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What a hair bundle actually is
A bundle is a length of human hair sewn along one edge onto a narrow fabric strip called a weft. That weft is what gets sewn, glued or clipped into place. Everything else — texture, length, grade, price — is a variation on that one object.
One bundle is about 100 grams. Roughly 3.5 ounces. That is the industry standard, and it is the number to check a seller against: a bundle that arrives noticeably lighter than 100g is a thin weft dressed up as a full one. Weight is the most honest spec in this category, because it cannot be photographed flatteringly.
A bundle is not a full head. This is the single most common first-purchase mistake. One bundle covers roughly a third of a head at shoulder length and less than that once you go long, which is why Mayvenn recommends three bundles from 16 inches up and two up to 14 inches. The calculator below settles the number for your specific install.
Bundles are sold by length in inches, measured straight. A 22-inch deep wave bundle is 22 inches of hair that hangs at about 16 once the curl takes its share back. Nobody is misleading you — it is simply how the category measures — but it is why the length tool on this page shows two marks instead of one.
Bundles go in one of four ways: sewn onto braided-down hair with some of your own left out to blend, sewn under a closure or frontal so none of your hair is exposed, bonded onto a cap for a quick weave, or sewn onto a wig cap to build a unit you can take off. The install does not change the bundle count, but it changes the lace piece you need a lot — that decision has its own page, the closures and frontals guide.
The question everyone asks first
How many bundles do you need?
Buying one bundle short is the most common mistake in a first install, and buying two too many is the most expensive one. Three taps and you will know.
The same answer, written down
Bundle count by length
The calculator above in table form, for anyone who would rather read it than tap it.
| Length | With a closure | With a frontal | Total hair |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12″–14″ | 2 bundles | 2 bundles | 200 grams |
| 16″–18″ | 3 bundles | 3 bundles | 300 grams |
| 20″–22″ | 3 bundles | 3 bundles | 300 grams |
| 24″–26″ | 3 bundles | 3 bundles | 300 grams |
| 28″ and up | 3 bundles | 3 bundles | 300 grams |
The closure or frontal covers the leave-out, so you do not need an extra bundle for it. What it changes is your parting, and the closures and frontals guide settles that choice. Buying three or more? Bundle deals are cheaper per bundle than three singles.
Inches, honestly
Where the length actually lands
Every inch chart on the internet is measured on straight hair pulled taut. Curl takes some of it back, which is why 22 inches of deep wave surprises people. Pick a texture and a length and see both marks at once. The full chart, every inch from 10 to 32, is in the hair length guide.
Texture
Measured from the crown on a 5′5″ frame. Your own height moves it an inch or so.
Measured vs worn
How much length each texture takes back
Nobody publishes these numbers, so here they are. This is the gap between the inches on the label and the inches in the mirror, by texture.
| Texture | Length it takes back | 22″ wears as | 26″ wears as |
|---|---|---|---|
| Straight | None | 22″ | 26″ |
| Yaki Straight | About 5% | 21″ | 25″ |
| Kinky Straight | About 8% | 20″ | 24″ |
| Body Wave | About 14% | 19″ | 22″ |
| Loose Wave | About 16% | 18″ | 22″ |
| Deep Wave | About 26% | 16″ | 19″ |
| Curly | About 32% | 15″ | 18″ |
The rule: if you want a specific worn length in a wavy or curly texture, order two to four inches longer than your target. Straight and yaki straight are the only textures where the label and the mirror agree.
Grades
Raw, virgin, Remy and everything else
Four words do most of the work in hair marketing, and only one of them describes something you can verify by touching the hair. Here is what each actually means.
Raw
One donor, premium grade
Collected from a single donor. Mayvenn’s raw hair is steam-set into its pattern, except Raw Temple Indian wavy and curly, which are left in the natural texture they grew in. No color and no blending, which is why raw hair comes in fewer textures and costs more. It also takes color and reinstalls better than anything else.
