Synthetic or Human Hair Wig - Which is Best
There are two types of wig material - synthetic fiber and real
human hair. Most people naturally assume that a human hair wig
is necessarily better than a synthetic one, when in fact it is
not that simple. The correct choice depends on what you expect
from your wig, how you are going to wear it, and how much time
can you can devote to caring for it.
Human hair wigs
The majority of human hair wigs on the market are made from
Asian hair. Most of it comes from China, although higher quality
Asian hair comes from women who live in India or Pakistan. Asian
hair by its nature is thick, straight and usually very dark in
color. Obviously this hair is great for making straight black
wigs, but to make a blond curly wig it has to go through several
bleaching steps and other chemical treatments. As a result, the
hair gets damaged and a wig that looks great, when new, might
become dull in a few months.
The best quality hair for European-looking wigs comes from
Eastern European countries, like Poland and Russia. This hair
costs more than Asian hair, because in these countries not so
many women are willing to sell their locks. Wigs that are made
from European hair last longer and feel softer to the touch.
When buying a human hair wig, be sure to find out from where
the hair originates. If you are prepared to spend several
hundred dollars on a wig, it is best to find one made from
European hair. If the wig label says "human hair wig" without
specifying the origin of the hair, it is most likely made from
Asian hair.
See photos of quality human hair
wigs
Advantages of human hair wigs: - A human hair wig
lasts longer than a synthetic one
- A human hair wig is
soft and feels natural, to the touch
- A human hair wig
can styled and dyed, just like your own hair
- A human
hair wig "breathes", so your scalp won't perspire as much under
one
Disadvantages: - A human hair wig needs to be styled
after every wash
- A human hair wig is expensive
Synthetic wigs
Although you can find hundreds of synthetic wigs styles, not all
synthetic fibers are created equally. For example, costume wigs
for Halloween are usually made from lower quality fibers - they
are cheap and look obviously like a wig. For a Halloween party
this is just fine, but for every day use you want a wig that
will look like it has grown on your head. Luckily for you, the
modern synthetic materials, which are used in top quality
designer wigs, can look very realistic.
Go for well known wig brands, like Aspen, Revlon, Norico or
Beverly Johnson, and you will get a natural look for an
affordable price.
A synthetic wig also has several advantages: - ease
of care - the wig keeps its style after being washed
- lower price
Disadvantages: - You can't style a synthetic wig with
iron - it will burn
- A synthetic wig will last only a
few months, if you wear it every day
I personally prefer synthetic wigs because I don't wear them
every day - only when I want to look different. Also, ease of
care is a very important factor for me. So if you want a wig as
a fashion accessory or a way to express yourself, then I would
definitely recommend getting several synthetic wigs in different
colors and styles, rather than just one human hair wig for the
same price. But be careful - only go for top quality, more
expensive synthetic tresses, otherwise you could be disappointed
with your new look.
Synthetic vs. human hair wigs - cost issues
Even a medium-quality human hair wig is going to be more
expensive than a synthetic one. This comes down to the
availability of material. While synthetic fibers can be
manufactured as required, long women's hair, of good quality, is
in a limited supply. The best quality human hair, from Eastern
Europe, is very rare.
The best quality synthetic wigs usually cost one or two hundred
dollars. For a human hair wig the price is much higher -
typically over five hundred dollars, depending on the length.
However, you can get both types of wig at discount prices from
online shops that specialize in discounted wigs. Discount wigs
are not at all inferior in quality - they simply aren't the
latest models. If cost is an issue, it's always better to buy a
best-quality synthetic wig than a mediocre human-hair wig.
If you are still unsure about which wig to choose, though, our
advice is to go for a top-quality human hair wig, if you intend
it to become your new style and wear it every day. Real hair
wigs are definitely the better option for people who need a wig
because of hair loss. On the other hand, choose a synthetic wig,
if your intention is to have fun with your look and change your
image, once in awhile.