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If you want to change your hairstyle as often as you change your shoes, hair weaving caps -- more commonly known as cap weaves or quick weaves -- are your new BFF. The hair in a cap weave is attached to a closely fitting mesh stocking cap, not bonded to your scalp or to your own hair. This makes swapping out hairstyles as simple as putting on a hat, and may help preserve the health of your natural hair to boot. Experts who know a thing or two about weaves say the key to finding the best cap weave is to consider what you want from a weave and how much effort and money you want to devote to your new look.
Human Hair
The gurus at Coco & Creme, a site devoted to beauty and fashion for young African-American women, say you have two choices when it comes to picking out a cap weave made from human hair: those made from remy hair, and those made from non-remy hair. Weaves made from remy hair are priciest since they feature hair that has the natural cuticle-to-root alignment kept intact. Non-remy hair lacks this natural alignment and is more prone to tangling than remy hair weaves. A human hair cap weave is best for you if you're willing to pay top price for a weave and have the time to shampoo, condition and style your weave just as you would your natural hair.
Synthetic Hair
Cap weaves made from synthetic hair are less expensive and easier to take care of than human hair weaves. They're manufactured from a variety of different high-quality synthetic fibers including polyester, silicone and monofilaments. Wigs.com claims that they mimic natural hair so closely, only an expert can tell they're not all-natural. A synthetic hair cap weave is the best choice for you if you want get-up-and-go style. The fibers in these weaves hold the style they were designed with, so you'll look like you've spent quality time with a curling iron or straightener when all you did was slip it on and run out the door. The downside is that the style you get is the one you're stuck with for the weave's life -- using any type of hair styling implement on a synthetic hair cap weave can damage it permanently.
Style
Cap weaves come in a dizzying array of lengths and fashions, from trendy bobs to masses of curls to the straight, sleek look. To find one that looks as flattering and natural as possible, Wigs Us advises you to first make three measurements of your head: your head circumference, ranging from the top of your hairline, behind the ears and around the nape of your neck; across the top of your head from the tip of one ear to the other; and in a straight line from your hairline to your nape. Once you have a good-fitting cap weave, Wigs.com recommends having it shaped by a professional hair stylist.
Recommended Brands
If you have your heart set on a human hair cap weave, Coco & Creme says top brands for remy hair include Extensions Plus, Bohyme and Wagman's Hair. Its favorite non-remy picks are ModelModel and Shake-N-Go's MilkyWay line. For a synthetic hair weave, take a look at Sensationnel's Kanubia weaves and Outre's Batik synthetic offerings.
