In the wig world, natural shades remain the most classic and versatile choice. A natural color human hair wig helps you achieve a realistic look that matches your skin tone and personal style. But what is a natural color in human hair wigs? In simple terms, it refers to shades that reflect real human hair colors, ranging from deep black to soft gray. This guide by Arabella Hair explains what these natural shades mean, highlights the most common options, and offers tips to choose the best one. Let's get started.
What is a Natural Color in Human Hair Wigs?
Natural color in human hair wigs refers to the original shade of human hair that has not been chemically dyed or bleached. This color usually appears as dark brown, black, or soft brown tones, depending on the donor’s natural hair shade. Because the strands keep their original human hair color, they maintain a realistic texture and shine, making them the most natural-looking wigs available. These wigs are often favored for their authenticity and flexibility, allowing wearers to style, bleach, or dye them as desired while keeping a lifelike appearance.
Common Natural Colors of Human Hair Wigs
When exploring natural color in human hair wigs, it's helpful to understand the range of shades that exist in real human hair. From deep blacks to light blondes, each tone reflects a unique beauty and complements different skin tones and styles. Below are the most common natural colors found in human hair wigs, giving you a clearer idea of which shade best matches your desired look and natural charm.
1. Black Hair
Black is the most common natural hair color worldwide. It is most often found among people from Asia, Africa, and parts of Latin America. This deep and rich tone gives black wig styles a sleek and elegant look that suits almost any complexion. In the wig industry, black shades are generally divided into two main types: Jet Black and Off or Natural Black. Jet Black has an intense, glossy finish that looks bold and dramatic, while Off/Natural Black appears softer and more realistic, closely resembling naturally dark human hair.
2. Brown Hair
Brown hair is the second most common natural hair color, found mainly among people in Europe, North America, and parts of Asia. It ranges from deep chocolate tones to light golden browns, offering a warm and natural appearance. In natural-colored human hair wigs, brown shades are especially popular for their soft, realistic look, which blends easily with many skin tones. A brown wig can come in various hues, such as dark brown, red brown, or light brown, giving wearers a wide selection to match their personal style and desired level of brightness.
3. Auburn Hair
A less common but distinctive human hair color, auburn hair is a blend of brown and red tones, creating a warm, coppery hue. This shade is most frequently associated with individuals of Celtic and Northern European descent. An auburn wig is not a single flat color; it ranges from a subtle reddish-brown to a more vibrant, ginger-kissed copper. Its defining characteristic is its rich warmth, offering a unique yet natural-looking alternative to standard browns, and it beautifully complements fair to medium skin tones with its radiant glow.
4. Blonde Hair
Blonde hair is relatively rare in natural human hair color, found mainly among people of Northern and Western European descent, particularly in countries like Sweden, Norway, and the UK. This color ranges from pale platinum to warm golden blonde, with shades like ash blonde and honey blonde adding to the variety. Blonde wigs are popular for their light, fresh appearance and are available in various tones to suit different skin types. These wigs offer a bright, youthful look while maintaining a natural finish, especially when crafted from high-quality human hair.
5. Red Hair
Naturally, the rarest of all natural colors in human hair wigs, genuine red hair occurs in only 1-2% of the global population. It is most strongly associated with Scotland and Ireland, though found across Northwestern Europe. In natural color in human hair wigs, red tones range from deep auburn to bright copper. A red wig adds warmth and personality, standing out while still appearing natural. It suits those who want a vibrant yet elegant look, and it pairs beautifully with neutral or earthy makeup tones for a balanced appearance.
6. White or Gray Hair
White and gray hair naturally appear as people age, starting in the 30s or 40s, though genetics can cause earlier graying. In human hair color, these shades reflect a loss of pigment, resulting in soft silver, light gray, or pure white tones. Wigs in white or gray are designed to look realistic and elegant, making them suitable for mature wearers or anyone seeking a sophisticated style. They are low-maintenance in terms of color fading and pair well with both bold and neutral outfits, offering a graceful, natural appearance.
Difference Between Natural Color and Colored Wigs
Understanding what is a natural color in human hair wigs helps distinguish them from dyed or fashion-colored wigs. While both are made from human hair color, the differences affect appearance, maintenance, and styling options.
● Color Origin: Natural color wigs mimic existing human hair color found in nature, while colored wigs feature artificial or fantasy shades like pastel pink, blue, or vibrant purple.
● Chemical Processing: To achieve a natural shade, the hair often undergoes minimal or no dyeing, preserving the hair's integrity. Fashion colors, however, require extensive bleaching and dyeing, which can weaken the hair strands.
● Hair Quality: As a result of the harsh processing, colored wigs may have a drier texture and be more prone to tangling and shedding compared to the often virgin or less-processed hair used in natural wigs.
● Versatility & Blend: Natural colors are designed to blend seamlessly with your bio hair and scalp, creating an undetectable look. Colored wigs are a bold statement piece and are much harder to integrate naturally.
● Longevity: With less chemical damage, natural color wigs typically have a longer lifespan, while the vibrancy and health of colored wigs can degrade faster.
How to Choose Natural Color for Human Hair Wigs
The right natural hair color enhances your beauty, while the wrong one can look stark and artificial. To guide you toward your ideal, natural-looking wig, here are key factors to consider.
Consider Your Skin's Undertone
This is the most crucial step. Cool undertones (veins appear blue, silver jewelry flatters) are complemented by shades like ash brown, platinum blonde, or jet black. Warm undertones (veins appear green, gold jewelry is better) glow with colors like golden blonde, honey brown, auburn, or rich chestnut.
Look at Your Natural Hair and Eyebrows
For the most undetectable blend, especially if you're not wearing the wig full-time, choose a color close to your bio hair. Your eyebrows also provide a great reference point; a wig color within two shades of your brow tone typically looks most cohesive.
Factor in the Season and Occasion
While personal preference reigns, deeper, richer shades like chocolate brown or auburn often feel more fitting for fall/winter. Lighter tones like honey blonde or light brown can feel fresh and bright for spring/summer. Also, consider if you need a conservative color for professional settings or feel free to experiment with a striking natural shade like vibrant red.
Reflect on Your Personal Style
Are you aiming for a low-maintenance, "this-is-my-hair" look, or do you want a change that still feels authentic? Sticking close to your natural color or a common shade like dark brown offers effortless realism. Opting for a less common natural color, like a bold red or platinum blonde, makes a stylish statement while remaining within the natural spectrum.
Conclusion
This blog answered the question of what is a natural color in human hair wigs, explored the human hair color spectrum, and offered selection tips. While investing in a high-quality natural color wig is rewarding, budgets are different. For such a luxurious human hair color experience, we highly recommend wig collections at Arabella Hair. It specializes in beautifully crafted wigs that bring the promise of natural-looking perfection to life, ensuring you find the ideal match for your unique elegance.
