How Do I Choose The Right Weave For Me?

There are so many different types of hair weaves out there to choose from but you have to be sure you are choosing the correct hair for YOU.

Everyone’s hair texture is different!

It also can depend on the style you are getting (are you getting a quick weave, a sew in, getting a wig made, etc).

With numerous options available on the market and a lot of hair bundles, it can be overwhelming to determine which weave best suits your needs.

So we will go in depth on what factors you should consider before choosing the correct hair weave for you.

Why is the Quality of Hair Weave Important?

One of the main factors in choosing which hair weave to get for you would have to be the importance of quality.

Have you heard any horror stories about someone paying a lot of money for hair and the quality not being what they expected or what they were told?

Yes it can happen to you too unless you know how to find out if it is quality hair or not.

There are different levels to this hair weave game and the real ones know!

Making sure you choose quality hair will determine how long it lasts, ease of maintenance, and the overall appearance of the hair.

So it is very important you know what to look out for!

1. Human Hair vs. Synthetic Hair:

The two main types of hair extensions would have to be Human Hair and Synthetic Hair.

Human hair is the higher quality choice between the two and the highly preferred one due to it lasting longer and being able to be styled various ways.

Human hair, especially Raw Hair, can be dyed, heat styled, and manipulated in various ways without significant damage, making them a popular choice for those seeking a more natural look.

Private Label offers a variety of raw hair options with the top two most popular being the Vietnamese Hair and Indian Hair Extensions.

Synthetic hair extensions are not human hair.

Synthetic hair is made of fibers and is the less expensive option between the two.

Since it is cheaper than human hair, you get what you pay for!

You won’t be able to keep synthetic hair in as long as human hair and it can not be dyed or heat styled.

Don’t get me wrong though, there are purposes for everything and synthetic hair is a great option for natural hair styles, braids, locs, or short term looks.

So it really depends on the style you are going for and what your budget is when it comes to choosing between the two.

2. Remy vs. Non-Remy Hair:

Another factor to consider when it comes to Human Hair Extensions, is the difference between Remy and non-Remy Hair.

Remy hair is considered the highest quality of human hair available in the market, as it is collected from a single donor with all the cuticles intact and aligned in the same direction.

This means the hair will tangle less, experience less matting, as well as less shedding as well.

Non-Remy hair, which is typically less expensive, is collected from multiple donors and may have cuticles running in opposite directions. This means it will tangle more and will overall not last as long.

The hair that you see at the beauty supply store will typically sell this type of hair.

When looking for the highest quality that will be worth it in the end, we recommend choosing remy hair.

3. Processing and Manufacturing

The way the hair is processed and manufactured also impacts its quality.

High-quality hair extensions should not have much processing involved.

When the hair is overly processed or has chemicals or dyes added that will lower the quality of the hair immensely.

When choosing the highest quality hair extensions Raw Hair will be the type that lasts longer than Virgin Hair.

This is due to the hair being left in its natural state, which can promote longevity and less shedding.

Should You Get Human Hair Extensions or Synthetic Hair Extensions?

Before you settle on which texture to get you will first have to decide if you want to get human hair or synthetic hair.

Both have advantages and disadvantages but it ultimately depends on the style you are going for, how long you want to wear the hair, and what your budget is.

1. Appearance and texture:

Human hair and synthetic hair both differ greatly when it comes to their appearance.

Human hair will have a more natural sheen to it and will look the most like your real hair when you blend them both.

Synthetic hair will have more of a shiny look, which can appear unnatural.

I have used some higher quality synthetic fiber wigs/hair pieces and they can look great at first but will not last as long as a human hair wig or piece.

2. Styling versatility:

Another difference between the two would have to be their styling capabilities. With Human hair you will be able to dye it, heat style it, and manipulate it to mimic your natural hair.

Whereas with synthetic hair, you will not be able to heat style it with a higher temperature as you can with human hair.

You also can not color the synthetic hair or add hair product to it because this can make the synthetic fiber tangle and matt up.

Some synthetic hair weaves are available with pre-set styles, but overall, they provide less flexibility in terms of styling options.

3. Longevity and maintenance:

With the proper care, human hair extensions will last longer than synthetic hair as well.

This type of hair can last anywhere from 1-3 years depending on how well you keep up with it. Synthetic hair will not last as long, usually only having a lifespan of a couple of weeks to 8 weeks.

This also can be based off of the texture of the synthetic hair, as I have noticed that kinkier textures last longer then the silky synthetic textures.

While synthetic hair weaves may require less maintenance in terms of daily styling, they are more prone to matting and tangling, which can impact their overall appearance and longevity.

