Synthetic Hair Vs Human Hair Extensions: Which is Better?
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Time to read 10 min
If you're considering hair extensions but didn't even know you had to choose between synthetic and human, don't worry, ladies. We've got you. Our extensions are going head to head in the battle of synthetic hair vs. human hair extensions. Let's get into it.
Hair extensions, synthetic or human, can completely transform your look and make you feel like a total 10/10. Your image and self-confidence will be unstoppable.
But how do you decide which extensions to go for? What will be best for you?
By the end of our super helpful guide, you should have all the info you need to make your ultimate decision.
Before we get into it, below is a selection of our bestselling hair extensions, just in case you want to add one or more styles to your basket. Order today and get 10% off*!
Difference Between Synthetic Hair & Human Hair Extensions
Before we dive headfirst into the details, we thought we'd give you a brief peek into the differences between our hair extensions of the hour.
So behold, synthetic hair vs human hair…
Property |
Synthetic Hair |
Human Hair |
| Material | Made from synthetic fibres | Made from real human hair |
| Appearance | Glossy and realistic, but can look fake and unnatural in some cases | Natural and blends seamlessly with your own hair |
| Durability | Lasts 2-3 months with proper care | Can last 6-12 months or longer with proper care |
| Styling | Can't handle heat, so can't be styled easily | Can be styled with heat like natural hair |
| Cost | Affordable and suitable for temporary solutions | More expensive but offers long-term value |
| Maintenance | Low maintenance | Higher maintenance. Requires regular washing, detangling, and salon visits |
| Colour | Variety of colour options, but they can't be dyed | Can be dyed and toned to match your shade if needed |
| Feel | Feels less natural than real hair, but premium synthetic options are available | Feels like natural hair in excellent condition |
| Suitability | Ideal for short-term use and quick fixes | Suitable for long-term use and daily wear |
| Environmental Factors | Can be sensitive to heat, sunlight, and friction | Resilient to environmental factors with proper care |
Synthetic Hair Extensions 101
Now we've got the basics out the way, let's get into the finer details of each type of hair extension, starting with the humble synthetic extension.
What Are Synthetic Hair Extensions Made Of?
Synthetic hair extensions have come a long way since the old days when it was obvious that someone's wig wasn't real. It must have been rough.
Nowadays, it is very difficult to tell the difference between synthetic hair extensions and real hair—as long as the quality is good!
Synthetic hair, whether extensions, wigs, or hairpieces , is crafted from man-made fibres, often acrylic and/or nylon.
The strands are chemically treated to look and feel as close as possible to real hair but at a fraction of the price.
Price of Synthetic Hair Extensions
Of course, synthetic hair extensions are priced differently depending on a) their quality and b) where you buy them.
The higher the quality of synthetic materials used, the more expensive the extensions will be. You're paying more for getting more. For example, our Deluxe range of extensions is more expensive than our Classic range , but the quality will show for it.
The retailer or salon will also play a big part in cost.
If you're purchasing from a high-end boutique, you can expect to pay top dollar, but this doesn't always ring true.
You can most definitely find great-quality extensions that are affordable —you just have to know where to look (like us here at RiRi).
Benefits of Synthetic Hair Extensions
Affordable
Temporary
Pre-styled
Low maintenance
You would have already seen some of the bonuses of synthetic extensions at the top, but to make it a little clearer, let's dig deeper.
The biggest benefit of synthetic extensions is their low price tag , making them much cheaper than their human hair cousins.
If this is your first time trying hair extensions and you're not sure how often you want to wear them or how to choose the best type, synthetic hair is probably your best bet.
They're also ideal if you're looking for a short-term hair fix , like for an event or a holiday. They won't cost you the world, but they'll defo give you what you're after.
Synthetic extensions also come pre-styled , so there's no need for any heat (not that they can handle it anyway).
The waves and curls are designed to stay curly, unlike human hair extensions, which need to be restyled often. This is because the fibres are created with a "memory" like technology that permanently holds the curls. Genius, right?
That's why synthetic extensions are often used in film sets where the weather can get bad, or there's a chance of hair getting wet. There will be no frizzing, no dropping, and no need for touch-ups here, no sir.
Downside of Synthetic Hair Extensions
Can look unnatural
No dyeing or heat styling is allowed
Last for less time than human hair
Not a long-term solution
Look, you've already seen some of the disadvantages of synthetic hair extensions, but our advice to you is to take them with a pinch of salt.
First of all, you have little versatility to work with . If you want your hair to be curly one day but straight the next, you'd have to buy multiple sets of hair extensions.
This is down to heat being FORBIDDEN on synthetic hair, unless stated otherwise. You'd be left in a frizzy, melty mess, and we imagine that'snotthe look you're going for.
However, since synthetics are often fairly cheap, it shouldn't cost you too much to purchase a few different styles.
Additionally, synthetic hair is much more fragile than human hair, so it's unlikely to last as long, especially if you apply it daily.
If you’re lucky, regular synthetic wigs can last up to five or six months , while heat-stylable ones will only last two to three months. Synthetic extensions may last around the same time if you wear them daily.
The better care you take of the hair, the longer it will last.
Human Hair Extensions 101
Moving on to the other side of the debate, human hair extensions. The most natural-looking, premium option.
We're also big lovers of human hair extensions here at RiRi, so if you're looking for higher quality and long-term solutions, these bad boys could be for you.
Just look at our unreal selection of human hair extensions below. No words.
What Are Human Hair Extensions Made Of?
There are four main types of human hair used in extensions all over the world:
Chinese —the hardest to style because of its denseness and is best used with straight hairstyles.
Indian —a bit less dense, but it is very strong and has more texture.
