With so many options to choose from, do you ever get confused when deciding on a weave? Well, we’ve got all the details necessary to help you make an informed decision.

Trying out different hairstyles can be fun and thanks to the various options available, one will never tire of experimenting with colour, texture and length. With all the options available, however, it can get a little confusing, particularly when weaves and wigs are concerned.

So the burning question is: “With all the different kinds of hair available, how do I know I’m getting good value for money?”

There are a million-and-one hair companies each claiming to sell 100% virgin/human hair. As many of these companies sell their hair pieces online, it’s difficult to discern the fraudsters from the genuine hair sellers.

Then there are the fancy titles: Brazilian, Peruvian, Indian, Malaysian, Mongolian, Cambodian, Eurasian, and Russian. The list is endless! A question I’ve often asked myself is, “How can I be 100% sure that the hairreallyis from the country it claims to originate from?”

The truth is you’ll never genuinely know whether your Peruvian Straight indeed came from donors in Peru. What we suggest, however, is using the titles below as a guide to identify the texture and volume of the extension.

5A Grade Virgin Hair.

Also known as unprocessed hair, this means that the cuticles of the hair are raw and full. This allows the wearer to dye and bleach the extensions without damaging them. It also has the ability to “bounce back”into a wave after it has been washed regardless of it’s initial straight label. Furthermore, Virgin hair has a shelf life of up to 2 years, making it a phenomenal investment.

Virgin Remy Hair.

Virgin Remy hair cannot be dyed, bleached, hot-ironed, or chemically processed without its texture being significantly compromised. Unlike 5A Grade Virgin Hair, Virgin Remy has a shelf life of only 6 months although this can be extended through proper care like regular deep conditioning.

6A to 7A Grade Virgin Hair.

This hair comes from donors that are both young and vegetarian. It’ll cost you a pretty penny but the bundles will be thicker meaning less hair is required to complete an installation. Like 5A Grade Virgin hair, 6A Grade and 7A Grade are a good investment for those wanting extensions over long periods of time.

The main players in hair texture are Brazilian, Indian and Peruvian and having tried all three, I would say my favourite is Peruvian. As a lover of full-bodied hair I have always gravitated toward buying Indian Virgin hair but the silky texture and lustreof Peruvian Virgin hair wins the contest. For full body waves and luscious curls, Brazilian hair reigns supreme.

So, what does all this mean? Well…in the world of weaves and wigs, determining which hair is best for you boils down to personal preference and it is only through trial and error that this will be achieved. In order to avoid tears over lost money, it’s imperative to do research concerning the type of hair you want AND the company which you’re buying from. 

TIP: If you have the luxury of visiting a showroom, study the wefts to see if there are any strands that appear off-colour. All strands attached to the weft should be a natural black/off-black shade and if this is not the case, you’re most likely dealing with 4A Grade Virgin Hair otherwise known as Virgin Remy.

What’s your favourite hair type BB Beauties? Share your answers in the comment section below!

(By Cynthia Gwebu)