ABOUT VIRGIN HAIR



Origin and Types of Virgin Hair

Where is the best virgin hair from?
What is Brazilian hair?
What is Malaysian hair?
What is Peruvian hair?
What is Mongolian hair?
What is Russian hair or Russian Federation hair?
What is Cambodian hair?
What is machine-wefted hair?
What is hand-tied hair?
What is Yaki hair?


Authentic Virgin Hair

How do I choose the best authentic virgin hair?
Why is my authentic virgin hair dull—shouldn’t it be silky and shiny?
Are all authentic virgin hair extension pieces different?
How can I check if I’ve purchased authentic virgin hair extensions?


Other/Fake Virgin Hair

What is fake virgin hair?
If fake virgin hair can be dyed and washed, why should I buy authentic virgin hair?
What is the difference between beauty supply store extensions and fake virgin extensions you can buy online or from other retailers?
Why are beauty supply store extensions and fake virgin extensions so smooth and silky when I first buy them?
Why does my fake virgin hair smell like corn chips?
Why did my fake virgin hair begin to melt when I tried to bleach it?
Why is there a red string in my fake virgin hair?
Why is there synthetic hair in my fake virgin extensions?

Why are my hair extensions light brown or multi-colored?
Why can I buy virgin hair for $50 per bundle from international trade websites?


Remy and Non-Remy Human Hair

What is Remy versus Non-Remy human hair?
What is the source of Non-Remy human hair?
What is the source of Remy human hair?
What is Southeast Asian Remy human hair?
What is virgin Remy hair?


Indique Virgin Indian Hair Extensions

Why is the SEA Collection priced lower than the PURE/BOUNCE Collection?
Why does Indique virgin hair have split ends?
Why is Indique virgin hair darker at the roots than the ends?
Why did my hair extensions turn green when I dyed/bleached them?
What is steam-permed hair versus chemical-permed hair?
Why do tighter steam-permed curls require more maintenance?
What are the best hair care products for authentic virgin hair?
What is the difference between Indian hair and virgin hair?
Where are hair extensions manufactured?
Why are there grey hairs in my hair extensions?
What is a lace closure versus a silk-based closure, and how do I know if I've purchased a quality closure?
Why can I buy a lace closure for $50 while Indique sells lace closures for $200?
Why are extensions tapered, and how many pieces do I need for a full sew-in?
Why can I find virgin hair for $50 whereas Indique sells virgin hair for more than $150?
If I purchase multiple pieces of hair from Indique, is there a chance I will experience quality issues with all of them?

Where is the best virgin hair from?

Hair from India is usually fine, silky, and wavy. Hair from Southeast Asia is thicker and straighter. No matter which texture you prefer, make sure the company is selling authentic virgin hair and offers you a replacement if the hair is defective.

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What is Brazilian hair?

Brazilian hair is very popular, and many companies are selling Brazilian virgin hair. Yet there is no hair-collecting culture in Brazil. Brazilian manufacturers actually import large quantities of Non-Remy hair from India, process it, and export it as high-grade Brazilian hair. None of the hair actually comes from Brazilian women.

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What is Malaysian hair?

Malaysian hair is either Indian or Chinese Non-Remy human hair that has been acid-washed and coated with silicone. This hair does not come from Malaysian women.

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What is Peruvian hair?

Peruvian hair is either Indian or Chinese Non-Remy hair that has been acid-washed, coated with silicone, and labeled Peruvian hair. Peru does not have a hair-collecting culture.

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What is Mongolian hair?

Mongolian hair can only be purchased from China. It’s Indian or Chinese Non-Remy hair that has been acid washed, coated with silicone, and labeled Mongolian hair.

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What is Russian hair or Russian Federation hair?

  • If the Russian hair is a natural color and priced below $100 per 18-inch piece, then the hair is actually Indian Non-Remy Hair.
  • If the Russian hair is a lighter shade, then it’s Indian Remy hair that has been bleached or dyed to replicate Caucasian hair. While there is some virgin hair collected in Russia, the supply is very limited.

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What is Cambodian hair?

Authentic virgin Cambodian hair exists, but it’s very rare and expensive. Cambodian hair is thicker and darker than Indian hair and usually has a slight wave. Like Indian hair, it has split ends. If you purchase the hair directly from Cambodia, expect to pay no less than $150 for an 18-inch piece. If you pay cheaper retail prices, you are not purchasing authentic virgin Cambodian hair.

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What is machine-wefted hair?

Machine-wefted hair is commonly known as hair on “tracks,” or a weave. Hair is stitched together with a sewing machine. There are many different methods of sewing. Indique uses the strongest, most shed-resistant method.

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What is hand-tied hair?

