Single Drawn vs Double Drawn: The Quick Verdict
The Short Answer
When it comes to the proverbial comparison of single drawn vs double drawn, neither is universally “better”.
Single drawn suits a natural, layered look at a lower price point and works brilliantly for temporary styles. Double drawn suits maximum thickness and longevity, especially as far as professional or permanent extension methods are concerned.
So, at the risk of disappointing some readers seeking a “snappier” answer, the question of “is double drawn better?” or “should I go with single drawn?” comes down to the finish you want, your budget, and how you’ll wear the extensions.
With our more than 19 years of experience specialising in human hair extensions since 2007 here at Cliphair, we’ve handled both single-drawn and double-drawn extensions day in, day out. We’re well-placed, then, to give you the clear and fair comparison that you actually need.
At-a-Glance Comparison Table
| Feature | Single Drawn | Double Drawn |
|---|---|---|
| Structure | Shorter hairs mixed in, thinner at the ends | Same thickness root to tip |
| Grade | AAA (Standard Collection) | AAAAA, Remy Royale (Premium Collection) |
| Best For | Clip-ins, natural layered looks | Professional/permanent extensions, maximum volume |
| Look | Natural, relaxed, slightly layered | Fuller, glossier, more uniform |
| Price | More affordable | Higher upfront cost |
| Lifespan | Shorter (thinner structure) | Longer with proper care |
| Available In | Clip-ins, halos (Remove) most temporary types | Nano rings, tape-ins, halos, weaves, flat track wefts, seamless clip-ins |
What Is Single Drawn Hair?
Single-drawn hair is the standard thickness that you’ll find in most clip-in hair extensions. It’s a super popular choice for regular wearers of human hair extensions.
Hair being “single drawn” essentially means each bundle of hair contains fewer full-length strands of hair. This gives each bundle a layered effect.
Understandably, you might be unsure what hair type you have or what would best suit you. If that sounds like your situation right now, look at our blog article addressing the question of clip-ins versus permanent extensions and which one may be right for you.
With our help, you can feel comfortable purchasing your brand-new locks!
Pros and Cons
Single-drawn has its pros and cons, but it all depends on your own personal needs and preferences. Let’s walk through them:
Pros
If you’re looking for a more natural and relaxed finish and are less concerned about dramatic volume, single-drawn hair can be a great choice.
It also potentially helps that single-drawn hair is often much cheaper than double-drawn hair, because you don’t need to use so much hair.
At the same time, single drawn can easily mimic a layered look for clients who want to add different lengths and textures to their hair.
Cons
The main downside of single-drawn hair is that you’ll struggle to find volume while wearing them. So, if you desire a more glam, red carpet-ready finish, you might be better off with thicker, double-drawn hair.
Let’s imagine, for example, that you’re looking for thick, 20″ hair extensions. In that situation, to allow enough hair for the extensions to be trimmed and thickened at the ends, while still achieving an overall length of 20″, you’ll need to purchase single-drawn hair extensions of 22″ to 24″.
Ultimately, if this is the look you’re after, single-drawn hair extensions may not be the best choice.
Remember that when it comes down to it, single drawn is essentially a form of layered hair extensions. As a result, they aren’t so suitable for permanent extensions, and they work best for temporary options such as clip-in extensions.
Single-drawn hair doesn’t typically last as long as its double-drawn counterpart, either. This is because the hair is slightly thinner, with the extensions therefore deteriorating faster than double-drawn hair.
What Is Double Drawn Hair?
So, now that you’ve read all about single-drawn hair, what does double-drawn hair mean? And is double-drawn hair better than single drawn? We’re here to fill you in.
A product being listed as “double drawn” means that within a bundle of hair, most of the shorter hairs are removed. Consequently, the hair that remains is all the same length, leaving the ends nice and thick.
Compared to the single-drawn option, double-drawn hair extensions are considered thick hair extensions. The difference in their thickness and overall quality is noticeable, which makes them more suitable for individuals with average and thicker hair types.
“Double-drawn” hair maintains a more consistent density from root to tip because most shorter strands have been removed. In this sense, it can almost be likened to an unlayered, blunt cut. As a result, fewer extensions are required during the application process, and the hair pieces can be expected to last far longer.
Such a lifespan, together with the more modest overall upkeep required to keep the extensions in great condition, makes double-drawn hair best-suited to use in permanent extensions.
