What Is a Hair Topper? Everything You Need to Know

What is a hair topper? As its name suggests, a hair topper is a hairpiece (also known as a top-of-the-head hair extension) designed to cover mainly the top of your head, making your hair appear more voluminous or longer.

Hair toppers are perfect for women dealing with hair loss or thinning, particularly at the crown—the area where most female hair loss tends to occur. Hair toppers offer a practical, cost-effective alternative to full wigs, as they only cover specific areas of the scalp, saving you from the expense and bulk of a full wig with extra hair.

Curious to learn everything about hair toppers for women, from how they are made to how to wear, maintain, and style them? Keep reading.

What Is a Hair Topper Made Of?

A hair topper usually takes about two weeks to make. It is discreetly constructed with hand-sewn synthetic or human hair strands attached to a base of monofilament or lace. These materials are made of soft mesh-like fabric with tiny little holes for hair strands to be knotted to.

Hair toppers are mainly attached to the client’s bio hair around the thinning zone using clips that are already sewn to the base. So clips are also hair topper parts.

Hair toppers come in a range of sizes, from 1.3”x3”, 3×5″, 5”x5” to 10”x10”—and everything in between! They also offer various lengths and thicknesses to suit every client’s needs. The best part? They can be parted in any direction and blend seamlessly, giving a super natural look that’ll have clients feeling like a million bucks.

What Is Return Hair?

Only poly hair toppers or toppers with poly sections have return hair. Return hair isn’t damaged hair—it’s simply shorter hair left on top of the PU base to add volume and blend beautifully.

Usually, we use 22-inch hair to make 18-inch hair toppers, so that four inches are left on the top of the head. The benefit of this is that return hair adds volume and thickness to the top.

Apply some heat protectant spray, comb it with water, and flatten it with a flat iron will keep it looking fabulous.

Shop our top-quality human hair toppers

How Do I Wear a Hair Topper?

So, you’ve got your hair topper—let’s get it on! Start by prepping it with a gentle wash and letting it air dry.

Different toppers are attached to the existing hair using different methods. Some toppers cover bigger areas than others, but all are to blend with your natural hair when attached correctly and seamlessly.

Different toppers use different methods of attachment to clip into your existing hair. Some offer more coverage than others, but all are designed to blend with your hair when applied correctly and seamlessly.

Measure the area of the hair loss zone and decide how big the cap will be. Usually, 1″x1.3″ is for the beginning stage of hairloss, 5″x5″ is for the progressive stage, and 10″x10″ is for the advanced stage.

A smaller topper will do if you’re only dealing with thinning along the middle part. For more extensive coverage, choose a larger base size that fits comfortably. As we need the topper to grip the hair around the thinning area, a one-inch overlapping is recommended.

It’s super important to have the topper texture match the texture of your client’s bio hair. If you have wavy hair, look for a topper with a wavy texture, too. If you can’t find a perfect match, visit a stylist to blend appropriately for you.

For more detailed steps, check out our comprehensive guide on how to put on a hair topper!

How to Style a Hair Topper With Pro Tips

Many wigs and toppers can be worn straight out of the box, but not all. Many premium hair toppers like those provided by Newtimes Hair are delivered to salons and get styled before being put on their clients’ heads. If you get a Newtimes Hair topper from a topper or wig store or an online retailer, you can take it to your nearest salon to get restyled to your preference.

If you are a stylist, here are some tips to follow in styling a hair topper:

Trim for a custom fit: Take your topper to a stylist to get it cut to match the layers of your natural hair. Trimming makes a huge difference in how well it blends. Even if you’re DIY-ing it, a little trim can make it look less bulky and more natural.

Create volume: Use a round brush to lift the roots and give your topper some extra volume. Toppers tend to look best when there’s a little body at the crown. So don’t be shy about adding some oomph.

Part and style with your bio hair: To create a seamless look, style your bio hair and the topper together. If you’re going for a messy wave, curl both your natural hair and the topper, so they blend perfectly.