Hand-tied hair is a method to bind hair together through hand sewing. The advantage of hand-tied wefts is that they are very thin compared to machine-wefted hair.

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What is Yaki hair?

Yaki hair mimics relaxed or pressed African-American hair. Manufacturers sometimes use a chemical process to make the coarse texture of yaki hair. This is the cheapest and most damaging way to produce it. A more expensive method is to secure the hair in big perm rods, wrap a textured cloth around it, and steam it. This gives the hair a coarse texture with much less damage. Here at Indique, our yaki hair is known as relaxed straight hair, and it is produced through steam-perming.

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How do I choose the best authentic virgin hair?

Find a company that sells Remy human hair and not fake virgin hair. If the hair is being marketed as virgin hair but costs less than $100 for 20 inches, it is actually Non-Remy fake virgin hair. If you buy it, you may as well go to the beauty supply store down the street and purchase the same quality hair for $20 a pack. It’s best to go to a store selling authentic Remy virgin hair and choose from a range of pieces. You’ll need to match the pieces. The customer service representatives should know where the hair is from, how it is processed, and what maintenance is required to keep it looking great. If you’re buying online, call the company and ask if they can match the pieces for you.

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Why is my authentic virgin hair dull—shouldn’t it be silky and shiny?

Remy human hair is usually not silky and shiny in its natural state. If there are no heavy conditioners applied, then it’s just virgin human hair.

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Are all authentic virgin hair extension pieces different?

Yes! Just as all women are unique, no two pieces are identical. Our extensions have natural variations in color and texture.

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How can I check if I’ve purchased authentic virgin hair extensions?

There are six ways to see if the hair you purchased is virgin:

  • There must be split ends. If the hair does not have split ends, this means the hair has been acid-washed and the cuticles have been stripped.
  • You can feel the cuticles. Hold a strand of hair near the top between your thumb and index finger, and slide your fingers down the entire length of the hair. The hair should feel smooth. If you reverse the motion and slide your fingers up the strand, the hair should have ridges—these are the cuticles. If the hair is smooth both ways, the cuticles were stripped by an acid wash and you’ve purchased fake virgin hair.
  • The ends of the hair will generally be lighter than the roots. This is more prominent in Indian Remy virgin hair because many women work outside in India. This won’t be as common in hair from Southeast Asia and China, where the sun is not as strong.
  • The moustache/beard at the weft is short. The moustache/beard is the hair that has been stitched to the track and reversed so the hair does not shed. In virgin hair, the moustache/beard must be very short to avoid tangling. If the moustache or beard is long, the cuticles will catch on the long flowing hair.
  • The hair is not coated with silicone. If the hair has a shiny residue on it, then it is silicone-coated Non-Remy hair. Remy virgin hair doesn’t have this coating.
  • The hair does not smell like corn chips. Authentic virgin hair will not contain chemical residue, and it hasn’t been overly processed.

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What is fake virgin hair?

Many international suppliers call their extensions virgin Remy hair. In reality, they’re selling Non-Remy hair that has been acid-washed and blended with synthetic hairs. These extensions contain many short hairs that add bulk near the roots. We call this fake virgin hair—it’s cheaper because it’s lower quality. When you buy it, you’re buying the equivalent of a knockoff purse.

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If fake virgin hair can be dyed and washed, why should I buy authentic virgin hair?

  • Authentic virgin Remy hair has not been damaged or overprocessed, so it lasts longer. When fake virgin hair is acid-washed, the hair is damaged. The acid wash also reduces the thickness of the hair, and it becomes more prone to shedding. The silicone coating only creates the illusion that the hair is healthy.
  • Virgin Remy hair can be washed frequently to remove oils and product buildup without affecting its quality.

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What is the difference between beauty supply store extensions and fake virgin extensions you can buy online or from other retailers?

Beauty supply stores, websites, and other low-quality retailers essentially sell the same hair. The only difference is how the hair is processed. Beauty supply store extensions are made of Non-Remy hair that has been acid-washed, bleached, dyed, and bathed in silicone. “Fake virgin” hair is Non-Remy hair that has been acid-washed and bathed in silicone, but not bleached or dyed.

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Why are beauty supply store extensions and fake virgin extensions so smooth and silky when I first buy them?

Beauty supply store extensions and fake virgin extensions are silky and smooth because of their silicone coating, which reduces tangling at first. This hair will always feel very smooth in the store, and when you touch it there will be a greasy residue left on your fingers. Once the silicone is washed off, the hair will dry out and become a tangled knot.

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Why does my fake virgin hair smell like corn chips?

This is the smell of cheap acid and cheap silicone mixed together.

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Why did my fake virgin hair begin to melt when I tried to bleach it?

