About wigs
We only sell synthetic wigs, human hair wigs are specialised and expensive. If that is what you are after I advise learning a lot before you consider purchasing.
Pricing
Most wigs are made in China, buying direct from China can be cheaper, but it takes nearly a month to arrive, if the item is faulty sending it back to China and waiting for a refund or replacement will take a long time. Buying in your own Country will be more expensive due to taxes and postage, but you get them quicker (next day with Amazon Prime), and usually the sellers have checked the quality before stocking. I order anonymously and ensure the wig passes my criteria before ordering stock.
Fibre
All wigs will shed but they should not loose too much, longer wigs shed more than shorter ones. Unlike your own hair which grows back, wigs do not so please be gentle with them. Some people like wigs with a shine others don’t. It’s a personal preference. Shiny wigs can be dulled down, there are numerous youtube instructions on how. A dull wig cannot be made to shine. Some wigs can be dyed, its tricky and messy and you can ruin the wig, I had a go with disastrous results.A lot of the time the type of fibre is not mentioned, I have done some research and found the following are some of the types of fibre used;
- Hiperlon; Highest quality, no sheen, slightly coarse, durable and can be dyed, styled and can take heat upto 420 degrees.
- Powerlon; Similar to Hiperlon but softer and not as heat resistant.
- Kanekalon; My personal favourite. It looks and feels like real hair. It can be styled and take heat, but you do need to ensure there is a manufacturers recommended temperature before using heat.
- Henlon; Cheapest and lowest quality. High sheen. Not heat resistant.
WIG CAP
In this instance meaning the base on which the fibres are attached. There are several types depending on preferance and price.
- Weft; Lengths of artificial hair attached to a strip, same as hair extentions. These can be purchased in various lengths and quality.
- Full Cap: Wefts are sewn in row’s onto a nylon cap. This can be hot and itchy and scratching your head is tricky.
- Standard; Open wefts at the sides and back with a closed fibre crown. This allows air to cool the head. Usually without a parting.
- Capless; Open wefts at the sides, back and crown. These are the lightest and coolest.
- Monofilament / Mon-Top; A complete cap covering the whole area made of nylon or silk mesh. The hairs are hand knotted individually. Allows natural looking parting and have good ventilation. But, are expensive.
- Lace front; Usually the same as Standard and Capless but with lace around the hairline in which hairs are hand tied in. Gives a more natural hairline. The lace on these needs to be trimmed to fit and requires wig tape or adhesive. They are more expensive than standard wigs.
PARTINGS
The easiest wigs to wear have bangs/fringe which can be trimmed as required or swept to the side. Don’t try to use a comb to part the hair as the wefts will show through. With a bit of patience you can make it appear as if its parted, but do this with your fingers.
- Skin part; A strip of fabric or latex is beneath the parting to create a more natural look. This cannot be changed.
- Skin top; Latex, nylon or silk top same as Monofilament for a more natural look. Allows for various partings.
- Multidirectional; High quality skin top wig for various hair styles.
WIG CARE
I recommend purchasing a wig stand or styling head. Polystyrene ones are cheap and easy to use. Wigs can be pinned on for easier combing and styling. A also suggest and clamp to hold the head in place. I have a dressmakers mannequin, I remove the body part and use the pole stand for the polystyrene head.
- Combing; A wide tooth comb works for me. Start at the bottom using your fingers to clear tangles, then use the comb. Always go from the bottom upward. Be gentle and don’t pull too hard. Any knots need to be unwound with patience or you’ll end up with a bald wig.
- Washing; Most people recommend using fabric softener, dunk and swish the wig around, rinse and leave to dry. I use my normal shampoo and conditioner and have had no problems so far. I put the wet wig on a polystyrene head to dry or peg on the washing line. Depending on the type of wig which can tolerate heat I occasionally finish off with a hairdryer on its lowest setting.
- Styling; You must check if the wig is heat resistant and to what temperature before using heat or the wig could melt. Most can take hair dryers, curling tongs etc on a low setting. Putting soft curlers on damp hair and leaving for a day or so can produce results.
- Storing; Comb your wig before putting it away it makes life much easier and keep the wig in its style better. For long wigs it is recommended to braid them before storing as they easily get tangled. Place in its hair net and plastic bag or box. Before use put on a display head for 24 hours so the cap regains the correct shape.
- Wig cap; Oddly the same term is used for the wig base and the cap used to cover your hair before putting the wig on. These are made of fabric similar to normal tights or fishnet stockings. They protect your hair and give a base for the wig to sit on. Using one is optional.
- How to put a wig on; There are loads of tutorials on youtube on how to do this. Depending on your hair length, type and thickness there are a variety of ways.