Synthetic or Human Hair Wig - How to Make the Right Choice

There are two types of wig material - synthetic fiber and realhuman hair. Most people naturally assume that a human hair wigis necessarily better than a synthetic one, when in fact it isnot that simple. The correct choice depends on what you expectfrom your wig, how you are going to wear it, and how much timecan you can devote to caring for it.Human hair wigsThe majority of human hair wigs on the market are made fromAsian hair. Most of it comes from China, although higher qualityAsian hair comes from women who live in India or Pakistan. Asianhair by its nature is thick, straight and usually very dark incolor. Obviously this hair is great for making straight blackwigs, but to make a blond curly wig it has to go through severalbleaching steps and other chemical treatments. As a result, thehair gets damaged and a wig that looks great, when new, mightbecome dull in a few months.The best quality hair for European-looking wigs comes fromEastern European countries, like Poland and Russia. This haircosts more than Asian hair, because in these countries not somany women are willing to sell their locks. Wigs that are madefrom European hair last longer and feel softer to the touch.When buying a human hair wig, be sure to find out from where thehair originates. If you are prepared to spend several hundreddollars on a wig, it is best to find one made from Europeanhair. If the wig label says "human hair wig" without specifyingthe origin of the hair, it is most likely made from Asian hair.Advantages of human hair wigs:A human hair wig lasts longer than a synthetic one A human hairwig is soft and feels natural, to the touch A human hair wig canstyled and dyed, just like your own hair A human hair wig"breathes", so your scalp won't perspire as much under oneDisadvantages:A human hair wig needs to be styled after every wash A humanhair wig is expensiveSynthetic wigsAlthough you can find hundreds of synthetic wigs styles, not allsynthetic fibers are created equally. For example, costume wigsfor Halloween are usually made from lower quality fibers - theyare cheap and look obviously like a wig. For a Halloween partythis is just fine, but for every day use you want a wig thatwill look like it has grown on your head. Luckily for you, themodern synthetic materials, which are used in top qualitydesigner wigs, can look very realistic.Go for well known wig brands, like Aspen, Revlon, Norico orBeverly Johnson, and you will get a natural look for anaffordable price.A synthetic wig also has several advantages:ease of care - the wig keeps its style after being washed lowerpriceDisadvantages:You can't style a synthetic wig with iron - it will burn Asynthetic wig will last only a few months, if you wear it everydayI personally prefer synthetic wigs because I don't wear themevery day - only when I want to look different. Also, ease ofcare is a very important factor for me. So if you want a wig asa fashion accessory or a way to express yourself, then I woulddefinitely recommend getting several synthetic wigs in differentcolors and styles, rather than just one human hair wig for thesame price. But be careful - only go for top quality, moreexpensive synthetic tresses, otherwise you could be disappointedwith your new look.Synthetic vs. human hair wigs - cost issuesEven a medium-quality human hair wig is going to be moreexpensive than a synthetic one. This comes down to theavailability of material. While synthetic fibers can bemanufactured as required, long women's hair, of good quality, isin a limited supply. The best quality human hair, from EasternEurope, is very rare.The best quality synthetic wigs usually cost one or two hundreddollars. For a human hair wig the price is much higher -typically over five hundred dollars, depending on the length.However, you can get both types of wig at discount prices fromonline shops that specialize in discounted wigs. Discount wigsare not at all inferior in quality - they simply aren't thelatest models. If cost is an issue, it's always better to buy abest-quality synthetic wig than a mediocre human-hair wig.If you are still unsure about which wig to choose, though, ouradvice is to go for a top-quality human hair wig, if you intendit to become your new style and wear it every day. Real hairwigs are definitely the better option for people who need a wigbecause of hair loss. On the other hand, choose a synthetic wig,if your intention is to have fun with your look and change yourimage, once in awhile.