Fake virgin hair will melt if it contains synthetic hair fillers, which are cheaper than human hair. Synthetic fillers will melt when heat is applied.

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Why is there a red string in my fake virgin hair?

The red string is a filler used by Indian collectors of Non-Remy hair to add weight to their hair. The quality assurance process for Non-Remy hair is minimal, and they are cheating their customers.

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Why is there synthetic hair in my fake virgin extensions?

Synthetic hair is mixed with Non-Remy human hair to reduce the price of the extensions.

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Why are my hair extensions light brown or multi-colored?

Remy virgin human hair from India will never be completely the same color throughout an extension. It will usually be lighter near the ends. Remy human hair from Southeast Asia will be more consistent in color but still not uniform. Fake virgin extensions are generally lighter brown than authentic virgin hair because they have been acid-washed, a process that removes some pigment. If synthetic or animal hairs are mixed in, the hair will be multi-colored.

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Why can I buy virgin hair for $50 per bundle from international trade websites?

These websites are selling fake virgin hair that is actually Indian Non-Remy hair. Because there are no regulations, Chinese manufacturers can market their hair with false labels. Their extensions are cheap because: 1) they are using the cheapest hair possible, 2) they are using the lowest quality chemicals, 3) they blend synthetic fibers into the hair, 4) they put many short hairs into each piece, and 5) each bundle has less hair. If you receive poor-quality hair, these companies won’t offer a replacement.

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What is Remy versus Non-Remy human hair?

  • Remy human hair is natural. When you examine Remy hair through a microscope, you’ll see that the cuticles look like little scales. When all the scales flow in the same direction from the roots to the ends, the hair won’t tangle easily. At Indique, we pride ourselves on using only Remy hair.
  • Non-Remy human hair tangles easily because the cuticles are flowing in opposite directions. Unfortunately, 98% percent of all extensions are made from Non-Remy hair.

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What is the source of Non-Remy human hair?

  • The vast majority of Non-Remy hair is sourced from India.
  • Most women in India have very long hair. When they brush it, strands get caught in their brushes. Some women collect their fallen hair and sell it to local collectors, who then sell it to manufacturers. Every strand is used—including grey hairs, dyed hairs, and hairs with lice, dirt, and oil.

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What is the source of Remy human hair?

  • Only 2% of hair extensions in the world are Remy human hair. Most of this hair is sourced from the temples of South India, where devotees shave their heads as a sign of devotion. When the barbers at the temples shave the heads of women with long hair, they carefully tie the hair in a knot to keep all the strands flowing in the same direction. This one simple act creates the difference between Remy and Non-Remy hair. Unprocessed Remy human hair is more expensive than processed Non-Remy hair extensions from China and Brazil.
  • Once the manufacturers receive the Remy human hair, they wash it and sort it to remove grey hairs and impurities. Only 50% of the hair purchased from the temple actually ends up in the extensions. The rejected hairs are then exported as Non-Remy hair to China.

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What is Southeast Asian Remy human hair?

Southeast Asian countries are another source of Remy human hair. This hair is privately sourced from villages throughout the region.

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What is virgin Remy hair?

At Indique, we use the “virgin” label to distinguish our authentic Remy hair extensions from what you find at the beauty supply store and other retailers. Indique was one of the first companies in the US to sell authentic virgin Remy hair. Indique hair extensions are the industry standard.

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Why is the SEA Collection priced lower than the PURE/BOUNCE Collection?

The SEA Collection is hair from Southeast Asia, where production costs are lower than in India. This hair is less expensive to source.

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Why does Indique virgin hair have split ends?

In India, most women don’t trim their ends. In order to maintain the integrity of our extensions, Indique does not cut or overprocess the hair we use.

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Why is Indique virgin hair darker at the roots than the ends?

This gradient color is a sign of authentic virgin hair. The hair at the roots will always be darker because it’s new hair. The sun bleaches hair over time, resulting in lighter ends. In some pieces, this creates a beautiful natural ombre look.

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Why did my hair extensions turn green when I dyed/bleached them?

It’s common in India for women to dye their hair with henna. Their dyed hairs are used in fake virgin Non-Remy extensions. When you bleach fake virgin extensions, the peroxide in the bleach reacts with the henna, and the hair turns green. This same process sometimes happens with authentic virgin Remy hair from India. On rare occasions, henna-dyed hair is approved for Remy extensions.

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What is steam-permed hair versus chemical-permed hair?

Chemical-permed hair has been heavily processed and damaged. Dying or bleaching will only cause further damage, and stylists would not recommend it. Indique’s steam-permed hair can be safely bleached or dyed.

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Why do tighter steam-permed curls require more maintenance?

When Remy human hair is steam-permed into tighter textures, it is being forced to hold a curl. You should treat it with care to maintain the texture. In humid regions, the hair will expand with moisture and will require more upkeep.

