s Virgin non-Remy at the most. You guessed it. Some of it hits the market in deceptive fashion.

WASTE NOT, WANT NOT

Not to be left out by the demand for Remy hair from India, suppliers from China buy up what they can of the inferior non-Remy hair from other countries and add their own to the mix. There isn’t much of a demand for Remy wigs in China or India. However, there is an enormous, thriving market for them, and for the hair extensions bundles, in other countries.

It’s hard to even imagine the tons (yes, tons!) of hair that’s swept up from floors in highly-populated countries like India and China on an on-going basis. An assuming and unknowing public has turned it into a cash crop of sorts. Unless you know your supplier and your supplier buys directly from the source, it’s extremely difficult to know where your hair came from. You can’t be assured that all Remy hair is authentic. You can rest assured, however, that your Remy hair isn’t always from India.

Lace Wigs: Get What You Pay For

There’s a steady rise in the demand for full lace and lace front wigs. It seems like more than a passing trend as the demand for these wigs continues without stopping to take a break. Along with the popularity of lace wigs comes a push for affordability. Most consumers don’t stop at purchasing one wig or one hair extension, even when it’s on the pricey side.

The general consensus is that ‘more is better’. Why settle for one wig when you can have two or three? Heck, why stop there? Have a few that are full lace and a few more that are front lace. Now toss in some hair extensions. After all, variety is always a good thing. Or is it?

ARE YOU GETTING THE LACE WIG THAT YOU WANT?

The explosion of the wig-making industry is leaving some unwanted debris in its wake. There are an increasing number of suppliers entering the arena every day to help meet the demand for lace wigs. In fact, they are springing up at an unbelievable rate. And why not? They are comfortably sure that there aren’t many consumers questioning the quality of their products. Whether they are supplying the hair bundles to your personal wig-maker or supplying your finished wigs and extensions, repeat orders assure them that the consumers aren’t that fussy.

HOW MANY WAYS CAN YOU SAY CHEAP?

There’s a very real relationship between price and quality. Yes, you can sometimes find a bargain on something of high quality. You can also pay a king’s ransom for something shoddy. Yet, the ‘norm’ presents products that have reasonable value.

Ask yourself one question, please. Is it reasonable to expect a steeply discounted price on a highly-marketable, superior product? Do you honestly believe you’ll find Victoria’s Secret trendy lingerie in the bargain bin at WalMart? What are the chances? Slim to none? Exactly!

The best lace wigs that money can buy are made from European Virgin Remy hair that costs $400 and more per itty-bitty ounce. It generally takes at least two bundles to make an impressive hair extension. It can take up to a dozen or more to make a full lace wig; it takes about nine for a high-quality lace front wig. The next best and highly sought after wig hair is Virgin Remy hair from India. It costs anywhere from one-tenth to one-fourth as much as the European counterpart.

DO THE MATH!

With the steady high demand, there are no wholesalers and no suppliers giving Remy hair away, Virgin or otherwise. If one supply house or stylist doesn’t want the bundles or wigs that are available, they’ll be swept up (figuratively) by another customer. It’s a fluid business with a steady stream of activity. In fact, it can take months to get an appointment to purchase hair directly from a processing house.

Why would anyone sell a lace wig, extensions or hair bundles to you (or your wig specialist) at an unheard of low, low price? It’s important to understand that there’s no such thing as a ‘steeply discounted’, ‘super cheap’, ‘one time only’ price break for this hot commodity. I’ve got a bridge to sell, along with a $4 Rolex, to anyone who believes otherwise!

BE A WISE LACE WIGS CONSUMER

It’s not terribly difficult to protect yourself from making a really bad decision when you’re shopping for the right lace wigs or hair extensions. It all starts by finding a stylist who is experienced and knowledgeable. If your naive specialist gets ripped off, you’re going to end up paying for his or her mistake.

Know the consistent attributes of authentic Remy hair. Examine the cuticles on several strands. Do they all go in the same direction? Are they missing? Is the hair strong and with a clean shine? When you pull on the strands, is there excessive shedding? If it’s Virgin Remy, are the tips a little lighter in color than the top of the hairs?

DON’T HESITATE TO SHARE WHAT YOU KNOW

You’re not doing your wig salon specialist any favors by staying silent if you suspect that the products are inferior or, even worse, fake. Contrary to what many consumers believe, it’s not normal to have to replace quality lace wigs or hair extensions frequently. Remy wigs, in particular, should last at least a year by any stylist’s standards. Similarly, Remy hair extensions should last at least six months.

If the Remy products are wearing out quickly, it’s a huge flag that something is seriously wrong. Inferior hair is likely the cause and your salon should seek out a more reputable, tried-and-true supplier. If your stylist or human hair wig maker won’t do that, it’s time to find one who understands that you expect full value for your money.

