FREE COLOUR MATCHING
OVERNIGHT SHIPPING BEFORE 2PM
30 DAY RETURNS & EXCHANGES

The main thing to consider when purchasing a wig is what you’re looking to get from it. Human hair and synthetic hair wigs are both fantastic ways to achieve natural-looking, beautiful long hair in an instant—but there are some differences buyers should be aware of. In this blog post, we’ll break down the main points of difference between synthetic and human hair wigs to help you find your best solution.

Price

With any purchase, price plays a big role in the decision-making process. Of course, you want the best quality product you can get, but you don’t want to spend a fortune to get it—which is fair. However, with wigs the usually the price reflects the quality. Synthetic wigs can range in price from just $80 all the way up to $400 for a premium synthetic wig. The synthetic fibres used to create the hair have their advantages, offering a low-maintenance, ready-to-wear daily solution. Premium synthetic looks almost the same as human hair, whereas cheaper synthetic wigs may look a bit dull, and can even border on looking ‘costumey’.

Human hair also comes in a huge variety of prices—just a bit higher on the spectrum. With human hair, a higher price is to be expected, as it’s a much longer process to make the wigs. You’re also paying for the freedom that comes with the wig; it’s the most natural feeling option, and they last a long time. A human hair wig will set you back anywhere from a couple of hundred dollars, to upwards of $1000. This price point is all due to one thing: quality. If you’re buying premium human hair, it’s been through the works and it’s some of the best on the market. When you’re trying to decide on a budget for a wig, think about the long term—human hair is more expensive, but will last a long time, possibly saving you on replacements.

The Hair 

The hair itself, well, for human hair wigs; it’s exactly what you’d think—it feels like soft hair because it is soft hair!

As for synthetic wigs, the feeling of the hair depends on the overall quality of production and the fibres used in the wig. Synthetic wigs obviously lack the natural feel of human hair and can be prone to shedding, but they’re a great solution for people living in humid places. Synthetic hair will not frizz up in humid climates, they’ll hold shape and style much longer than human hair. Human hair will always look and feel more natural but investing in high-quality synthetic hair can deliver similar results; it can be extremely difficult to tell the difference between the two. On the other end of the spectrum, with cheap, low-quality synthetic wigs, again—you get what you pay for—often having an unnatural shine, shedding, and tangling.


In terms of wearing, human hair wigs are much heavier—synthetic fibres are lightweight and can be more comfortable for all-day wear. The weight of human hair depends on how the wig was manufactured, the more expensive, higher quality human hair wigs can be lightweight, but the cheaper you go the heavier and more uncomfortable they can be.

Styling & Care

This is where some of the main differences come in. Synthetic wigs are convenient; less maintenance is required and they’re usually ready-to-wear with minimal styling. For some this is a pro, others a con. They’re fantastic at holding their style; if you’re spending an hour getting your hair perfect daily, a quality synthetic wig is your best choice. Though there are some heat resistant synthetic options out there, we don’t recommend using heat on the fibres. That means that straightening a synthetic wig, in most cases, will irreversibly damage your wig. If you like to switch your hair up daily, always trying new looks and styles, then you’ll want to opt for human hair. Offering endless versatility, you can achieve a huge range of looks with human hair wigs. You could even get it coloured professionally, or safely use heat tools on them to add some curls or straightening. 

This is where you should be considering what you want to get out of your wig. Do you want to achieve your perfect style every day while cutting an hour from your schedule? Or have the freedom to change your style and try new things? Always do your research about the wig that you’re looking to purchase so that you can be confident it’ll achieve your hair goals.

Human hair wigs require a lot more upkeep—exactly like your natural hair—caring for the wig includes washing, deep conditioning and restyling to keep the hair strong. Because the hair isn’t growing from the scalp, they lack some natural oils, meaning washing isn’t going to be a frequent part of your routine—washing every 6-8 weeks—this can depend on how frequently it’s worn climate and other external factors too.

Synthetic hair is a low-maintenance option, simply just wash, dry, shake, and it’ll return right back to its usual style. There’s also a range of shampoo and care products made for synthetic hair. The frequency of washing will vary depending on how often it’s worn—generally, it’s recommended to wash every 15-20 times you wear it.

Life Span

If you’re looking for longevity in your wig, human hair is the way to go. A good quality human hair wig can last more than a year with the proper love and care—it’s a long-term investment.

Quality synthetic hairs can also last, but usually, you’re trading longevity in for the convenient and time-saving qualities of synthetic hair. Synthetic wigs will typically last no more than 8 months, eventually losing their shape and style.

Achieve Superior Hair with a Wig!

Superior Hair Extensions provide a wide range of synthetic and human hair wigs in NZ. We also offer a range of hair extensions and professional installation services. If you’re interested in trying new hairdos with human hair wigs or just want to rock your signature style with synthetic hair, you’ve come to the right place. Browse our full range of wigs and hair extensions online today or reach out to our friendly team if you’ve got any questions.

