The FW-154 model from Henan Xuchang has a layered cut and uses Kanekalon fiber. It weighs 150g and has a length of 21 inches.

While keeping up with demand for wigs in diverse styles and shades, makers in China are also working on comfort and durability with the use of better materials.

Suppliers are offering synthetic and human hair wigs in varied lengths. Curly, straight or wavy models are available in different shades of black, blond and brown. Some hairpieces also come with purple or red highlights.

Styles and color preferences usually vary according to target markets. Wigs with big curls have a strong appeal in Africa, while straight, long blond wigs are popular in the US.

Aside from enhancing the aesthetics of fashion wigs, makers are improving the breathability and manageability of existing models. Fiber is woven onto mesh, which serves as the base covering the head, to ensure breathability.

To achieve the texture and manageability of real hair, makers are applying new types of fiber. Mostly synthetic, these materials have vivid, shiny colors, are soft and feel like human tresses, and are flame-retardant.

A number of suppliers in China continue to use human hair in some of their wigs.

At Chinamericanada Industrial Co. Ltd, 60 percent of wigs are made of real locks, while the rest use synthetic fiber imported from South Korea or purchased from local suppliers.

While human hair used to be widely available, especially in Xuchang, Henan province, Chinamericanada is having difficulties finding quality long hair as most locks from city dwellers are damaged from excessive perming and dyeing treatments. As a result, Chinamericanada is exploring the rural areas.

Besides local sources, the company imports human tresses from Myanmar, Pakistan, Vietnam and Indonesia. It has a preference, however, for China tresses for their density, elasticity and thickness, and India samples as these have thin, soft strands.

Wigs from human locks can be machine- or manually processed. Handtied models, which take between 10 and 15 days to complete, are priced at $100. Chinamericanada's machine-made wigs are $40, while its synthetic types are $10.

Henan Xuchang Yu Qi Wigs Fty offers both synthetic and human hair wigs. Curly and straight models with highlights are available.

Makers are increasingly using synthetic fiber types that have the same texture, feel and properties as genuine human hair.

Yiwu Heyetang Chuangye Artificial Hair Fty uses PP, K and FR fiber for its synthetic wigs. Low-end models in PP are priced between $1.28 and $1.92.

With a texture similar to human hair, wigs made with K fiber can be combed and permed easily. This type of fiber, used primarily for midrange models starting at about $2.56, is not as shiny as PP and, therefore, looks more natural. It can be used alone or blended with Japan- or South Korea-sourcedfiber.

For high-end wigs above $3.85, Yiwu Heyetang Chuangye uses FR fiber, which is flame-retardant and less expensive than materials from Japan and South Korea.

Buyers may also request Kanekalon or Totyokalon fiber from Japan or South Korea-sourced Modlon or Falang.

The best-selling models from Zhuhai China Star Wig Co. Ltd are long or medium-length curly wigs in shades of gold and brown. Eighty percent of synthetic materials come from South Korea. The rest are from local suppliers.

Wigs are priced from $5 to $10, with the bulk of exports going to Australia, France, the US and Germany.

At Qianying Wig Ornaments Fty, hairpieces made with local materials are priced from $0.90 to $1.92, while versions in synthetic fiber from South Korea and Japan are between $3.21 and $6.41.

Exports go to Africa, the Middle East, the EU and the US.Low-end wigs from Yiwu Lisi Hair Product Fty are priced from $0.90 to $1.92. Upscale models start at $1.93 and can go as high as $4.74.