01The five fibers, one table
Cross-border wig stock is split into synthetic, human hair, and blends. Within synthetic, the heat rating is the number that matters most.
| Fiber | Heat limit | Restyle with tools | Dye | Lifespan & feel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Low-temp synthetic | ≤80°C | No — melts and fuses | No | Cheapest. Shiny “plastic” shine, dries out and tangles fast. Style is factory-set and survives washing. For one-off shoots, parties, budget stock. |
| Heat-resistant synthetic (Kanekalon, Aplus) | 150–180°C | Yes — flat iron, curling wand | No | The mainstream choice. Softer shine, tougher fiber, style memory after washing. Everyday wear and repeated restyling at the best price balance. |
| Protein-coated synthetic | ~120°C | Light only | No | Coating dulls the plastic shine and feels closer to real hair — until the coating wears off with washing and friction. Ages faster than plain heat-resistant fiber. |
| Remy human hair | 180°C+ | Yes | Yes — dye, bleach, perm | The feel ceiling. Cuticles all run one way, so it stays smooth, styles like your own hair. Needs real wash-and-condition upkeep and costs the most. |
| Non-Remy human hair | 180°C+ | Yes | Yes | Cuticles mixed, so it frizzes and mats sooner than Remy. Cheaper; acceptable for lightly-used pieces. |
| Blend (commonly 70/30) | Follows the synthetic | Yes, gently | No | 70% heat-resistant fiber + 30% human hair. Some of the real-hair feel at a friendlier price, but the two fibers behave differently when wet — handle with care. |
02What the heat number means in practice
Heat ratings are survival limits, not styling recommendations. At 180°C-rated fiber, a flat iron set to 150°C styles safely and repeatedly; the same iron at 220°C will scorch any fiber on this page. Keep tools at 120–160°C for heat-resistant synthetic, work in small sections, and pass each section once or twice instead of five. Low-temp fiber gives you no margin at all: near 80°C it softens, and a moment of contact with a hot tool welds strands together permanently.
Boiling water is the gentler trick for heat-safe fibers: dipping the ends in just-off-boil water relaxes frizz and resets curls without direct contact. It is also the standard way to smooth a synthetic lace front between washes.
Popular categories — pick one to start browsing:
03Human hair: the Remy difference is the whole point
“Human hair wig” on its own tells you almost nothing — the cuticle direction is what you are paying for. Remy hair is collected roots-to-ends intact, so every cuticle lies flat and the hair stays smooth for a year or more of wear. Non-Remy hair is gathered from mixed sources with cuticles running every direction; it looks fine in the box and starts frizzing within weeks. Listings rarely volunteer this, so price is the usual tell: if a “human hair” wig costs barely more than heat-resistant synthetic, assume non-Remy.
The cost of real hair is upkeep, not just price: wash with sulphate-free shampoo, condition every wash, air-dry, and deep-condition periodically. Skip that and even Remy hair mats like any neglected head of hair.
04Blends: what 70/30 actually buys you
A 70% heat-resistant / 30% human-hair blend exists for one reason: it captures much of the real-hair softness and matte finish at well under the pure human-hair price. It styles with tools and reads more natural in daylight than plain synthetic. The catch is care: the synthetic half and the human half absorb water and react to heat differently, so wash gently, dry the human-hair portion with real conditioner, and do not assume a setting that suits one half suits the other. For buyers who want a natural look without Remy money, it is the sensible middle. For buyers who want set-and-forget, plain heat-resistant fiber is easier to live with.
Popular categories — pick one to start browsing:
05Match the fiber to how you will wear it
| Your plan | What to buy |
|---|---|
| One event, one shoot, costume | Low-temp synthetic — cheapest, factory style is enough |
| Everyday wear, changing styles | Heat-resistant synthetic (Kanekalon-class), styled at 120–160°C |
| Natural matte look, human-hair feel, mid budget | Protein-coated fiber or a 70/30 blend — accept the shorter gloss life |
| Long-term daily wear, dyeing, full styling freedom | Remy human hair, with a real wash-and-condition routine |
| Human-hair look on a strict budget, light use | Non-Remy human hair — accept earlier frizz and matting |
06Questions people actually ask
Can you straighten a synthetic wig?
Only heat-resistant fiber, at 120–160°C. Low-temp synthetic melts below 80°C — a flat iron welds strands together permanently.
Can you dye a heat-resistant synthetic wig?
No — synthetic fiber has nothing for dye to bind to, at any heat rating. Colour is chosen at purchase; only human hair takes dye and bleach.
What is Remy hair?
Human hair collected with all cuticles running one direction, which keeps it smooth and tangle-free for a year or more. Non-Remy has mixed cuticles and frizzes within weeks.
Why does a synthetic wig tangle so fast?
No cuticle layer, so friction runs fiber on fiber. A leave-in fiber conditioner, wide-tooth combing from the ends and stand storage stretch the tidy period a lot.
How long does a synthetic wig last?
Low-temp: weeks to a couple of months of occasional wear. Heat-resistant: several months to about a year with care. Protein-coated ages faster once the coating wears. Human hair: a year or more with proper upkeep.
What is a 70/30 blend wig?
70% heat-resistant fiber + 30% human hair: much of the real-hair feel under the pure human-hair price, but the two fibers behave differently when wet and under heat, so wash and style gently.
Know which fiber you need? The catalogue is organised by category, so you can compare listings instead of hunting for links.
Browse the wig catalogue →