The texture is key: Natural hair isn’t perfectly smooth, so don’t be afraid to add a bit of texture to your topper. A little wave or curl goes a long way in making it look more natural.

Use Accessories: Headbands, scarves, and cute clips are not only stylish but also great for covering any visible edges. If you’re worried about clips showing, throw on a trendy headband and call it a day.

Experiment with Bangs: Bangs can be a lifesaver for disguising the edge of your topper. If you’re open to trying bangs, consider a topper with bangs, which can help blend the piece into your natural hair.

Store It Right: When you’re not wearing your topper, store it on a wig stand or mannequin head to keep its shape. Never cram it into a drawer or leave it in direct sunlight, which can lead to fading and tangling. Also read: How to Store Hair Extensions Properly.

Try a Diffused Pattern: Some toppers come with diffused or staggered part lines. It makes it look like natural hair growth and more realistic than a straight part. This subtle detail can make a big difference.

Also Read: How to Cut Layers in Hair Toppers in 6 Steps

How Do You Wash and Care for Your Hair Topper?

Wash your topper every 7–10 wears. Use a sulfate-free shampoo and cool running water to avoid drying out the hair fibers. After rinsing, gently squeeze out excess water—don’t wring it out, as this can damage the hair. Let it air dry on a wig stand.

Washing a hair topper is quite similar to washing a hair system or wig. Plus, it’s a lot simpler than washing a hair system, as most toppers don’t require adhesive or tape for attachment, so there’s no tape or glue residue. You may get some hints from our related post: How to detangle a human hair wig or hair system, which will show you in every detail how to wash and dry it properly.

Conditioning: Washing hair toppers is only half-job done. Proper conditioning will keep human hair toppers soft and manageable. Apply conditioner to the ends (not the roots) and rinse thoroughly. For synthetic toppers, stick with hair products specifically for synthetic hair.

Brushing and Detangling: Use a wide-tooth comb to gently detangle your topper. Detangling brushes are an even better choice. Start from the end and work your way up. Avoid pulling on the hair, as this can loosen the clips or pull out strands. Monofilament or lace toppers usually have their hair knotted to the base, whereas PU toppers mainly have their hair v-looped or injected. That means you need to be specially gentle with PU toppers in case the hair gets pulled off.

How Long Do Hair Toppers Last?

Want your human hair topper to last more than just a few months? With some TLC, it can easily stick around for six months to a year (or even longer) – we’re talking daily wear here!

Keep it in tip-top shape by tucking it away in a box when not in use. That’ll keep the dust bunnies at bay. Wash and condition the topper following the washing and conditioning tips above. To pamper it, don’t skimp on deep conditioners, leave-in treatments, and serums. Remember, your topper’s not getting those scalp oils like your natural hair does, so it needs a little extra love!

How Much Does a Hair Topper Cost?

The price of a hair topper can vary depending on a few things: the size of the base, the length of the hair, and the density (aka how thick the hair is). And let’s not forget the material—synthetic hair tends to be cheaper than the luxe human hair, which does cost a bit more.

To give you an idea of the range, check out the prices of different toppers here.

About Newtimes Hair

At Newtimes Hair, we’re all about helping your client feel confident and beautiful with premium hair solutions. Our range of hair toppers is designed for women seeking to add volume, length, or coverage, whether you’re dealing with thinning hair, hair loss, or just want to switch up your style.

We make and distribute premium hair toppers to over 2,000 salons and stylists worldwide at incredible factory-direct prices. With a focus on quality and versatility, our toppers seamlessly blend with your client’s natural hair, providing a flawless, natural look.

From clip-in to tape-in options, we offer something for every need, ensuring you get that perfect, effortless boost. Plus, with Newtimes Hair, you can trust that each topper is crafted with the finest materials, giving you a long-lasting, comfortable solution that truly works.

Contact us now.