Once you first start exploring the world of hair, and its billion-dollar hair extensions industry it’s easy to get tangled up in all the information. Should I go for clip-in or tape application? How to choose the right length and how does one possibly find the right color match? Wait, there are different weights, too? With so much hair out there, it seems almost impossible to get it right. That’s why we decided to break it down for you. 

If you ever looked up hair extensions online, chances are you definitely stumbled upon the following two terms: remy hair and non-remy hair. At first glance you’ll notice a significant difference in price between the two, even if you can’t actually spot any major differences between the two in the photos. One can’t help but wonder if the price difference is justified, and how.

What is remy hair?

Let’s get down to the basics. Yes, remy hair is real human hair. All remy hair extensions are human hair, but not all human hair extensions are remy. The term ‘remy’ only applies to the way the hair is gathered and processed. It doesn’t represent anything about the grade of hair or its origin.

Remy hair is made by collecting the hair strands from one or a very few selected donors and aligning them together in such a way that the cuticles all face the same direction, exactly as your own hair growing from the scalp. Preserving the cuticles and aligning them from root to end creates hair extensions that are natural in appearance, silky, soft and shiny.

How is remy hair made?

Remy human hair is collected through a method in which the hair is cut or shaved at the scalp and the strands are then completely aligned in the natural direction: roots to ends. The hair goes through as little processing as possible to preserve its natural quality. If processed properly, since all the cuticles face the same direction, there’s almost no tangling or matting, making the hair much easier to keep smooth, especially when wet.

Is all remy hair the same?

Ensuring that the hair is genuine remy hair is therefore the first important step to take when purchasing hair extensions, but it is not the only one. After the hair has been collected from the donor, it has to be processed. For human hair, since it has been collected freely, the cuticles are naturally all in different directions. To tackle this, some manufacturers dip the human hair into an acid bath that essentially removes the entire cuticle, so no matter the direction the hair is facing, there are no cuticles that cause the friction and the hair to tangle. This process is known as “stripping”.

It’s all about the cuticles

Cuticles keep the hair strands protected and lock the moisture in, keeping our hair healthy and naturally soft and silky. When the hair is stripped of the cuticles, the manufacturers usually dip it in silicon, to mimic the look and feel of natural, unprocessed hair. The layer of silicone, however, only lasts a few weeks, after which the hair will appear damaged and will tend to tangle, becoming difficult to manage. The silicone also adds weight to the hair and ups the selling price as hair is sold by weight. 

How long does remy hair last?

Remy hair is the only real option for anyone who wishes to get the best return of investment and wear their hair extensions for a long period of time. To put it simply,  it not only looks beautiful, but it remains this way. With proper care, remy hair lasts longer, because it’s higher quality. It can be brushed, cut, dyed and styled in the same way as your own hair. Our Russian remy hair is the finest hair you can purchase on the market today, and can last up to 2 years if regular care and maintenance are taken.

Grade of remy hair

Remy hair tends to last longer because it's of higher quality, but there are also different grades of remy hair on the market today. Hair that’s subjected to a more basic production process may only last a few months, while a high quality production process ensures that your remy hair extensions look brand new even after months or years. Virgin remy hair that has undergone no processing and which is raw hair in its natural state will cost the most, yet last the longest. 

When on a lookout for hair extensions it’s easy to become distracted by the jaw dropping lengths and brilliant colors. Unfortunately, due to exceptionally high demand from consumers, genuine remy hair is very rare on the market, despite the “100% remy hair” tag. 

Our Russian Remy Cuticle Human Hair has its cuticles intact to run in the same direction as your own natural hair would allowing for a more smooth and silky finish. Grab a cuppa and browse our lovely range of the highest quality remy hair on the market!