What Are The Benefits Of “Remy” Hair Extensions?

Want to know what's so special about Remy hair...?

Remy human hair extensions are often tangle-free; they shed less and last longer than non-Remy hair extensions.

Unfortunately, low-quality non-Remy hair extensions abound on the Internet, with some unscrupulous suppliers mixing synthetic with human hair while still labelling it as “real” or “100% human". Typically, these inferior “human” hair quality extensions retail really cheaply (under £50) but, be warned, they will shed very quickly and tangle and mat up like crazy!

Here are some pointers to avoid you getting "stung"...

What does Remy mean?

Remy (also spelt “Remi”) is the highest quality of hair extension you can get.

Remy means the method of bundling human hair to keep roots and ends in the correct direction. It is cut from donors, generally from India, Peru, Brazil or Russia (European Remy hair is extremely rare). Remy hair doesn’t need much processing at all, besides some gentle dyeing to ensure that it matches the European hair colour range. Because the cuticles are left intact (a cuticle is the protective layer that goes around each strand of hair) and the follicles don’t get caught against each other, Remy hair retains its moisture and sheen properties for much longer than their inferior “real human hair” counterparts.

Remy hair that is “double-drawn” is another step up, quality-wise. It means that the damaged or shorter hairs from the donor are removed manually, one by one. This guarantees that the ratio of long hairs is high and that there is no tapering towards the ends.

At the very top end of the scale, “Virgin” Remy hair extensions describe hair that hasn’t been processed or dyed and has only been cleaned. “Virgin” hair could easily fetch several hundreds of pounds for a single set (if not thousands).

Here at Dolled Up, we settled for the medium-to-high range of Remy hair extensions, so we can still offer affordable hair extensions without compromising on quality. All of Dolled Up’s Remy Hair is 100% Brazilian 5A grade and double-drawn. This means that although it is not “Virgin” hair, it has been processed only lightly and its strength and condition are similar to “Virgin” hair.

How long should Remy hair extensions last?

Remy hair extensions should have a lifetime of 9 to 12 months, depending on the user. Provided they followed care instructions, it’s not unusual to hear from customers that their set of Remy hair extensions lasted more than a year.

By comparison, you’d be lucky to get  3 months out of non-Remy hair extensions, while Virgin hair could remain pristine up to 2 years (hence its enormously high price tag).

Don’t expect Remy hair extensions to last forever, though. That’s because the hair has been cut from a donor and is not attached to the scalp, therefore preventing it from receiving the perpetual source of natural nutrients like keratin to keep it healthy. Eventually – and inevitably – even Remy hair will lose its sheen, become brittle, shed and tangle. When this happens, you’ll know it’s time to purchase another set!

What maintenance do Remy hair extensions require?

Remy human hair extensions don’t require any additional maintenance, compared to your natural hair. In order to keep the hair extensions healthy, you should brush them regularly, wear them up at night, and use high quality products to wash them. You don’t need to do anything really different from your normal hair care routine.

Remy hair can really be treated like your own, unlike synthetic hair. It can be washed, styled, dyed and sustain heat, whether it’s using a blow-dryer, curlers or irons.

You can also go swimming with them in. The only thing you should avoid is to sleep while the hair extensions are still wet.

Our advice about purchasing Remy hair extensions

If you’re in the market for hair extensions, make sure you only go for “remy” hair that’s the highest grade – 5A or AAAAA. That way, you won’t waste your money on below-par products and avoid disappointment.

Do your homework and compare brands. Generally, it’s best to stick to reputable brands and to suppliers that are based in the UK.

Remember, if a seller’s claims sound too good to be true and the price for Remy hair is really that low, as the saying goes “if it’s too good to be true, then it definitely isn’t”!