Different Types of Wigs and Their Names for Hair Buyers

Different types of wigs play an essential role in today’s beauty and hair industry, especially for salons, stylists, and wholesale buyers. This guide explains the most common wig types and their names, helping professionals choose the right products for real market demand. If you work with wigs daily selling, installing, or sourcing understanding these differences directly impacts quality, pricing, and customer satisfaction.

What Are Wigs? (And Why Wigtypes Matter in B2B)

A wig is a hairpiece designed to cover part or all of the scalp, made from either human hair or synthetic fibers. While end users often focus on appearance, B2B buyers must think further: durability, install time, resale value, and repeat orders.

In major markets such as the US, UK, Europe, and Africa, wigs serve multiple purposes fashion, protective styling, medical hair loss, and professional styling. Choosing the wrong wig type for the wrong audience often leads to slow inventory turnover or customer complaints. That’s why understanding wig categories is not optional for salons and distributors it’s a business requirement.

Different Types of Wigs and Their Names for Hair Buyers

Different Types of Wigs by Construction

Lace Front Wigs

Lace front wigs feature a lace panel at the front hairline, creating a natural-looking edge when installed correctly. They are among the most widely sold wig types because they balance realism with manageable cost.

For salons, lace front wigs work well for everyday clients who want a natural hairline without the higher price of full lace. For wholesalers, this category offers stable demand and predictable reorder cycles. Many salons stock lace front wigs for professional use as part of their core wig services.

Full Lace Wigs

Full lace wigs are constructed entirely from lace, allowing parting anywhere on the head. This flexibility makes them ideal for updos, ponytails, and advanced styling.

These wigs are typically positioned as premium products. Salons often reserve them for high-ticket clients, while wholesalers use them to target luxury retailers and professional stylists.

HD Lace Wigs

HD lace wigs use ultra‑thin, high-definition lace that blends seamlessly with different skin tones. They are especially popular for photography, video content, and influencer marketing.

From a business perspective, HD lace wigs command higher margins but require consistent quality. Poor lace quality is immediately visible, making supplier reliability critical.

Closure Wigs

Closure wigs use a smaller lace or silk closure (commonly 4×4 or 5×5) rather than a full lace base. They are easier to install and maintain, making them ideal for beginner clients and fast salon turnover.

Many salons rely on closure wigs for walk‑in services, while wholesalers often include them as entry-level or bundle products.

Types of Wigs by Hair Material

Human Hair Wigs

Human hair wigs are valued for their natural movement, texture, and long lifespan. They can be washed, dyed, curled, and styled like natural hair, making them the preferred choice for professional use.

Common subcategories include:

• Virgin hair wigs
• Remy hair wigs
• Raw hair wigs
  

  Human Hair vs Synthetic Hair Extensions – What’s the Real Difference?

For salons, human hair wigs reduce styling limitations. For wholesale buyers, they offer higher repeat purchase rates when quality is consistent. Many professional buyers choose to work with a Vietnamese human hair wigs manufacturer to ensure stable supply and cuticle-aligned quality.
👉 Learn more about premium human hair wig production at Great Hair Vietnam hair factory.

Synthetic Wigs

Synthetic wigs are made from engineered fibers designed to mimic real hair. They are more affordable and often pre‑styled, which appeals to fashion retail and trend‑driven customers.

While synthetic wigs have shorter lifespans, they play an important role in price‑sensitive markets and seasonal collections.

If you’re new to wigs, the difference between human hair and synthetic hair can be confusing. We’ve broken this down clearly in another article that focuses on the hair itself not just wigs:
👉 human hair and synthetic hair

Popular Wig Styles and Their Names

Bob Wigs

Bob wigs are short, structured styles that consistently perform well across global markets. They require less hair, lower maintenance, and are easy to market.

Straight Wigs

Straight wigs offer a clean, polished look and are widely accepted across cultures. They are especially popular in human hair collections due to their versatility.

Curly and Wavy Wigs

Curly and wavy wigs add volume and texture, appealing to clients who prefer bold or natural‑texture looks. These styles often require higher hair quality to prevent tangling.

Which Wig Type Fits Which Buyer?

Common Mistakes Buyers Make When Sourcing Different Types of Wigs

Even experienced salons and wholesale buyers can make costly mistakes when selecting wig products. These issues usually don’t come from lack of budget but from misunderstanding how each wig type performs in real market conditions.

