Wig Or Hair Extensions? How To Choose

April 18, 2024

If you follow the hair care industry, you are likely familiar with the options for synthetic hair, which includes both wigs and hair extensions. Maybe you know you want to take your hair up a notch, whether for length, volume or something else. That leaves you with the decision of choosing which is best for your natural hair and which will help you achieve the look you want. Use this guide to help you understand the choices and guide you to the right one for you. 

What to Know About Wigs 

A wig is made of artificial hair and is used to entirely cover your head, sort of like a cap. They can be used to cover hair loss, but many people also use wigs as a way to change up their hairstyle, without committing to a certain cut or color. There are a few types of wigs, including those made with artificial materials and those made from real human hair. Synthetic wigs tend to be less expensive, while natural hair wigs are often easier to care for. 

Benefits of wigs include ease, versatility, saving time on styling, protecting your natural hair and masking hair loss and baldness. Drawbacks include that some wigs are uncomfortable, they can be expensive for high quality versions, it’s difficult to get them to look completely natural, and they must be cared for and maintained. 

What to Know About Hair Extensions

Like wigs, hair extensions are made from synthetic materials, but are designed to complement your natural hair, rather than cover it up. They are attached to your natural hair to add volume or to achieve a certain style. There are several ways this can be done, including the following:

• Clip in - temporarily added with clips
• Tape in - adhered using tape attachments
• Weave - braided into your natural braids
• Fusion - applied in bundles, using an adhesive 
• Micro-link - semi-permanent, attached using tiny beads or links
• Halo - attached to the crown with wires

Also like wigs, there are advantages and disadvantages that go along with using hair extensions. Benefits include longer and thicker hair, they allow you to try different styles and colors, offer a quick transformation for special events, extensions can add highlights without damaging your natural hair, and they are fairly low maintenance. Drawbacks include a higher cost for quality extensions, they can damage your hair if not attached properly, you will likely need assistance and time to attach them, and they can be uncomfortable. 

How to Choose

Wigs and hair extensions are both used to change the look of your natural hair, but they are quite different products. Consider your hair goals when choosing. If you want to cover bald spots or hair loss, a wig may be a better option. If you’re trying to decide if blonde highlights will look good, extensions may be the way to go. Your budget and commitment to maintenance can also influence your choice. 

If you need more help choosing between a wig and hair extensions, ABC Wigs is here for you. Contact us today with all of your questions. 

Also in News