The Untold Truth About Indonesian Hair Grades

When most brands say they sell “raw Indonesian hair,” they leave out something important—not all Indonesian hair is created equal. Like Cambodian hair, Indonesian hair comes in distinct grades that vary widely in quality, durability, and sourcing ethics. Yet this truth is rarely spoken aloud. Why? Because revealing it would expose just how much of the market is dominated by low-grade, mass-produced hair. At Arcinaé Noir, we believe in educating our customers with honesty, elegance, and precision. Let’s break down the three primary grades of Indonesian hair—and why it matters more than you think.

Premium Grade — The Gold Standard of Indonesian Hair

This is the elite tier—the rarest, most coveted grade of Indonesian hair available. Sourced ethically from single donors in remote regions of Indonesia, premium grade hair is left in its purest form: unprocessed, uncoated, and never chemically altered. The strands are thick, soft, and full from root to tip, with consistent cuticle alignment and a naturally luxurious texture that feels effortless to style. It holds curls beautifully. It flat irons with a single pass. And most importantly—it lasts for years, not months.

Premium hair is also exclusively double drawn, meaning the shorter hairs are removed by hand, leaving bundles that are equally full from top to bottom. This is where the true difference lies: fewer bundles needed, less styling effort, and a seamless blend with your own hair. It’s hair you can live in—swim in, travel in, be photographed in. And it still bounces back. This is the quality Arcinaé Noir is built on—because anything less is not luxury, it’s compromise.

Standard Grade — Common, Yet Often Mislabeled as Premium

Standard grade is what dominates most of the market today. Often sold under the guise of being “raw,” this hair is collected from multiple donors and lacks true cuticle alignment. While it may start off looking soft and shiny, its structure is weaker, which leads to tangling, shedding, and noticeable thinning after a few installs. It is typically single drawn, so while it may appear full at the weft, the ends are often sparse—forcing buyers to purchase more bundles to achieve a polished look.

Standard grade hair can still be 100% human and technically unprocessed, but it lacks the durability and refinement that true premium hair offers. Over time, the difference becomes unmistakable. What was once silky becomes stiff. What held curls with grace begins to fall flat. If you’ve ever worn extensions that looked perfect for two weeks and then suddenly changed—it was probably standard grade dressed up with a marketing bow.

Jet Black Grade — Mass Market Hair With a Shiny Disguise

Jet black grade Indonesian hair is the lowest tier in the category, and unfortunately, the most commonly available. This hair is often chemically dyed to achieve a deep, inky black shade and is frequently coated in silicone to give the illusion of softness and shine. It’s the fast fashion of hair extensions: affordable, abundant, and manufactured for quick turnover. On the surface, it may appear sleek—but it tangles easily, won’t hold a curl, and sheds excessively.

Because this hair is usually single drawn and composed of short, broken strands, it lacks volume and fullness. Stylists often need to stack four or five bundles just to create a look that mimics premium quality. Within weeks, the coating wears off, leaving brittle, dull hair behind. And while it may come with a budget-friendly price tag, the cost to your confidence, time, and overall styling experience is far greater.

Why Arcinaé Noir Refuses to Offer Anything Less Than Premium

At Arcinaé Noir, our commitment is unwavering: we only offer true, double drawn, premium-grade raw Indonesian hair. It’s the rarest on the market—not because it’s hard to find, but because few are willing to do what it takes to source it ethically and preserve its natural beauty. Every bundle is hand-selected, quality-checked, and designed to outlast trends. We partner with trusted suppliers in Indonesia who align with our values—ensuring fair compensation, responsible sourcing, and uncompromised quality.

We don’t believe in marketing fluff. We believe in giving you hair that holds up to life—and then some. Hair that looks better with every install. Hair that doesn’t just complete the look, but is the look. Because when you’re building a luxury brand for the modern woman, mediocrity is never an option.