Method
Human Hair Extensions in Istanbul
Human hair extensions are made from real hair rather than synthetic fibre, so they can be washed, heat styled and toned. Quality is decided by whether the cuticles all run the same direction, whether the hair has been chemically stripped, and how evenly the lengths are matched.
Also sold as real hair extensions, natural hair extensions, Remy hair extensions. Different salons use different names for the same method.
Remy is about direction, not quality grade
Remy means the cuticles all run the same way, root to tip, as they did on the head it came from. Non-Remy hair is collected loose, so cuticles run in both directions, catch on each other and tangle within weeks. Remy is the minimum, not a luxury tier. Anyone selling non-Remy hair for extensions is selling you a problem.
Virgin means unprocessed, and it is rarer than the labels suggest
Virgin hair has never been dyed, bleached or permed. Almost all extension hair in every colour lighter than dark brown has been lifted at some point, so a shelf full of virgin blonde is a claim worth questioning. We would rather tell you hair has been coloured and show you how it behaves than repeat a word from a supplier sheet.
On origin claims
You will see hair sold as Russian, Slavic, Indian or Vietnamese. We do not repeat origin claims we cannot verify, because we cannot verify most of them. What we can do is show you the hair, let you feel it wet, and let you see how it behaves after a wash before you commit to a full head.
Buying human hair in Turkey
Istanbul is one of the larger trading points for human hair in Turkey, which is why the hair itself is easy to find here and why prices for the hair are competitive. That does not mean every bundle on every shelf is good. The trade is wholesale and unregulated, so the useful skill is judging the hair in front of you rather than trusting the label on the bag.
Two things you can check yourself
Run your fingers up the strand from tip to root. Remy hair feels smooth in one direction and slightly resistant in the other. Then wet a small piece and let it dry without product. Good hair dries soft and separates. Over-processed hair dries stiff, matte and clumps together. Ask to do both before you buy, in any salon.
Double drawn, and what it costs
In a single-drawn bundle the lengths vary, so the ends look thin. Double drawn means the short hairs have been pulled out by hand, so the bundle is the same thickness top to bottom. It costs more because it is slow manual work and because roughly a third of the hair is discarded. If you want thick ends rather than tapered ones, this is what you are paying for.
Who this is not for
Anyone who wants a very light blonde on a tight budget. Lifting hair to a pale blonde damages it before you ever wear it, and cheap blonde extension hair is usually the most heavily processed hair in the shop.
Aftercare
- Sulphate-free shampoo, always.
- Condition mid-length to ends, never the bonds.
- Heat protectant before any hot tool, extension hair cannot repair itself.
- Air dry where possible, the hair has no blood supply to recover from heat.
- A weekly mask keeps the ends alive for months longer.
Human Hair Extensions, common questions
What is the difference between Remy and virgin hair?
Remy describes cuticle direction, all running root to tip. Virgin describes chemical history, never dyed or bleached. Hair can be Remy without being virgin. Almost all blonde extension hair is Remy but not virgin.
How long does human hair last?
Six to twelve months of wear with correct care, spread across several refits. What kills it is heat and sulphates, not time.
Can I bleach my extensions lighter?
We do not recommend it. The hair has already been processed once and has no way to recover. Toning darker or cooler is safe, lifting lighter usually is not.
How much hair do I need?
For length only, 100 to 150 grams is usually enough. For length and real thickness, 150 to 250 grams. Longer hair needs more weight to avoid looking thin at the ends.
Other methods
Tape-in Hair Extensions
Fine to medium hair, first-time clients, anyone who wants volume fast
Micro Ring Hair Extensions
Medium to thick hair, anyone who reacts badly to adhesives, long-term wear
Nano Ring Hair Extensions
Fine hair, hair worn up often, anyone who could see or feel a micro ring
Ghost Hair Extensions
Fine hair, light blonde hair, anyone who has seen bonds show through before
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