How to Choose Raw Hair Bundles for Salon Clients
To choose raw hair bundles for salon clients, match the texture to each client, buy enough grams for fullness, and verify the hair is unprocessed and cuticle aligned. Raw hair means hair that is not steamed, permed, dyed, or coated, so it usually colors more safely in the salon. Since “raw” is used loosely, you need a few ordering checks before trusting a new vendor.
What actually counts as raw hair?
Raw hair is single-donor, unprocessed, and collected with cuticles facing one direction. Virgin hair usually means uncolored and unprocessed but may come from multiple donors, while Remy hair is a broader term for hair kept with cuticles aligned. Cuticle aligned means the outer scales run root-to-tip, so the hair tangles less and washes like a client’s own. If a supplier sells ten bright stock colors and calls all of it raw, ask more questions. True raw inventory changes by donor, so color and texture can vary between batches.
How many bundles do I need for a full sew-in?
A standard bundle weighs 95–115 grams, and most sew-ins need three to four bundles. Use three for 10–14 inches, three to four for 16–22 inches, and four or more past 24 inches; longer bundles often have narrower wefts for the same weight. A closure or frontal is a top piece that covers the leave-out, and it can let you drop one bundle if the client does not want extra fullness. Machine or hand-tied wefts—hair stitched onto a track—work for sew-ins, while bulk hair for braiding is loose hair with no track. Track grams, not just the number on the tag.
Which textures should a salon keep in stock?
Start with textures your chair requests every week, not one of every curl pattern. Most salons can stock straight, body wave, deep wave, and one curly texture, then treat kinky looks as custom orders. For natural hair, match coil pattern, shrinkage, and density—how full each square inch looks; this guide on raw kinky curly hair goes deeper. Keep two staple lengths in your best seller and make longer lengths prepaid or display only. That frees cash while clients still have hair to touch.
How do you check raw bundle quality before install?
Run fingers from root to tip, then back up. It should glide downward and catch slightly upward; if it feels slick both ways, silicone may be coating the cuticle. Wet a small section, shampoo once, and comb from the ends. A little shedding is normal, but tangling, lint clouds, or chemical smells are red flags. Ask for natural-light videos, then order one sample and color a small piece before buying a full salon batch.
Raw Hair Bundles FAQ
Is paying more for raw bundles worth it?
Usually, if clients color, reuse, or keep installs for several wears. Raw hair costs two to three times processed stock, so expect one to three weeks for custom textures instead of promising Saturday delivery.
How do I make raw hair services more profitable?
Sell longevity, color flexibility, and a natural finish rather than just the strand. This guide on marketing raw hair helps frame the upgrade to high-end clients.
Your first order doesn’t need to be huge. When you’re ready, shop hair extensions by testing one texture and letting client feedback guide reorders.
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