Indonesian —the most affordable type, as it is the most accessible and has great quality.
Latin
- European/Caucasian —the most expensive because it is much harder to find.
Most human hair extensions are made from Asian hair, as it has the thickest strands with the most volume . The same goes for wigs, hairpieces, and other options.
Remy Human Hair
Contrary to popular belief, the origin of the hair is not the most important factor when purchasing extensions. The most important part is what the company does with the hair once it is cut.
While creating human hair extensions, the cuticles must face in the same direction. This prevents damage to the hair and is easier to style.
Remy human hair is the highest quality hair on the market because of the alignment of hair follicles and the low processing they do to the hair.
It creates much more natural-looking extensions and wigs, but the time it takes to source and craft these hair pieces is long—hence the higher price tag.
Benefits of Human Hair Extensions
Premium quality
Permanent (with most application methods)
Long-lasting
Can use heat and dye
If you couldn't already tell, human hair extensions and wigs offer a totally natural option, which makes sense, since they're made with real hair.
They'll guarantee a seamless and natural blend , making it almost impossible to tell you've even got extensions in.
Human hair also lasts much longer than synthetic options, and it's more suited to regular wear. You'll get a good 12 months out of it (while caring for it correctly, of course).
While it's not recommended to heat style or dye your human locks , they're much more forgiving than synthetic hair . Any process that uses heat or chemicals is obviously not good for any type of hair, but human hair can tolerate a little more.
Only ever use low heat (nothing above 180 degrees C) and have your extensions coloured by a professional, though.
Downsides of Real Human Hair
Regular, costly maintenance
Expensive initial cost
Only use hair extension-safe products
So, obviously, the biggest downside of human hair is the cost of extensions, upkeep, and buying new products safe to use on new extensions.
If you have human clip-in extensions, like ours, the costly maintenance part won't apply to you, but you'll still need to get yourself some hair extension-safe products.
Having said that, though, human hair extensions are a long-term investment , and if you're prepared to spend a little more on quality and permanence, they're likely to be the option for you.
Synthetic Extensions vs Human Hair Extensions: What's Better?
The question on everybody's lips is which is better and which is best for me? But there's no right or wrong answer, girls; it all comes down to your personal preferences and lifestyle.
There are a couple of things you'll need to consider before deciding, but we've laid out the main ones below…
Differences in Lifestyle
If you have a busy life but still want gorgeous hair, you don't have to compromise. Synthetic extensions are already styled, so you don't need to go to the salon for upkeep; you can just clip them in and go.
However, if you're more into experimenting with your look and have the time to maintain it, human hair extensions would be ideal because they give you more freedom with styling.
Length of Wear
So, how much wear do you want out of your extensions? We know synthetic extensions last around three months, while real human hair can last for a year.
Just keep in mind that if you're only using them for the odd girls' night out, the synthetic clip-in extensions will last longer if you don't use them every day. Why spend more when you don't need to?
But, on the other hand, if you want them in 24/7, human extensions will be your best bet.
Your Budget
Lastly, budget definitely comes into play for many people, and it's understandable.
If you want premium results, long-lasting wear, and have the cash to splash, human extensions are the obvious option.
But you don't have to spend much to get a quality hair extension that you might wear a few times a week. That's where your synthetics will come in.
The Bottom Line: Synthetic Extensions Vs Human Hair Extensions
The best type of hair extensions are whichever best suits your needs . So, take time to evaluate, and reach your decision after considering all the factors.
At RiRi Hair Extensions, we offer human and synthetic hair , giving you all the options for stunning locks.
Our human hair is made only from the best Remy hair , ensuring a professional and natural look and our synthetic hair is crafted from quality synthetic fibres that truly do look and feel like the real thing.
With tons of colours and lots of styles to choose from, you'll be spoilt for choice. Just be sure to take advantage of our free colour match service before placing your orders!
* Get 10% off your first order when you subscribe to our newsletter.
Article last updated: 10/02/2025
FAQs
Is Synthetic or Human Hair Extensions Better?
Human hair extensions are made with real hair, so they look more natural and last longer. But they are more expensive.
Synthetic extensions are made with fake fibres (usually nylon or acrylic). Although they're not made with real hair, they're specially designed to mimic it. They're also much cheaper than human extensions.
Is Synthetic Hair Good?
Human hair will always be the best in terms of quality. Real hair offers a completely natural look and feel.
However, synthetic hair extensions are a really good option if you have a smaller budget. Great-quality synthetics will look and feel as close to human hair as possible—just make sure you're purchasing from a reputable retailer (like RiRi).
Do Synthetic Hair Extensions Look Fake?
Low-quality synthetic extensions will look fake; there's no two ways about it. However, high-quality synthetic hair extensions will closely match real hair.
RiRi's synthetic hair extensions and wigs are made using great-quality synthetic materials, offering a realistic look and feel.
Is Human Hair More Expensive Than Synthetic?
Generally, yes. The process of collecting the hair and the time it takes to create the extensions or wigs is much more complex than creating synthetics – and this is reflected in the price.
However, so you're paying for what you get! Human hair will look much more natural and last longer.
Does RiRi Have Synthetic & Human Hair Extensions?
Of course! We have a selection of hair extensions that are quite literally to die for, both synthetic and human hair options. Shop our bestselling extensions online now for super speedy delivery!
Nancy Pinder
Nancy is our resident hair and beauty specialist at RiRi Hair Extensions. She advises customers daily in our Lakeside and Bluewater stores, helping them find the perfect look, length, and shade of hair extensions.
Nancy also presents our TikTok live to thousands of viewers across the world. You can catch her on our TikTok every week!
