October Spotlight: Jacquelyn's Journey - A Woman's Prerogative

I met Jacquelyn a few months ago, and she immediately impressed me with her can-do attitude and deep empathy for others starting their wig journey. As she shared her adventure into wigs, it was clear her story would resonate with many. I was thrilled when she agreed to be featured in our Client Spotlight.

Jacquelyn’s advice is simple: just keep going—or more accurately, dive into the deep end and keep swimming. With her family’s support, she has embraced wearing and customizing wigs to make them uniquely her own, as naturally as a fish takes to water.

My wig journey began during the height of the COVID lockdowns when most of America was homebound. With many businesses closed, including hair salons, I decided to become my own stylist. My hair desperately needed a cut and color. The cut was easy enough, but the coloring took a frightening turn.

I used my usual box color, and everything seemed fine until the burning started. The sensation intensified quickly, forcing me to rush to the sink and rinse my hair until the water ran clear. I chalked it up to a fluke. But a few days later, when I tried again with a different color, the same burning happened, and I had to wash it out once more. Panicked that coloring might no longer be an option, I wasn’t ready to embrace my gray. Staring at my new, unfamiliar reflection was unsettling.

Weeks before this, I had noticed scalp itching and some hair loss but hadn’t connected the dots until these episodes. As my hair grew out, the itching worsened. My scalp felt more comfortable with short hair. By Summer 2020, I had a gray buzz cut and still no clear answer as to what was wrong.

With no explanation for my hair loss or sensitive scalp, I recalled the time I shopped for wigs with my mother during her cancer treatments. She found joy in wigs—loving how easy they were to wear and how beautiful they made her feel. On one of those trips, I bought a wig for fun. Though I never wore it out, I loved how it gave me the long, silky hair I’d never had, and my husband liked it too.

That memory reignited my interest in wigs. I began researching online, diving into blogs, YouTube videos, and wig shops. I took notes, bought supplies, and posted reminders in my closet about how to care for my wigs.

Wig shopping became my reward after long workdays, offering a glimmer of hope during the bleakest days of the pandemic. By April, I bought my first wig—it felt like a lifeline. I no longer had to face gray stubble while trying to figure out what was happening to my scalp.

But doubts crept in. Would it look like a wig? Would it irritate my scalp even more?

As a self-conscious person, adding a wig to my look was daunting at first. My husband reassured me it was okay to try a wig, though he later admitted he was nervous too. My husband is my biggest supporter. He’s so invested in the wig world that he can talk about brands like Ellen Wille and Estetica like a pro—he’s definitely watched a few too many YouTube reviews with me!

I shared a photo of myself in my first wig with my adult children and extended family, they were pleasantly shocked. “Wow! That’s beautiful,” they said. “It doesn’t even look like a wig!” One aunt told me I looked 20 years younger and wanted a wig for herself.

When COVID restrictions eased, I emerged with a new look. Some people noticed right away and asked if I’d changed my hair or if it was just new glasses. To some, I simply said, “Yes, that’s it.” To others, I’d quip, “It’s a woman’s prerogative to change her hair!”

Eventually, I saw a dermatologist who diagnosed me with psoriasis and eczema. Thanks to topical medications, I can manage the conditions. I now wear wigs regularly and keep my natural hair very short, never coloring it again. Becoming a daily wig wearer was not part of the plan, but it has been a blessing. It’s not about vanity—it’s about feeling feminine and confident.

I am selective about disclosing that I wear wigs. Sometimes it feels personal; other times, I think sharing might help someone else. Once, after receiving a compliment on my hair, I hesitated but then revealed it was a wig. The woman advised me never to tell, but I prefer my approach.

I tell anyone considering wigs, “Just do it!” After researching and choosing something you like, try it on at home until you feel comfortable. Once you’re confident, people won’t see the wig—they’ll see your confidence. That’s what I struggled with at first.

At first, going from short hair my whole life to a chin-length bob felt unnatural but now it feels second nature, and those early days of uncertainty seem like a distant memory. Compliments on my hair are constant, and I just smile and say, “Thank you. You can have this hair too!”

My first wig was Ignite by Jon Renau in 6/33, which I still love, though it’s not curly. Now, curly bobs are my go-to, and I feel amazing in them.

My current favorite is Wynter by Estetica in the color R6/28F.

I’ll buy any curly wig in brown/auburn and cut it to mimic Wynter’s look. It suits my face, keeps my neck cool, and garners the most compliments. I prefer lace-front wigs for their comfort and natural appearance, though I’ve never tried a fully hand-tied wig.  Machine-made caps are comfortable but can irritate my scalp.

Wigs are now part of my daily life, and I’m grateful for the confidence and ease they bring. There’s a saying: “When you get up in the morning, get washed and dressed as if you’re going somewhere special, even if you’re not. It will lift your spirits and brighten your day.” I believe wigs do just that. When you wear one that makes you feel beautiful, you exude confidence, and people notice you—not the wig.