Where Do Companies Get Hair for Extensions?
Hair extensions are one of the fastest-growing categories in the global beauty industry. Celebrities, influencers, brides, and everyday clients rely on extensions for added volume, length, color versatility, and confidence. Today, hair extensions are not just fashion accessories—they’re a major business opportunity for stylists, salons, and entrepreneurs building luxury beauty brands.
However, while consumers love the transformation hair extensions provide, many do not know the real story behind them. People often ask:
Is the hair ethically sourced and real human hair?
The truth is that hair sourcing is a complex global process involving different countries, cultural traditions, production systems, and quality levels. Some hair is donated, some is purchased, some is collected, and some is chemically processed from industrial waste hair. There are high-quality ethical suppliers—and there are suppliers selling mixed or synthetic hair.
Understanding where hair comes from helps consumers make informed choices and allows stylists to select responsible suppliers and premium quality products.
This in-depth guide will explain everything you need to know about where hair extension companies source hair, how the hair is collected, where the highest-quality hair comes from, the difference between ethical and unethical sourcing, and what to look for when choosing a hair supplier.
Where Does Human Hair for Extensions Come From?
Most human hair used in extensions comes from regions where hair donation or hair selling is part of cultural, economic, or religious practices.
Top Countries Hair Comes From
| Country | Reason for Supply & Source Type |
|---|---|
| India | Temple donations; single-donor hair |
| China | Largest processing & manufacturing hub |
| Vietnam | Long, thick, strong unprocessed hair |
| Cambodia | Durable, coarse-strand hair |
| Myanmar | Similar to Vietnamese sourcing |
| Russia & Eastern Europe | Luxury hair due to genetic thickness & limited availability |
| South America | Limited supply; often branding term |
| Brazil, Peruvian, Malaysian, etc. | Usually texture names, not actual country of origin |
Important Reality:
Marketing labels like Brazilian, Peruvian, Malaysian, and Mongolian hair refer mostly to texture styles, NOT sourcing location.
How Companies Obtain Hair
There are several common methods that hair extension manufacturers use to collect hair:
1. Temple Donations (Primarily India)
In India, millions of people participate in a religious practice called tonsure, where they shave their heads in temples as an act of devotion or gratitude. This hair is collected, cleaned, sorted, and sold at auction.
Why temple hair is valuable:
Natural, healthy hair grown without harsh chemicals
Collected as whole ponytails → cuticle aligned
Usually comes from a single donor
Ideal for raw or virgin extensions
100% ethically sourced—temples use proceeds for charity projects
This is one of the most respected and transparent hair sourcing systems in the world.
2. Voluntary Paid Donors
In countries like Vietnam, Cambodia, Russia, Ukraine, and rural China, women are paid to sell their long hair.
Advantages
Often untreated by chemicals & heat
Very high durability and quality
Strong strand structure & thickness
Eastern European hair is expensive due to rarity and high demand—often used for premium luxury extensions.
3. Hair Markets & Industrial Collection
In some regions, hair is gathered from salon floors, hairbrushes, and waste hair from community collection centers. Vendors chemically strip hair to remove cuticles, then coat it with silicone to make it appear smooth.
Characteristics of this hair type
Cuticles reversed or broken
Excessive shedding
Tangling and matting within days
Strong chemical smell
Temporary appearance of quality
This type of hair is often sold on low-cost wholesale platforms or bargain extensions.
4. Factory-Mixed or Synthetic Blended Hair
Low-cost hair suppliers often mix:
animal fibers
synthetic plastic fibers
acid-washed human hair
silicone-coated damaged hair
Found commonly on:
Amazon & eBay bargain listings
Cheap “hair vendors” on TikTok
Unverified Alibaba factories
Instagram resellers with no real installs
Different Types of Hair Quality
Understanding hair terminology helps identify sourcing quality and honesty.
| Type | Description | Longevity | Used For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Raw Hair | Completely unprocessed, natural | 3–5+ years | Premium extensions |
| Virgin Hair | Light steam processing only | 1–2 years | High-end retail & salon |
| Remy Hair | Cuticles aligned same direction | 6–12 months | Mid-range pro extensions |
| Non-Remy | Mixed cuticles, chemically stripped | Weeks | Cheap extensions |
| Synthetic / blend | Plastic fibers mixed | Days–weeks | Low-cost clip-ins, wigs |
| Silicone coated | Coated to appear smooth | Temporary | Fake quality deception |
Why Do Some Companies Have Better Quality Hair?
Because their sourcing, processing & quality control differ.
Factors that affect quality:
How hair is collected (donor vs floor collected)
Whether cuticles remain intact
Chemical vs steam process
Density and bundle fullness
Experience & ethics of factory
Storage and quality inspection steps
Cheap hair can look amazing for the first week—then become a disaster.
Ethical vs Unethical Hair Sourcing
Ethical sourcing ensures:
Fair compensation
Human respect
Honest supply chain
Environmental safety
Unethical sourcing includes:
exploitation and unfair wages
hair taken without consent
extreme chemical processing
How to Identify Ethically Sourced Hair
Ask suppliers these questions:
Where do you source your hair?
Is your hair single-donor or mixed?
Are donors paid fairly?
Is the hair raw, virgin, or Remy?
What processing is used?
Do you offer sample kits?
A reliable supplier will answer confidently.
Red Flags When Selecting a Hair Extension Company
No samples allowed
No return or warranty policy
Stock photos from other brands
Prices unrealistically low
Zero transparency regarding sourcing
No video proof of real installs
Strong chemical smell on samples
If quality seems too good for the price → it’s fake or low-grade.
How Stylists Test Hair Quality
Professional stylists run these tests before investing:
| Test | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Wash test | Check tangling & texture |
| Brush test | Check shedding |
| Heat test | Should not melt or burn |
| Bleach test | Lift without dissolving |
| Curl test | Ability to retain shape |
| Longevity test | Track performance over weeks |
Real quality reveals itself over time—not just on day one.
Companies Known for High-Quality Hair Sourcing
These brands are recognized by stylists for consistent excellence:
| Brand | Strength |
|---|---|
| Cooviphair | Raw/virgin hair, ethical sourcing, wholesale |
| Great Lengths | Premium Italian fusion hair |
| Covet & Mane | High-end hand-tied wefts |
| Bellami | Strong retail & education |
| HairDreams | European texture luxury wigs |
Final Thoughts
So—where do companies get hair for extensions?
Human hair is primarily sourced from:
Religious temple donations in India
Paid voluntary donors in Asia & Eastern Europe
Industrial hair markets
Hair collection centers and factories
The best hair companies:
Use ethical sourcing
Maintain cuticle direction
Process gently without harsh chemicals
Provide transparency and sample testing
The worst hair companies:
Mix synthetic fibers
Rely on floor-collected hair
Use heavy acid processing and silicone coatings
Mislead customers about origins and quality
Looking for an Ethical, High-Quality Hair Supplier?
If you're seeking premium hair extensions trusted by professional stylists worldwide, explore Cooviphair.
Cooviphair offers:
Raw and Virgin Human Hair
Butterfly, Hand-tied & Machine Wefts
Tape-ins, K-tips, I-tips & Fusion Bonds
HD lace wigs, closures & frontals
Wholesale & private label branding
Fast global shipping & excellent support
Premium hair = premium profit + premium client satisfaction.
Your clients deserve transparency, quality & trust. Choose ethical hair.
