Double Drawn vs Single Drawn Hair: Which Gives You a Fuller Wig?

Double drawn hair has had most of its shorter strands removed, so the ends are nearly as thick as the roots and the wig looks full from top to bottom. Single drawn hair keeps a mix of lengths, so it tapers naturally towards the ends. Double drawn gives a fuller, blunter finish; single drawn looks softer and costs less.

Key takeaways

• “Drawn” describes how the hair is sorted by length before it is made into a wig, not the hair’s origin or quality grade.
• A double drawn wig needs more raw hair per unit, which is why it usually costs more at the same length.
• Double drawn is not the same as high density. Density is how much hair is on the cap; drawing is how even the lengths are.
• Choose double drawn for blunt cuts, bobs and volume to the ends. Choose single drawn for a lighter, more natural taper.

What does “drawn” mean in hair?

When hair is collected, a bundle naturally contains strands of different lengths, because hair on a head grows at different rates and breaks at different points. Before that hair is wefted or ventilated into a wig, it is sorted by pulling, or “drawing”, the shorter strands out.

Single drawn

The hair is drawn once. Some of the shortest strands are removed, but a fair proportion of shorter hairs stays in. The result has a full top and a gentle, natural thinning towards the ends, a bit like hair that has grown out without a recent trim.

Double drawn

The hair is drawn a second time, removing most of the remaining short strands. What is left is hair of close to the same length, so the ends are almost as thick as the roots. You get that blunt, heavy, “just cut” look that photographs as rich and glossy.

Double drawn vs single drawn hair: side by side

Is double drawn hair the same as high density?

No, and this is where many shoppers get caught out. Density describes how much hair is attached to the cap overall, often written as a percentage on product listings. Drawing describes how evenly the lengths are matched. A wig can be high density but single drawn, which means a big, full crown with thinner ends. It can also be moderate density and double drawn, which looks sleek and even rather than voluminous.

If you want “full to the ends”, what you are really asking for is a double drawn unit, ideally at a density that suits your face and the style. Our stylists can talk you through the balance before you buy.

Drawing is also separate from the hair’s origin and processing. Raw, virgin and processed human hair can each be single or double drawn. For how those labels differ, see our explainer on raw vs virgin vs Remy hair.

Which is better for you?

Choose double drawn if

• You love a blunt bob or a sleek, straight finish where thin ends would show immediately.
• You want curls or coils that stay full and bouncy from root to tip.
• You are buying a long unit and want it to look as thick at 26 inches as it does at the crown.

Choose single drawn if

• You prefer a softer, lighter look with natural movement, closer to how grown-out hair falls.
• You wear long lengths daily and want less weight on your head and hairline.
• You want dimension and flow, for example with highlights, rather than a solid block of colour.
• You are working to a tighter budget for a given length.

How much more does a double drawn wig cost?

Because the shorter strands are taken out and not used, it takes noticeably more raw hair to make a double drawn wig of the same length. That cost shows up in the price, and the gap widens at longer lengths, where long hair is scarcer to begin with. We cannot give a fixed percentage, because hair source, lace and length all move the price too. For a fuller breakdown, read our wig price guide for South Africa.

Our double drawn and single drawn wigs

Here is where some of our units sit, so you can compare like for like:

• Mimi 18″, R8,280: loose curly, double drawn human hair on 13×4 HD lace, processed to resemble kinky curly hair that has been blown out. Full curls to the ends. With PayFlex, 4 × R2,070.
• Zini 18″, R6,500: tight curly, double drawn human hair on an HD lace frontal, and one of our fullest units. With PayFlex, 4 × R1,625.
• April 26″, R9,500: long, straight, double drawn raw virgin hair on 13×4 HD lace, for a sleek finish that stays thick at 26 inches. With PayFlex, 4 × R2,375.
• Zendeya Highlights, from R7,658: straight, single drawn hair with dimensional highlights on a 13×4 HD transparent full frontal, in 24″, 26″ and 30″. The natural taper lets the highlights move. With PayFlex, from 4 × R1,914.50.

How to tell if a wig is really double drawn

1. Look at the ends in unfiltered photos. In a genuinely double drawn unit, the bottom few inches look nearly as dense as the top. Heavy thinning at the ends suggests single drawn.
2. Gather the hair at the nape. Hold the wig up and gather the hair into a loose ponytail. Then slide your hand to the ends. A double drawn ponytail stays close to the same thickness.
3. Check the listing wording. A seller should state single or double drawn clearly. Vague phrases like “full ends” without the term deserve a question.
4. Ask about length. A very long double drawn unit at a surprisingly low price is worth questioning, because it takes so much hair to make.

Caring for full ends

Double drawn ends are an asset worth protecting. Detangle from the ends upwards with a wide-tooth comb, use a heat protectant before straightening, and sleep with the hair loosely plaited or wrapped in satin to reduce friction. Single drawn ends are finer, so they benefit from regular light trims and a leave-in conditioner to stop them looking wispy. For both, a professional wig treatment restores softness when the hair starts to feel dry.

Full or flowing: the right choice is personal

Neither option is better in every case. Double drawn suits you if you want visible fullness to the very last inch; single drawn suits you if you prefer movement, lightness and a softer budget. If you are torn, send our stylists a photo of the look you love on WhatsApp, or book a consultation on Fresha and feel the difference in person.

Frequently asked questions

What does single drawn hair mean?

Single drawn hair has been sorted once to remove some of the shortest strands, but it still contains a mix of lengths. That gives a full top that tapers naturally towards thinner ends. It looks soft and natural, weighs less and usually costs less than double drawn hair of the same length.

Is double drawn hair worth the money?

It is worth it if fullness at the ends matters to you, for example with bobs, blunt cuts, long sleek straight styles or voluminous curls. If you prefer soft movement and a lighter feel, a single drawn unit can look just as beautiful and leave room in your budget for installation and care.

Does double drawn hair last longer?

Not automatically. Lifespan depends far more on the hair's origin, processing and your care routine. What double drawn hair does is keep a fuller look at the ends for longer, because fewer short strands are there to thin out. Gentle detangling, heat protection and treatments matter for both types.

Is double drawn hair heavier to wear?

Usually, yes, especially at longer lengths, because more of the hair runs the full length of the unit. Most wearers adjust quickly, but if you have a sensitive hairline or wear long units daily, a single drawn wig or a shorter double drawn length may feel more comfortable.

Can a wig be double drawn and high density?

Yes. Drawing and density are separate. Density is how much hair is on the cap; drawing is how evenly matched the lengths are. A double drawn, high-density wig is very full from crown to ends, which suits dramatic volume, while a double drawn, moderate-density unit looks sleek and even.

Written by The Penthouse Beauty Studio team at The Marc, 129 Rivonia Rd, Sandown, Sandton. Prices are in rand, include VAT and were correct at the time of publishing.