So, you're exploring the alternative hair world and beginning to consider your options. The very first decision you'll want to make is whether you want a human hair wig or a synthetic hair wig.

In this blog post, we're going to break down the key differences of human hair vs synthetic hair wigs so you can make the most informed decision.

Let's get into it.

Human Hair Wigs

At Lusta, all our pieces are made with 100% highest quality human hair. We personally love human hair because it looks the most natural and is the most versatile. But, let's break it down a bit more.

What is human hair?

Human hair is, you guessed it, real human hair.

There are many variations in quality of human hair. The minimum standard for good quality human hair is 'remy'. Remy hair is hair which is collected in full ponytails and sewn into a wig cap with the cuticle in the same direction. This means that the hair will a) look more natural, and, b) stay silky smooth and not knot or matt. Hair which is not remy will be very easy to tangle. This is because this hair is usually collected from places like salon floors. Non-remy hair is usually covered in silicones to make it appear 'smooth', but once washed the silicone comes off and you're left with a knotty mess.

If you are looking for a piece you can wear reguarly, we recommend finding a human hair wig which is 100% remy. If you are looking for a piece which you just want to to wear once, perhaps for a party or event, non-remy hair might do.

But it doesn't stop there. There are many variations in the quality of remy hair too. These variations are called 'grades' of hair. You might have seen terms like 'Brazillian hair' or 'Euro hair' thrown around. These terms do not refer to the location where the hair was sourced, but the grade of hair. Basically, these terms were made up so that wig companies didn't need to advertise their hair as 'low-quality', instead they could give it a 'fun' location-based grading.

We prefer not to use these locations based terms at Lusta as they can be quite misleading. Instead, we call the hair what it is- 'low-quality', 'mid-quality', 'high-quality' etc.

At Lusta, we only select the HIGHEST quality human hair to use for our pieces. The hair is sourced from all over the world and we only accept the best of the best. The hair we choose is not the fluffiest, finest hair as this makes it difficult for the hair to hold a style. Instead, we select a hair quality which is slightly more textured, while also being super soft and silky.

What is the price range for human hair?

The price range for human hair varies broadly.

Non-remy human hair is usually between $300-$500.

Remy hair can range anywhere from $500-$10,000. There are many factors that contribute to the price of a human hair wig.

First, we have to consider the varying hair qualities. Wigs will first be priced depending on the quality of the hair.

Next, we have to consider the cap construction. Some wigs are made by machines and others are handsewn. Machine-made wigs are going to come with a lower price tag than hand-sewn. However, hand-sewn pieces are likely to look much more realistic than machine-made pieces.

There are also other elements of the cap construction which need to be considered. The type of cap (silk top, lace top or mono top) are also priced differently. The inside of the cap may also be different (for example, our Essentials vs. Game Changer wig).

Then we get into the colouring of the pieces. If you add a custom colour you might an additional cost for this.

There are so many factors to consider in the pricing on human hair pieces.

What are the benefits of human hair wigs?

Let's chat about the benefits of a human hair wig.

• Realism: Human hair wigs will look more realistic than their synthetic hair counterparts.
• Versatility: Human hair wigs react in the same way as real hair would. This means you can heat style them (curled, straight, etc.), dye them and cut them.
• Longevity: High quality human hair wigs will typically last 2-3 years with daily wear- which is much longer than synthetic wigs (more on this later).
• Comfort: Human hair wigs are often designed to be more comfortable to wear than synthetic. Synthetic hair can often feel itchy.

Cons of Human Hair Wigs

• Cost: The most obvious 'con' of human hair wigs are their cost. Human hair wigs come with a higher price tag than synthetic hair. However, a lot of women find that human hair wigs are a more cost-effective investment as they will not have to replace their human hair wig as frequently as a synthetic wig.

Synthetic Hair Wigs

What is a synthetic wig?

Synthetic wigs are made with 'fake' hair. This fake hair is usually a combination of different types of plastics melted together and cut into very fine strands which 'mimic' real hair.

There are some great synthetic hair options out there, especially if you are looking to purchase a piece with tight budget.

Just like human hair, there are different qualities of synthetic hair. Let's break it down.

Toyokalon: Toyokalan is is the least expensive type of synthetic hair. Toyokalon is one of the softer variations of synthetic hair and is actually less prone to tangling. However, it is often the most unrealistic. This type of synthetic hair is most often used for costume wigs (think Halloween store), rather than a piece you wear day to day.

Kanekalon: Kanekalon wigs are lighter and more durable than toyokalon wigs. The hair on these wigs looks more like real hair and can sometimes be styled with a very low heat and the correct styling products.

Monofilament Synthetic Wigs: Monafilament actually refers to the cap type of the wig. The hair itself is made with a combination of plastics. However, a monofilament wig provides for a more realistic look than most toyokalon and kanekelon pieces. This is the type of wig which is more likely to be worn on a daily basis.

What is the price range for synthetic wigs?

Just like human hair, synthetic hair can range broadly in price.

Lower quality pieces can be anywhere from $5-$100. Higher quality pieces can range anywhere from $100-$1,500.

Just like human hair, there's a range of factors to consider. The 'hair' type and quality, the cap construction, the durability...the list goes on and on!

Pros of Synthetic Hair Wigs

Let's chat about why you might choose a synthetic hair piece over a human hair piece.

• Lower cost: Synthetic hair wigs are much cheaper than human hair wigs. If you don't want to splash out too much of your cash on a wig then synthetic hair might be your best option. It's also important to remember that with lower cost, you'll get less wears out of your wig before it needs to be replaced.
• No Styling: With a synthetic wig, the way it's styled when it arrives is the way the style will stay. You cannot style most synthetic hair wigs with any form of heat or dye. For some women, this is great! You can just pop on your wig and your ready to go.

Cons of Synthetic Wigs

• Durability: Most synthetic wigs will only last between 1-6 months before they will need to be replaced
• Not as versatile: As mentioned before, you won't be able to style a synthetic wig like you can with a human hair wig.
• Not as realistic: Of course, human hair wigs will look much more realistic than synthetic wigs.

So, there you have it. Everything you need to know about synthetic hair vs human hair wigs. With this information, you'll be able to better make a decision on what option is best for you.

And, if you decide to go down the human hair route, we're here to help you find the perfect piece! Book a chat with us to get started.