How to Tell Truly High-Quality Hair Extensions Like a Pro – 10 Insider Tests!
The hair extension industry remains a robust multi-billion dollar powerhouse, showing no signs of slowing down. With the growing prosperity of the hair extension market, it is especially important to face a wide variety of suppliers, as a buyer how to pick out only trusted manufacturers.
First of all, What Are High-quality Hair Extensions? In fact, the most important thing is to keep the full cuticle remy hair. (Want to dive deeper into what makes Remy hair so special? 👉Cuticle Remy Hair: the Secrets of Long-Lasting Hair Extensions – Originshair)
At Origins Hair, we’ve been manufacturing high-end human hair extensions for over 10 years. Our goal is to help you grow business confidently—without the stress of poor-quality hair.
Here are 10 practical ways to test whether the hair you're buying is worth your investment:
1. Are the Ends Full or Tapered?
What to check: Lay the bundle flat or hold it vertically. Are the ends full and dense, just like our own hair range?
Why it matters: Thin, frayed ends often signal mixed-length or low-grade strands. You’ll need to trim more, which wastes hair and money.
✅ High-quality: Natural ends like our own hair range, little trimming needed.
❌ Low-quality: Sparse, uneven, or "rat-tail" ends.
2. How Does It Feel in Your Hand?
Test: Hold a section of the hair in your palm. Is it cool or warm to the touch?
Why it matters: High-quality hair extensions feel cool to the touch because they retain moisture, which helps them absorb heat from your hand. In contrast, hair that lacks moisture feels warmer, acting more like an insulator.
✅ High-quality: Feels cool (retains moisture like healthy hair).
❌ Low-quality: Feels warm, dry, or slick (like plastic).
3. The Cuticle Direction Test
Method: Rub the strand from the root to the ends—it should be smooth. Then rub from the ends to the root (Take one or two strands of hair and gently rub upward with your fingers)—you should feel resistance.
Why it matters: Resistance means the cuticles are intact and aligned—essential for tangle-free, long-lasting hair.
✅ High-quality: Slight resistance upward.
❌ Low-quality: No resistance, cuticles likely stripped.
4. Fire Test
How to test: Snip 2–3 strands, and carefully light them.
Why it matters: Some synthetic hair looks almost like real human hair — but it doesn’t feel or last the same. Always choose trusted sources to ensure you’re getting 100% human hair.
✅ Human hair: Burns slowly, smells like burnt hair, turns to ash.
❌ Synthetic: Melt or burn, smells like burnt plastic or burnt wrapping paper.
5. Finger Run Test
Test: Run your fingers through the bundle from top to bottom.
✅ High-quality: Smooth feel, minimal shedding.
❌ Low-quality: Tangling, broken strands, frizziness.
6. Wash & Stretch Test
Steps: Place the hair in water and gently stretch a few strands.
✅ High-quality: Hard to stretch out, strong strands, maintains texture.
❌ Low-quality: Breaks easily, stretches like elastic, texture fades.
7. Smell Test
Test: Smell the bundle after opening.
✅ High-quality: No strong odor, it's a clean or neutral smell.
❌ Low-quality: Harsh chemical, plastic, or "corn chip" smell.
8. Shine & Luster Check
What to look for: Is the hair unnaturally glossy?
✅ High-quality: Soft, healthy shine.
❌ Low-quality: Plastic-like shine, likely silicone-coated.
9. Filler Check
Inspect: Look closely inside the bundle. Do you see random plastic or stringy bits?
✅ High-quality: Pure human hair, consistent strands.
❌ Low-quality: Mixed with synthetic fillers or plastic threads.
10. Heat Styling Test
Test: Use a curling wand on a few strands.
✅ High-quality: Can be heat styled like natural hair, holds curls, or smooths well.
❌ Low-quality: Burns, smells weird, won’t style properly.
Bonus Tip: Ask the Right Questions
Don’t hesitate to ask your supplier:
- Is it 100% Cuticle Remy Human Hair?
- Are the cuticles aligned and intact?
- Does your hair last more than 12 months with proper care?
At Origins Hair, we proudly answer YES to all the above. We provide Cuticle Remy hair, ethically sourced and factory direct.