Supply chain & production
We select the finest quality human hair through a traceable and ethical process that begins in India and continues in our production facility near Rome, Italy after thorough quality control.
100% ethical & traceable
Great Lengths is the world’s most trusted hair extension brand and is the only hair extension brand globally to procure its hair ethically and prove its origins through traceability as well as to give the hair a second life by donating it for the creation of wigs for children with cancer. These brand promises, along with our B Corp certification offer the powerful proof to our customers who deserve to know where and how their products are made.
Ethical Sourcing
Great Lengths sources its hair from Indian temples where, during a Hindu ritual known as tonsuring, pilgrims donate their hair to their gods. We purchase this hair direct from the temples and in return our payments go to support the temples and their communities.
Every strand comes with a promise of:
- Full donor consent from the individuals donating their hair.
- Reimbursement to the temples to provide support and services through our payment
- Never using ‘middlemen’ or hair of unknown sources.
Learn more about our ethical sourcing
A ancient ritual
For over 5000 years, Hinduism has been entwined in the rich culture of India. For Hindus, every part of life is a sacrifice, a giving of oneself or ‘Jivayajna’ for which one receives true spiritual fulfilment. On a daily basis, devout pilgrims travel to temples across India to pay homage to their gods by making an offering to the temple.
Tirupati Venkateswara Temple (or the Temple of Seven Hills), is one of the largest and most popular of Hindu temples. Located on the top of Tirumala hills, this temple attracts thousands of worshippers a day from all over the world who queue up from early in the morning to late at night. Worshippers donate objects such as gold trinkets, personal possessions or their hair, a symbolic offering to show their devotion to the deity. This ritual shaving of one’s hair is known as tonsuring.
In the past, tonsuring was a symbol of repentance, a devotee would ask for forgiveness and their shaved head was a sign of starting a new life. Today, pilgrims make an oath with god and should their prayers be answered, they shave their heads as a precious sacrifice and sign of gratitude and faith.
A fair trade
Prior to the advent of hair extensions the donated hair was often used for the manufacture of oil filters for cars (the microscopic hair cuticles would trap impurities when compacted into a filter) or simply for the filling of mattresses to sleep on. Traditionally, no money changed hands in this process.
In more recent times, the production of wigs, toupees and later real hair extensions has created a market for the donated hair. The increased demand has meant that the temples fetch a good price in exchange for the hair and these funds are then used to aid the poor. Whilst those donating don’t receive monetary payments, the temples auction off the donated hair and make $100-400 per kilo of hair depending upon the quality. A small portion of this income is used for regular upkeep of the temple and pays the wages of the people that work there. The remaining money is invested into the local community, providing food, shelter and medical assistance to those in need.
All Great Lengths hair is 100% traceable and sourced directly from these temples. Learn more by watching this video.
Manufacturing and Treatment
B. Corp Certified
Once our hair is collected in India, it travels to Rome where it is treated and then onto Australia for distribution. Many of these processes are done lovingly by hand, and we also take care to look after our employees and the environment. We are the only B Corp Certified hair extension company globally and strive to raise the bar on sustainability in our industry:
- Through B Corp certification we have proven our fair and ethical work practices as well as meeting the criteria for sustainability.
- We lower wastage through clever practices including the use of recycled water in our manufacturing and using hair unsuitable for extensions for other things (ie. the making of bonds or training/testing hair).
- Our Australian office is 100% carbon neutral and we have abolished plastic packaging in our distribution from Sydney. We now use FSC paper for all hair transport.
A Second Life for Our Hair
The Little Princess Trust
After Great Lengths hair extensions are worn and removed, their journey is not over but in fact may go on to make a powerful impact in a young person’s life. Through our partnership with The Little Princess Trust, our hair is now being collected around Australia to be used in the creation of wigs for children and young people with cancer. These wigs, available free of charge to any person under 18 who suffers from illness related hair loss are the final piece in our hair’s journey.
To find out more about The Little Princess Trust click here.
