A guide to the terms used on our site.

Glossary

Please reach out if you have any questions about these terms, or about terms not listed!

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Click any word below to be brought to the definition:

3/4 Wig
Addition
Advanced Stage Progressive Hair Loss
Average Cap
Average/Large Cap
Beginning Stage Progressive Hair Loss
Black Wigs

Blending
Blonde Wigs
Bob Wigs
Brunette Wigs
Cap
Capless
Chignon
Claw Clip
Color Ring
Crown
Cuticle
Curly Wigs 
Double Monofilament Cap
Enhancer

Fringe
Grey Wigs
Hand Tied 
Headband Wigs 

Heat Friendly Hair Fibers
High Density Wigs
Human Hair Blends
Human Hair Wigs
Kanekalon Fiber
Lace Front Wigs
Large Cap
Layered Wigs
Long Length Wigs
Low Density Wigs
Medium Density Wigs 
Medium Length Wigs 
Memory Cap 
Mid Stage Progressive Hair Loss 
Monofilament 
Monofilament Crown Cap 
Monofilament Part Cap 
Monofilament Top Cap 
Nape 
Open Box 
O'Solite


Petite Cap
Petite/Average Cap
Pixie Cut Wigs
Red Wigs
Remy Human Hair
Rooted Wigs
Shag Wigs
Sheer Indulgence
Short Length Wigs
Skin Part
Standard Cap
Straight Wigs
Synthetic Wigs
Thin Wefts
Ultra/Petite Cap
Wavy Wigs
Weaving
Wefts
Wig Cap
Wigs With Bangs
Wiglet


3/4 Wig or Fall
A hairpiece worn with your own hair to easily and quickly add length, volume, texture, and/or color to your own style. You wear the 3/4 wig on the back half of your head and style your own hair in the front to blend with it. Some 3/4 wigs are made with a base that attaches to the top of the head with either combs or clips sewn into the base. Others feature a half-cap or 3/4-cap (a bit smaller than a full wig cap). The front is placed on the head just behind the ears and the back fits over the nape. It is secured with combs or clips sewn into the cap.

Addition, Wiglet or Enhancer
A hairpiece with a base that is smaller than a full-cap wig. Wiglets are worn to fill in areas of thinness. They come in many different varieties and sizes. Some have honeycomb bases with room to pull your own hair through, while others attach with clips or combs.

Advanced Stage Progressive Hair Loss 
Advanced Stage Progressive Hair Loss is the last stage of hair loss before you enter the bald stage. At this stage your hair loss is very noticeable and there are large areas of the scalp that are completely bald. Many people at this point choose to wear a hair piece. Some might opt for a large base size topper as they work well to completely conceal hair loss while others might choose to shop for a full wig depending on their comfort.

Average Cap Size
The average cap size is generally the following measurements:
Around the Head - 21 1/2"
Front to Back - 14 1/4"
Ear to Ear - 13 1/2"

Average/Large Cap Size
The average/large cap size is generally the following measurements:
Around the Head - 22 1/2"
Front to Back - 14 3/4"
Ear to Ear - 13 3/4"

Beginning Stage Progressive Hair Loss
Beginning stage progressive hair loss from alopecia and other skin diseases is the earliest stage of hair loss and can be temporary or permanent. This stage of progressive hair loss follows a specific pattern, with men typically experiencing recession at the temples and women diffused or scattered hair loss in the front hair line or middle parting. At this stage it is very minimal hair loss. This is a great stage to look for a smaller base size hair topper.

Black Wigs
Black hair is the darkest and most common hair color, coming in some of the most trending synthetic and human hair wigs. The high quantities of eumelanin pigment create a range of hues from a rich chocolate brown, black to a deep violet black, offering an array of beautiful depth and richness.

Blending
To achieve the most realistic color gradations in a final wig, hairpiece, or extension, multi-colors of fiber are mixed together. This process is called "hackling" or "blending."

Blonde Wigs
Blonde wigs are natural in color, featuring low levels of brown eumelanin and an absence of other pigments. This creates a golden or pale-yellow hue, making for a lighter shade of hair. Perfect for a soft, natural look.

Bob Wigs
Bob Wigs are short to medium length; these wigs provide an illusion of thicker hair while texturizing and framing your face for a stylish look. The typical bob is one-length without layers, making this hair style a popular pick with minimal maintenance and an effortless style. There are many other hair styles of bob cut wigs including angled bob, A-line bob, Asymmetrical bob, etc.

Brunette Wigs
Brunette wigs are the second most common hair color and vary from light to medium dark. They contain low levels of pale pheomelanin which gives it a yellowish to reddish color hue and high levels of dark eumelanin which gives it a brownish to blackish color hue. Many shades of these wigs can complement one's skin tone and complete any look.

