Frequently Asked Questions About Raw & Virgin Hair

by | Jan 1, 2025 | Blog | 0 comments

Raw & Virgin Hair FAQ – Everything You Need to Know

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What is Raw Hair?

Raw hair is hair in its purest form. It hasn’t been processed in any way, so no steam, no chemicals, and no dyes. Think authentic, untouched hair straight from the donor.

Each bundle comes from a single donor, meaning the hair came from one person. That’s why the texture stays consistent, and the cuticles remain intact and aligned.

Available Textures: Straight, Wavy, Curly

Why people love it: Once you try proper raw hair, you can tell the difference straight away. The best part is how long it lasts. With a trusted vendor and the right care, it can last well over five years. It holds a curl beautifully, can be dyed or bleached, and does everything you would want your hair to do.

Raw hair looks and feels like real, healthy hair because it is. It is soft, easy to style, and blends effortlessly. You can curl it, straighten it, or colour it and it still holds up install after install.

What is Virgin Hair?

Virgin hair is high quality human hair, but it’s often lightly processed for consistency, especially in textures like body wave or deep wave. It’s a great option if you want a more uniform look straight out the pack.

virgin vs raw hair: what’s the difference?

Raw hair is hair in its natural state. It hasn’t been altered to create a specific pattern, so it keeps its original texture and behaves more naturally over time.

Virgin hair is still high quality, but it’s usually lightly processed for a more consistent finish. That’s why virgin textures can look more uniform and feel easier day to day.

Raw hair vs virgin hair: which is better?

It depends on your lifestyle. Raw hair is ideal if you want the most natural finish and long-term wear, especially if you love reinstalling and don’t mind a simple routine.

Virgin hair is perfect if you want luxury hair that feels more “easy day to day.” Busy women and gym girlies often love that polished look with less fuss.

What is Raw Virgin Hair?

Trick question. It doesn’t exist. Hair is either raw or virgin, never both.

Raw = unprocessed, single donor
Virgin = lightly processed, usually multiple donors

What Does Single Donor Hair Mean?

“Single donor” means every strand in your bundle originated from one individual. This helps keep the texture consistent and supports better cuticle alignment for long-term wear.

All of our raw bundles at NyromiHair are single donor, so you always know exactly what you’re getting.

What Does Cuticles Aligned Mean?

When cuticles are aligned, every strand runs in the same natural direction from root to tip. This helps the hair stay smoother, resist tangling, and last longer.

What is cuticle-aligned raw Indian hair?

This means every strand in the bundle faces the same direction from root to tip. Because the cuticles are intact and aligned, the hair stays smooth, resists tangling, and behaves more like healthy natural hair over time..

What does “unprocessed hair” mean?

Unprocessed hair means the hair hasn’t been altered to change its texture or finish. It stays closer to its natural state, so it wears more naturally over time and responds to styling and humidity like real hair.

What is chemically processed hair?

Chemically processed hair has been treated to change its finish, texture, or colour. It can still look beautiful, but it usually won’t wear the same long-term as hair that’s kept closer to its raw natural state.

What Makes Raw Hair Different from Processed Hair?

Raw Hair: Completely unprocessed, cuticles intact, single donor. Strong, soft, and long-lasting with proper care.

Processed Hair: Treated to change the finish or texture, often mixed from multiple donors, and usually more prone to tangling and shedding over time.

What Grade is Raw Hair?

We don’t use grades because they aren’t an official way to measure quality, they’re mostly marketing. We focus on authenticity: unprocessed hair, sourced carefully, with intact cuticles and natural behaviour over time.

How is Raw Indian Hair Collected?

Our raw hair is ethically sourced through voluntary donations and local collections. Women choose to provide their hair as part of long-standing cultural traditions or personal choice. These organizations then use the proceeds to fund charitable initiatives and community programs, ensuring that the process benefits the people and the region it comes from.

What is Raw Donor Hair?

Raw donor hair is cut directly from one person and left untouched by chemicals or steam. That’s why it’s consistent, soft, and long-lasting.

What is SEA Raw Hair?

SEA stands for Southeast Asian raw hair, usually sourced from places like Cambodia, Indonesia, and Malaysia. It’s known for being full and slightly coarser, making it great for fuller styles with natural movement.

What is raw Indian straight hair?

Raw Indian straight hair is naturally straight or close to straight with soft movement. Because it’s unprocessed, it can still have slight natural variation and may react to humidity like real hair.

What is raw Indian wavy hair?

Raw Indian wavy hair is unprocessed hair with a natural wave pattern. Once washed and air-dried, the waves show clearly and can vary slightly because it’s real hair, not a factory-made pattern.

What is raw Indian curly hair?

Raw Indian curly hair is raw hair with a natural curl pattern. It’s rarer than straight or wavy, needs a bit more moisture, and gives a soft, natural curly look.

What is raw Vietnamese hair?

Raw Vietnamese hair is unprocessed hair known for a sleeker, silkier finish and a slightly stronger strand. It’s loved for smooth styles and that polished, “put-together” look.

How can I tell if raw hair is authentic?

The best way to tell is how the hair behaves after you wash it and over time.

  • Wash test: Co-wash or shampoo once and air dry. Authentic raw hair shows its true texture and still feels quality once any coating is gone.
  • Burn test: Human hair smells like burnt protein when burned. Synthetic fibres melt and smell like plastic.
  • Cuticle feel check: When you run your fingers from ends to roots, you’ll usually feel more resistance than from roots to ends.
  • Wear test: Real raw hair stays consistent over multiple installs with proper care. If it feels amazing for a week then suddenly declines fast, it’s often not what it was sold as.

How to test if a bundle is raw human hair?

