Manufacturers of artificial hair use a standard scale to classify the hair by color. The lower the number on the package, generally, the darker the color. 1 usually denotes darkest black. These colors vary greatly from one manufacturer to another, and certain specialty hair suppliers also create their own signature patterns and colors. The highest number is the lightest color,which is white or a very light colored blond.
#33 Dark Auburn #1B Natural Black/Brown #1 Jet Black
#4 Medium Brown #12 Light Golden Brown #8 Light Brown
#6 Chestnut Brown #22 Ash Blonde #27 Strawberry Blonde
#613 Platinum Blonde #30 Light Auburn #24 Golden Blonde #2 Dark Brown
Texture
Textures of artificial hair vary from very straight to extremely curly or kinky. The exact names of curl patterns vary by brand, and the possibilities of curl patterns with synthetic hair are endless, but some examples of packaged textures include:
- Silky Straight - Straight and smooth, East Asian like hair.
- Yaki - Straight, usually mimicking the texture of relaxed Afro-Caribbean hair.
- European - Straight European hair; less straight than Asian hair. May have a tiny amount of wave.
- Deep Wave - While generally not a true 'wave', it can be made to look like spiral curls.
- Loose Deep Wave or Romance Wave - Looser version of the deep wave, softer, more romantic curls.
- Jheri Curl (sometimes colloquially known as 'nappy tracks') - Usually sold in very short lengths, it is often used to recreate the full 'afro' look.
- Wet and Wavy , can be packaged as Spanish Wave or Indian Wave - Usually human hair is used, and is either naturally curly or permanently waved to appear so. Characterized as having soft, natural-looking curls that revert back to a curly state when wet.