Human hair wigs are undoubtedly superior to synthetic wigs, and as a result, tend to cost more. But does spending more money on a wig mean that it’s made out of human hair? Not necessarily. And if you’ve bought your wig online, can you be sure that it’s made of human hair, just because the label says that it is? Absolutely not.
While buying European human hair wigs from a reputable store usually guarantees that what you’ve purchased is made from human hair, if you’ve bought a wig and want to be sure that it’s not synthetic, here’s what you can do to check.
Feel the texture.
Wigs made from human hair are usually softer and smoother to the touch than synthetic ones, which tend to be unnaturally smooth and coarse. Taking a moment to really feel the hair can help you determine its quality.
Check the sheen.
Synthetic wigs often look unrealistically glossy, whereas human hair wigs reflect the light in the same way as natural hair, giving them a subtler, more natural-looking shine. Using a light source, examine the sheen of the wig.
Carry out a burn test.
Carefully cut a few strands of hair from an area of the wig where it won’t be noticed, and use a match or lighter to burn the ends. Synthetic fibers will quickly melt while emitting an odor similar to that of plastic, while human hair will be slower to burn, smell exactly like burning hair, and turn to ash.
Assess the color.
There are typically natural color variations in a human hair wig that are just like the subtle nuances in color found in real hair. Synthetic wigs, on the other hand, tend to be colored in a uniform manner, without the natural variations and depth of real hair.
Assess the weight.
A wig made from human hair usually feels a little heavier than one made of synthetic fibers, so try weighing the wig in your hands to try and get a sense of how heavy it is and how substantial it feels when held.
Examine the ends.
The ends of human hair wigs are usually tapered, unlike synthetic wigs that have blunt, cut ends from when they were manufactured. Study the tips of the hair on the wig for natural tapering.
Test for tangles
Synthetic fibers are prone to both matting and tangling, particularly at the nape, whereas human hair is more resistant to this. With a wide-toothed comb, gently comb the wig and see how easily it resists knots and tangles.
Check the cap construction.
European hair wig manufacturers tend to construct their wigs with caps that are of a higher quality than synthetic ones, offering the wearer a more natural look and a more comfortable experience. Inspecting the cap for hand-tied sections, a monofilament top, or a lace front will help distinguish it from a synthetic wig.
Ideally, human hair wigs should only be bought from a reputable manufacturer in a brick-and-mortar wig store. That way, if you still have concerns, you can examine the wig using the tips outlined above and reassure yourself of its quality before buying.
