HUMAN HAIR, TRADITIONAL SYNTHETIC, or HD? WHICH ALTERNATIVE HAIR FIBER IS BEST FOR YOU AND YOUR LIFESTYLE?
One of the biggest decisions someone who is looking for a wig or topper has to make is which fiber to choose. There are so many factors that go into choosing which fiber is best for your lifestyle.
Often times, women will gravitate towards human hair because they think it is “the best!” Our goal is to educate our clients on what is “the best” option for their lifestyle, style goals and budget. In order to do this, we walk them through the care and styling commitment for each fiber, how each fiber reacts to the weather elements, and investment.
Here is a guide that will help you determine which alternative hair fiber is “best” for you! It is important to note that we are not indicating which points are pros and cons…because the pros and cons are different for everyone. We are simply stating the facts.
SYNTHETIC FIBERS:
- Easiest to care for—no heat styling, style memory even after washing.
- Care includes--wash and let air dry. Recommend using HD Smooth 2 x per day to reduce frizzing at the ends.
- Lowest cost and lowest maintenance.
- Some will say the fiber is shinier. If this is not desired, shine can be reduced by using a dry shampoo like: https://www.heartandhair.com/pick-me-up-dry-shampoo/. Dry shampoo is also great for adding texture. It is ok to use a light hair spray or flexible spray gel to style—depending on how much you use and frequency, you may need to wash more frequently to avoid product build up. The hair spray and flexible spray gel is great for helping you achieve specific styles or to hold hair in place. The fiber crème is great for adding texture and/or holding specific hairs in place.
- Jon Renau Versatile 3 Way Hair Spray: https://www.heartandhair.com/jon-renau-easihair-versatile-3-way-styling-spray/
- Jon Renau Fiber Love Flexible Spray Gel: https://www.heartandhair.com/jr-eh-synthetic-fiber-love-flexible-spray-gel/
- Jon Renau Piece Our Contour Fiber Crème: https://www.heartandhair.com/jon-renau-easihair-piece-out-contour-fiber-creme/
- Care & Styling Instructions: https://www.heartandhair.com/blog/synthetic-hair-care-/
Pictured above: Jon Renau Top Wave 12" Synthetic
HD FIBERS:
- HD fibers have similar traits to synthetic, with the biggest exception being—it CAN be heat styled when carefully following the instructions.
- The fiber looks more similar to human hair than traditional synthetic. It is also more delicate than traditional synthetic and will require more maintenance to reduce risk of frizzing.
- Care & Styling Instructions: https://www.heartandhair.com/blog/hd-high-heat-synthetic-hair-care-/
Pictured above: easiPart 12" HD
HUMAN HAIR:
- Looks the most natural and typically lasts the longest (with proper care and maintenance).
- Offers the most styling and color options.
- Offers the ability to change style by using heat styling tools.
- Requires the biggest care and styling commitment.
- Requires extra “tools” to style. It is not recommended for human hair wigs and toppers to be dried and styled on our heads. For best results and to avoid causing damage to the wig or potentially additional hair loss to your own head), human hair wigs and toppers should be dried and styled on a canvas block head. We created a bundle of the “must haves” for clients new to human hair: https://www.heartandhair.com/jon-renau-human-hair-care-bundle-save-10/
- Using the specially formulated care and styling products will also help you achieve the optimum results. Alternative human hair goes through extensive processing. AND it is no longer attached to a blood source. It is imperative you use https://www.heartandhair.com/jon-renau-easihair-human-hair-care-kit/ to keep your alternative human hair looking and feeling beautiful and natural for as longs as possible. It is specially formulated for alternative human hair.
- Care & Styling Instructions: https://www.heartandhair.com/blog/human-hair-care/
Pictured above is easiPart 12" Human Hair
FAQ’s:
- Does human hair look the most natural? Most of the time, yes.
- Are there incredible synthetic options that look super natural? Yes!
- Do I only have to pick one fiber? No, most women have more than one fiber. There are lots of style options that are similar in different fibers so you can keep your style consistent despite the fiber (if that is your goal).
- Is it true that my synthetic wig can melt if I open the oven and am too close? Yes! Any high heat such as a freshly opened oven or heat lamp can cause your synthetic fibers to melt. We recommend putting something on your oven handle to remind you to open the oven, stand back to let the heat out and then move closer to the oven.
Still not sure which fiber is best for you? We highly recommend meeting with one of our Certified Alternative Hair Consultants to help you determine which fiber best suits your goals and lifestyle. Click here to schedule your FREE virtual consultation: https://www.heartandhair.com/virtual-consultation/