One of the most common questions we get at Mulberry is “What is Remy?”. We want our clients to be educated before spending their hard earned money on extensions. We’ve got a few industry insider tips equipping you with the tools you need to make an informed purchase. 

• What is Remy Hair?

• Why is Remy so expensive?

• How long does Remy last vs. 100% Human Hair?

• Is Remy the same as Cuticle-Intact?

• Is Remy worth the extra $$?

• I bought my extensions elsewhere, how can I tell if they’re Remy?

What is Remy Hair?

    If I had a dollar for every time I heard this question, well, I’d have enough to buy a new set of Remy Extensions. I can’t fault anyone for asking of course, even after seven years in the Hair Industry I’ve heard conflicting information from even experienced Stylists. 

    The first place to start would be what Hair actually looks like up close and personal. Every hair strand (no matter where on your body!) has cuticles. If you’ve ever seen a fish up close - not much to see honestly - the scales all face one direction, so there is no resistance when swimming. Our Hair cuticles are the same way, all our hair grows out with the cuticle facing down. But when Hair extensions are created, the hair is cut, now resulting in hairs facing upwards and downwards.

Why is Remy so expensive?

    The high cost begins at the processing stage. When hair is processed in the factory, the common (and cheaper) practice is to place all the individual hair strands in bundles, where they are weighed, and then sewn or glued into their designated pieces. This is a fast and efficient process for churning out mass hair extensions, and while they may still be 100% Human Hair, they are not Remy. The reason for this is as the hair is being sorted, the individual hair cuticles are now facing different directions. 

    When Remy hair is created, the process is to sort each hair, strand by strand. This ensures each cuticle is facing downwards on the extension, exactly like your own natural hair. Obviously this means a very tedious extra step in the manufacturing process, resulting in higher prices. There are also less factories with the capabilities for this, so they charge higher for production costs. 

    How long does Remy Hair last Vs.100% Human Hair?

    I always say “If you’re good to your extensions, they’ll be good to you.” Any premium hair extensions have a lifespan, but there are many things you can do to prolong their use. Depending on how often you wear them, how much heat you put on them, the products you use, how often you wash them etc, Remy hair can last you anywhere from 6 months to 5 years. 

    Is Remy the same as Cuticle-Intact?

    Yes, many companies have different terms for their hair. One other feature of Remy is the cuticle remains intact through the processing stage. This means it will not frizz as quickly as non-remy.

    Is Remy worth the extra $$?

    Ah the age-old question, “Is it worth it?”. Personally, I would say yes, but that is because I place high value on quality, knowing the extensions will last me years with proper care. However, when I have client’s purchasing extensions to wear only once, I tell them 100% Human Hair will fit their needs just fine. 

    I bought my extensions elsewhere, how can I tell if they’re Remy?

    To the average person this can be difficult, but the best way to tell is by touching them. As we mentioned, all the cuticles face the same direction. Therefore if you run your hands through the hair it should feel smooth downwards, but rough upwards. 

    Another easy way is to buy from reputable businesses. Be warned, there are a lot of scam hair extension companies out there. I always suggest buying from a brand you know, and has a good reputation. A company that relies on customer service will not risk selling fake extensions.

    Price point is another great indicator. Remy extensions are expensive, there is no way around it. All the way from the factory the prices are high, even for the manufacturer to get a hold of quality hair. No one in their right mind will sell 100% Remy Human Hair for cheap, not even the manufacturer. I’ve had client’s come in with their $800 “100% Remy Clip Ins” only to have them melt onto my curling iron the first use. 

    Beware of trademarks. 

    There are brands out there that will either trademark the name Remy by using a custom font, therefore making it a logo. Some packs of hair will also say “Remi” skirting around the term. Be on your guard for fake Remy, there is too much of it out there. 

     If you've purchased Remy Human Hair Extensions and are unsure if they are real, hopefully this article will have helped you. If you're still not sure please reach out to us and we'll be happy to walk you through how to find out. Being in the industry many years our Stylists know the reputable brands to work with, and we'd be happy to hear from you.