Virgin hair refers to hair that has not been chemically processed, and its appearance can vary based on its source. Understanding these variations helps to distinguish between different types of virgin hair available.
Types of Virgin Hair and Their Appearance
While all virgin hair shares the characteristic of being unprocessed, there are still notable differences based on source and preparation methods:
Virgin Hair on the Market
This is the most common type of virgin hair found for purchase, and it typically has these features:
- Texture: Silky to the touch.
- Luster: Medium to high shine.
- Source: Often sourced from multiple donors. This means the hair may have slight variations in color and texture but is typically processed to look uniform and consistent.
- Processing: While unprocessed chemically, it may undergo steaming to achieve consistent wave patterns, which will alter the texture from the original donor.
Raw Virgin Hair
This type of virgin hair is often more sought after for its natural state:
- Texture: Varies significantly based on the donor's natural hair texture.
- Luster: Usually lower to medium shine, giving it a more natural look.
- Source: Typically comes from a single donor. As a result, you will notice the hair is more uniform in colour and texture than "virgin hair" that comes from multiple donors.
- Processing: It is unprocessed and cut from single donors, retaining its natural state. This means it will retain its cuticles in tact and directionally aligned, which is what gives it a high-quality feel.
Summary of Virgin Hair Characteristics
Here is a table summarizing the key differences:
| Feature | Market Virgin Hair | Raw Virgin Hair |
|---|---|---|
| Texture | Silky | Varies |
| Luster | Medium to High | Lower to Medium |
| Source | Multiple Donors | Single Donor |
| Processing | Minimal, possibly steamed | Unprocessed |
| Appearance | Uniform consistency | More natural variations |
Understanding the Difference
The most significant distinction lies in the uniformity of appearance. Market virgin hair is often curated for a consistent look, while raw virgin hair retains the individual characteristics of its donor.
- Example: Market virgin hair might be sourced from several individuals with similar hair types, then processed to make the wave patterns more uniform. In contrast, a bundle of raw virgin hair will reflect the natural texture, color variations, and even thickness of the individual donor.
Understanding these nuances will help in choosing the type of virgin hair that best suits your needs.
