This guide has everything you need to know about the REMY HAIR.
If you’re new to HAIR, I’ll show you what is Remy really.
And if you’re a HAIR pro? I’ll reveal a few tips that you can use to get top-quality hair extensions.
Bottom line:
If you want to get comprehensive information about Remy Hair, you’ll love this guide.
Let’s start with that definition…
What Is Remy Hair?
Remy Hair is a special hair extension that has all the cuticles running in the same direction. And it is bundled in such a manner that the roots of the hair are on one side and the tip of the hair on the opposite side.
But what is the “cuticle”?
One research found that each strand of human hair is made up of the medulla, cortex, and cuticle. Take a look at the following image content:
Elements of Human Hair
According to Wikipedia, let’s translate that to English. Here’s my go at it:
- The innermost layer of the hair shaft is the Medulla. This portion of the hair is something you would never see or be able to feel.
- The area of the shaft between the Medulla and Cuticle is the Cortex. A hair’s Cortex is the thickest hair layer which also contains the pigment to give the hair its color.
- The outside layer of a hair strand is known as the Cuticle. The hair cuticle is formed from dead cells, overlapping in layers, which form scales that strengthen and protect the hair shaft. Despite being the outside layer, the cuticle does not affect the color of the hair as that is within the cortex. This term is used a lot in the hair extension business.
Let me break that down even further:
When it comes to Remy Hair, there’s a cuticle. The cuticles are not stripped and remain aligned in one direction to ensure the hair extension does not tangle or matte (if processed properly).
Remy hair looks more natural due to the tedious process that the hair goes through to get into remy form. It has a smoother, shinier, and healthier appearance.
Um… so how to tell if the human hair is REAL Remy hair? Here’s an actionable tip.
Hold the bottom of your hair, wet your fingers, and run them up the strands, if you will feel slight friction, then you would have true Remy Hair. And If it feels smooth going down and going up, that means the cuticles have been removed.
Pretty cool right?
The Differences of Remy Hair VS Non-Remy Hair?
It is crucial to have a good understanding about the difference between Remy and Non-Remy hair. Because quality is the best factor to consider when buying your real human hair extensions.
The cuticle is an important part of determining if the human hair is “Remy” or “Non-Remy”.
Like this:
Remy Hair VS Non-Remy Hair
Remy Hair
The term “Remy” is absolutely one of the overused words in the hair extensions industry. Others use it for marketing strategies and selling purposes that generally mislead the client into thinking they are getting the best grade of hair.
While Remy hair is considered a high-quality grade of hair, it is not the best nor is it the worst.
Do all companies that call their hair “Remy” actually sell Remy hair? Absolutely not.
Some vendors mix their low-quality non-Remy hair with synthetic fiber or animal hair, and there is also top-grade Remy hair that is soft, silky, and can even be colored.
So Remy can be confusing. That’s because Remy hair can come in all quality levels.
How to get the RIGHT REMY hair extensions?
In a moment I’ll show you a few tips. But let’s keep on with REMY.
With true top quality Remy hair, the hair collected is healthy, the cuticles intact and all cuticles flow in the same direction from root to the tip.
But do you know how Remy Hair is collected?
REMY is collected directly from a woman’s head and has been cut while in a ponytail, from a donor. This collection process guarantees that the cuticles will stay aligned. In addition, you should band the hair before it is cut. Because this is the best method of collecting hair.
Well actually, the collection process can take place in a salon, a temple, a hair supplier, etc. And the raw material can be from Asia, India, and Europe – where it comes from really doesn’t matter as long as it’s ethically sourced.
As with all hair extensions, there are always different types of production processing that determine the longevity and experience with the extensions. Therefore, it’s super important to know how the end hair is manufactured.
Let’s sum up what pros and cons of Remy Hair are.
- High-quality Remy hair is shinier, smoother and healthier.
- It is free from tangling and matting.
- It blends really well with your natural hair.
- Remy hair lasts up to eight months or more with proper care.
- Can be styled and treated like your normal hair.
- Costs more than non-remy hair.
EDITOR’S NOTE
Not all Remy hair is from a single donor. And it may also be chosen from many hair donors and mixed together from many donors.
Well actually, not all Remy hair extensions are original “Remy”. As some companies use a professional machine to achieve the Remy form where the roots and tips run in the same direction while processing.
Understanding not just the material but the process of how hair extensions are made will surely help you invest your money in the right product.
Non-Remy Hair
Non-Remy hair (sometimes labeled “Remy” but truly is not) is also very popular as it is readily available and is cheaper than Remy human hair. Do you wonder why non-Remy hair is so much more inexpensive than Remy hair?
As the name suggests, non-Remy hair is collected or sorted randomly from different sources such as multiple hair suppliers, hair brushes, and even the floors of salons or temples.
Unlike Remy hair, non-Remy cuticles’ directions run in both directions. This hair is mixed together from different donors and contains some short hairs mixed with longer hairs. Due to its collection process, easy shedding, matting, and tangling are inevitable.
In order to prevent hair from tangling, this hair must go through a process called an acid bath to remove a portion of the cuticle. Now due to a higher concentration of acid, it decreases the hair’s natural moisture which results in straw-like hair strands.
To cover up this problem and hit the market, the hair is then coated with silicon to help make it feel soft and appear silky and shiny. But, the silicone is not permanent and washes off when you shampoo it.