4. Cost:

One of the main differences you will notice about synthetic and human hair would have to be the cost.

Synthetic hair is way more affordable and is great for short term switch up looks.

They are more budget friendly than human hair.

However, sometimes you end up spending less when you buy human hair though because you will only need to buy it once or twice a year.

And there are a lot of affordable human hair like the Warehouse Bundle Sale.

Whereas with synthetic hair you will find yourself going back to the beauty supply store every 2 weeks and that can add up!

Factors to consider

Now that you have a better understanding of the two types of hair extensions out there, you now have to consider a few more factors before ultimately making your choice.

1. Hair type and texture:

If you are choosing to install the hair with some of your natural hair left out, it’s very important to choose the one that closely resembles your hair.

The various textures that hair extensions come in include Straight, Curly, Wavy, and Kinky hair.

That can be in the shape of a 7x7 HD Closure or a 13x6 HD Lace Frontal.

Even if you are getting a style that does not require any of your natural hair to be left out you still have to make sure you’re choosing a texture you will know how to maintain once it’s installed.

2. Color:

Being sure to choose the correct color is another factor to consider before making your choice of hair extensions.

If you are blending your natural hair with the weave then choosing the closest match color-wise is very important.

The reason you have to make sure they match seamlessly is because it will appear the most natural. Also, keep in mind- human hair can be dyed to achieve the color you are looking to emulate.

Therefore, the possibilities can be endless and thus will give you more style options!

3. Length:

Nowadays you can get a weave as short as 8” or as long as 50”, so that means you will have to be sure to pick the correct lengths for you!

This can depend on the style you are going for and also how much maintenance you plan on doing when it is installed.

Shorter styles can be easier to maintain than longer hair.

Longer hair can also be heavier, so if you have a sensitive scalp or hair that is already thinning you may want to go shorter.

Ultimately choosing the correct length for you will depend on what your overall preference is.

4. Installation method:

The way you get your hair weave installed also plays a major role in the overall experience of wearing a hair weave.

The various methods out there include sew-ins, quick weaves, Tape-Ins Hair Extensions, Clip-Ins Hair Extensions, micro-links, and more.

Each method has its pros and cons, and the choice will depend on factors such as the desired level of permanence, maintenance requirements, and potential damage to your natural hair.

It is recommended to consult with a professional hairstylist to determine the most suitable installation method for your needs and hair type.

5. Budget:

The last factor to consider before choosing the right weave for you would have to be cost and your budget.

The longer you go, the more expensive it is, the quality of hair you choose also will depend on this, as well as how you are getting it installed.

Once you set and know your budget, then you can take into account which type is best for you. Be sure to factor in any maintenance upkeep you may need, as well as hair care expenses.

Frequently Asked Questions You May Need to Know Before Choosing Your Choice of Hair Extensions

• How much should a good quality weave cost?

The typical cost of a quality weave should range anywhere from $200-$500 depending on the length, amount of hair, and style you are getting.

This also can depend on if you are getting Virgin Hair or Raw Hair. Virgin hair typically has been steamed processed in some sort of way to get the patterns of textures you see.

While raw hair has no processing whatsoever and can last anywhere from 2-3 years with the proper care.

• How do I know if my weave is good quality?

Run your fingers through the texture and you should feel no tangles and minimal shedding should occur.

The bundles should feel full from top to bottom with minimal short hairs.

If you don’t see or feel these certain factors then you should know you may get more tangling and shedding in the lower quality weaves.

But you can learn how to stop shedding weaves.

• How often should I wash my sew-in?

You should wash and condition your weave about once every 2-3 weeks depending on how active your lifestyle is and how often you put product in it.

Also, this can depend on the quality of hair you have.

Higher quality weaves won’t need a lot of maintenance but lower quality ones may require more maintenance.

• How long should hair extensions last?

If you are getting virgin hair extensions, high quality hair should last anywhere from 1-2 years depending on how you care for it.

True quality raw hair extensions can last anywhere from 2-3 years with the proper care.

The way the hair was installed can also depend on how often you will be able to reuse the hair.

For example, if you get a sew in where the wefts are cut or get a quick weave where the hair has been glued on, you may not be able to reuse the hair as often as you would if the wefts were not cut or were only sewn on.

Now You’re Ready to Choose the Correct Weave for You

Now that you know all the main factors to consider before you choose the right hair extension for YOU, you can go into one of the Private Label’s locations and feel a little more confident before purchasing.

Not close to any of the locations?

No worries, simply order from your favorite hair vendor, Private Label, and get your order shipped!

Comment below which type of hair extensions you like to wear and what your favorite way is to get them installed, we would love to hear from you!