Virgin
Never chemically treated
No dye, no perm, no chemical straightening. Virgin hair may still be steam-processed into a texture and may be blended from more than one donor with matching cuticle direction. It is the workhorse grade: liftable to a 27, reinstallable several times, and the bulk of what most people should buy.
Remy
Cuticles all facing the same way
Remy describes direction, not purity. Every strand runs root-to-tip the same way, which is what stops hair from matting at the weft. Remy hair can still be colored or processed. A bundle can be Remy and not virgin, and that is fine — alignment is the property that governs tangling.
Non-Remy
Mixed directions, hidden with silicone
Collected from floors and brushes, so cuticles run both ways. Manufacturers coat it in silicone to make it feel smooth in the packet. It behaves beautifully for two washes, then the coating goes and the opposing cuticles lock into each other. This is what people mean when they say hair matted overnight.
Said plainly: virgin and Remy are unregulated marketing terms. No agency audits them and no certificate exists. Cuticle alignment is the property that matters, and the only reliable ways to check it are the tests further down this page and a return policy that lets you send the hair back if it fails them. Ours is 30 days.
Textures
Which texture to buy
Texture decides how the install reads and how much work it is. Match it to the state you keep your own hair in, not to the photo you like most — blending is what makes a sew-in look like hair rather than like hair extensions. Not sure? The hair texture guide matches every hair type from 1A to 4C to a texture, and the hair quiz does it in about a minute.
| Texture | What it looks like | Blends with | Effort |
|---|---|---|---|
| Straight | Sleek, flat, no pattern. Shows length most honestly of any texture. | Relaxed and naturally straight hair | Lowest |
| Yaki Straight | Straight with the slight grain of pressed hair. | Pressed or freshly relaxed natural hair | Low |
| Kinky Straight | Moves like a fresh blowout. Takes flexi rods well. | Blown-out natural hair | Low |
| Body Wave | An open S-wave. Wears straight or curled. | Loose body and bounce | Low |
| Loose Wave | A looser, softer wave than body wave. | Natural waves | Medium |
| Deep Wave | Tight, defined S-curls with real body. | 3C–4A | Medium |
| Curly | The tightest pattern in the virgin range. Brushes out for volume. | 4A–4B | Highest |
| Spanish Wave | A crimped, airy wave that holds without product. | Natural waves wanting volume | Medium |
| Burmese Curly | A springy, bouncy curl with a wider pattern than Curly. | 3C–4A | Medium |
| Jerry Curl | A small, uniform curl that keeps its shape wet or dry. | 3C–4A | Medium |
| Afro Kinky Curly | A coiled pattern made to sit next to unstretched natural hair. | 4B–4C | Highest |
Stock moves by texture and length — see what is available now. Raw versions of straight, body wave, Burmese curly and Indian wavy and curly are in raw hair bundles. If you are buying curly, the curly hair extensions page groups bundles, closures, frontals and clip-ins in matching patterns, and every colored shade is in colored hair bundles.
A warning about names
The same curl sold under four different names
Texture names are not standardized across the industry, and this causes more wrong orders than anything except length. One brand’s deep wave is another’s water wave is another’s loose deep. Curly can mean anything from a 3B spiral to a 4C coil depending on who is selling it. There is no governing body and no agreed pattern chart.
What to do instead of trusting the name: judge by the curl diameter in the product photos, and by what the seller says the texture blends with. Those two things are comparable across brands. The name is not.
Origin names are marketing too. Brazilian, Peruvian, Malaysian and Indian describe a texture family the industry settled on decades ago, not a country of collection. A Brazilian body wave bundle tells you the curl pattern to expect. It does not tell you where the donor lived. The exception is genuinely single-origin raw hair, where the origin is part of the sourcing claim — and there, ask the seller to stand behind it.
We list what each of our textures blends with in the table above for exactly this reason, and Our Hair goes further into how the range is graded.