Double-drawn hair also provides more flexibility for cutting the permanent extensions in. As most people will have their professional extensions cut in, there is more allowance to layer the hair. If, though, the double-drawn hair is already layered, it will be more difficult to customise.
All our double-drawn hair extensions here at Cliphair form part of the Remy Royale collection. This means they’re made from 100% Remy human hair, while also offering a far more luxurious look, feel, and all-round durability than single drawn.
Such options as our Nano Rings, 50g Tape-Ins, Invisible Tape-Ins, Weaves, Flat Track Wefts, Flat Tips, I-Tips, and our top-selling Seamless Clip-In extensions are all included in this collection.
Pros and Cons
As is the case with the single-drawn varieties, there are certain reasons why you may or might not be well-advised to invest in double-drawn extensions:
Pros
Double-drawn hair can be an excellent choice if you want your hair to be full of volume and glamour. As extensions of this type are impressively thick from root to tip, they lend themselves to easily pulling off that sought-after full-bodied look.
Cons
A crucial aspect of double-drawn hair to bear in mind is that it typically most suits permanent rather than temporary extensions. This is because the weight of the hair is more durable when applied professionally; it can also be cut around your natural hair accordingly to put in the layered effect and remove any bluntness.
Is cost an issue for you? If so, it’s difficult to get away from the fact that double drawn is on the pricier side. Given that double-drawn hair is known as the best hair extension quality, it shouldn’t greatly surprise you that it’s usually more expensive than the single-drawn equivalent. Depending on your budget, then, you might find yourself leaning more towards single drawn.
If you’re considering switching from clip-in hair extensions to permanent alternatives, our ultimate guide to permanent hair extensions is your bible from here on out. It provides you with everything you need to understand about the purchase process, factors to consider, and key maintenance tips to keep your extensions healthy, shiny, and long-lasting.
We’ve written extensively on the subject of which permanent extension is the right match for you. This article is well worth a read to help you decide on the best permanent extensions for you, whether those may be tape-ins, nanos, weaves, I-tips, or another option.
What About “Natural Ratio” Hair?
If you’ve been comparing different hair extensions online, you might have also seen mentions of “natural ratio” hair extensions. But what are they?
“Natural ratio” is industry terminology used by some hair extension sellers, to describe hair that has been kept closer to its natural proportion of thicker and thinner strands. That’s as opposed to processing the hair strands to make them artificially bulked at the ends.
In practical terms, the concept is closer to single-drawn hair than double-drawn hair. Both single-drawn and “natural-ratio” hair retain a more natural variation in strand lengths and thicknesses.
However, the terminology isn’t completely standardised across the hair extension industry. So, one seller’s definition of “natural ratio” may differ from another’s.
Here at Cliphair, we don’t use the term “natural ratio” in reference to our products; we refer simply to single-drawn and double-drawn hair.
We also use clear, graded terms, such as AAA and AAAAA/Remy Royale. This is a concrete and verifiable quality system that brands offering undifferentiated “double-drawn” or “natural-ratio” stock can’t match.
Most importantly, it helps ensure that whatever hair extension of ours you choose, you’ll know exactly what structure and quality you’ll be getting.
In summary, the simplest comparison between the three terms is as follows:
- “Natural ratio” generally describes hair that retains more of its natural variation in thickness and length.
- “Single drawn” contains shorter hairs mixed through the bundle, thereby creating a thinner and more naturally layered finish towards the ends.
- “Double drawn” has shorter hairs removed; this brings about a much more consistent thickness from root to tip.
Ultimately, if you’re trying to clarify the distinctions between single drawn vs double drawn vs natural ratio for whatever hair extension brand you have your eye on, the best policy is to just ask that supplier directly. That’ll help minimise the scope for any costly misunderstandings.
Which Should You Choose?
There’s so single winner in the single drawn vs double drawn hair extensions debate. The right choice will depend on what you want your extensions to do.
You might ultimately favour:
- Single drawn if you’re budget-conscious and want a natural and slightly layered finish, especially with clip-ins or other temporary styles.
- Double drawn if you’re after maximum fullness, plan to go with permanent methods (such as nano rings, tape-ins, weaves, or flat track wefts), or simply want the longest possible lifespan with the right care.
Both these popular options are valid choices. Single-drawn hair isn’t a “lesser” product; it’s the right structure for a different goal. Double-drawn, meanwhile, caters to distinct priorities with regard to volume, uniformity, and longevity.