The most reliable test is the wash + air-dry method. Real raw hair will reveal its true natural pattern once wet, shouldn’t feel like it has a slippery coating, and should still feel healthy once dry. Burn tests only confirm human vs synthetic. If it smells like burnt protein, it’s human; if it melts like plastic, it’s synthetic.

Does raw hair tangle?

Raw hair shouldn’t tangle excessively, but it isn’t immune. Tangling usually comes from dryness, product build-up, or not tying it down at night. Keep up with washing, conditioning, and a silk bonnet/scarf and it stays smooth and manageable.

What is the best raw hair?

The best raw hair is authentic, unprocessed hair with fully aligned cuticles from a vendor you trust. You’ll know it’s high quality if it feels like your own hair, returns to its natural texture after washing, and stays consistent through multiple installs over years.

Does raw hair smell like corn chips?

Raw hair shouldn’t have a strong “corn chip” smell. If you notice it, it’s usually storage, packaging, or residue, but it can also be a sign the hair has been heavily treated.

Wash and air dry. If the smell clears, it was likely residue. If it lingers or smells chemical, that’s a red flag.

Can Raw Hair Be Curly?

Yes, but naturally curly raw hair is rarer than straight or wavy. Loose curls do exist.

Can Raw Hair Be Dyed?

Yes. Because it’s unprocessed, raw hair takes colour beautifully. For best results and longevity, professional colouring is recommended.

Can Raw Hair Be Bleached?

Yes. Our raw Indian hair can be lifted to a light blonde (613) with the right technique.

Note: Our jet black bundles can’t be bleached since they’ve already been dyed. If you plan to colour, start with our natural black bundles.

How Long Does Raw Indian Hair Last?

With proper care and maintenance, raw Indian hair can last five years or longer. Because it is 100% natural and unprocessed, it is specifically designed for multiple reinstalls and long-term wear. It is truly an investment in quality that stands the test of time.

How Much is Raw Hair?

Prices vary based on length and texture, but authentic raw hair is a premium product. Because it is sourced ethically and remains completely unprocessed, it carries a higher price point than virgin hair. You can generally expect to pay more for longer lengths and rarer textures, such as natural curls, which are harder to source.

Why is Raw Indian Hair So Expensive?

Raw Indian hair costs more because of the quality and the work behind it:

  • Unprocessed hair from a single donor
  • Ethically sourced and carefully prepared
  • Rarer, longer-lasting hair

The upfront cost is higher, but it’s more cost-effective long-term because you can reinstall it for years.

Why Invest in Raw Hair?

Because you’re tired of hair that looks good for a few weeks, then sheds, tangles, and ends up in the bin. Raw hair is pure, versatile, and wears beautifully over time.

How to care for raw Indian hair

Treat it like your own hair. Wash 1–2x weekly, condition well, detangle from ends to roots, and protect it at night with a silk bonnet/scarf. Keep products light to avoid build-up, use heat protectant before styling, and deep condition whenever it feels dry.

How Many Bundles Do I Need?

It depends on the look you’re going for.

  • For most installs, 3 bundles is perfect.
  • For lengths over 26 inches, 4 bundles or more will keep it full.

How Do I Wash Raw Hair Extensions?

  • Brush gently from ends to roots before washing
  • Use lukewarm water and a sulfate-free shampoo
  • Wash in a downward motion, rinse well, and follow with conditioner
  • Let it air dry completely before brushing again

How Often Should I Wash My Hair Extensions?

You should treat raw hair much like your own. We recommend washing and conditioning it once a week, depending on how much product you use. Regular cleansing keeps the hair lightweight and prevents buildup.

What Shampoo Should I Use?

Always use a sulfate-free shampoo. Sulfates can be harsh and stripping, so choosing a moisturizing, sulfate-free formula is essential for keeping the hair hydrated and healthy.

How Should I Comb Hair Extensions?

To minimize shedding and breakage, always start from the ends (tips) and gently work your way up to the roots. We recommend using a wide-tooth comb or a specialised extension brush.

Can I Straighten or Curl NyromiHair?

Absolutely! Because our hair is high-quality raw and virgin hair, you can straighten or curl it just like your own. To keep your bundles looking silky and healthy, we always recommend using a heat protectant spray and keeping your tools at a moderate temperature. Treat it with love and it’ll keep that gorgeous bounce!

Can I Sleep or Shower with My Hair Extensions?

Yes, but protecting the hair is key to making it last. At night, we recommend wrapping your hair in a silk bonnet or scarf to prevent tangling. In the shower, use a shower cap to protect the hair from humidity and frizz. We also suggest avoiding swimming, as chlorine and salt water can dry out the strands and cause damage.

Should I Wash My Hair Extensions Before Installing?

A: We definitely recommend it. A quick co-wash helps remove any storage residue and helps the natural texture truly shine. For the best results, always allow the hair to air dry completely before your installation.

What’s the Best Lace Glue or Adhesive to Use?

Everyone’s preference is different, but these are some well-loved names in the lace game: Stay Stuck, CB Hairpro, The Ultimate Grip, Bold Hold, Ericka J Hold Me Down, Ebin New York, and ORS.

Always buy from trusted sellers, and if you have sensitive skin, do a quick patch test first.

Where to buy raw hair

It’s important to buy from a vendor that specialises in raw hair and is open about sourcing. At NyromiHair, we focus on authentic raw bundles and offer worldwide shipping.

Do You Offer International Shipping?

Yes. We ship worldwide so you can enjoy NyromiHair wherever you are.

Are Returns Free?

Check our official Return Policy on the website for the most up-to-date details.

Still Have Questions?

We’re always here to help you make the best choice for your hair journey.

Email us at customerservice@nyromihair.com

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