Human hair extensions are a better choice than using synthetic ones despite their steeper price. They can be styled, washed, and heated like natural hair. It can last up to two years if properly maintained. However, not all human hair extensions sold in the market are created equal and can vary largely in quality.
Buying hair extensions from a reputable brand is always the surest way to get a good quality product. But what if you’re buying from a secondary source? Is there a way to test the quality of the hair extension before making a purchase?
Below are some tips and tricks to help you decide whether the hair extension you are considering is a worthy investment.
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Look for Remy Hair
Remy hair is the most sought-after type of hair extension because it’s made of 100% virgin, natural human hair from a valid source. These are extremely hard to find, thus there are only a few companies selling Remy hair in the market. Perfect Locks’ human hair extensions, for instance, are ethically sourced Remy hair from donors directly known by the company.
Do the Hair Length Percentage Test
One sign of good quality hair extension is if it has a high percentage of strands that are of the same length. To do a quick test, put one hand on the roots and the other at the bottom. Give it a gentle shake and lightly twist it to release any loose strands. If you notice a lot of hair coming loose, this means it has a low hair length percentage and will look thin when worn.
Try the Scrunch Test
Hair that easily bounces back and has fewer snags when you run your fingers through it is typically a sign of natural, good-quality hair. Doing the scrunch test will help you determine whether you’re getting the real deal.
To do this test, hold the extension by the top with one hand and place the other hand underneath the ends. Push the lower part of the hair toward the roots and rub your hands together while gently squishing the hair in between them. No run your hair through the hair from top to bottom. If your finger runs through it easily, then it’s a good-quality hair extension.
Do The Wet Tangle Test
Good quality natural hair should have cuticles intact and going in one direction for a smoother texture, less frizz, and fewer tangles. So another way to test for good hair extension quality is to try the wet tangle test.
To do this, prepare a basin of water and put in a small amount of shampoo. Hold the hair by the roots and swish it in soapy water several times. Rinse the hair thoroughly with clean water. If the hair becomes tangled and knots up near the roots, it means the cuticles are inverted. This tangling happens because the edges of the inverted cuticles get caught up with each other creating friction.
A Simple Touch Test
Are you sensitive to the temperature of objects when you touch them? Then you can try this very simple touch test to determine whether you have an authentic, natural hair extension. Real human hair retains moisture, so when you hold a bunch of hair between your fingers or palm, it should feel cool to the touch.
Check for Shedding
Shedding is something very common with low-quality hair extensions. So to test for shedding, run your fingers gently through the length of the extensions. If around two of five strands fall out, it’s relatively okay and normal. However, if a significant amount of hair strands fall out then what you probably got is a low-quality hair extension.
Last Resort, Do the Burn Test
The burn test tells you whether the hair extension is made of natural or synthetic hair. To do this test, simply cut a few strands of hair from the extension. You can use the ones that were cut during trimming or styling.
Burn the tips of the hair. If the hair burns continuously and gives off a foul smell, then you know it’s natural hair. However, if the hair chars, melts, or stops burning instantly, then it is a sign that it’s made of synthetic materials.
Takeaway
Hair extensions cost hundreds of dollars, so doing a quick simple test to check the quality of your hair extensions before purchasing will help ensure you are getting value for your money.
If you’re deciding on purchasing a product, you can do a quick and simple touch, scrunch, or percentage test to see the quality of the extension. If you already purchased the item and suddenly wondering about its quality, then you can do the wet or burn test to know if it’s the real thing.
If you’re looking for durability, quality, and longer-lasting, find a brand that offers Remy hair and be willing to invest a little more to look better and for a higher quality product.