Wig Studio 1 News
Get Rid of the Wiggy Look!
(Wig shown above: PREORDER | Timeless Wig by BelleTress | Mono Part)
Do you suffer from wig-itis? No matter what you do, you still think your wig looks fake. This is most often a new wig wearer’s affliction. We are so used to seeing our fine, thin hair, that the wig just seems like too much hair. And to be honest, sometimes it is. Some styles and brands seem to pack a lot more “hair” into their wigs than any real person would ever have. This is where a bit of skill comes into play. I have no such skill, so I depend on my hairdresser to do a bit of thinning and shaping on some styles. Some think the permatease is the problem; that it makes you look as if you have a ton of hair on top. But some permatease does work for some styles and gives the wig lasting shape to support the style.
But then, we have an additional issue. Are you frustrated because no matter what you do, your wig still looks a bit fake? This seems to be a major concern, and for obvious reasons. You don’t want to spend the time and money on a wig to have it announce to the world that it is…a WIG.
In this case there are several things to consider. We can’t expect a cheap wig to look as good as one with all the bells and whistles. We do get what we pay for in more ways than one. A good quality and well-made wig can make all the difference in how real they look and how long they last. We have all come to expect that a human hair wig will look more realistic. We know that a lace front and mono top can give our wigs a more realistic look, depending on the style. We know that synthetic wigs can be helped if we tamp down that shine and choose rooted colors. We know to look for blended shades of color because flat colors scream fake.
And back to our original issue…density. For most of us, especially if losing our hair was a drawn-out process where we got used to thinning hair, any wig might look like too much hair at first, and that takes a while to get used to for most people. If a “real” look is a big issue for you, then time as well as money is a big player. We know that we can’t expect to pull a wig from a box, put it on our head, and have it look very realistic, in most cases. We must take time to customize the wig for us—our head shape, our coloring, and learn which styles suits us best. This includes seeking professional help like a hair stylist to maybe trim, thin, cut bangs if needed, and in general, shape it up to suit our face, if needed.
Some other issues in wig wearing that sometimes get overlooked or thought about too late are: wig fit (cap size), wig placement (does it sit at the natural hairline?) and wig security. Did you prep your bio hair if needed and find a method of securing the wig that is comfortable for you? Trial and error, and time will help with this.
In the end, we get back what we put into our wigs. They are an investment, so it’s worth learning all that we can to make them look great and last a long time.
Sometimes it is hard to be objective as we stand there looking in the mirror. That’s where a professional stylist comes in. Your mom, best friend, partner, etc., might not be the best person/people to ask when it comes to picking a wig color and style—for obvious reasons. A stylist has no, or at least little, emotional investment, and it’s her or his business. They do this for a living. Trust the experts.
Until next time, wishing you all a happy holiday season. Break out that new wig and show off a little.
Vickie Lynn
Taking the Fake Out of Wigs
(Wig Shown Above: CROWD PLEASER WIG BY RAQUEL WELCH)
Are you frustrated because no matter what you do, your wig still looks a bit fake? This seems to be a major concern, and for obvious reasons. You don’t want to spend the time and money on a wig to have it announce to the world that it is…a wig.
However, it does go back to time and money. You can’t expect a cheap wig to look as good as one with all the bells and whistles. You do get what you pay for in more ways than one. A good quality and well-made wig can make all the difference in how real they look and how long they last. We have all come to expect that a human hair wig will look more realistic. We know that a lace front and mono top can give your wig a more realistic look. We know that synthetic wigs can be helped if we tamp down that shine and choose rooted colors. We know to look for blended shades of color because flat colors scream fake. Also, another magic word…density. For most of us, especially if losing our hair was a drawn-out process where we got used to thinning hair, any wig might look like too much hair at first, and that takes a while to get used to for most people.
