Synthetic vs Human Hair: The Quick Verdict
The Short Answer
100% Remy Human Hair is the best choice if you’re wearing Hair Extensions regularly, because it’s much easier to blend with your natural hair. It also absorbs colour well, so a professional colourist can darken or tone the hair if you need it. Human hair can handle high temperatures, so heat styling isn’t a problem, although synthetic hair can hold a style for longer in humid weather, because it’s processed to stay in one specific shape. Although at Cliphair we don’t sell synthetic hair (our permanent and clip-in hair extensions are 100% human hair), we do understand that there is a difference in the initial cost between synthetic vs human hair extensions. If you’re on a budget, synthetic hair is usually cheaper, but you’ll notice a difference in the look and feel compared to real hair. If you’re a first-time hair extension wearer, it’s natural to want as much info as possible before you buy, read our post on Hair Extensions For Beginners: Your Simple Guide To Getting Started.
At-a-Glance Comparison Table
| Human hair extensions | Synthetic hair extensions | |
|---|---|---|
| Material | 100% Remy Human Hair | Acrylic, nylon or polyester |
| Look and feel | Soft, silky and flexible | Shiny, rubbery, wiry |
| Heat styling | Heat tools can be safely used, with heat protection spray | Heat styling can frizz or melt the hair |
| Colouring | Can be dyed or toned to a darker shade but not bleached | Can’t be dyed |
| Typical lifespan | Classic tape-ins have a lifespan of 3-6 months, Remy Royale clip-ins can last up to 12 months, Remy Royale Seamless clip-ins and Halo extensions can last up to 18 months, Remy Royale tape-ins, wefts, nano rings, I-tips, flat tips can last 6-12 months | Shorter lifespan with regular wear |
| Cost | Prices vary depending on the type, weight and grade of extensions, but they are an investment | Cheaper |
| Best for | Regular wear, heat styling, a natural look and feel | Short-term wear, one-off events, humid conditions |
What Are Hair Extensions Made Of?
If this is your first time buying them, you might be wondering are hair extensions real hair? If you buy human hair extensions, then they are made from real donated hair, whereas synthetic hair extensions are made from man-made fibres like acrylic, nylon and polyester.
Synthetic extensions are basically plastic that’s been processed and shaped to look like hair, and so they don’t look or feel the same as natural strands.
What Are Synthetic Hair Extensions?
We gave you a pretty basic explanation above. But if you want to really understand how synthetic hair extensions are made, keep reading.
These types of extensions can be made from a few different materials, all of which are artificial, like acrylic, polyester and nylon. This is then heated up and passed through tiny tubes to create strands that replicate hair.
Synthetic hair is already pre-styled when you buy it. Whatever style you go for, whether curls, waves or a sleek straight texture, is set into the extensions when they’re made, so the look stays consistent wash after wash. For this reason, synthetic hair can be a popular choice for anyone short on time.
What Are The Advantages Of Synthetic Hair Extensions?
Being completely honest, synthetic extensions are a cheaper option than real human hair. This is the biggest advantage, especially if you’re on a budget, and this is thanks to the cheap material (plastic) and the fact that they are easy to produce with modern technology.
If you are wearing hair extensions for a one-off event or a summer holiday where the weather is humid, you might want to opt for synthetic extensions. This is because they won’t go frizzy and don’t need much TLC. The style you buy them in is how they’ll stay, for example if you buy curly synthetic extensions, they’re made to keep their curls. Overall, synthetic extensions are a low-effort option that’s handy for short-term ease.
What Are The Disadvantages Of Synthetic Hair Extensions?
They might be cheaper, but they’re definitely not without downsides, so you’ll want to know what’s not so good about them before you decide if synthetic hair extensions are worth buying.
Most of the disadvantages are because of the plastic materials. Firstly, synthetic extensions can’t handle heat styling tools (they can frizz up or melt) and this limits the styles you can create, so if you like to change up your look from day to day, they’re probably not for you. The same applies to using normal hair dye on synthetic extensions, as the plastic doesn’t take well to the dye.
