Two things decide whether hair looks right on you: how long it actually falls, and whether the color reads true. Here's how to get both right before you order.
Length
Length is measured stretched
Every length on this site is the hair pulled straight and measured end to end. That matters most for curly and wavy textures, which sit noticeably shorter than their stretched measurement. A 22-inch deep wave often wears like 16 or 17 inches. If you want curly hair to hit a specific point on your body, size up two to four inches.
Where each length falls
These are based on an average height of about 5'5". If you're taller, expect hair to sit an inch or two higher than described; shorter, an inch or two lower.
- 10–12 inches — Jaw to chin. Bob territory.
- 14 inches — Collarbone.
- 16 inches — Just below the collarbone.
- 18 inches — Armpit.
- 20 inches — Just past the armpit, top of the mid-back.
- 22 inches — Mid-back.
- 24 inches — Between mid-back and waist.
- 26 inches — Waist.
- 28 inches — Just below the waist.
- 30 inches — Hip.
- 32–34 inches — Upper thigh.
- 36–40 inches — Mid-thigh and past. Dramatic length.
How many bundles you need
Longer hair is thinner at the ends, so longer lengths need more bundles to look full.
- Up to 18 inches — 2 bundles, or 2 plus a closure.
- 20 to 24 inches — 3 bundles, or 3 plus a closure or frontal.
- 26 inches and up — 3 to 4 bundles for a full look.
For tape-ins and clip-ins, one pack adds volume, two gives a full head of length on most hair, and three suits thick or very long hair.
Density, for wigs
Density is how much hair is on the cap, not how long it is.
- 150–180% — Natural. Looks like everyday hair.
- 200–250% — Full and glamorous. What most people picture when they think "wig hair."
- 300% — Very full. Best on long lengths, where the extra density keeps the ends thick.
The longer you go, the higher the density you want. A 30-inch wig at 150% will look thin at the bottom.
Color
How the numbering works
Hair color codes are an industry system, not random. Lower numbers are darker; higher numbers are lighter. Once you know that, most codes decode themselves.
Blacks and browns
- #1 — Jet black. True, flat black with no warmth.
- #1B — Natural black. Slightly softer than #1, and the closest match to most natural hair. The most popular shade we carry.
- #2 — Darkest brown. Reads black indoors, brown in sunlight.
- #3 — Dark brown.
- #4 — Medium brown. Warm chocolate.
- #6 — Light chestnut brown.
- #8 — Ash light brown. Cooler, less golden than #6.
Blondes
- #27 — Honey blonde. Warm and golden. The most requested blonde for highlights.
- #24 — Golden blonde.
- #22 — Light beige blonde.
- #16 — Ash honey blonde.
- #18 — Dark ash blonde.
- #60 — Platinum blonde. Cool and icy.
- #613 — Bleach blonde. The lightest we carry, and the base for anyone who wants to tone or dye to a custom shade.
- #1000 — White blonde.
Reds and coppers
- #30 — Medium auburn.
- #33 — Dark auburn.
- #330 — Deep auburn with red warmth.
- #350 — Ginger copper. Bright and orange-toned.
- #99J — Burgundy. Deep wine red, not orange. Despite appearing in some blonde product ranges, this is a red — order it expecting wine, not honey.
Blends and multi-tone codes
When you see more than one number, the hair is blended rather than a single flat color.
- P before or between numbers — "Piano." Two colors woven together evenly throughout, like a highlight that runs root to tip. P4/27 is medium brown pianoed with honey blonde. P8/613 is light brown with bleach blonde.
- Three numbers — A rooted or balayage blend, read root to tip. 1B/6/27 starts at natural black, melts through light brown, and finishes honey blonde.
- A repeated outer number — Darker on the outside, lighter through the middle. 4/24/4 is medium brown with a golden blonde money piece.
Before you order
Color reads differently on every screen, and lighting changes everything. Slight variation from our photos is normal and isn't a defect. If you're matching to your own hair, compare in natural daylight, not under bathroom lighting.
Blonde and pre-lightened hair needs tone maintenance. A sulfate-free purple shampoo keeps 613, 60, and 1000 from pulling brassy.
Still not sure?
Email support@shopbeautypursuit.com with a photo of your hair in natural light and what you're trying to achieve. We'll tell you honestly what will match and what won't — that's cheaper for both of us than a return.