How to Spot Real Raw Hair (5-Minute Test)

After months of research and testing, I developed this simple verification process:

Drop a small strand in water. Raw hair will:

• Sink gradually

• Maintain its natural pattern

• Feel slightly rough when wet (due to intact cuticles)

• Float or sink immediately

• Feel slippery when wet

• May release color into the water

   

 Burn a few strands:

• Raw hair: Burns slowly, smells like burning hair, leaves ash

• Synthetic blend: Melts, smells like plastic, leaves hard residue

• Over-processed: Burns too quickly, leaves little to no ash

Gently backcomb a small section:

• Raw hair: Minimal tangling, easy to detangle

• Processed hair: Tangles and it's difficult to smooth out

• Single donor sourcing (vs. multiple donor blends)

• No chemical processing (more labor-intensive to sort)

• Natural sorting by texture and color

• Longer collection time

• Higher demand, limited supply

• True raw hair: $150-250 per bundle (depending on length)

• High-quality processed: $80-150 per bundle

• Mid-range processed: $40-80 per bundle

• Budget processed: $20-40 per bundle