UNLOCK THE SECRET TO LUXURIOUS HAIR WITH REMY HAIR EXTENSIONS.
What are remy hair extensions?
For those new to the world of hair extensions, the term ‘Remy hair’ might seem mysterious, but it’s quite straightforward. In Remy hair, all the individual strands in a bundle, weft, or wig are aligned in the same direction, from root to tip. This alignment is crucial because just like scales on a fish or tiles on a roof, hair is covered in tiny cuticles that naturally flow in one direction. When these cuticles are uniform, they act as a protective force field, creating a glossy shield for the hair.
However, if the cuticles are in disarray, it can be a nightmare. They rub against each other, leading to a tangled, backcombed effect that’s far from the glamorous, tousled look. Instead, it results in knots and mats that no amount of combing, brushing, conditioner, or oil can remedy. That’s why Remy hair extensions are valued for their quality and the natural flow of their cuticles, ensuring a smooth and manageable experience.
If only hair didn’t have cuticles…
You might come across hair that has had its cuticle stripped off, and you might think that it won’t tangle. Sounds convenient, doesn’t it? However, it’s not the right choice. The cuticle is vital for extending the life of the hair, providing it with shine and a natural luster. It’s an essential component of what makes hair beautiful. If the cuticle wasn’t significant, all commercial hair would be processed this way. Leaving the cuticle intact indeed makes the hair more challenging to work with and, consequently, more expensive to produce. But removing it compromises the quality and diminishes the value of the hair. In the end, preserving the cuticle is a key factor in maintaining the integrity and quality of the hair.
So, remy hair extensions are guaranteed to be good?
You’re absolutely right. Remy hair extensions are a great starting point because they ensure that all hair strands are aligned in the same direction. However, it’s important to remember that being Remy isn’t the sole factor to consider when choosing hair extensions. Other elements such as the hair’s ethnicity, the care taken during manufacturing, and the hair’s overall quality all contribute to the final result. The key takeaway is that while all good hair extensions are Remy, not all Remy hair extensions are of equal quality.
Before I go any further, I need to take you on a small detour to tell you about silicone.
When you perform a quick image search for ‘Remy hair extensions,’ you’ll be met with page after page of sleek, shiny hair extensions available in a wide array of colors, textures, and curl patterns. Despite their diversity, they all share one common trait – their remarkable shine. Some may even appear so glossy that they resemble Barbie hair. Is it mere coincidence? Not at all, it’s the work of silicone.
The silicone used to treat hair extensions is a slippery, shiny, heat-resistant liquid polymer, making it the perfect choice for taming unruly strands. When used sparingly, it can give lackluster hair a healthy bounce and a radiant glow. When applied generously, it has the power to transform even the driest, dullest hair into a spectacular cascade of glossy locks. Sounds amazing, right? It would be if not for one significant drawback – it washes off, leaving the hair to return to its natural, often lackluster, and possibly tangled state.
So, Remy hair extensions have gorgeous, healthy cuticles? You’d think so…
Euro, European grade, or European-style Remy hair extensions occupy a unique position in the hair market. They consist of Asian hair with most of the cuticle removed, but why would anyone remove only some of the cuticle? While it may still tangle if mixed up, it’s important to note that this hair isn’t fully stripped of the cuticle because it isn’t non-Remy; it is Remy.
There are two primary reasons for retaining some of the cuticle layers. First, it makes the hair easier to process with gentler methods, resulting in less damage. Second, this treatment makes the hair finer and more akin to European hair, enhancing its marketability and allowing it to be sold at a higher price point. The initial application of silicone gives the hair a shiny and soft appearance, but over time, this silicone washes away, causing the hair to lose its luster. After just a few months, it can become dry, prone to breakage, and susceptible to split ends. While this hair can be reapplied multiple times, it might not meet the standards for good-quality hair.
That said, this type of hair can be a budget-friendly option if purchased at a fair price, provided you’re aware of what you’re buying. However, not all vendors and salons are transparent about this, often marketing it as European hair. To distinguish genuine European hair from others, it’s worth noting that real European hair is rare and comes at a price similar to Russian hair. If you see hair coming from packets that all look identical in terms of length, color, texture, and density, it’s likely of Asian origin.
Non-Remy Hair Extensions
Non-Remy hair extensions are primarily crafted from ‘standard’ or ‘fallen’ hair, but what exactly is ‘standard/fallen’ hair? Brace yourself…
You’re aware that every day, you lose some hair, as it naturally goes through cycles of growth, rest, shedding, and regrowth. ‘Standard/fallen’ hair consists of the shed hair collected from brushes, plug holes, drains, and other sources. It might sound a bit unsettling, but some individuals actually save their shed hair over the years, keeping it in a bag until they have accumulated enough to sell. But it doesn’t end there. This type of hair is also harvested from rubbish dumps, where discarded balled-up hair is gathered, teased apart, and sorted according to length. As the poorest quality hair, it originates from multiple ‘donors,’ displaying a wide range of textures and colors. And just to be clear, it is not Remy hair.
To make this hair manageable, manufacturers remove most of the cuticle by soaking it in an acid bath. Following this, it undergoes bleaching, coloring, curling, waving, straightening, and gets generously coated in silicone. However, because not all of the cuticle is removed, when the silicone washes away, the hair tends to tangle severely, rendering it suitable only for disposal. So, why don’t they simply remove all the cuticle? The answer is that this process is more time-consuming, and in the world of manufacturing, time is synonymous with money. As with most things, when it comes to purchasing hair extensions, you get what you pay for.
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