News

Professional hairdresser showing the closest match of clip-in extensions to customer

What Makes Clip-In Hair Extensions So Popular?

What Causes Human Hair Extensions to Vary in Quality?

What Causes Human Hair Extensions to Vary in Quality?

Not all hair extensions are designed the same. Before planning to get extensions, you need to know the factors that affect their quality. Read about it here.

Learn more
Nano tip hair extension installation

Introduction to Nano Tip Hair Extensions

Many want semi-permanent extensions, but they can damage the hair if installed incorrectly. Nano tip extensions are changing all that. Read to find out why!

Learn more
Caring for hair extensions with argan or coconut oil

How to Care for Hair Extensions Through Winter

Winter is tough on your hair, and the same goes for extensions. Here are our expert tips on how to look after your hair extensions throughout the cold season.

Learn more
Can I Style Hair Extensions with Heat Tools?

Can I Style Hair Extensions with Heat Tools?

Pondering what heated styling tools are okay for your hair extensions? Here's how you can style hair extensions without damage.

Learn more
Man with natural looking hair

Men’s Hair Topper Style Tips for a Natural Looking Hair System

There are plenty of ways men can tackle thinning hair. One of them is with hair toppers. While wearing a hair topper may seem unnatural initially, the right styling strategies can make yours appear effortless and natural. At Superior Hair, we ensure you never lose self-confidence while wearing our hair toppers.Hair toppers require just as much styling as real human hair. That's why we offer hair replacement systems made from 100% human hair, giving you the flexibility to try many hair topper styles. Here are our top tips for styling our men’s hair topper systems so you can achieve the best, most natural, and discreet hair solution. Stick to air dryingWhile it can be tempting to dry your hair faster after a shower, heated styling tools can damage your hair strands. Whether styling synthetic or natural hair systems, we recommend air drying or using lukewarm water to wet set curls to keep them looking healthy and softer for longer. Use a specialty brush or combMost men manage to go about their day without brushing their hair. But you’d be amazed just by how much brushing can do to bring out your hair’s lustrous shine. Brushing your hair can significantly reduce frizz and improve hair texture. Invest in a specialty brush or comb that effectively smoothens out and detangles hair without pulling. A soft boar bristle brush contains natural sebum, the same oil produced by the scalp, that acts as a natural conditioner you can evenly distribute by brushing your hair.   Invest in good styling productsAfter brushing, you want to make sure the style stays that way. To keep your hair firmly in place and looking fresh for longer is through styling products designed to keep your hair hold its shape! Remember, human hair systems such as hair toppers do not moisturise the same way as your hair. Therefore, choose moisturising and alcohol-free products to prevent unnecessary dryness and damage.   Add some colourIf you want to try something new, why not mix things up by changing your hair colour? Human hair systems are far easier to colour than synthetic hair strands. Plus, synthetic hair strands can only be darkened, not lightened. On the other hand, human hair toppers go through the same hair dying procedure as normal hair so even with a change of colour or variance in colour blending, you can still achieve the most natural-looking coloured hair. Professional stylists can help you dye or colour a human hair system to achieve the best results.   Shop the best hair toppers in NZ at Superior Hair Give yourself the confidence boost you need with high-quality hair systems that make every day a good hair day! At Superior Hair, we offer ready-to-wear hair toppers for men and women that you can wear and style immediately. But we can customise a solution if you struggle with a specific balding area. Our team designs and creates hair systems perfect for nearly any hair type, density, texture, and colour. We will fit the hairpiece for you, cut and style it! For the best hair toppers in NZ, contact Superior Hair!

Learn more
Women with multi-coloured hair extensions

Can I Dye My Hair Extensions?

Hair extensions are great for changing up your look because you can style them in different ways. But can you colour them? Here’s what you need to know!

Learn more
Image of hair extension affected by sunscreen. Brassy tones evident on the right side of hair.

A hair extension’s worst enemy? Sunscreen.

