If you caught Part 1: The Hair Extension Truth No One’s Talking About, you’ll know I had a LOT of questions, and even more curiosity about Hair Extension Manufacturing.

Over the past two years, I’ve travelled to China three times, walking factory floors, meeting leading manufacturers face-to-face, and testing more hair than I could ever count. I’ve seen incredible craftsmanship… and I’ve seen some serious marketing BS.

And after everything I’ve witnessed, one thing has become unmistakably clear:

Asian hair isn’t the problem.
The manufacturing is.

This single misunderstanding is at the heart of so much confusion in our industry.

You’ve probably seen extensions labelled as “Russian” or “European” hair... sometimes with surprisingly cheap price tags, sometimes with shockingly high ones. Then there’s Asian and Indian hair… again, available across every possible price point.

So what actually makes hair “good”?
Why does the same origin vary so wildly in price and quality?

Here’s the truth most brands won’t tell you and what every stylist and client deserves to know before they buy.

Let’s break it down.

 

Why I went to China

After years of working in my Salon, I kept running into the same problems: inconsistent quality, unreliable shipping, extensions that looked amazing at first and then fried weeks later + not enough shade variety for clients.

I realised that if I wanted to build something genuinely better, I had to understand the process from the ground up. So I went straight to the source.

Those trips completely changed how I buy, test, and sell hair, and how I teach other stylists to do the same.

 

Let’s clear something up:

For years, stylists and clients have blamed “Chinese” or “Asian” hair for poor quality.
But here’s the truth: some of the best hair in the world comes out of China... and some of the worst does too.

The difference isn’t where it comes from.
It’s how it’s processed, how it’s tested, and who you’re buying from.

So before we point fingers, let’s talk about what actually makes or breaks hair quality.

What I learnt from being on the factory floor:

______________

 1. The Speed of Processing

This is the big one:  and it’s where most brands take shortcuts.

When raw dark hair is lightened, it goes through what’s called a slow colour bath (bleach soak).

• Some factories rush it in 3 days to keep costs low.

• Others take 5 to 9 days, slowly lifting the pigment while keeping the cuticle intact.

Guess which one lasts longer? 😏
A slower, gentler lift means stronger, silkier, longer-lasting hair.. but it also costs more time and money.

This is a leading cause for why cheap hair rarely stays beautiful beyond a few washes.

 

2. The Mix

If a manufacturer wants to lower prices even further, they start mixing hair types.

You’ll often find:

• Remy hair (cuticle aligned, healthy)

• Non-Remy hair (mixed directions, from hairbrush or floor collections)

• Synthetic fibres like Kanekalon

Non-Remy hair gets acid washed to stop matting, then silicone coated to feel smooth.
It looks glossy out of the pack... until that coating fades, revealing dry, over-processed strands underneath.

True Remy hair needs care and patience, not shortcuts.

That’s why at SHE, we only use 100 % true Remy human hair, cuticle aligned, ethically sourced, and never mixed with synthetics.

3. The silicone illusion

If your extensions feel super slippery straight out of the packet, that’s not necessarily good.
That’s usually a heavy silicone layer masking damage from aggressive bleaching.

Once that layer washes off (especially if you use keratin or protein-based products), the reality shows up, brittle, dull hair that tangles easily.

At SHE, our hair extensions are free from Silicone coating and tested harder.
So what you feel on day one is what you’ll still feel after months of wear.

4. Is Russian Hair better?

Truth bomb: True Russian hair is very rare, which is why genuine supply is very expensive. Most women in Russia and Eastern Europe don’t grow long virgin hair, and fewer still are willing to sell it. Because of this scarcity, the limited amount that does reach the market comes at a premium.

One of the reasons Russian hair is so desirable is because it typically starts from lighter natural levels.
This means it needs far less chemical lightening to achieve blonde shades. Less processing = less damage, which can mean:

✅ Better cuticle integrity
✅ A more natural texture 
✅ Option for a natural wave/curl
✅ Longer wear

I've broken down more about Russian Hair here, and what you're actually seeing if you find cheap "Russian/European" Hair for sale. 

5. Building transparent relationships

Factories are run by people, and people make choices.
Some manufacturers genuinely care about craft and reputation. Others chase speed and volume.

That’s why I travel to China myself: to meet lots of different teams, inspect processes, and build real relationships.
Because when you know the people behind your product, you know they’ll care about every strand that leaves their hands.

6. The transparency gap

Here’s the uncomfortable truth:
A lot of “luxury” brands rely on their customers not knowing how manufacturing works.

They’ll use exotic-sounding terms like “Russian” or “European” to justify higher prices, even when the hair was sourced, processed, and packed in China.

My mission isn’t to expose anyone. It’s to educate stylists and empower clients so they know what they’re investing in.

Transparency doesn’t just build trust, it builds better businesses.

 

7. Order Volume = Quality (in Most Cases)

This one hurts, but it’s true.
Manufacturers often send perfect samples, and then adjust quality based on your order volume and price point.

This means that if you’re not building a long-term partnership with your supplier, you might not get the same consistency every time.

That’s why SHE’s approach is relationship-first. We pay more for slower processes, consistent quality, and transparency, every single order. We're also in touch with our manufacturer weekly.

 

What quality really means in the hair extension world

Quality isn’t a word. It’s a process.

It’s about how long the hair is processed, how gently it’s treated, and whether the factory values people and craft over profit.

At SHE, we stands for: slow processing, strict testing, ethical sourcing, and a 12-month wear guarantee that’s backed by real data, not marketing fluff.

“The goal isn’t to sell more hair.
It’s to raise the standard of what good hair should be.”

What this means for you

✨ Stylists & Salons: Ask questions. Build relationships with suppliers who show you their process, not just their marketing.

💛 Clients: Don’t let price tags fool you. Quality extensions should last, blend, and still feel incredible after months of wear.

🌏 Industry: We can do better and it starts with transparency.

Interested in more?
Check out part 3 of this mini series:

Your Quality Hair Extension Checklist
Coming next month x

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