If a “real” look is a big issue for you, then time, as well as money, is a big player. You can’t expect to pull a wig from a box, put it on your head, and have it look very realistic. That’s where the time comes in to join money as the other main player. You must take time to customize the wig for you—your head shape, your coloring, and learn which styles suit you best. This includes seeking professional help like a hairstylist to maybe trim, thin, cut bangs if needed, and in general, shape it up to suit your face.
The time investment does not stop at visiting the hairdresser, and learning what styles and colors suit you best. You must learn how to care for your wig properly, whether it be human hair or synthetic. You will need to learn what products are best, how much heat, if any, the wig can tolerate.
Some other issues in wig wearing that sometimes get overlooked or thought about too late are wig fit (capsize), wig placement (does it sit at the natural hairline?), and wig security. Did you prep your bio hair if needed and find a method of securing the wig that is comfortable for you? Again, this takes time.
In the end, we get back what we put into wigs. They are an investment, so it’s worth learning all that we can to make them look great and last a long time. Also, don’t go too generic. You don’t want to look like you are wearing a wig-hat. Sometimes it is hard for us to be objective as we stand there looking in the mirror. That’s where a professional stylist comes in. Your mom, best friend, partner, etc., might not be the best person/people to ask when it comes to picking a wig color and style—for obvious reasons. A stylist has no or at least little emotional investment, and it’s her or his business. Trust the experts.
Until next time, wishing you all a happy new year. Break out that new (well thought out) wig and show off a little.
Vickie Lynn
Storing your wigs—What’s the best way?
I see this question a lot—what is the best way to store my wigs for a season or an extended time? I have seen a lot of answers on this topic. In the end, it’s up to an individual’s space, resources, and personal preference. But... there are some ways better than others.
A few storage tips:
- Always make sure the wig you are storing is clean.
- Make sure the wig is completely dry and there are no tangles.
- Keep them away from heat and direct sunlight. They will dull your color and break down hair fibers.
- Keep them safe from children and pets. (A good idea in storage or not).
- If you want your wig to maintain its style better, invest in good-quality hairnets.
For more short-term storage, consider these options:
- Use the box it came in. They are stackable and labeled, making it easier for you to grab one and go.
- If you don’t have your wig box or need a way to travel with it that doesn’t take up so much space, fold your wig in half from ear to ear, insert it into a clean, plastic bag, and put tissue inside the wig cap to help it hold shape. You can use a Sharpie and label them to make searching for the one that you want easier.
- Always travel with at least two wigs to ensure that you don’t get an ugly surprise if something happens to one.
- If you have space wig stands are great and convenient, especially if you rotate your wigs often.
- Invest in a shoe rack just for your wigs. The over-the-door racks are perfect for wig storage.
- You can also invest in airtight plastic containers for your wigs so that you can label them with the names and colors of each wig that is stored inside. It will save you time opening plastic bags when you go to search.
What about wig stands? Wig heads? Which is best?
- Collapsible wig stands are great if you are lacking space and just want one or two available all the time, and great for travel.
- Wig stands are also helpful for styling because they let the wig fall as it is meant to, making it easier to style. Securing the wig stand is important to give you more flexibility.
- Mannequin or wig “heads” can also be used for wig storage. Be careful of sizing because storing on this type of head can stretch the wig cap it’s too large. They often cost more than the others and are not travel friendly. Also, they take up space.
- The lightweight styling foam heads are similar to the mannequin heads but less costly, and they are a bit more substantial than a wig stand. They do help keep the wig in shape and are great for those who keep a few wigs out at all times in a rotation. But are not great for travel, of course.
So, the answer is, get all three if you can. They each serve a different purpose.
Remember, if you leave your wigs sitting out, they can collect dust just like anything else. Never fail to give your wigs a good shake before wearing, and if they are to be sitting in one place for longer periods, covering them with scarves will help protect them.
Helpful rules that bear repeating:
Never store a damp wig, make sure your wig is tangle-free, and never store your wigs in heat or direct sunlight. If storing on wig stands/heads, make sure they are protected from dust, pets, and children.
Until next time, think wigs for fall, the holidays, and parties,
Vickie Lynn