Cap
The base or skeleton that gives the wig its shape and a base to attach hair to.

Capless
A capless wig is very similar to the standard cap design. However, it does not have the closed lace layer at the crown. It is open-wefted in the back, sides, and crown. This allows for maximum ventilation. It is also the lightest weight cap you can purchase.

Chignon
A small hairpiece worn as a bun on the lower back of the head.

Claw Clip
A hair clip with two claws on a spring. This type of clip is very easy to put on and take off.

Color Ring
A manufacturer's ring of color swatches. Each color is shown on an actual hair sample, not a photo, so you can see what the color really looks like.

Crown
The crown is the top of the head. The hair starting at the top of the wig is measured to find the length marked 'crown'.

Cuticle
The cuticle is the outer layer of the hair follicle. Hair has three layers: a cuticle, which is the outer layer; a cortex, which is the middle layer, composed primarily of keratin and moisture, plus melanin, which gives our hair its color; and a medulla, which is the center of the hair shaft.

Curly Wigs
Curly wigs offer the perfect balance between texture and volume, creating a glamorous yet manageable look. With higher maintenance required, you can enjoy luxurious locks that last all day long.

Double Monofilament Cap
Double Monofilament Caps offer a second layer of fine micro mesh to protect your scalp from hand knotting and irritation, making it ideal for those with sensitive skin, or those suffering from alopecia and other hair loss diseases. The soft, silky, and luxurious base provides superior scalp protection and comfort for those with complete hair loss. Each hair is individually knotted into the mesh giving versatile styling options with multidirectional natural hair movement. These caps are made to be made more lightweight, and comfortable, blending in with the scalp to give the appearance of real hair.

Enhancer, Wiglet, or Addition
A hairpiece with a base that is smaller than a full-cap wig. Wiglets are worn to fill in areas of thinness. They come in many different varieties and sizes. Some have honeycomb bases with room to pull your own hair through, while others attach with clips or combs.

Fringe
Another name for the fringe is the bangs. The hair at the front/top of the wig is measured to find the length marked 'fringe'.

Grey Wigs
Grey wigs come in a wide range of shades, from ashy and cool tone to neutral and achromatic due to the low levels of melanin. Grey hair styles can subtly transform your look from soft to daring. These wigs are the perfect way to update your look without making drastic changes.

Hand-Tied
A wig cap that replaces the wide stretch lace used in most of today's wigs with a thinner, more resilient stretch material that actually molds to the shape of the head for a lighter, more secure fit. Tying by hand is not as tight as machine tied which allows the strands to be shifted. By shifting the strands, you can change the part and look of the wig.

Headband Wig
A half-cap or 3/4-cap wig that attaches with a hard or soft headband at the front. You can wear your own bangs slicked back underneath the headband or worn styled on the outside.

Heat-Friendly Hair Fibers
Heat Friendly hair fibers are thinner fibers than the traditional synthetic hair for a more genuine look and texture while still maintaining their durable wear. These hair fibers are lightweight, making them ideal for everyday wear. They can be styled with heat styling tools on lower settings up to 240-350 degrees Fahrenheit, giving you the flexibility to customize your look every day. One feature of heat friendly wigs is they have style memory meaning once the fibers have been styled with heat the style will remain until heat is applied again. Water does not remove the style and the style will last through washes. You may need to apply heat periodically to remove tangles, fly aways, and rough texture. Heat Friendly hair fibers require minimal maintenance compared to human hair fibers, making them a great choice for busy lifestyles.

High Density Wigs
High density wigs create a large, voluminous look that is fuller and harder to maintain than lower density options. This advanced design offers the most styling options for a truly unique look.

Human Hair Blends
Human Hair Blends are a perfect blend of human and synthetic hair. This combination of materials can vary depending on the manufacturer. The combination of hair blends makes these wigs stronger, more durable, and more versatile than either alone, giving you longer wear. These blends are airier and are lighter in weight than human hair wigs. Human hair blends are specially crafted to provide authentic texture and movement as well as greater versatility for styling. Wigs with human hair blends give you the flexibility to apply heat tools and style the wig to your liking. Styling human hair blends last longer than human hair wigs since synthetic hair fibers are woven throughout. These wigs require more maintenance than the simple synthetic hair wigs but less than human hair wigs

Human Hair Wigs
Wigs made of human hair are primarily cut in India and China. Wigs made with Human Hair are very durable, however they require more upkeep than synthetic wigs and must be styled on a regular basis. Generally speaking, Human Hair wigs are much heavier than their Synthetic counterparts and more expensive.

Kanekalon Fiber
The Kanekalon Fiber is a modacrylic fiber composed of a combination of two monomers: acrylonitrile and vinyl chloride which are joined together in a process called Co-polymerization. Co-polymerization produces a dry resin which is in turn dissolved into a liquid state, or dope. This solution is forced through a multi-hole metal disk called an aspinnerette, then into a water bath where it coagulates to form continuous strands. These strands or filaments called "tow" are then dried and stretched and finally become fiber as we know it.