Ever wonder why, despite following all the right steps you take for your extensions, they still end up turning into a not so flattering brassy orange or pink? You might want to take a look at your sunscreen. Yup, your sunscreen! While sunscreens are great for your skin, it isn’t the same case for your hair extensions.   What happens when sunscreen comes in contact with your hair?    Most sunscreens contain Avobenzone (Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane) and Octocrylene.  Avobenzone works as a very effective protectant against UVB and UVA rays, but only for  approximately 30 minutes as its abilities become degrading once exposed to sunlight. For this reason, Octocrylene is added to the formula as a stabiliser for it to work longer.                                                                          Because they are such active ingredients, when exposed to water, the minerals in the water attach to the broken down cells in the hair extensions, causing a reaction that makes the hair discolour into such brassy tones.   How do you avoid this chemical reaction?   The best way to avoid this reaction, is opting out your regular sunscreen for a mineral sunscreen that does not contain Avobenzone or Octocrylene. This is a tested sunscreen type that not only filters out damaging UVB and UVA Rays, it blocks any unintended reaction towards the skin and hair. It is FDA approved, meaning it is completely safe to use. The Australasian markets tend to mainly sell these anyways, as these sunscreens are typically safer to use around water as they are “reef friendly”, especially considering there is so much marine life around our waters. But is always best to double check, when purchasing, that you are in fact choosing the sunscreens that opt out the Avobenzone and Octocrylene ingredients for a more reef friendly formula. It’s basically a win-win for both your hair and the environment. The more basic habits to incorporate to avoid the discolouration of your hair would be to cleanse your hands of any sunscreen residue before touching your hair. Another solution would be to put your hair up and away from your body. A bun or high ponytail is ideal in avoiding your hair come in contact with your skin.   What can you do if your hair has already come in contact with sunscreen?   If it’s too late and your hair has already come in contact with the sunscreen, the first step would be to use a deep cleansing shampoo, to thoroughly wash out any sunscreen residue left in your hair. Then go in with Malibu C hard water treatment and apply to the affected areas. Follow the instructions on the sachet and leave it in for the recommended amount of time before washing it out. Blonde extensions are lot more affected by discolouration as they are lighter making the discolouration more transparent to the eye. In this case, go in with a purple shampoo and leave it in for 1-2 mins before washing it out, to get rid of any leftover warm pigments. Be wary of leaving it in for too long and turning your hair purple. After you’ve completed these steps, go in with an intensive conditioning mask and heat protector. Then lastly, you may cleanse out your hair and style as normal. If there’s not a significant difference in lifting the discolouration out of your hair extensions you might have to repeat the steps 2-3 times, before you reach your desired results. Keep in mind hair extensions are not your natural hair, they won’t receive the nutrients that comes from your scalp which act as a protective barrier. Therefore, they are much more prone to discolouration, meaning there would be plenty more factors to them harsh pink and brassy tones than just sunscreen. These include but not limited to hard water, sea water, chlorine, and sun exposure. So do keep that in mind, the next time you head out for a nice day at the beach. The best thing you can do is to put your hair up and away in a scarf or other protective headwear. Now it gives your hair protection from the sun and your skin all whilst looking like a stylish bombshell.

Learn more
WHY ARE MY NANO BEADS LOSING THEIR COLOUR?

WHY ARE MY NANO BEADS LOSING THEIR COLOUR?

There are a few reasons why nano beads can lose their colour, causing them to turn copper/gold. If you or your client’s beads turn gold, the following information can help you understand why.  Shampoo ingredients The most common cause of colour loss in nano beads is due to the additives found in shampoos. Even salon quality shampoos, including dry shampoo can contain these additives; affecting beads only after a few washes. The purpose of additives in shampoo is to create a lather, act as a thickening agent or even to keep them from freezing during shipping. If you suspect your shampoo is the cause of the colour loss, you may wish to experiment with another.  Styling Heating tools, such as straighteners, blow dryers and curling irons can all cause nano beads to lose their colour. Frequently touching the beads with these tools will cause the paint to soften and chip away. To prevent this from happening, avoid directly touching the beads with the tool.  Medications Chemicals in certain medications are carried to the hair follicle through the bloodstream, causing nano beads to lose their colour. These toxins can stay in the hair follicle for months and will not wash out. Medications, like antidepressants, birth controls, and acne medications, can induce colour change, as can Vitamin A, and narcotics.  

Learn more
woman travelling with beautiful hair

TRAVEL HAIRSTYLES - EXTENSION EDITION

Craving to travel the world again? Sick of quarantining? Well, we have some travel hairstyles to get you excited for when you get to leave your bubble once again! Half up half down This is the perfect hairstyle for if you've been so busy packing, that you've accidentally forgotten to wash your hair. It's easy, it's trendy, it's comfy...what more could you ask for?! Braids Any type of braid is perfect for a lengthy plane ride. Braiding causes much less damage compared to ponytails and still looks amazing. There are so many braids to choose from to suit your braiding expertise, for example, you could go for just the standard simple yet cute braid, you could test yourself by trying out a fishtail braid or you could show off your skill and rock two Dutch braids! The options are endless :) Use accessories You could add a scarf which will automatically have you looking Instagram ready even if inside you’re really just wanting to get on and off the plane in the most fastest, comfortable way possible. You could even add some clips to really glam it up or just settle for 1 for a cute and easy look!    High pony High ponytails are one of the most common hairstyles to be done around the world. They're easy, they can be kept loose and they get your hair out of the way and sometimes that’s all you wish for. If your extensions allow you to, you could even add in a braid to your ponytail look. Utilise Headbands! Headbands are super cute and super comfortable. They keep your wispies out of your face which is always very helpful! Headbands also make up for our messy hairstyles that take place when you have an early flight, especially messy buns! Beachy wave If you know that you don't want to do much with your hair in advance, you can always quickly put your hair in a braid before you go to sleep, then when you wake up in the morning your hair will be looking as messy pretty as it can get with that gorgeous natural beachy wave.

Learn more