Buyer's Handbook - Common Wig Terms

Below you will find the most common questions and corresponding answers. Click on any of the below links and you'll be directed to that section. We have tried to be as thorough as possible with each answer by providing helpful links where appropriate.

WIGS REFERENCE

COMMON WIG TERMS

Definitions to help you understand the benefits of certain wig features.

Adjustable tabs:

Elastic straps at the nape area of a wig used for adjusting the circumference fitting/size.

Banana Comb:

This is an outlined adjustable comb clip assembled with a very strong curved link and a clip that snaps together at the top.

Blending:

Due to the process of securing a specific color or tone for all wigs, extensions, or hair pieces, several colors of fibers are blended together which finalizes in "hackling" or "blending".

Butterfly Clip:

The Butterfly Clip is a comb with the shape of a butterfly that contains teeth which interlock to attach to your own hair.
By squeezing the clip the teeth of the clip proceed to open for easy attachment to your own hair.

C3 Construction:

The cap construction that uses the three C's. Cool-easy for your scalp to breathe. Comfortable-material is softer and lighter. Capless-open wefting contributes to the cap weighing less.

Cap:

It provides shape as well as a base for the hair or fiber to be attached.

Capless:

Capless is most weightless cap. It contains open-wefting in the crown, back and sides. It provides extra ventilation for the scalp.

Circumference:

A measurement of the head or wig, where the edges of the wig sit on the outer perimeter of the hairline around the head.

Claw Clip:

A clip with two combs interlocking that open when squeezed to attach to the hair.

Cuticle:

The cuticle is the outer layer of the hair follicle. Hair has three layers: a cuticle (the outer layer), a cortex (the middle layer, composed primarily of keratin and moisture, plus melanin, which gives our hair its color), and a medulla (the center of the hair shaft).

Full Sheer Indulgence:

Monofilament top with 100% hand-knotted base - Designed with the hair loss client in mind, this construction is uniquely crafted to offer this most discriminating woman the ultimate in wig fashion and comfort. In addition to the benefits of those styles constructed with a monofilament top and machine-made base, the rest of the wig is hand tied for the maximum in quality and light, cool comfort.

Hand-Tied Construction:

Wig fibers are tied to the cap by hand. You can brush or comb the hair in any direction you choose.

Hand-Tied Wig Cap:

Hand-tied wig caps are made with a thinner, flexible material which fits the shape of the head properly for a secure fit. The cap is also lighter.

Intergration:

A term used to describe a type of wig or hairpiece where the wearer can pull their down hair through the base and integrate with the fiber.

Kanekalon Fiber:

The Kanekalon Fiber is an acrylic fiber that goes through a specialized process to better resemble human hair.

Lace Front:

Natural Hairline/cool, comfortable cap. Length of lace front can vary & can be trimmed if needed.

Memory Cap:

Featuring the latest in unique, state-of-the-art wig technology, the Raquel Welch Memory Cap replaces the wide stretch lace used in most of today's wigs with a thinner, more resilient stretch material that actually molds to the shape of the head for a lighter, more secure fit.

Monofilament:

A fine poly-silk mesh base which fibers are hand tied to this thin breathable fabric is placed at either the hairline or from the front to the crown.

Open Ear Tabs:

Flexible material that allows ear tabs to adjust and contour to the face at your temple. Ideal if you wear glasses.

Optimum Cuticle Hair:

Optimum Cuticle Hair has been treated yet not compromised to achieve the best performance with neat identical cuticle status. Optimum Cuticle Hair is the complete hair strand (including the cuticle) that retains its ability to remain tangle-free and more of its original luster. It is referred by many as "Remy", "Virgin" or "Cut hair". We are the only company to offer you and your clients finely crafted 100% Optimum Cuticle Hair in wig and hair solutions.

O'Solite:

New creations which are both an ultra comfy cap as well as a new combination of fibers which are soft, light, and vibrant. The cap construction is cool, lightweight and secure. The fiber mix is new, but thoroughly tested, and feels as soft as real hair. Yet, it has enough body and memory to keep its style.

Permanent Lift:

Backcombing provides body and fullness to your wig styles.

Permanent Tease:

Crimping at the base adds hair volume to your wig style without adding weight.

Sheer Indulgence Monofilament Styles:

The comfort and versatility is hard to believe, but so easy to achieve with Sheer Indulgence With a wide variety of looks to satisfy any woman's fashion needs, all styles in this collection offer some form of monofilament construction.

Sheer Indulgence Part:

Our newest SHEER INDULGENCE cap features a wide monofilament part with Memory Cap construction and our exclusive Vibralite synthetic fiber. Providing a true-to-life scalp-like appearance, the wide monofilament part allows the wearer to style a conventional part or the popular zigzag part featured in many of the latest salon styles.

Sheer Indulgence Top:

Featured in the majority of SHEER INDULGENCE styles, the SHEER INDULGENCE Top cap offers a Monofilament top with machine-made base and our exclusive Vibralite synthetic fiber. Made to exact specifications, the hair in the entire top area of the Sheer Indulgence Top wig is hand knotted, one by one, providing forward movement and the look of natural growth. This feature allows the flexibility of parting the hair on the left or right or in the center. A polyurethane front rim has been added to accommodate tape attachment for added security, if needed. Luminous, hand blended colors provide the look and highlights of natural hair.

Sheer Lines Front:

SHEER INDULGENCE Sheer Lines cap includes 100% human hair with a monofilament top. Our new Sheer Lines monofilament front and machine made base. In addition to the features offered in the Sheer Indulgence top, our Sheer Lines front includes fine human hair which is individually knotted on 1/8" wide, ultra-sheer netting that goes from ear to ear along the polyurethane front rim of the cap resulting in a low density, natural looking hairline. You would swear the hair is growing right out of the scalp for amazing off-the-face styling versatility.

Single drawn hair:

Refers to the length of hair within a weft that has been cut from one end only which means there will be varying lengths of hair (i.e. 16" hair my have 12", 14" and 16")

Skin Top/Part:

A skin part means the wig is parted in a fixed location, and gives the illusion of skin where it is parted. Wigs with a skin part are more affordable than a full monofilament and still give you a very natural look.

Standard Cap:

A standard cap is the most common and most affordable cap design. The layers of hair are open-wefted in the back and sides to allow for ventilation and have a closed lace layer at the crown. The hair at the crown is often lightly teased or crimped so you cannot see down through the cap. This type of cap often gives the hair a natural lift at the crown for volume.

Stretch Lace:

Allows the wig to conform to the shape of your head, giving you a secure, comfortable fit.

Style memory:

Every synthetic wig has its "Style" baked into it, whether it is curled or straight.

Swatches:

a small section of hair used as a sample for color, texture, and/or fiber

Switch Attachment:

An elastic loop attachment that acts like a ponytail holder to attach the hair piece.

Thin Wefts:

A revolutionary technique that allows hair to be more evenly distributed so your wig is much more comfortable to wear and easier to style.

Weaving:

The process of forming a base (or track) along the scalp to attach wefted hair.

Wefts:

Strands of hair fibers are sewn together at one end to make a curtain of hair. These wefts are sewn onto the cap to simulate natural hair.

Wing Comb:

Strong combs that have teeth evenly spaced so that when pushed together the teeth hold and interlock in and under your own hair.

Yaki:

A relaxed texture for ethnic weave styles. It has a crimped, coarse look.