It’s not surprising then that a commonly asked question is whether hair extensions look real. We’re not saying that synthetic hair extensions can’t still look good, but the truth is that they are less likely to look real, because the artificial fibres have a shinier, more rubbery texture which can be harder to blend with natural hair.
Possibly one of the biggest disadvantages is the lifespan synthetic hair extensions have. To put it bluntly, if you’re wearing them regularly, they won’t last as long as human hair extensions.
Eventually, shedding, tangling and dullness can set in, with friction from daily brushing, exposure to sunlight and repeated washing all affecting the breakdown of fibres over time.
What Are The Best Human Hair Extensions?
With so many different grades (qualities) of hair out there, it can be difficult to choose the best type for you. Cliphair was founded in 2007, and with our specialist expertise we can safely say that Remy hair extensions are some of the best. Our hair extensions use 100% Remy, cuticle-correct, ethically sourced hair. In short, they’re made from real human hair that still has the cuticle left in place, leaving the locks smooth, shiny and tangle-free.
Remy hair is also one of the most cost-effective human hair extension options on the market, although the grade of hair you opt for also affects the price. Classic quality is AAA grade, which is used for clip-ins and temporary extensions, and means the hair is single-drawn (has a mix of strand lengths) giving each bundle a layered effect. Remy Royale is AAAAA grade, meaning it’s double-drawn (all the same length) and used for professional extensions and higher-grade clip-ins, Seamless clip-ins and Halo extensions.
What Are The Advantages Of Remy Human Hair Extensions?
The main reason that people opt for human hair extensions is because of their appearance. Whether you don’t want people to know you’re wearing extensions or just want the natural look, these types of extensions are usually more effective than synthetic extensions.
You can get considerable wear out of Remy hair extensions, and this is a major pro. Classic AAA grade clip-ins last up to 12 months, while Seamless and Halo styles last up to 18 months, which is a good reason for the initial investment.
Human Hair vs Synthetic: Key Differences Compared
Look and Feel
How hair extensions are made has a big impact on their look and feel. Cuticles are the protective outer layers of hair. With Remy hair, the cuticles all face the same direction, which prevents tangling and matting, plus the human hair feels soft and has natural movement, while synthetic hair has a uniform texture and very shiny look because of the plastic.
Heat Styling and Colouring
Human hair can be straightened, curled and darkened or toned (by a professional colourist), but synthetic hair cannot be heat-styled or dyed at all. That means when you choose which colour and style of synthetic extensions you want, you must be 100% happy with them, as you can’t change it later.
Lifespan and Cost Per Wear
The cost can be a significant difference between synthetic and human hair extensions. Synthetic hair is cheaper to buy upfront because of the lower material cost and easy manufacturing, but it has a shorter lifespan. On the other hand, human hair costs more to buy in the first place, but lasts longer, so it offers better cost per wear.
How Can You Style Natural Hair Extensions?
Natural hair extensions can be styled in the exact same way as your real human hair. This also means that they need to be treated like human hair with regular hair washes and maintenance, using high-quality hair extension hair care products.
Heated styling tools like hair straighteners can also be used. In fact, they’re essential if you want to switch up your style. As with natural hair though, we recommend you always use a heat protector first. The Cliphair Hair Extension Heat Protection Spray protects hair up to 230°C, reduces frizz, and adds a sleek sheen, so it’s what we’d recommend using as the final step in your styling routine.
If you want more in-depth advice, our guide answers the question of Can You Style Synthetic Hair Extensions? Reasons Why Human Hair Extensions Are The Superior Choice.
Conclusion
When it comes down to it, what you choose depends on what you need the hair for. If you want extensions for a single night out, a festival, or a holiday where you won’t have time (or the tools) to maintain them, synthetic hair extensions are an option. They’re affordable, low-maintenance, and hold their style regardless of humidity.
If you’re wearing extensions regularly, want them to blend seamlessly with your natural hair, and like the freedom to heat style them, we’d recommend human hair extensions every time. Yes, they cost more upfront, but with proper care they last a lot longer, which means better value over time, and a far more natural look and feel.