Lace Front Wigs
Lace front wigs include a very fine, peach-colored mesh along the front hairline. The lace must be adhered by a glue or tape and is covered with makeup for a nearly undetectable foundation.

Large Cap Size
The large cap size is generally the following measurements:
Around the Head - 23"
Front to Back - 15 1/4"
Ear to Ear - 14"

Layered Wigs
Layered wigs provide a realistic look, with an illusion of length and volume. Texturizing the ends remove weight and bulk, making it easy to manage. With a shorter base layer and extended bottom length, this wig is perfect for achieving effortless style.

Long Length Wigs
Long length wigs offer options from shoulder length and below, with many different styling options for fuller looks that require higher maintenance. Achieve a variety of looks while still maintaining a professional, polished style.

Low Density Wigs
Low Density wig offers a light, natural look thanks to its thin hair and minimal permatease. It has an authentic appearance compared to your biological hair, while still using less hair than a medium or high-density wig for a light, comfortable fit.

Medium Density Wigs
Medium density wigs are carefully crafted to closely replicate the density of natural human hair, making it a popular choice. With its more realistic volume and a fuller and thicker appearance, it increases your styling options and gives you a more authentic look.

Medium Length Wigs
From chin length to shoulder length, medium length wigs provide a lightweight alternative to longer hair styles while still giving you versatile styling options. Medium length wigs are easier to maintain, while their length makes them faster to style than longer wigs.

Memory Cap
A wig cap that replaces the wide stretch lace used in most of today's wigs with a thinner, more resilient stretch material that actually molds to the shape of the head for a lighter, more secure fit.

Mid Stage Progressive Hair Loss
Mid Stage Progressive Hair Loss is the stage when your hair is thinning and balding at the scalp making your scalp visible. This typically occurs at the top or crown of the head also known as the vertex scalp. This hair loss progression can be caused by a wide range of causes including alopecia, cancer, or other medical issues. At this stage of hair loss, it is beginning to look more noticeable. Medium size base toppers are a great choice for this stage of hair loss.

Monofilament
A type of wig base made of fine mesh. Hair is individually knotted onto the mesh which gives the wearer the ability to style the hair in any direction. The light mesh is airy, comfortable, and nearly undetectable because it blends in with the wearer's own scalp. Some wigs feature 100% monofilament caps, while others utilize a monofilament area only at the top. Some wigs feature a monofilament crown which has a small monofilament portion about the size of a quarter at the back of the crown.

Monofilament Crown Cap
The Monofilament Crown Cap is designed with ventilation and a natural appearance in mind. Its transparent lace crown gives the illusion of a real scalp while the individually hand knotted synthetic or human hair fibers are woven into the lace for natural hair movement and a variety of styling options. It features the perfect combination of a machine weft cap and monofilament cap to provide one of the best ventilated cap constructions. Monofilament Crown Caps provide a natural contour, the look of genuine hair growth and the inside wefting mimics a natural hairline.

Monofilament Part Cap
Monofilament Part Caps are designed with each hair hand-tied into soft lace at the front of the cap for a natural-looking hairline and part. The lace front offers unlimited styling options and flexible parting, allowing you to create the look you desire. The sides and back are machine wefted for maximum breathability and ventilation. In addition to the breathable, natural, and the free-flowing movement of hair fibers, this cap feels smoother on the scalp compared to more traditional caps such as a standard or wefted cap.

Monofilament Top Cap
A Monofilament Top Cap has a sheer base with synthetic or human hair fibers hand tied into it to imitate natural hair movement and provide superior comfort on the scalp. The sheer base construction is airy and lightweight to cool the scalp as well as reducing irritation to the skin. Monofilament Top Caps give a wider capacity for parting and styling with the illusion of follicular growth and a realistic scalp appearance. The mesh base provides a soft and flatter finish. The remaining cap construction is machine wefted to increase durability and breathability.

Nape
The nape is the back of the neck. The hair starting at the back of the neck is measured to find the length marked 'nape'.

Open Box
This means one or more of the following: store display item, item returned for color or style, cancelled orders, clearance sale, overstock, etc.

O'Solite
The cap construction is cool, lightweight and secure. The fiber mix is new, but thoroughly tested, and feels as soft as real hair. Yet, it has enough body and memory to keep its style.