In fact, Non- Remy hair may initially appear soft and silky, but after a few washes, the silicone coating wears off and the hair feels very brittle. Worse yet, the hair will become extremely tangled, dry, and will not hold a style. Also, since the cuticles are stripped and not intact, the hair extensions are unable to tolerate color treatment or heat.
Here are the Pros and Cons of Non-Remy hair:
- Inexpensive compared to Remy hair.
- High in supply making it readily available.
- Also get the beauty look.
- Easily tangling and matting.
- Doesn’t last long and cannot be reused unlike Remy hair.
- Non-remy hair doesn’t adapt to hair treatments.
- The hair will become lusterless, dry after a few washes.
- Likely labeled “Natural Color” but truly is not.
Some women may feel that they are saving money by purchasing non-Remy hair, but in reality, they are wasting money. Why?
That is because the non-Remy hair might last you about 1-2 months, and then it will be time for you to replace the hair. The constant need to repurchase hair will become extremely expensive.
And as a bonus, quality hair extensions initially may not come cheap, they are more of an investment. So it is best to do research before hitting that add to cart button just so you get the most out of your money.
3 Misconceptions About Remy Hair
Everything you thought you knew about Remy hair just might be wrong. Here are 3 misconceptions about Remy hair.
1. It is the same as Virgin hair
I sometimes see the terms used interchangeably, but they do not mean the same thing. Many people buy virgin hair without even knowing what virgin means. Here’s a quick definition of the two:
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- Virgin hair – Virgin hair is described as 100% untouched, raw human hair that has never been chemically processed by manufacturers. Chemically unprocessed means that the hair has not been dyed, bleached, or permed to change the color or texture.
- Remy hair – Human Hair collected directly from a hair donor with the cuticle still intact and not stripped. And most importantly the cuticles travel in one direction.
Virgin hair sometimes comes from a single donor or more than one. This hair comes from various countries around the world not only including India but also Asia, European nations, etc.
Textures range from straight to curly. Manufacturers can alter curl patterns with heat, but the hair is still considered virgin because it has not undergone a chemical process.
But you know what is “Steam Processed“?
Steam processed is one of the production processes where the hair has been treated with hot water vapor to create a consistent curl pattern. Some manufacturers have a bamboo steam process for their human hair products.
Though Virgin Remy hair does exist, not all Remy hair is virgin, and not all virgin hair is Remy.
2. It is not worth the price tag
We all know quality hair is not cheap, but it should not cost you a fortune.
It will most likely be cheaper than your apple computer which will be much worth it in the long run. Even though Remy hair is a little expensive, good quality hair last longer and you can use it more than one time.
When you put things in perspective, you would save money by buying Remy hair because you do not need to throw it away after one use.
And keep this in mind:
Quality of course comes with a cost, if your budget permits, it’s worth spending on high-quality hair, it will be less maintenance and will last you a long time.
3. It is completely unprocessed
Almost all companies claim that their products are unprocessed.
The truth is, 99.99% of all human hair out there has been chemically treated in one form or another. The one fundamental key you want to know is if and how it’s being processed and untreated.
How to get the RIGHT Remy Hair?
Avoiding low-quality hair can be tricky.
Every hair company advertises high-quality hair, so how can you protect yourself from low-quality hair? Here are a few tips:
1. Check Out The Reviews
Because all the reviews on a company’s webpage are going to be positive, check out these reviews that are left by customers and are not managed by the company. Some customers even make YouTube videos about the quality of their hair and the service they received from a hair company.
Remember:
Please be cautious when checking out vlogger reviews. That is because they are given the product free of charge to review it for you. And how many of them will be 100% unbiased having received the free hair extensions?
2. Do Your Homework
Contacting a hair company before a purchase is great because it allows you to become educated about that company’s processing practices.
Ask questions like, “Are the cuticles kept aligned and intact?” “Do you accept returns on purchased hair?””How is your hair processed?””How long have you been in business?” or any other inquiries you may have.
It is a good indicator that you can trust shopping with a company that has been in the business for an extensive amount of time.
If their replies sound unsure and unsatisfactory, I wouldn’t recommend making a purchase.
3. Your Friends’ Recommendations
I feel as though this is one of the most trustworthy ways. Friends are great. But friends who have good HAIR recommendations are even better.
Recommendations from friends often trump any review, even when it’s by a trusted source. Either way, a thumbs up or thumbs down from someone you know can seriously change your mind about a product.
4. Get A Sample If Possible
Lots of hair companies allow you to purchase a sample. So, order a sample size from a hair company, and test it out before making a costly purchase.
After purchasing a sample, you will see and feel the hair quality. In addition to running the routine tests, if you plan to curl the hair, it is also wise to test the hair out with a curling iron to verify whether or not the sample hair can hold a curl.
Being educated about hair makes it a lot easier to spot bad hair out. Especially before you waste your money!
Closing Thoughts
So there you have it.
You now know what Remy hair is. And you know how to find it.
You know the secrets of Remy hair, Non-Remy Hair, and Virgin hair.
Now put them into practice.
Now It’s Your Turn
Now I want to turn it over to you:
Are you going to use some tips to get your dream hair?
Are there any other ideas to avoid low-quality products?
Or maybe you have an excellent piece of content that you think I should add.
Either way, let me know by leaving a comment below right now.