It's no secret that our raw hair extensions are truly top tier within the hair industry. Yummy Extensions provides the most luxurious, seamless, one-of-a-kind hair extension experience to our clients. We sat down with our Founder and CEO, Yummie O. to gain insight from the true expert herself on all things raw hair. Keep reading to learn more about our raw hair textures.
Raw Hair 101 with our Founder
What is Raw Hair?
Raw hair is human hair collected directly from a donor whose hair has not been chemically processed prior to collection. After collection, the hair is cleansed, hackled (to remove shorter hairs), and crafted into your desired extension type, such as weft extensions, tape-ins, clip-ins, wigs, and more. The textures collected from donors can vary, ranging from straight to wavy or curly.
Where is it typically sourced from?
Majority of raw hair sold in the market today is sourced from South Asian and South-Eastern Asian regions. This can range from China, Indian, Cambodia, Myanmar, etc. These regions offer diverse range of luxurious options that meet the highest standards of quality and authenticity.
Why has it become increasingly popular?
Raw hair is the ultimate choice for those seeking durability, versatility, and a seamless blend with their natural hair. In the last decade, consumers became increasingly weary of spending more dollars over time on lower quality hair extensions. With authentic raw hair extensions from Yummy Extensions, our clients can enjoy and reuse their hair for 3-5 years with proper care. This longevity makes raw hair the preferred choice for discerning hair extension enthusiasts.
What differentiates raw hair from virgin hair?
Technically speaking, Raw and Virgin hair were originally synonymous, both referring to hair that has not been altered in any way. Virgin hair was traditionally understood to mean hair in its pure, unprocessed state—just like Raw hair. However, as the term "virgin" became increasingly diluted in the market, it became necessary to distinguish between the two. In today’s market, Raw hair refers to hair that is collected from a single human donor and has not been altered in any way, with its natural cuticles intact and aligned in the direction in which it grew from the donor. On the other hand, Virgin hair now commonly refers to human hair that has been chemically altered or manipulated to achieve specific patterns, colors, or textures. Additionally, Virgin hair can also be sourced from multiple donors.
What's your take on raw hair vendors selling their vendors directly to the consumer?
I’d like to begin by expressing my respect for everyone’s approach to business, and I understand why some choose to sell vendor lists. The goal is to support aspiring hair brands in finding reliable vendors for their business. However, I believe that much of the information being sold can also be found on Google for free. To up-and-coming brands, my advice is to conduct extensive testing before investing heavily in any vendor. Start by purchasing a single bundle of each texture. If the quality meets your expectations, proceed by purchasing a set of three bundles and installing them. If the hair continues to meet your standards, place smaller orders from the vendor at least three different times before fully committing. This approach ensures that the vendor’s products are consistent and that they can meet your customers’ demands and requirements.
How do you determine where to buy raw hair from?
From an end consumer’s perspective, it’s important to ensure that the company you shop with is transparent about the regions where they source their hair. You should also seek assurance that the company is knowledgeable about their products and value feedback from other clients who have experienced the products firsthand. From a vendor’s perspective, it’s crucial to ensure that the vendor handles the collection of the hair directly, maintains consistency, and upholds transparency and great communication.
Are there specific characteristics that make raw hair better for specific styles? Ex. Does it hold a curl better? Does it match textured hair better?
Raw hair has a natural and lively appearance and texture. What sets raw hair apart from other hair options is that it actually improves with every wash, looking and feeling better over time. Additional specific characteristics include its fullness, greater versatility in styling, and its ability to seamlessly match lower-luster hair.
How do you, as an expert, recommend taking care of it? About how long can quality raw hair last?
When investing in RAW human hair, it’s important to remember that it behaves much like your natural hair and requires similar care. Your extensions deserve the same love, care, and attention! Regular co-washes are essential to achieving the perfect balance of protein and moisture. With proper maintenance, high-quality raw hair can last up to 5 years. To assist our clients with at-home care, we provide detailed hair care tips and videos on our website. Be sure to check out our Hair Care Tips Blog for more information.