Petite Cap Size
The petite cap size is generally the following measurements:
Around the Head - 21"
Front to Back - 13 1/4"
Ear to Ear - 13"

Petite/Average Cap Size
The petite/average cap size is generally the following measurements:
Around the Head - 21 1/4"
Front to Back - 13 3/4"
Ear to Ear - 13 1/4"

Pixie Cut Wigs
Pixie wigs provide a modern and edgy style to enhance your face shape. Featuring a very short back and sides, with longer length on top and usually short wispy bangs swept to the side. This style has tightly cropped layers to create a tousled and texture effect. This style is perfect for anyone looking for an airy, lightweight, and easy to style everyday wig. The subtle and feminine look will make heads turn!

Red Wigs
Red hair wigs or commonly known as ginger hair are a unique, vibrant shade due to their low levels of eumelanin and really high levels of red/yellow pigment called pheomelanin. These wigs provide a hue ranging from copper to rosy, blonde hair blends.

Remy (Remi) Human Hair
Human hair that has not been weakened by stripping. Unlike most human hair used in wigs and hairpieces, Remy hair is created by careful processing which leaves the cuticle in place. The result is stronger, superior hair. To avoid tangling, Remy hair strands must all be aligned so the cuticle runs in the same direction. Remy hair is more expensive than cuticle-free human hair, and is also referred to as cuticle hair.

Rooted Wigs
Rooted Wigs can elevate your everyday look and add a realistic touch. Featuring a darker root gradually blending to a lighter base color, rooted wigs provide the most natural look for a wig or topper. Adding dimension to your style, Rooted Wigs are versatile style-wise. The color contrast can be as dramatic or a tamer as you would like. A larger difference in contrasting colors can highlight your facial features, creating bold and unique results.

Shag Wigs
Shag wigs are the perfect edgy and simple look. It features choppy and feathered layers ranging from the shortest layers at the top and the longest layers at the bottom for tousled volume, creating a stylish, textured look. This style will add fullness around the crown and will thin around the edges, some hair styles blend into wispy bangs and fringe. Shag wigs can range from different hair types and lengths, ensuring you will find the perfect everyday wig for you.

Sheer Indulgence
Raquel Welch's monofilament technology featuring individually hand knotted hair for a completely natural, lightweight look, a soft, luxurious comfort, and hair that brushes in any direction for easy parting and styling.

Short Length Wigs
Our version of short length wigs is chin length and above. These wigs are lightweight and easy to style, so you get a polished look with minimal effort. Perfect for those who want to make a statement without sacrificing comfort.

Skin Part
A skin part means the wig is parted in a fixed location, and gives the illusion of skin where it is parted. Wigs with a skin part are more affordable than a full monofilament and still give you a very natural look.

Standard Cap
A standard cap is the most common and most affordable cap design. The layers of hair are open-wefted in the back and sides to allow for ventilation and have a closed lace layer at the crown. The hair at the crown is often lightly teased or crimped so you can not see down through the cap. This type of cap often gives the hair a natural lift at the crown for volume.

Straight Wigs 
Straight wigs provide a smoother, less tangled texture and sleek style. Perfect for any occasion, they are extremely versatile and are easy to maintain. These hair fibers make a 360-degree spiral around, completing a full circle at the twist.

Synthetic Wigs
Wigs made primarily of modacrylic fibers that have the look and feel of real hair. The fibers have memory which allows the original styling to be restored in most cases by simply spraying with a water bottle and drying from underneath. An additional advantage is that synthetic fibers are not porous and cannot absorb odors.

Thin Wefts
A revolutionary technique that allows hair to be more evenly distributed so your wig is more comfortable to wear and much easier to style.

Ultra/Petite Cap
Ultra Petite Caps is a collection of cap constructions intentionally crafted to comfortably fit extra small head sizes. These caps are designed with children, teens, and ultra petite women in mind. The circumference reaches 19 inches, 2 inches shorter than a petite size cap and an 2.5 inches shorter than an average size cap.

Wavy Wigs
Wavy wigs offer an S-shaped pattern, going from side to side, to provide natural volume and texture, creating a fuller look. It requires more maintenance than a straight wig, but the finished look is worth it.

Weaving
The process of forming a base (or track) along the scalp to attach wefted hair.

Wefts
Strands of hair fibers are sewn together at one end to make a curtain of hair. These wefts are sewn onto the cap to simulate natural hair.

Wig Cap
A thin, stretchy, close-fitting cap that is worn underneath a wig to secure the wearer's own hair. Our wig caps are available in nylon, fishnet, and cotton.

Wigs With Bangs
Wigs with bangs provide a voluminous, youthful hair style with a polished finish. Versatile enough to transform any face shape, soft wispy bangs can contrast sharp jawlines, while dramatic side bangs add dimension to rounder faces. Bangs can alter and highlight your favorite facial features.

Wiglet, Enhancer or Addition
A hairpiece with a base that is smaller than a full-cap wig. Wiglets are worn to fill in areas of thinness. They come in many different varieties and sizes. Some have honeycomb bases with room to pull your own hair through, while others attach with clips or combs.