If you love wigs and weaves just as much as we do, you would have heard about Brazilian hair by now.

But have you ever put some thought into what exactly Brazilian hair is? You might be pleasantly surprised to find out some things about this type of hair that is used to craft some of the best wigs and weaves on the market.

So, if you are shopping for a new wig or weave, have a look at what Brazilian hair is, where it comes from, what the benefits of this type of hair are and how you should look after it to ensure that it will last you as long as possible.

In this definitive guide we discuss everything you must know about Brazilian wigs and weaves.

What exactly is Brazilian hair?

Brazilian hair is a type of hair that is used to make weaves and wigs. It is a very popular option in South Africa, and it is some of the better-quality hair used to make lovely pieces.

Brazilian hair is human hair and should be soft, thick and have a long lifespan. This kind of hair is easy to style and it is able to keep certain styles well. If you curl it, for example, Brazilian hair is supposed to hold that curl for an entire day. Because of the thickness of the hair, it makes it easy for you to add lots of volume to your hairstyle without too much effort.

Even though Brazilian hair does not tangle as easy as other types of hair, it will to a degree tangle here and there, just as your natural hair gets tangled a bit on a daily basis.

Where does Brazilian hair come from?

This might come as a shock to you, but the name Brazilian hair does not necessarily mean that your wig or weave comes straight out of Brazil. On the contrary, only a very small percentage of Brazilian hair is actually from this country.

Most of the hair that is used to make Brazilian wigs or weaves are sourced from countries in Asia, especially India and China. The largest producer of this type of hair is India, where there are certain cultural and religious practices in which people shave off their hair.

This hair is then processed and sold to make the beautiful wigs and weaves that you are able to buy. It might sound odd to buy hair that was once on the head of another person but rest assured that the hair goes through many processes to ensure that it is extremely clean and is in such a condition that your wig will last a long time.

What are the benefits of having a wig or weave made from Brazilian hair?

As mentioned before, Brazilian hair is human hair, which means that your wig or weave will last longer than other options available to you. If you look after your hair, the wig should last you more than a year.

A great benefit of buying that Brazilian hair wig or weave is that you have a lot of freedom to style it and colour it. You are able to cut it, use curlers and flat irons on it and dye it however you like. Just remember, like you would with your own hair, that overprocessing or too much heat will damage the hair strands.

Because of the great quality of Brazilian hair, it does not get tangled or matter as easily as other types of wigs or weaves. It also looks very natural and shiny.

Brazilian hair has a natural, high density, which means that is less likely to frizz up. You will also get away with using less bundles, but still achieve that voluminous, full look.

How to look after your Brazilian wig

For you to get the most and longest lifespan out of your Brazilian wig, you need to look after it.

Be sure to wash it regularly and carefully. Do not rub or wring your wig during the washing process. Apply conditioning treatments and heat-protectant products to ensure that your wig looks shiny, sleek and healthy.

Ensure that you also store your weave correctly. Hang it up on a mould or a hook to keep it from getting tangled or the wig cap from becoming stretched out.

Do not leave your wig in the sun as this can cause the colour of your wig to fade quicker.