What Are Double Drawn Hair Extensions?
Double Drawn Hair Extensions are hair extensions that have been sorted by length. Most of the hair strands are close to the same length, which creates more fullness from top to bottom. In comparison, Single Drawn Hair contains more strands of different lengths, so the ends are lighter and have more natural layers.
Today, many brands use Double Drawn as a selling point for premium hair extensions. However, it is not a standardized production grade. There is no clear industry rule for what percentage of long hair strands is required for hair to be called Double Drawn.
Therefore, Double Drawn is essentially a commercial grading or marketing term. What really matters is not whether the product is labeled Double Drawn, but its actual hair ratio (percentage of long hair strands).
How Is Double Drawn Hair Made?
The production of Double Drawn Hair is essentially the process of combining hair of different lengths based on a preset hair ratio (length ratio). It usually includes the following steps:
Step 1: Sort the Hair by Length
Before production, the factory sorts the hair by length. For example, 16-inch, 18-inch, and 20-inch hair are stored separately.
Step 2: Determine the Hair Ratio
The ratio of each hair length is set based on the product grade. For example, a 20-inch hair extension can contain 50% 20-inch hair. The remaining hair can be made up of 18-inch and 16-inch strands.
Step 3: Weigh the Hair by Ratio
For a 100-gram hair extension with 50% 20-inch hair, 50 grams of 20-inch hair is weighed first. The 18-inch and 16-inch hair is then weighed according to the preset ratio.
Step 4: Mix Different Hair Lengths
The measured hair is mixed evenly. Shorter strands are added to create natural layers and prevent the ends from looking too even.
Step 5: Make the Hair Extension Product
After mixing, the hair is made into Weft, Tape-in, Flat Tip, or other types of hair extensions.
Therefore, Double Drawn does not mean that the finished product contains no shorter hair. Unless 100% of the hair is the same length, the main difference between different grades is the percentage of long strands that are close to the stated length.
Why Is Double Drawn Hair Usually More Expensive?
Double Drawn Hair uses longer strands that are close to the stated length. Longer raw hair is usually harder to source and more expensive. The higher the percentage of long hair, the more long raw hair is needed to make a product of the same weight. This is the main reason why Double Drawn Hair usually costs more.
Note: Some suppliers trim the ends to make hair extensions look more even and fuller. This can create the appearance of a higher hair ratio. Proper trimming is a normal finishing process, but it only changes the appearance of the ends. It does not increase the actual hair ratio. Excessive trimming can also make the finished product shorter than its stated length.
What Are the Benefits of Double Drawn Hair Extensions?
The main benefit of Double Drawn Hair Extensions is the higher percentage of long hair strands. This creates thicker, fuller ends:
- More even thickness from top to bottom;
- Suitable for blunt cuts, long straight styles, and looks that need more volume;
- Fewer hair extensions may be needed to achieve the same fullness at the ends;
- Less trimming of thin ends is usually needed after installation;
- A fuller overall shape that stands out more in photos and styling.
However, thicker ends do not always look more natural. The right Hair Ratio should be chosen based on the client’s natural hair density, hairstyle, and desired result.
Why Does Double Drawn Hair Differ Between Brands?
There is no unified industry standard for Double Drawn Hair. Each brand can define Double Drawn based on its own Hair Ratio, product appearance, or internal grading system.
Different brands may use different standards for the percentage of long strands, the amount of shorter hair allowed, the thickness of the ends, and the way these factors are measured. Therefore, even if two products are both labeled Double Drawn, their actual Hair Ratio, end thickness, and overall appearance can be very different.
Does Double Drawn Hair Mean High-Quality Hair?
Not necessarily. Double Drawn mainly describes the percentage of long hair strands and the fullness of the ends. It does not represent the overall quality of the hair. The product label itself also cannot prove its actual Hair Ratio.
Double Drawn does not prove whether the product is Remy Hair, whether the cuticles are aligned in the same direction, or whether the hair has gone through strong chemical treatments such as bleaching or acid processing. To evaluate the quality of hair extensions, you also need to consider the raw hair, cuticle condition, processing methods, shedding, tangling, and lifespan.
How Can Double Drawn Hair Be Tested?
There is currently no simple way to accurately verify Double Drawn Hair. Common testing methods mainly rely on experience. The results can also be affected by product weight, texture, trimming, and how the test is performed. Therefore, these methods can only be used for basic comparison. They cannot provide an exact Hair Ratio.
Method 1: Thickness Change Test
Hold the top of the hair extensions and slowly slide your hand from top to bottom. Feel how the thickness changes at different points.
When the Hair Ratio is lower, there are fewer long strands close to the stated length and more short strands. For the same total weight, more hair strands are needed. This makes the upper and middle sections noticeably thicker. As the shorter strands gradually end, the extensions quickly become thinner again. This creates a clear “thin–thick–thin” shape.
When the Hair Ratio is higher, there are more long strands and fewer short strands. The thickness changes more gradually from top to bottom. The upper and middle sections do not become noticeably thicker, and the ends stay relatively fuller.
Method 2: Short Hair Distribution Test
Hold the hair where it starts to become noticeably thinner. Then hold the hair horizontally and gently shake it. Look at how many shorter strands become visible or hang down. More short strands usually mean a lower percentage of long hair close to the stated length.
Both methods have limitations. They can only help compare the relative differences between samples. They cannot prove that a product meets a specific Double Drawn grade or Hair Ratio.