Oh, and stop looking for dirt cheap prices unless you’re willing to end up with dirt cheap quality. Yes, some women like the inferior, throw-away stuff. If you do, that’s fine. Just don’t deceive yourself by thinking that it looks great. It isn’t going to look natural or real. It’s going to look like you found the bargain you went searching for. You’re worth more than that!

7 Ways To Avoid Having A Bad Wig Day

There are at least 7 ways to avoid having a bad wig day. If you’ve had even one embarrassing moment with a wig, you sure don’t want another one. Unless you’re wearing a party wig, nobody is supposed to know that you’re wearing one at all. Let’s keep it that way by following these simple tips.

1.ORDER A WIG OF GOOD QUALITY
This doesn’t mean that you have to order a $5500 European Virgin Remy lace front wig. It does mean that you should aim for the best quality within your budget. Of course, if you can only afford $20, you might not get a wig that’s going to fool your hair stylist. However, investing twice that amount in a well-made wig has been known to do just that! If you aren’t able to spend on a good human hair wig, at least save up for a good synthetic wig that closely resembles real hair. In other words, don’t start out with a bad wig.

2. CUSTOM ORDER THE APPROPRIATE SIZE
Contrary to what’s offered up in costume shops, wig sizes go beyond small, medium and large. Most shops define custom sizing as selecting the appropriate size that most closely matches up with specific head measurements. This isn’t truly delivering a total custom fit but it’s usually close enough to work for most people. True custom sizing of a wig only happens when you have an in-person consultation and a wig cap mold is made using your head. Whether shopping in person or online, always get the closest fit that’s available to prevent the embarrassment of a shifting, revealing, poorly-fitting wig.

3. FOLLOW CARE INSTRUCTIONS
They’re sometimes printed out and placed inside the wig packaging; at other times, they’re printed directly on the package. If there are no wig care instructions included with your purchase, ask for them. If there aren’t any care instructions available, consider returning the wig. It’s that important! You should know the specific materials that your wig is constructed of, as well as any washing, drying and styling guidelines. You can’t avoid doing the wrong thing if you don’t know what that includes.

4. AVOID EXTREME HEAT
Regardless of what you’ve heard about the advanced wig styling capabilities of some synthetics, even Kanekalon shouldn’t be subjected to extreme heat. Let’s be realistic here. Your own natural hair can’t tolerate extreme heat without suffering the consequences. Synthetics can and will melt, distort or weaken if they are subjected to extremely high temperatures. And, when that happens, you can count on having difficulty with matting and snarling.

5. SHAMPOO, STYLE AND STORE YOUR WIGS ON STANDS
Never shampoo your human hair wig while wearing it, unless you’re prepared to deal with tangles. And, please don’t drop the wig into a basin of water and swish it around for the same reason. You can get away with washing a good synthetic wig this way (cool or tepid water only) but it’s so much easier if you wash all wig types while they’re secured to a stand in a sink.

Dry and style your wigs while they’re sitting on a wig stand. Store them on the stands to help them retain their shapes and integrity when not in use. It’s not okay to just toss them into a drawer or a box, whether separately or together. The hairs will rub together whenever moved and the friction will cause breakage. There’s also a greater chance that the hairs, or even the wig cap, can snag on something and tear.

6. CLEAN GLUED WIGS PROPERLY
When it comes to caring for lace front wigs or any wig that has been secured with adhesives, cleaning isn’t synonymous with shampooing. The glue should be completely removed between every wig application. It’s important to check the hairline of your wigs for glue residue when shampooing them. Glue build-up prevents proper adhesion on the following wig application. It keeps you from getting the nice, smooth realistic hairline illusion that you’re looking for. It can also cause skin irritation. If you can’t be bothered to remove it yourself, take it to a local wig specialist who provides this type of service.. Expect to pay $20 and upwards.

7. MAKE REPAIRS
You already know what happens when something needs to be fixed and you put it off or let it go; a cheap, minor repair turns into a more complicated, expensive one. When your wig is thinning, a wig specialist can add some hair to bring it back to its original fullness. When your cap gets a small tear, it can be patched or mended. If you do nothing and continue to wear your wig while it’s deteriorating, it will eventually look like it should be given a memorial service and buried. It’s always better to wear no wig than a damaged wig.

Synthetic wigs, full lace wigs, front lace wigs and monofilament wigs can only make a positive fashion statement if you pay attention to these small details. Wearing a wig should never be humiliating or embarrassing. Following these 7 ways to avoid a bad wig day will help to ensure that’s it’s an uplifting, carefree and positive experience each and every time.