Hair Affairs II

By Norah Blucher 

They say you never forget your first and mine was a brunette with auburn highlights and side swept bangs that I picked up online. She was sort of cheap, but I was just trying things out for the first time and had no idea what I was getting into… I hope you do realize I’m talking about a wig! Did you think we were going somewhere else?

Anyway, after years of clothes and shoes I wanted to see what adding hair to the equation would offer and it was a turning point for me. I nervously plopped it on my head and was absolutely floored. I remember gazing into the mirror and thinking, “Wow, she’s actually sort of pretty.” I was not entirely sure who was looking back at me yet, but I knew I wanted to get to know her better! 

I got lucky I guess since a bad wig might have scared me off and since then I’ve gone through several iterations of hair style and color and looking back I could have gone about things better.

Where to Buy

Buying a wig online has all the benefits we have come to know and love with everything else we buy that way. The world’s selection is at your fingertips and you can find the best price as well. That said, always keep in mind wigs, unlike clothes or shoes, are usually a non returnable item, once you have unboxed it and combed it out. Even if it doesn’t fit or looks wretched on you, she’s your ugly baby now! No ifs, ands or buts. 

I have purchased most of my wigs online. As a result, I also have a bunch of wigs that don’t look good or fit well. At this point, I’ve become a pretty good judge of what works for me, but it took time... and mistakes. You can avoid that madness and the associated cost by going to a store.

Going to a store removes the guessing game from the selection process and I wish I had done that first. Some wigs look quite fetching on the model in the picture and dreadful on you. While another you would never have considered from a picture, can just fit your head and frame your face in such a way that Helen of Troy has nothing over you. At a store, you can try things on in different colors and styles and only buy what you like. 

If you go to a store, consider calling ahead to see if an appointment is required. It may not be, but you will want to take your time picking something right for you and this way, you can have the undivided attention of a professional. One thing that may ease your mind is that as a whole, the wig business is very discreet. People buy wigs for different reasons, medical, personal and otherwise and everyone I have ever dealt with in that arena has been very discreet and respectful. 

Size

With wigs, size really does matter! Most brands have petite, average and large sizes and like clothes, there is no true consistency. We just can’t win, can we? I personally usually need a size large, though I can sometimes get away with an average, but may not be able to clip the hair up since I may lack full coverage on the back or sides.

No matter how much I like a style or prefer a certain type of cap, I stay away if it does not come in a suitable size, as is often the case with large. They just don’t make every style in large and there are so many I would love to get, but I’ve learned to live with that limitation. A wig that is too small will just not give you the coverage you need and may give you a headache after a while. If you are new to wigs or trying a new brand, this is why trying before you buy at a store is the way to go.

Cap Construction and Style

Wigs start with what is known as the cap. The way the cap is made has a myriad of options to consider, but there are a few basics you should keep in mind as you consider your wig.

Wefted caps – These are basically made of strips of elastic or cloth with hair sewn into what are called wefts. Rows of these wefts make up the cap. These wigs are the least expensive and work great for some styles that have no hair part and have heavier bangs. Just realize that anywhere hair does not hang down, the cap is visible, so tying all your hair up or anything like that could show you are wearing a wig. The open wefting makes these very breathable though, so if you run hot, this style can work well.

Monofiliment tops and lace fronts – Mono tops have a cap with the top consisting of a fine monofilament mesh in which individual hairs are tied on. This allows you to part your hair and have a realistic looking scalp underneath. Lace front wigs utilize a similar type of monofilament material in the very front, allowing for styles with no bangs and a very realistic hairline.

Hand tied lace caps – These are the creme de la crème of cap construction and utilize a fine lace all over in which each hair is tied on, much as wigs were made many years ago. These are the most expensive, but also the most versatile and everything moves and behaves much as naturally growing hair would. Combined with a mono top and lace front, you are free to tie up your hair, wear it off your face and do all sorts of styling.

Keep these things in mind when you consider the style of wig you want and how you want to wear it. Most of the good wig manufacturers are going to utilize a cap construction that works for the off the shelf styles at least, but if you are considering up-dos, hair clips or anything like that, pay attention to the cap construction to be able to do what you want with it. 

Beyond that, the style you wear is up to you! As you try different styles however, know that certain styles tend to work better with certain head and face shapes. I am no expert on that matter, but different styles will highlight your best features and soften others. Others will just not look right on you. 

In my own wig journey, all of my first wigs had rather thick, heavy bangs. The style looked good, but I also think I wanted as much of my face covered as possible. As I got more comfortable with everything, I was okay with longer bangs I could wear away from my face, though I still avoided styles that are long and straight in front or very short. Bangs or face framing layers help soften the angles of my somewhat square face. That’s me though. Long and straight in front or super short may make you look like a goddess. 

We are all shaped differently. If you are unsure, again, try different styles at a store and consider taking a friend along for another opinion. Above all, going with a style you feel confident in will help you along the way. 

More Highlights to Come!

We’ll leave things here for now, but hang tight and don’t rush out to get your newest hairpiece just yet. We still have a few more knots to comb through when I return. Until then, stay well and do your best to avoid any hairy situations. Questions or comments are always welcome below or you can contact me at nblucher at-sign proton dot me.

Wearing StyleWe

Buster Keaton femulating in the 1931 film Sidewalks of New York.