Choosing the right hair toppers for women may be difficult. With so many options existing, how do you know which one is best for you? In this guide, we’ll break down the key differences between Chinese hair and Burmese hair toppers with Karrina, so you can make the perfect choice based on your lifestyle and styling preferences.
Understanding the Fundamental Differences
Both Chinese and Burmese hair arrive straight when you first receive your hair topper. As the video explains:
”Burmese hair and Chinese hair will both come out of the box or out of the bag straight, there may be some crimps and creases from traveling, but for the most part, the hair will be straight, and you can continue to style it straight or add some curl to it.”
However, the true differences reveal themselves after washing and air drying. This is when each hair type shows its natural characteristics that will affect your daily styling routine.
Burmese Hair: Natural Volume and Texture
Burmese hair is prized for its natural body and movement. After washing, it develops beautiful waves that many women find ideal for achieving that coveted ”lived-in” look. The video clearly shows this transformation:
”The Burmese hair clearly has a natural wave to it that is evident if you let it air dry…the Burmese hair is known to dry a little bit on the wavy or curly side. It is also known to have a little bit coarser texture to it after you’ve let it air dry. This will give it a little bit more volume, especially at the root.”
Karrina demonstrates how the Burmese hair topper looks after air drying:
”Here is the Burmese hair as you can see it is significantly curlier, has a really beautiful wave and natural texture to it…I love the way the Burmese hair dries naturally. It has all the texture that I wish my natural hair had.”
Chinese Hair: Sleek and Straight
In contrast, Chinese hair maintains a straighter appearance even after washing. As shown in the side-by-side comparison:
”This is the Chinese hair on the left and on the right you have the Burmese hair…the Chinese hair is known to dry a little straighter. So if you’re looking for a sleeker straighter, look Chinese hair might be the way for you.”
Karrina notes that while not ”stick straight,” Chinese hair has minimal wave when air dried:
”As you can see it’s fairly straight, has just a little bit of added texture to it. But it’s not really frizzy…for the most part it’s not stick straight but fairly straight.”
Styling and Maintenance Comparison
The video provides excellent practical demonstrations of how each hair type responds to styling:
Burmese Hair:
- Naturally develops waves when air dries
- Requires less effort to achieve textured looks
- May need straightening if you prefer sleek styles
- Benefits from regular oil treatments to maintain softness
”I’m constantly recommending using a high-quality oil, like coconut oil, on the ends of the hair after you’ve been wearing it all day or especially in the harsher winter months.”
Chinese Hair:
- Maintains straightness with minimal effort
- Holds heat-styled curls beautifully
- Requires less daily styling for straight looks
- More forgiving for styling beginners
”I just quickly threw some curls into the Chinese hair…you can see what a difference just adding a few little curls to the hair gives it an overall sleeker look, and it’ll stay like this because it is naturally straight hair.”
Climate Considerations
Your local weather plays a significant role in determining which hair type will work best for you:
Humid Climates:
The video suggests: ”If you live in a climate that is naturally very humid and you know that you do not want to deal with with frizz or having to straighten your hair every day to maintain it, then you might want to go with a Chinese hair – a straighter option that will stay sleeker for longer.”
Dry Climates:
Burmese hair can add natural volume that might be lacking in dry conditions, though both types will require hydration.
Matching Your Natural Hair Texture
One of the most important factors is how well the topper will blend with your bio hair:
”If you traditionally have or naturally have a little bit of wavy or curly hair, and you want to encourage that curl or you want to maybe let your own bio hair air dry and throw a Topper on with it, and have it beautifully blend, I would recommend going with Burmese hair. On the other hand, if you have naturally straight hair and you have no concept of how to work with curly hair, then maybe you should consider the Chinese hair instead.”
Personal Preference is Key
Ultimately, as the video emphasizes, the choice comes down to your individual needs and styling habits:
”Personal preference, both are great options. I like both for different reasons, like I said, the Burmese hair has that natural volume and natural curl that I never had in my bio hair, so I enjoy it cause it’s fun for me to play with. But not everybody wants to try something new, and that’s okay.”
Final Thoughts: Which Should You Choose?
To summarize the key points from the video comparison:
Choose Burmese Hair If You:
- Love natural-looking waves and texture
- Want low-maintenance styling
- Live in a humid climate
- Have naturally wavy or curly bio hair
- Enjoy experimenting with different looks
Choose Chinese Hair If You:
- Prefer sleek, straight styles
- Want maximum durability
- Are new to hair toppers and styling
- Have naturally straight bio hair
- Live in an area with high humidity
Both types offer gorgeous, high-quality results—it all comes down to your personal hair goals. Whichever you choose, you’ll have a stunning topper that enhances your natural beauty.
Now that you know the differences, you’re one step closer to flawless hair days ahead!