Choosing lace wigs without matching client skill level

Many buyers overstock full lace or HD lace wigs assuming “higher-end sells better.” In reality, salons serving everyday clients often struggle to install and maintain these wigs efficiently. This leads to slower service time, higher complaints, and unsold inventory.

Underestimating hair quality for curly or wavy wigs

Curly and wavy wigs require higher-grade hair to prevent tangling and matting. Buying low-quality human hair or mixed hair for textured styles often results in high return rates especially in humid markets.

Mixing synthetic and human hair lines without clear positioning

Some wholesalers fail to separate synthetic wig lines from human hair collections in pricing and messaging. This confuses retailers and damages brand trust when customers expect human hair performance at synthetic prices.

Ignoring market-specific preferences

What sells fast in one region may fail completely in another. Successful buyers source based on local demand, not global trends.

Wig Preferences by Market: US vs Africa

Understanding regional buying behavior is critical for inventory planning.

US Salon Market In the United States, salons prioritize natural appearance, versatility, and time efficiency.

US salon buyers typically favor:

• Lace front wigs for everyday clients
• HD lace wigs for content creators, bridal, and media work
• Human hair wigs with consistent texture and color lift

Why? US clients expect wigs to blend seamlessly, withstand styling tools, and last through multiple installs. Salons also value products that reduce installation time while maintaining a premium look.

African Market (Nigeria, Ghana, South Africa)

African markets tend to prioritize durability, volume, and bold styling.

Common preferences include:

• Full lace wigs for flexible styling
• Curly, kinky, and wavy textures
• High-density wigs with strong construction

In these markets, clients often wear wigs daily and for longer periods, making longevity and fullness more important than ultra-thin lace.

Buyers who fail to adapt inventory to these preferences often face slow sales or customer dissatisfaction

Expert Insight from a Wig Manufacturer

Based on over eight years supplying wigs to salons and wholesalers across the US, EU, and Africa, one pattern remains consistent: businesses succeed when they match wig types to real customer behavior, not trends alone.

One real example involved a US-based salon group that initially invested heavily in full lace wigs, expecting higher margins. However, their stylists struggled with longer installation times, and clients were unwilling to pay the added service cost. Inventory turnover slowed significantly.

After shifting focus to lace front and closure wigs better aligned with their service model the salon reduced install time, increased daily appointments, and improved repeat purchases within three months.

On the other hand, a wholesale buyer targeting the African market failed by importing low-density lace wigs designed for US salons. Customers rejected the products due to lack of volume and durability, leading to heavy discounting and losses.

The lesson is clear: successful sourcing is not about buying the best wig  it’s about buying the right wig for the right market.

Salons that focus only on premium wigs often limit volume, while wholesalers who rely only on low-cost synthetic wigs struggle with repeat buyers. A balanced inventory  combining lace construction options and hair materials consistently performs best.

This approach is central to how Great Hair wig manufacturing process supports long-term B2B partnerships.

FAQ – Different Types of Wig

What are the most popular types of wigs today?
Lace front wigs and human hair wigs remain the most popular due to their natural appearance and versatility.

What is the difference between lace wigs and closure wigs?
Lace wigs provide a wider lace area for natural hairlines, while closure wigs use smaller lace pieces and are easier to instal

Which wig types are best for salons?
Human hair lace wigs and HD lace wigs are preferred for professional salon services.

Are synthetic wigs suitable for wholesale buyers?
Yes. Synthetic wigs work well for entry‑level markets, seasonal collections, and trend‑focused retail.

Conclusion.

derstanding different types of wigs and their names helps salons and wholesale buyers make smarter sourcing decisions. When wig construction, hair material, and style are matched correctly to real market demand, businesses reduce returns, increase repeat orders, and build long-term trust with clients.

If you are sourcing wigs for salons, retail chains, or wholesale distribution, working with an experienced manufacturer matters as much as choosing the right wig type. Great Hair supports professional buyers with stable quality, transparent production, and flexible solutions tailored to different markets.

For product consultation, wholesale pricing, or factory-level information, you can contact the Great Hair team directly to discuss your specific business needs.

• WhatsApp: (+84) 81 328 2399
• Email: service.greathair@gmail.com
• Website: www.greathair.com.vn
• Instagram: great.hair.manufacturer

For a detailed breakdown of each method, you can explore this in-depth guide on different types of hair extensions