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What are the best hair care products for authentic virgin hair?

Use sulfate-free shampoos and conditioners. Moisturize with argan oil. Steer clear of heavy oils. If you use them, make sure you wash them out.

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What is the difference between Indian hair and virgin hair?

Indian hair can be either virgin Remy human hair or Non-Remy hair. The national origin of the hair does not determine if it’s virgin or not.

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Where are hair extensions manufactured?

The vast majority of extensions sold in beauty supply stores and online are manufactured in China. A few extensions are manufactured in India, Brazil, and Europe.

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Why are there grey hairs in my hair extensions?

Many of the Indian women who shave their heads have grey hairs. Hair that is mostly grey will be rejected during processing. However, hair with a few grey strands will be made into Remy extensions. Grey hairs tend to be more prevalent in Non-Remy fake virgin extensions. Since all the hairs collected from individual women are mixed together, hair is not separated by color. If the hair is acid-washed and silicone-coated but not dyed, the grey hairs will remain prominent.

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What is a lace closure versus a silk-based closure, and how do I know if I’ve purchased a quality closure?

A lace closure is simply a layer of lace that has hair attached to it. High-quality lace closures have these qualities:

  • They are made from Swiss lace, which has a very thin mesh. The thicker the mesh, the cheaper the lace.
  • They have baby hairs at the front to mimic a natural hairline.
  • They have bleached knots to make sure the hair underneath is not visible.
  • The size of the base is important. Smaller lace closures are cheaper and cover less area. Better closures measure at least 5 inches by 7 inches.
  • The edges are reinforced to minimize tearing. Many cheap closures will tear at the edges.


Silk-based closures have three layers. The first layer is silk, the second layer is lace, and the third is silk. They provide a completely natural part. High-quality silk closures have these qualities:

  • No hair will be seen from the bottom since the knots will be located between the silk and the layer of lace.
  • Again, a high-quality silk-based closure will use Swiss lace, not Chinese lace.
  • The silk should be very thin and not heavy.
  • The size of the closure matters. Indique’s closure measures 5” x 7”. Most companies sell a 3” x 3” closure. The larger the closure, the more it costs to make.

 

For both lace and silk-based closures, the quality of the hair is important. Always choose Remy virgin hair over Non-Remy hair. The density of the hair makes a difference too. Most companies make closures with less than 100% density to reduce the amount of hair used. Indique makes closures with 100% density. We do this to allow for more hair in each extension. You can reduce the thickness after you purchase the extension, rather than not having enough hair at the outset.

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Why can I buy a lace closure for $50 while Indique sells lace closures for $200?

Indique sells a high-quality lace closure. Cheap closures are typically made with:

  • Non-Remy hair
  • Chinese lace
  • No baby hairs
  • No bleached knots
  • A size of 3”x3” or at the most 4”x4”
  • 85% density or less

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Why are extensions tapered, and how many pieces do I need for a full sew-in?

  • Long hair is never all the same length. At Indique, we receive our virgin Remy hair in ponytails. After washing the hair, we remove any hair shorter than 8 inches before creating our extensions. This gives the finished pieces a natural taper. If you purchase 18-inch hair, you’ll typically need two pieces for a full sew-in. You’ll need more than two pieces if your extensions are over 22 inches long.
  • Chinese manufacturers create fake virgin hair with Non-Remy hair. They blend different hair lengths together to mimic the tapered shape of natural hair. They use many short hairs, and all the thickness is concentrated at the top. These fake virgin extensions are very thin at the ends and require 4-6 pieces for a full sew-in.

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Why can I find virgin hair for $50 whereas Indique sells virgin hair for more than $150?

At Indique, we offer the highest quality Remy virgin hair from India and Southeast Asia. Our hair has intact cuticles. It hasn’t been washed in acid or coated with silicone. Other vendors selling extensions for $50 per piece are selling fake virgin hair. It will dry out after 4-8 washes and become increasingly tangled and matted over time.

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If I purchase multiple pieces of hair from Indique, is there a chance I will experience quality issues with all of them?

It’s extremely unlikely. If you consider how Remy virgin hair is produced, then you’ll understand why you won’t end up purchasing two or more defective pieces. During the wefting process, any hair that falls to the ground can’t be picked up since it may be inverted and flow in the opposite direction as the other hairs. Workers have been trained to avoid the mistake of adding an inverted hair back into the weft, but it happens on rare occasions. If the inverted hair passes through Indique’s quality assurance processes in India and the US, it will cause tangling once it’s installed—but only in a small section of the extension. Some clients mistakenly assume that all of their extensions are becoming tangled. However, experiencing issues with Indique hair is very uncommon.

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