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.