What You Need to Know BEFORE You Buy Brazilian Hair or Indian Hair
When it comes to add-on hair, the choices are as endless as there are types and textures of natural virgin hair in the world. Many companies even throw out phrases about where their hair may be from, such as “Pure Brazilian Hair” or “100% Indian Remy Hair…straight from temple!” Before you make a choice it’s important to get a little educated.
INDIAN HAIR
100% Remy Hair (used in all Perfect Locks products)
Legitimately gathered in India from ethical sources.
- Highest quality hair on the market.
- Naturally light and airy, it moves effortless with lots of bounce
- Tangle-resistant, easy to style
- Naturally being a dark brown, it blends ins with virtually all hair types, especially African American
BRAZILIAN HAIR
The #1 most counterfeited hair on the market, most often Asian hair that has been dyed.
- Supposedly more humidity resistant than Indian hair.
- True Brazilian hair is durable, but it also very dense, so it poses some limitations in terms of movement and styling.
- Curly Brazilian hair holds tighter curls, making them stiff and almost impossible to flat iron.
COMMON CLAIM: “But Brazilian hair is superior to Indian hair because it’s less prone to frizz.” WRONG!
Here’s some real science fact: ALL hair can be prone to frizz if the structure of extension hair or even your natural hair is damaged. Healthy hair of any type has shingle-like layers that sit tightly together to keep hydration in and extra moisture out. If these layers are damaged, not only does moisture bleed out of the hair (drying it out in the process), but it allows too much moisture in…giving you a frizzy bad hair day!
Indian hair, Brazilian hair and your own hair needs essential protection, moisturizing and care to stay strong and healthy. In short, this claim doesn’t “hold water”!
If You Love Brazillian Hair, YOU'LL LOVE: Perfect Locks Steam Permed Weaves!
Unlike Brazilian hair that can hold tight curls at the cost of less bounce, we use 100% Virgin Indian Remy Hair. Naturally light, bouncy and airy, we use a chemical-free Steam Perming process that gives you the dreamy curls, waves and natural waves you love…with effortless movement!
The Truth About Hair Sourcing: Why "Brazilian" Is Often a Marketing Term
Here's something the hair industry doesn't advertise: "Brazilian hair" is not a protected term. It doesn't legally have to mean hair sourced from Brazilian donors. In reality, the vast majority of hair sold as "Brazilian" on the market is Asian hair - most commonly from China - that has been processed (often chemically treated) to mimic the characteristics associated with Brazilian hair. The name is a marketing decision, not a geographic guarantee.
This is why independent verification and brand reputation matter so much when choosing hair extensions. At Perfect Locks, we source all of our hair directly from Indian temples, where donors voluntarily offer their hair as a spiritual practice. We've been doing this for over 20 years and we're completely transparent about where our hair comes from.
"When Priyanka started Perfect Locks, the commitment was always to be completely honest with our customers about what they were buying. Our hair comes from Indian temples. We know exactly where it comes from, how it was collected, and what it's been through. We can't say the same for most of what's marketed as Brazilian hair."
- Priyanka Swamy, Founder of Perfect Locks
What Makes Indian Temple Hair Superior
Indian temple hair is considered the gold standard in the hair extension industry for several reasons that go beyond marketing:
The cuticle is preserved. In true Remy hair (including our Indian temple hair), all strands are collected with the cuticle running in the same direction - root to tip. This means the hair behaves like natural hair: it doesn't tangle, has natural movement and bounce, and responds to styling the way your own hair would. Many cheap "Brazilian" options are processed to strip or coat the cuticle with silicone, which looks great in the store but becomes tangled and matted after a few washes once the coating wears off.
Natural texture and movement. Indian hair has a natural light, airy quality with a soft wave to it. It blends beautifully with a wide range of natural hair types, including African American and mixed hair textures. It's neither too fine (like some Asian hair) nor too coarse to style easily.
Ethical sourcing. Our hair is voluntarily donated as part of a religious practice called Tonsure (Mudigiven) at Hindu temples across India. The temples collect and auction the hair, using the proceeds to fund charitable programs. Donors give willingly, knowingly, and as an act of devotion. This is meaningfully different from hair collected through brokers without full transparency about its origin.
