Real hair or synthetic wig?

Real hair or synthetic wig? It is the first question almost everyone asks, and there is no answer that suits everyone. Real hair and synthetic do different things well – the choice is about how you plan to wear your wig, not about which one is best. Here we go through the differences honestly, so you can choose with your eyes open.

Shape after washing – the big difference
Synthetic fibre has the style built in. When a synthetic wig dries, it returns to its shape by itself – the same curls and the same fall, every time. You never need to blow-dry or straighten it. A real hair wig behaves like your own hair and needs styling after washing. It is more work, but also the freedom to decide how your hair should look that day.

Real hair wig – for you who wear a wig every day
Choose real hair if you wear a wig every day over a long period, want to be able to colour or vary your style, or want hair that takes heat without limits. Real hair moves and catches the light in a way synthetic does not, and up close and in bright sunlight you can see the difference. How long the wig lasts depends on the quality: Classic 2–4 months, Premium 3–5 months and Luxury 1–2 years with normal use. Luxury can also be repaired and renewed, which makes it cheaper over time despite the higher starting price. You will find all our real hair wigs in the online shop.

Vegan synthetic wig – a finished style every morning
Choose vegan if you want a wig that works straight away in the morning without styling, if it is your first wig, or if you want several to rotate between. Our vegan line is heat-resistant up to 120 °C, so you can straighten and curl it – not a given with every synthetic wig. Always start low and test on a small section at the nape first, as the fibre melts above 120 °C. A vegan wig costs less, needs less and is free from animal materials. See our vegan synthetic wigs.

Colour, lifespan and care
Real hair can be coloured by a stylist, while synthetic fibre does not take hair dye – choose the right shade from the start. A vegan wig lasts 1–3 months depending on how much it is worn. A real hair wig is washed once a week to every other week as needed, with products made for wigs. A synthetic wig is washed less often, in lukewarm water, and air-dries into the finished style. A wig does not get greasy in the same way as your own hair, because it does not sit against a scalp that produces sebum. Real hair feels heavier and moves naturally, while synthetic is lighter and keeps its shape even in rain and wind.

Do you have to choose?
Many of our customers have both. A vegan wig for everyday life and training, and a real hair wig for work and special occasions. Rotating also makes both last longer. The difference in shine is what shows most – synthetic has a more even lustre – but in everyday life it is rarely noticeable, especially if the wig has lace or a fringe that hides the hairline. Unsure about the shade? Send us a photo of your hair and we will help you choose the colour and model.

Construction matters as much as material
The material decides how the hair behaves. The construction decides how natural the hairline and parting look, and that is often what gives a wig away, whether the hair is real or not. Read more about our eight wig models, from classic cap to full lace. With hair loss, construction matters even more – a mono top with hand-tied hair looks most natural on top of the head, where it shows most. See our wigs for hair loss and cancer treatment. If you have hair loss due to illness and live in Sweden, you may be entitled to a grant – read about wigs with a requisition (rekvisition).

All our wigs are glueless
Whatever the material, the wig stays on without glue or tape, with adjustment at the nape. You put it on and take it off yourself, every day, with no products on your skin. If you want to see and feel both materials side by side, you are welcome at our wig shop Fairwithwigs at Norrtullsgatan 26B in Stockholm, or at our salon at Skolgatan 49 in Uppsala. Book a free consultation in the salon or online and we will go through your everyday life, your hair and what you want to be able to do with your wig. You will find all our wigs in the online shop.