Money
What hair bundles cost
Real current prices from our own catalog, not a market average. Ranges cover every length and texture we stock.
| What you are buying | Price | What moves it |
|---|---|---|
| Virgin bundle | $51–$197 | Length first, then texture. Curly and kinky cost more per inch than straight. |
| Raw bundle | $56–$315 | Single-donor sourcing and length. Fewer textures, longer life. |
| Three-bundle deal | $153–$429 | Cheaper per bundle than three singles. Sized for one full install. |
| Lace closure | $49–$181 | Lace size, from 2x6 up to 7x7, and lace type. HD costs more than transparent. |
| Lace frontal | $87–$232 | 13x4 or 13x6, and HD versus transparent lace. |
Longer lengths cost more because fewer donors grow hair that long, not because the hair is a different quality. The jump from 24″ to 30″ is the steepest part of every price curve in this category, ours included. Lace pieces are priced by size and lace type — the closures and frontals guide has every size drawn to scale with its own price.
The number that actually matters
Cost per wear beats sticker price
Comparing bundles on price alone is the wrong comparison, because the cheap set and the good set do not last the same amount of time. The honest figure is what the hair costs you per month of wear.
Three virgin bundles at $180 that come down, get washed and go back in three times over a year is roughly $15 a month. Three bargain non-Remy bundles at $90 that mat after one install and get thrown out is $45 a month if you replace them every two months. The cheaper hair is three times the price.
This is the whole argument for buying human over synthetic, and virgin over non-Remy: not that it feels nicer on day one, but that it survives the take-down. A bundle that cannot be washed and reinstalled is a consumable. A bundle that can is an asset you rent to yourself.
Two caveats, because the maths only works if you hold up your end. Reinstalls depend on care — the routine is in the hair care guide, and the short version is co-wash weekly, keep hot tools under 375°F, and never store hair damp. And a set that gets colored aggressively will not make three reinstalls no matter what you paid.
The other decision
Closure or frontal?
The short version, because it is the second-biggest decision after length. Every size drawn to scale, the lace types, and how to bleach and pluck one are in the closures and frontals guide.
| Lace closure | Lace frontal | |
|---|---|---|
| Size | 2x6, 4x4, 5x5, 6x6 or 7x7 inches, sitting at the crown | 13x4 or 13x6 inches, running ear to ear |
| Parting | One part, wherever it was made | Part anywhere across the front, including off-face styles |
| Price here | $49–$181 | $87–$232 |
| Install | Faster. Less lace to lay, less customizing | Longer. Plucking, bleaching knots and laying the full hairline |
| Your edges | Sits back from the hairline, so less tension on the edges | Sits on the hairline. Needs adhesive discipline and rest between installs |
| Upkeep | Lower. Lace stays cleaner longer | Higher. Front lace gets oil and product first |
| Best for | A first install, a fixed middle or side part, low maintenance | Ponytails, slicked-back styles, changing the part often |
If you are not sure, buy the closure. It costs less, installs faster, stresses the hairline less and lasts longer, and a middle or side part covers most of what people actually wear. Move to a frontal when you want the hair off your face — ponytails, slicked backs, parting anywhere on a whim. See every size drawn on a head.
Lace types
HD lace versus transparent lace
Transparent lace is a light, neutral-toned lace that suits most medium and deeper skin tones once it is tinted. HD lace is thinner and finer, so it melts closer to the skin and photographs almost invisibly — and because it is thinner, it tears more easily and does not survive as many installs. It is the better choice for a hairline you want undetectable, and the worse choice for a unit you want to reinstall ten times.
One thing worth knowing before you shop: in our range, 6x6 and 7x7 closures exist in HD only. There is no transparent lace at those sizes. If you want the wider parting area, HD is the decision that comes with it.
Closures here are grouped by lace size, and frontals the same way at 13x4 and 13x6. The full breakdown, including Swiss and French lace and how to tint either one to your skin, is in the closures and frontals guide.
Before you commit
How to tell whether hair is what the label says
Since no grade label is audited, the only real verification is testing the hair yourself. Do these in order on a new set, in the first day or two, while a return is still open.
-
Weigh it
A standard bundle is about 100 grams, or 3.5 ounces. Kitchen scales are accurate enough. Meaningfully under that and you are holding a thin weft, whatever the listing said.
