When you’re buying hair extensions, quality matters. A lot.
You want something that lasts, blends well, and doesn’t turn into a tangled mess after two washes.
But here’s the thing—there’s so much hair out there, and the grading system? It’s all over the place. One brand’s "10A" might be another brand’s "8A" with extra shine sprayed on. It's confusing. Like, a mixed bag.
That’s why understanding what raw hair is can help you shop smarter. It’s not just a fancy label—it actually tells you a lot about where the hair came from, how it’s been processed (or not), and how it’ll behave once it’s on your head.
So let’s break it down.
What Is Raw Hair?
Raw hair is the highest-quality hair you can buy. No steam, no chemical processing, no added shine, no fake curls.
Just real human hair—cut straight from a donor’s head and bundled up without messing with the cuticles.
This hair usually comes from countries like India, Cambodia, Vietnam, or Myanmar. In most cases, it’s donated or sold for religious, personal, or economic reasons.
The donors are typically women, and the hair is taken in full ponytails to make sure the strands are all facing the same direction. That’s what keeps it tangle-free and smooth over time.
Raw hair comes in its natural state, so you’ll find slight waves, soft curls, or straight patterns—nothing uniform, nothing factory-made.
It’s not "perfect" in a cookie-cutter way. It looks and behaves like real hair because it is real hair.
Also, no two bundles are ever 100% identical. That’s part of the charm. You might need to tweak your styling a bit, but the result is hair that moves, holds styles, and lasts much longer than the processed stuff.
| Feature | What You’ll Get |
|---|---|
| Quality | 100% real human hair with intact cuticles |
| Processing | None—no steam, no perms, no chemicals |
| Texture | Natural waves, curls, or straight strands |
| Color | Natural black or dark brown, sometimes with tone variation |
| Durability | Can last 2–3+ years with proper care |
| Styling | Can be dyed, bleached, straightened, curled |
| Feel | Full, thick, and soft with natural movement |
| Maintenance | Needs proper care, just like your own hair |
Raw Hair vs. Virgin Hair—Which One’s Better?
If you’re stuck choosing between raw hair and virgin hair, here’s the short answer: raw hair is better.
It’s completely unprocessed, straight from a single donor, and with the cuticles all going the same way. That means fewer tangles, better longevity, and a more natural look.
Virgin hair is good too, but it’s usually been steam-processed to get uniform curl patterns. It’s still human hair and often from one donor, but it’s been tweaked for style.
That makes it easier to blend or match, but it also means it’s not as strong or long-lasting as raw hair.
- So if you want high quality and don’t mind a little styling to get the look you want? Go with raw.
- If you want something easier to work with straight out of the box? Virgin hair can do the job.
But in terms of pure quality, raw hair wins.
What Kind of Hair Does QVR Use?
At QVR, we keep it real. We offer both raw and virgin hair, depending on what you’re looking for.
Whether you want raw bundles with untouched texture or virgin hair that’s easier to style right out of the box, we’ve got you covered.
What matters most? All our hair is 100% human hair, and it's made with Black women in mind.
You’ll find the highest grade of hair, whether you’re going for a sleek sew-in, a full head of kinky curls, or just adding volume with a few clip-ins.
No synthetic fillers. No fake shine. Just good hair that lasts.
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