Indian Hair vs. Brazilian Hair: Side-by-Side Comparison
Authentic Indian Remy hair
- True Remy - cuticle intact and aligned
- Ethically sourced and verifiable origin
- Naturally light and airy with beautiful movement
- Tangle-resistant - no silicone coating that wears off
- Blends naturally with most hair types and textures
- Responds naturally to heat styling and color
- Maintains quality through repeated styling
Typical "Brazilian" hair on the market
- Usually Asian (Chinese) hair, not from Brazil
- Often coated with silicone for initial softness
- May tangle and mat after washing as coating wears off
- Can be stiffer and less natural-looking in movement
- Unverifiable sourcing claims
- Curly versions can be difficult to straighten
- Quality varies enormously by supplier
How to Spot Low-Quality Hair Extensions
Whether you're buying Indian hair, Brazilian hair, or any other type, here's how to assess quality before you commit:
- The hand test: Quality Remy hair feels smooth when you run it from root to tip, and slightly rough when you run it from tip to root. This is the cuticle you're feeling. Coated hair (silicone-treated) will feel uniformly smooth in both directions - a sign the cuticle has been stripped.
- The shed test: Run your fingers through the hair firmly. Some shedding is normal, but excessive shedding from a new weft is a sign of poor quality that will only get worse with wear and washing.
- The water test: Wet the hair and let it dry naturally. Quality Remy hair will dry without becoming excessively frizzy or tangled. Coated hair often reveals its true texture after getting wet.
- The transparency test: Ask the supplier where the hair comes from and how it's sourced. Vague answers like "we source from the best suppliers" are a red flag. Reputable brands can tell you specifically.
Frequently Asked Questions: Brazilian Hair vs. Indian Hair
Is Indian hair better than Brazilian hair?
Authentic Indian Remy hair is generally considered superior to most hair sold as "Brazilian" because the sourcing and cuticle integrity are more reliably preserved. However, the term "Brazilian hair" is largely a marketing label that doesn't guarantee geographic origin or quality. Judging by the specific quality standards (cuticle alignment, sourcing transparency, texture) rather than geographic label is always a better approach.
What is Remy hair?
Remy hair is hair collected with all strands aligned in the same direction - root to tip - so the cuticle runs uniformly throughout. This prevents tangling, maintains the hair's natural properties, and gives it the most realistic look and feel. Not all Indian hair or Brazilian hair is Remy; the Remy designation describes how it was collected and processed, not where it came from.
Why does "Brazilian" hair cost less than Indian hair?
In many cases, hair sold as "Brazilian" at low price points is Asian hair that has been processed and relabeled. The lower cost reflects the processing, not premium sourcing. Authentic, ethically sourced, cuticle-intact Remy hair - regardless of origin - costs more because the collection process is more careful and the supply chain is more transparent.
What does "ethically sourced" hair mean?
Ethically sourced hair means the donors voluntarily gave their hair with full knowledge of how it would be used, and were compensated or participated willingly (as in the case of temple donations where giving hair is a spiritual act). It means no coercive collection practices, no underpayment of donors, and full transparency about where the hair came from. This matters both morally and practically - ethically sourced hair is typically handled more carefully throughout the process, resulting in better quality.
Where does Perfect Locks hair come from?
All Perfect Locks extensions are made from 100% Remy human hair sourced from Hindu temples across India, where donors voluntarily offer their hair as part of a spiritual practice. We've maintained this sourcing relationship for over 20 years. Our hair is never chemically treated to alter the natural texture, and we're completely transparent about the full supply chain from temple to customer.
When you're investing in hair extensions, you deserve to know exactly what you're buying and where it came from. We believe that transparency is the foundation of trust - and after 20 years in this business, we've built our reputation on exactly that. If you have any questions about our hair sourcing or want to find the right product for your needs, our team is always happy to talk.
Author and Founder of Perfect Locks LLC
Priyanka Swamy, the visionary founder of Perfect Locks LLC, is a passionate advocate for empowering women and promoting cultural diversity. With an unwavering commitment to ethical sourcing and quality craftsmanship, she redefined the hair extension market and created a supportive community that celebrates individuality.
Priyanka's dedication to sustainability and social responsibility continues to inspire positive change within the industry. Her journey with Perfect Locks remains an inspiration, unlocking the true potential and confidence of countless individuals worldwide.