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Co-wash it before anything else
This strips the factory finish. Real human hair comes out looking like it will look on your head. Silicone-coated non-Remy hair comes out dull, rough and starting to tangle — the coating was doing the work.
-
Wet test
Soak a section and run a wide-tooth comb through it from the ends. Human hair goes wavy and combs through. Hair with opposing cuticles grabs at itself and knots in the middle of the length.
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Burn test
Take three strands from a weft end and hold a flame to them. Human hair singes, smells like burnt feathers and crumbles into ash. Synthetic melts, beads at the tip and smells like plastic. A blend does both at once.
-
Check the return policy before you cut the tie
Every test above is worth nothing if the hair cannot go back. Read the window and the condition before you open the packet, not after.
Run these before the hair goes anywhere near a head. Every one of them is reversible except the burn test, which costs you three strands. Ours come back within 30 days — unopened for a refund, opened for store credit — and a seller unwilling to offer something similar is telling you what they think of their own hair.
Lifespan
How long a set of bundles lasts
The honest answer is that the hair rarely wears out — it gets ruined. Heat, box dye and damp storage end more bundles than time does.
6–8 wks
One install
Past eight weeks, tension on your own hair and buildup at the root both compound. Take it down, wash it and let your scalp breathe before the next one.
3–4×
Reinstalls from one good set
Virgin hair that is sealed before install, co-washed weekly and stored dry goes back in three or four times. That is where the cost-per-wear argument comes from.
375°F
The ceiling that decides it
Above 375 degrees you are cooking the cuticle, and unlike your own hair, extensions never grow the damage out. Heat protectant every time, no exceptions.
The claims you see elsewhere, from one year to three-to-five years, are describing different care routines rather than different hair. Ours is the range we will stand behind for virgin hair that gets co-washed weekly, wrapped nightly and stored dry. The full routine is in the hair care guide.
Questions
Hair bundle questions, answered
Is 3 bundles enough for a sew-in?
Yes, for 16 inches and longer. Mayvenn recommends 3 bundles for installs of 16 inches and up, and 2 bundles up to 14 inches, paired with a closure or frontal. Every Mayvenn bundle is 100 grams, so three is 300 grams. The closure or frontal covers the leave-out and does not add to the count. Every Mayvenn 3 Bundle Deal is sized for one full install.
How many bundles do I need for a full sew-in?
Mayvenn recommends 2 bundles for installs up to 14 inches and 3 bundles for 16 inches and longer, paired with a closure or frontal. Every Mayvenn bundle is 100 grams, and the closure or frontal covers the leave-out, so you do not need an extra bundle for it. The count is the same for every texture.
How much does a hair bundle weigh?
A standard bundle is about 100 grams, or 3.5 ounces. That is the industry norm and the number to check a seller against. A bundle that weighs noticeably less is a thinner weft than the listing implies.
What is the difference between virgin, raw and Remy hair?
Raw hair is premium single-donor hair, steam-set into its pattern (Raw Temple Indian wavy and curly are left in their natural texture). Virgin hair has never been chemically treated but may be steam-textured and blended from several donors. Remy describes cuticle direction rather than purity — every strand running root to tip the same way, which is what stops matting. Hair can be Remy without being virgin.
How much do hair bundles cost?
At Mayvenn, virgin bundles run $51 to $197 and raw bundles $56 to $315, depending on length and texture. A three-bundle deal sized for one install runs $153 to $429. Longer lengths cost more because fewer donors grow hair that long.
Why does my curly hair look shorter than the length I ordered?
Because it is. Bundles are measured straight and pulled taut. Curl takes some of that back: 22 inches of deep wave wears at about 16, and curly at about 15. Order two to four inches longer than your target worn length in any wavy or curly texture. The hair length guide has the worn length for every inch and texture.
Should I buy a closure or a frontal?
A closure if you are unsure. It is smaller, cheaper, faster to install, gentler on your edges and stays cleaner longer, and it covers any fixed middle or side part. Choose a frontal when you want to part anywhere or wear the hair completely off your face. Our closures and frontals guide draws every size to scale.
