Human Hair Wigs 101: The Ultimate Guide

So, after much advice and encouragement from your trendy, beauty-obsessed besties, you’ve finally decided to give human hair wigs a go. That's Great!

Now the only thing between you and your edgy, wig-wearing alter-ego is you’ve never bought a wig, leave alone a human one, and have no idea where to begin. Well, here’s where we come in. We put together a comprehensive human hair guide that’ll turn you into a wig guru.

By the time you’re through reading this, you’ll know nearly all there is to general real human hair wigs, from their installation process to how to select the perfect one for you.

How Much Does a Good Wig Cost?

They can cost anywhere between $700 and $3,000 depending on the origin of the hair, the grade, length, cap construction, texture, density, and styling. You should consider all of the details we discuss here before you start shopping for hairpieces!

Installation

How Do You Install a Human Hair Wig?

1. How to install Remy hair wigs varies based on factors like cap design, but generally, you should:
2. Clean, properly moisturize, and ensure your natural hair is dry before you wear the wig
3. Braid down your natural hair in lines or slick it back so it stays flat, and the wig looks naturally positioned on your head.
4. Wear a wig grip to prevent the wig from slipping.
5. Don’t have a wig grip? Alternatively, install the wig, spray a layer of lace glue or adhesive across your hairline where the lace is, and tie it down with a scarf for about 15 minutes to ensure it holds
6. With your wig in place, cut off the excess hairline lace, so the wig looks natural (be careful not to cut any hair strands while doing so)
7. Style your wig how you fancy
8. Rock it all day or night, and ensure you use a quality lace glue remover if you used lace glue for installation

Sythentic vs human hair

Human Hair Wigs vs. Synthetic Wigs

Although human and synthetic hair wigs nowadays feature almost similar textures and densities, the latter are designed from various man-made fibers. Thanks to this, a synthetic wig is often more affordable. In terms of styling, synthetic wigs hold their styles better and longer. They’re also available in nearly unlimited colors and are ready to wear. However, human hair wigs still emerge as the gold standard because, unlike synthetics, they have a natural shine, and are more durable, hence last longer. Also, because they feature real human hair, they can be recolored whenever you feel like it. If not for budget constraints, always opt for human hair wigs. But synthetic wigs are a good fix if the budget doesn’t allow it.

Hair Type

What's the best type of hair for a wig?

Just like synthetics, human hair wigs come in various colors, hair length, thicknesses, etc. So, the endless options can be pretty overwhelming if you’re out for the first one. But fret not because we got you. All hair is not considered equal! Indian human hair is the best type of hair for a wig because the hair is thick, lustrous, and resilient. Ethically sourced Indian hair lasts a very long time if properly maintained. Many years in fact! When shopping for human hair wigs, there are a few things to look out for.

Virgin Human Hair

Virgin hair wigs are the creme de la creme of human hair wigs. They are 100% real human hair that hasn’t been colored, bleached, permed, or chemically altered. The hair is obtained from young donors with full, long, healthy hair, so no grey hairs or split ends either. It’s collected, packaged, and sold naturally, which is why you’ll only find virgin human hair wigs in natural colors. The donor's hair is never mixed, meaning if you were to buy a virgin wig, you’d be rocking bundles directly from a single person’s head. Keeping an eye out for ethical sourcing is especially important, you want to trust your hair source.

The cuticle arrangement is left intact and, like with Remy wigs, also goes in a single direction to allow natural styling. That’s why virgin hair wigs can be dubbed Remy, but Remy wigs cannot be considered the vice versa.

Thanks to zero dyes and chemicals, virgin hair wigs are stronger and last longer than other human hair wig options. As a result, their price tags push to the four digits. Note, they’re a pretty rare find nowadays due to the lack of donors in the market.

Remy Human Hair

Remy human hair wigs are also of superior quality. Like virgin wigs, Remy wigs also have cuticles and strands in a unilateral direction to prevent tangling and allow easy styling and flexible styles. They’re also extra smooth and shiny, just like real human hair.

However, unlike virgin hair, Remy wigs undergo light processing, and you can find many color options in the market. On the bright side, the processing doesn’t affect quality. If anything, Remy hair wigs are some of the best you’ll find in the market, and while expensive, not so much as virgin hair wigs. They’re thus the most popular because they hit the sweet spot between quality and price. As a result, you’ll find that human hair wigs are often referred to as Remy wigs.

Non-Remy Human Hair

Non-Remy wigs are also 100% human hair but obtained from multiple donors and combined during processing. These wigs undergo chemical treatment in acid baths, which strips away most cuticles. Although you may find some of the cuticles intact, the strands will always flow in different directions. As a result, non-Remy wigs tangle and matte easy. Excessive shedding is also expected.

Wig Design types

What are the types of wigs available?

The differentiation between wigs basically comes down to cap design and features, which have an impact on price. The cap directly influences how secure and comfortable the wig sits on your head. It also protects your real hair from damage which is why you should prioritize it while weighing your options. You have three primary options in terms of cap construction:

Lace Front Wigs

Natural lace front wigs feature an undetectable lace mesh along the hairline and a comfortable, stretchy cap. The lace comes in different but natural skin colors, so it’s invisible when installed on the hairline, and you may style the hair back without it looking like a wig. Celebrity wigs come pre-styled and are a great way to get all of the features of bob wigs or a custom color job without having to do it yourself. Sometimes bangs are included too!

