Natural Color vs 1B and 1 Hair: The Clear Winner

In the world of hair care, the distinction between natural color hair and processed shades like 1B and 1 reveals a critical difference—processed hair. This article explores the significance of opting for natural hues, emphasizing the value of unprocessed beauty in contrast to artificially colored alternatives.

And note: This information is more oriented towards hair extensions for black women. By that, I mean bundles, lace and wigs. White women generally have a larger requirement for color variations, and most of this article wouldn’t apply.

What is off-black: color 1b hair?

You’ll often find hair extensions in two shades of black. 1B hair, or off-black hair, is a softer shade of black and will be more natural in appearance than the darker color 1.

When a vendor consistently produces hair in a #1b shade, it indicates that the hair has been colored. This is one of the first signs that the hair has been processed.

When hair is sourced from a few donors, it is typically a uniform shade of black. However, when hair is collected from multiple donors, it is a mixture of hair from girls with slightly varying shades of black hair. This results in an impure color, which is why it needs to be colored to a uniform black shade.

Therefore, if your hair bundles have been colored to #1b, it is likely that they are made from mixed hair and have undergone processing.

What is jet-black: color 1 hair?

Color 1, also called jet-black, is the darkest black shade hair extensions come in. My own hair is a darker shade of black compared to that of the average Chinese person, but still not as black as jet-black. Jet-black colors can only be achieved by dying hair, so your raw hair extensions should never come as jet-black. It isn’t a natural hair color.

Though not an absolute rule, 1B hair is typically of higher quality than jet-black hair. Darker shades in hair extensions excel in concealing impurities, meaning making hair extensions darker can be an indication of lower quality hair.

What is color 2 hair?

Hair color 2 is a very dark shade of brown, and is 1 shade lighter than 1b. It looks black from afar, but up close, you can see that it’s brown. It naturally occurs in Asian women, and especially Indian women lean more towards this shade.

However, we’ve experienced that hair naturally close to #2 is often the last stock to go. Processed hair, and some of the impurer raw hair are usually dyed to 1b or 1. People automatically associate these black shades with quality, and some of the color 2 hair as unnatural or impure. Many lace products get processed and dyed to some extent, even in the raw hair category. This makes it much easier to find a matching bundle and lace product for blacker hair, than it is for browner hair.

That said, natural color 2 hair is rare in China and Vietnam, and they’re often dyed to these colors. Women from India have a slightly more mixed population, meaning that lighter colors and non-straight textures are more common.

Why is natural color hair superior?

Hair directly from a person’s head is naturally pure in color. No processing or color alterations are necessary, as these steps typically reduce the quality of hair extensions. Opting for unprocessed hair ensures a higher quality option.

For optimal bleaching results, choosing hair extensions without any color 1 or 1B dye is key. The presence of dye is typically the limiting factor in how much hair extensions can be successfully bleached.

For white people extensions, if you’re looking for 1b hair, always ask if your vendor has natural color hair. Manufacturers generally have a limited supply of high-quality hair, and they mostly reserve it for hair which needs to be bleached to lighter shades. For dark shades, some cheaper hair material is used, which we call “salon hair”, or hair that was previously dyed. Natural color hair is going to be a more expensive option, but also a higher-quality.

If you’re looking for 1B hair for white people extensions, ask if your vendor has natural color hair. They usually save the really good natural hair for bleaching it to really light shades. For dark shades, they might use cheaper hair material, often called “salon hair,” which is hair that was dyed before. Natural color hair costs more, but it’s better quality.

How to tell if your hair was colored?

Hair dye dissolves in acetone, which is the main ingredient of nail polish remover. So you can perform the acetone test, which means you dip a strong white tissue in acetone and rub the hair with it. If the tissue stains brown, the hair was dyed. If the tissue stays white, you’re most likely dealing with natural color hair.

If you want to check if someone has dyed their hair, you can perform the acetone test. Follow these steps: Take a sturdy white tissue, dip it in nail polish remover (which contains acetone), and rub it on the hair. If the tissue turns brown, then the hair has been dyed. If the tissue stays white, then it is likely that the hair is in its natural color.

Another test you might come across involves scraping hair with scissors or a knife. If the powder is white, it’s supposed to be natural color hair. While the concept is similar, this method is less sensitive and may not detect slightly dyed hair. It’s advisable to rely on the acetone test for more accurate results.

Difference between hair color 1b and 2

The 1b and 2 hair colors look very similar, but they have some subtle differences. 1B is a shade of black, while 2 is a deep, dark brown. This makes 1b darker than 2. 1B human hair are often processed, while color 2 hair is often dyed.

Although this isn’t always the case. Not many Chinese and Vietnamese women have natural color 2 hair. India is a melting pot of different ethnicities, and this allows Indian women to have non-straight textures and dark shades of brown hair naturally.

If you’re wondering whether your hair extensions are natural color, you can use acetone to test for it. Natural color 2 hair will be easier to bleach and take color, than unnatural color 2 hair. Colored hair doesn’t bleach and dye as easily as natural color hair. The differences between bleaching natural 1b hair color and natural 2 hair color are almost negligible.

Differences between the 1 and 1b hair colors

They’re both shades of black, but jet-black hair has cooler, blue undertones, while 1b has warmer, brown undertones. 1b hair color is generally a safer bet than jet black hair. Of course, that doesn’t mean you can’t take a risk and try a darker tone for a more dramatic look.

Color 1 hair can only be made by dying the hair to this color, and 1b hair is usually unprocessed. This means that for jet-black hair you’ll be unlikely to find white or gray strands in your hair.

1b hair color is the most common type for hair extensions or dyes. Although salons and hair products can match an off-black shade more effectively, you might not find a perfect match every time.

Neither color is better since the right color will depend on a person’s natural color and desired look.

If you found our article interesting or useful, please share it with your friends who might benefit from this information. If you have any further questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us through the comments, iMessage/WhatsApp: +86 135 3369 3283, cristina@bossique.com, or DM us at www.facebook.com/bossique.

Questions & Answers