Anyone who has ever searched for hair extensions or hair wigs has likely come across the terms “raw hair” and “virgin hair.” You must be wondering about the questions we are all thinking -
what is virgin hair?
What is raw hair?
What is the difference between the two?
And which is better - virgin hair vs. raw hair?
Girls, we are here to answer all the questions that have come to your mind!
In this blog, we will discuss in detail about both - raw hair and virgin hair. While both the types offer premium quality, there are major differences in how they are sourced and how they behave. To make the right choice for your styling needs, you need to understand the differences between the two. Let’s discuss more in detail!
What is Raw Hair?
Raw hair is the most pure form available for hair extensions and wigs. It is completely unprocessed, untouched, sourced from a single donor and not chemically treated at all. Let’s dive into the details of what raw hair truly is!
Sourcing and Collection
Raw hair is typically sourced from third world countries. They are collected from temples in countries like India, Vietnam, Cambodia etc. People donate their hair at these temples as part of a devotional sacrifice. The hair is cut directly from the donor’s head and then collected. Then they are bundled together to maintain the natural alignment as it is.
Texture and Appearance
Raw hair maintains its natural cuticle alignment and is tangle free. As the raw hair is free from processing, it comes in all forms of natural textures like straight, curly, wavy etc. It does not have a uniform or consistent pattern, giving it a very authentic and natural look.
Durability
Raw hair is very durable and can last as long as 3 to 5 years. Just like natural hair, raw hair responds well to colouring, heat styling, bleaching, spa treatments, etc. It is strong, natural and remains the same for longer periods of time.
Maintenance
Raw hair requires maintenance just like your natural hair. It requires shampooing and conditioning to maintain the hydration and moisture levels. To extend the shelf life, raw hair should have minimal exposure to harsh hair care products or heat.
Also Read: Why invest in raw Indian hair?
What is Virgin Hair?
Virgin hair is high-quality human hair collected from a single donor, ensuring all cuticles remain intact and aligned. It is completely chemical-free, meaning it has never been dyed, bleached, or chemically treated.
However, unlike raw hair, it undergoes a gentle steaming process to achieve a more uniform texture, such as wavy or curly patterns, without compromising its natural integrity. This makes it softer, more manageable, and consistent in appearance.
Sourcing and Collection
Virgin hair - like raw hair - is also collected and sourced from a single donor. This ensures that they have a uniform pattern and intact cuticles. Virgin hair often undergoes some form of steam processing. This is done to achieve specific textures like deep waves or loose curls. This also ensures that virgin hair is soft and requires less styling. They are ready to use straight out of the box. They do not undergo any kind of chemical treatments.
Texture and Appearance
Virgin hair has a consistent pattern that makes it very easy to style and blend in. All the cuticles remain intact, but they are not as aligned as in raw hair. Due to the minimal processing, virgin hair is available in a wider variety of styles.
Durability
With proper care, virgin hair can last for around 2 to 3 years. They are not very durable like raw hair - but are still pretty long lasting. Virgin hair can be styled and dyed easily but does not respond well to repeated chemical treatments.
Maintenance
Compared to raw hair, virgin hair is easier to maintain. It doesn't require as much cleaning and hydration and works well with your normal, everyday styling tools and products. Due to the processing, they are less susceptible to heat damage.
Key Differences: Raw Hair vs. Virgin Hair
| Feature | Raw Hair | Virgin Hair |
|---|---|---|
| Processing | Completely unprocessed | Minimally processed |
| Sourcing | Sourced from a single donor | Sourced from a single dono |
| Shelf Life | 3 to 5 years | 2 to 3 years |
| Texture | Natural, unique patterns | Uniform, consistent patterns |
| Coloring Treatments | Can be bleached & colored | Can be dyed but not bleached |
| Maintenance | Requires hydration & deep conditioning | Does not require a lot of maintenance |
| Price | More expensive due to its unprocessed nature | Less expensive and more affordable |
Which is Best for You?
If your mind is still thinking and going in loops - raw vs virgin hair, virgin vs raw hair - which one to choose. Don’t worry! After discussing both the types in detail, let us see which one is better suited for you.
Choosing between raw and virgin hair depends a lot on your styling preferences, your budget and how long you want the extensions to last. Here’s a detailed comparison:
You can go for raw hair, if:
- You want a more natural and authentic look
- You want to go for unprocessed and long lasting hair extensions
- You want your hair to blend naturally with the extensions
- You want a more voluminous and bouncy look
- You like to experiment with different hair colours and heat styling tools
- You want to take some form of chemical treatments
- You want to invest for a longer period of time
- You have a high budget to spare
You can go for virgin hair, if:
- You want a ready to wear solution
- You want want an easy to style option
- You are okay with minimal processing
- You want a specific kind of hair style like curls or waves
- You want a uniform and consistent hair pattern
- You are looking to get some form of styling done, but not much
- You want an option that requires minimal care
- You are looking for an affordable alternative
Both the options are high quality and offer a premium look. Ultimately, the choice comes down to what suits your needs the best - depending on whether you want to spend more money or less, whether you want to go for high maintenance or not, etc. Choose wisely considering all your choices and styling needs.
Where to Buy the Best Raw and Virgin Hair?
Now you must be wondering about where to even buy raw or virgin hair. After the debate of raw hair vs. virgin hair is settled in your mind, let's go get one of them. For premium quality hair extensions or wigs - whether made of virgin hair or raw hair - go for Gemeria Hair.
We offer affordable and high quality natural hair wigs and hair extensions suited for your specific needs. All the products are ethically sourced and made of 100% human hair. You can create any hairstyle and styles the extensions however you want - as high quality offers flexibility too.
Visit Gemeria Hair today and check out the amazing hair extension collections!
Conclusion
The debate of raw vs virgin hair is ongoing. There is no one correct answer as to which one is the best. It all depends on the usage, styling needs, personal preferences and your budget. Both raw hair and virgin hair offer beauty and sustainability. While one is unprocessed, the other one is minimally processed. Understanding the difference between the two will help you make a better decision about which one to choose.
If you want a budget friendly option, go for virgin hair. But if you want a high quality, long lasting alternative, go for raw hair. And no matter what you choose, you can find them at affordable prices at Gemeria Hair! Your one stop solution for all hair extension and wig needs.