How long do hair bundles last?
One install runs six to eight weeks, and a well-cared-for virgin set goes back in three or four times after that. What ends a bundle early is almost always heat above 375 degrees, box dye, or being stored while damp — not age.
Can hair bundles be reused?
Yes, and that is the point of buying human hair. Take the install down carefully, co-wash and detangle the hair, let it dry completely, and store it flat or hanging in a silk or satin bag. Seal the wefts again before the next install.
How do I know if hair is real human hair?
Burn three strands from a weft end: human hair singes, smells like burnt feathers and turns to ash, while synthetic melts into a bead and smells like plastic. Then wet a section and comb it — human hair goes wavy and combs through, while poor-quality hair knots in the middle of the length.
Do curly textures need more bundles than straight?
No. Mayvenn recommends the same count for every texture: 2 bundles up to 14 inches and 3 bundles at 16 inches and longer, with a closure or frontal. Curl makes hair wear shorter than it measures, so order two to four inches longer than your target length instead of adding a bundle.
What is the difference between HD lace and transparent lace?
HD lace is thinner and finer, so it disappears against the skin better and photographs almost invisibly — but it tears more easily and survives fewer installs. Transparent lace is more durable and suits most tones once tinted. In our range, 6x6 and 7x7 closures come in HD only.
Can I dye or bleach hair bundles?
Only virgin natural black hair can be lifted, and only to about a 27. Anything that arrived already colored has been professionally pre-colored and should not be lifted further. Skip box dye, use professional color, follow the processing time exactly, and test on a piece cut from the end of a weft first.
Is a bundle deal better than buying bundles separately?
A bundle deal is three bundles of one texture packaged together at a lower price per bundle than three singles. It is the right buy when you already know your texture and length. Buy singles when you are mixing lengths for layers, or trying a texture for the first time.
Does a sew-in damage your natural hair?
Not when the braid-down is not too tight, the install comes down at six to eight weeks, and your own hair gets washed and conditioned between installs. Damage comes from tension and from leaving hair in too long, not from the bundles themselves.
What length should I buy for my first install?
Sixteen to eighteen inches in a straight or body wave texture. It sits between the collarbone and mid-back, needs three bundles, is forgiving to blend, and is short enough to handle while you learn the routine. Most people who start at 26 inches wish they had started shorter.
Do I need to wash new bundles before installing them?
Yes. A co-wash clears the factory finish, shows you the hair’s true texture before it is sewn in, and lets a few loose strands release into the sink rather than onto your shoulders later. Seal the wefts only once the hair is completely dry.
Keep reading
The rest of the Mayvenn guides
This page covers buying the hair. These cover the lace that goes with it and everything that happens after the install.
Closures and frontals guide
Every lace size drawn to scale, HD versus transparent, and how to bleach knots and pluck a hairline. Read the lace guide.
Hair length guide
Every length from 10″ to 32″, where each one falls on the body, and how much length each texture takes back. Read the length guide.
Hair texture guide
Every hair type from 1A to 4C and which of our textures blends with it. Read the texture guide.
Hair care guide
Co-washing, sealing wefts, heat limits and the care calendar that decides how many reinstalls you get. Read the care guide.
Our hair
How the range is graded, what the lace sizes cover, and what separates virgin from raw. Read about our hair.
Wigs 101
If you would rather not sew anything in: every cap construction explained, drawn to scale. Read Wigs 101.
After the take-down
What to do for your own hair in the week between installs. Read the take-down guide.
Find your texture
A one-minute quiz that matches you to a texture, a length and a bundle count. Take the hair quiz.
Ready to shop? Start with virgin bundles, bundle deals or raw bundles. The long-form bundle chart by length and install type is on the blog at how many bundles do I need. Questions we have not covered are probably in the FAQ, and every order is backed by our 30-day guarantee.
Ready when you are
100% virgin human hair, sold by the bundle
Eleven textures, 10 to 32 inches, with closures and frontals to match. Every order covered by our 30-day guarantee.