Full Lace Wigs

With full lace wigs, the entire cap is a sheer lace material. The hair strands are sewn directly in a mesh that mimics your natural scalp color for a natural look. This cap design also means you can style your wig anyway. All of the full lace wigs offered at Perfect Locks are made from virgin Indian hair.

U-Part Wigs

U-part wigs are designed to offer a more natural look. The wig cap has a small U-shaped opening at the top, allowing you to pull out some of your real hair and blend it with the wig for a seamless, natural appearance. This design is ideal if you want to wear your wig as a half wig or just want to show off some of your natural hair.

Monofilament caps

Monofilament caps are the most natural-looking hairpieces because of their wig cap construction. This is because they’re made from a sheer nylon mesh that allows your actual scalp color to show when parting hair. As a result, you can style the wig any way you fancy. Real wig-makers or wig experts will need to take detailed calculations of your measurements to create the perfect custom wig with this type of cap construction.

Texture

How do you choose the right texture?

The texture is also a priority if you want to land the best wig for your hair type. It affects not just how the wig will look on you but also styling options. Generally, wigs fall under the following categories in terms of texture:

Straight

Natural Straight is the way to go if you plan on styling a lot. It’s a little coarse than silky wigs, but that’s its best feature because it easily maintains the shape and styling. On the other hand, Yaki textured wigs look and feel like relaxed or flat-ironed Afro Caribbean hair and have more volume and a slightly coarse texture, with options ranging from light to heavy yaki.

Wavy

Wave textured wigs range from natural, deep, water to body wave and are ideal if you prefer hair that’s curly but not too curly. The natural wave is your best bet if you prefer natural-looking wigs that are hard to detect. It’s usually almost straight, with slight waves, and resembles natural hair.

Curly

Curly-textured wigs look like real natural curly hair and are also quite voluminous. As a result, they’re the most popular of all wigs. With a curly lace front or full lace wigs, you have two main options tight curly or kinky curly. Curly is an excellent fit if you prefer to play around with your hair because it’s easier to style and won’t tangle easily.

Understanding density

What is wig density and why is it important?

Wig density is the volume of hair on a wig and affects how full or thick it appears when worn. It’s a must-consider factor when shopping for a wig because the higher the density, the fuller and the more natural it’ll appear when worn. Wig density also affects your styling options. Generally, if you prefer wavy or curly hairstyles, a low-density wig will do, but if you love to wear your hair straight, opt for a high-density one.

Besides appearance and styling, density also impacts pricing and maintenance requirements. High-density options are typically more expensive and require more wig care products to maintain their richness and feel. That said, wig densities range from extra light to extra heavy, as shown below:

• Extra light: between 50% to 60% in fullness
• Light: 80%
• Light to Medium: 90% -110%
• Medium: 120%-130%
• Heavy: 140%-150%
• Extra-heavy: 180%-200%

If you prefer short wigs, opt for medium density as short, heavy density wigs tend to look bulky. But with long wigs, your options are varied. The wigs offered here at Perfect Locks are all medium density.

Protective Hairstyles

Will a wig protect my natural hair?

Absolutely! In fact, one of the many benefits of human hair wigs is that they can actually help protect your natural hair. When you wear a wig, your hair and scalp is protected from the elements and day-to-day styling damage. This can give your natural hair a chance to rest and recover, which is crucial for maintaining health. They can easily be considered a protective style.

Care & Maintenance

How do you take care of wigs?

Wigs are costly, and just like your natural hair, they require proper care to maintain their longevity. Here are some tips on how to take care of wigs:

• Store them properly: Avoid storing your wigs in plastic bags as this can cause them to become dry and brittle. Instead, store them in a cool, dry place on a wig stand or mannequin head.
• Protect them from the sun: Just like your natural hair, exposure to the sun can damage wigs. When you’re outdoors, wear a hat or scarf to protect your wig.
• Be gentle when brushing: Use a wide-tooth comb or your fingers to gently detangle the hair. Avoid brushing wigs when they’re wet as this can cause them to stretch and break.
• Wash them properly:Wash your wig with a mild shampoo and conditioner designed for human hair. Avoid using hot water as this can damage the hair. Gently squeeze the water out of the wig and blot it with a towel. Avoid wringing or twisting the wig as this can cause it to stretch and break.
• Style them carefully: When styling your wig, use low heat settings and avoid using too much product. Overstyling can damage the hair and shorten the lifespan of your wig.

With proper care, human hair wigs can last for years. Follow these tips to keep your wig looking its best.

How do you store a wig when not in use?

When you're not wearing your wig, it's important to store it properly to extend its lifespan. The best way to store a wig is on a wig stand or mannequin head. This will help the wig keep its shape and avoid tangles. You can also store wigs in a cool, dry place, such as a closet or dresser drawer. Avoid storing wigs in plastic bags as this can cause them to become dry and brittle.

How do you expand the life of your wig?

The best way to extend the life of your wig is to take care of it. Store it properly, avoid exposure to the sun, and be gentle when brushing and styling. You should also wash your wig with a mild shampoo and conditioner designed for human hair. If you've glued the lace on your wig down, make sure you use a good lace glue remover so it doesn't get damaged. With proper care, human hair wigs can last for years.

So, there you have it! We’ve covered what human hair wigs are, how much they cost, and the ultimate guide you need to purchase the perfect one. Maybe you'll even decide that a wig might not be the right fit for you, and you may be better of with a custom hairpiece or topper instead. Browse our website for more informative posts concerning hair, fashion, and style.