Synthetic Hair Vs Human Hair Extensions: Which is Better?

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).

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.

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.

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.

There are four main types of human hair used in extensions all over the world:

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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…

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