The world of wigs seems to be such an exclusive place, when in reality, wigs are available to every woman, for any reason, at any budget - you just don’t have the information and education to make them accessible.
But we’re about to change that…
At Stranded Hair Group, though outwardly we might just seem like a clip-in extension brand, we are also a team of industry professionals with a bank of hair knowledge at our fingertips. We know that hair can make all the difference when it comes to a woman’s self-esteem and self-confidence - our brand is built on making women feel confident.
Part of that confidence, however, comes from the autonomy to learn and make your own decisions for what is best for your hair (even if that isn’t clip-in extensions). That’s why we write blogs, just like this one - so you can feel confident, both inside and out.
In this blog, you will learn everything you need to know about wigs, including; what wigs are, why women wear them, the different types of wigs and how to hack wearing them as a beginner. By the end, you’ll have all the knowledge you need to finally rock the hairstyle of your dreams!
What is a wig?
Wigs are head coverings which sit on top of your head and provide full coverage over your natural hair (or lack of), as opposed to extensions which sit under the hair and blend with what you naturally have. They’re made of synthetic fibre or human hair, designed to mimic natural hair growing out of your head.
Why do women choose to wear wigs?
Women wear wigs for a variety of reasons, and there is no ‘wrong’ reason as to why to wear one.
Some women wear wigs to protect their natural hair. This could be because they have extremely coarse, curly or textured hair, which is prone to damage from heat and styling. Wearing wigs is very common within the black community for this very reason.
Other women often wear wigs to hide or disguise problems that they have with their natural hair. Hair can have a huge impact on a woman's self-esteem, so if you are experiencing significant hair loss or damage, you may wish to hide it with a wig.
Another reason to wear wigs is simply for the convenience of not having to style your natural hair every day. This convenience means you can save time and money, along with having the ability to try out new hairstyles and colours without compromising the integrity of your natural hair and risking damage or dislike.
Furthermore, some women wear wigs for religious purposes. In many religions, often to promote modesty, women choose to cover their natural hair. Most commonly, women will veil for this purpose, but in the Orthodox Jewish community, women cover their hair with wigs, as a symbol of marriage and to show that they comply with their traditional values and morals.
Whatever your reason is for choosing to wear a wig, the biggest one is that women wear wigs (along with any type of hair accessory or extension) to feel more confident.
What are the different types of wigs?
There are many different types of wigs on the market these days, each with different benefits for the wearer. Keep reading as we break down the most common types of wigs:
Lace wigs
Lace wigs are wigs with a mesh ‘lace’ base that provides an almost invisible application to the scalp. The hair in lace wigs is individually tied to the lace, allowing the hair to mimic natural movement.
This type of wig is the most popular choice for women and comes in two styles - lace front and full lace. Lace front wigs only have the lace at the hairline, whereas full lace wigs have lace covering the entire base.
Monofilament wigs
Monofilament wigs are similar to lace wigs, in which the hairs are individually tied to mimic natural movement. The difference, however, is that monofilament wigs are hand-tied for a more natural finish and the hairs are tied to a more durable, thin, sheer base.
There are two styles of monofilament wigs - single and double. Single monofilament wigs are just your typical wig, but double monofilament wigs have an additional layer of glass-silk on the base. This layer of glass-silk mimics the appearance of scalp skin and protects the wearer from the knots of the hand-tied hair.
Combination wigs
Combination wigs are, as the name suggests, a combination of two different types of wigs. Combination wigs are a combination of monofilament hand-tied wigs and machine-sewn wefts. The machine-sewn wefts cover most of the wig base, with hand-tied sections on the top or crown to make it look more natural.
There are two styles of combination wigs - monofilament crown wigs and monofilament top wigs. Monofilament crown wigs only have hand-tied hairs covering the crown, with machine-sewn wefts covering everywhere else, whereas monofilament top wigs have hand-tied hairs covering the entire top of the wig, with machine-sewn wefts just on the sides.
Capless wigs
Capless wigs are machine-sewn wefts stitched into a stretchy base. Though they aren’t the most natural-looking type of wig, as the machine-sewn weft doesn’t allow for any realistic-looking movement, they are the most breathable and affordable.
Polyurethane Thin Skin Wigs
Polyurethane Thin Skin Wigs, also known as PU wigs, are wigs with a polyurethane scalp-like base, that are designed specifically to make the wig hair look like it’s growing directly out of your scalp.
PU wigs aren’t very breathable and have no stretch, so proper fitting is crucial for wearing this type of wig. Because of the scalp-like design, PU wigs aren’t recommended if you have a full head of hair - instead, this type of wig most benefits women with total or near-total hair loss.
How much do wigs cost?
Synthetic fibre wigs are far cheaper than human hair, however, they vary in quality. The more high-end you go with synthetic fibre wigs, the better quality they will be - meaning that they are going to look more natural and behave more like human hair (especially when investing in heat-resistant synthetic fibre hair).
Human hair wigs, on the other hand, start as the more expensive option and continue to build. Human hair comes in different ‘grades’, which describes the quality and origin of the hair. The most expensive type of human hair is known as Virgin Remy. You can read more on human hair grades, here.
TOP TIP: Lace front wigs are the most beginner-friendly and most natural looking wigs to choose from!
What wig is best for beginners?
The easiest and most-recommended wig for beginners to use is a lace front wig.
This wig is the easiest type of wig to make realistic-looking, as it is designed to mimic a natural hairline. It is also one of the easiest wigs to take on and take off, as it is secured with clips in the back, as well as having the option to glue down the lace at the front (though not necessary).
How do you make your wig look more natural?
With the help of Simply Wigs, we have noted down our top tips, for beginners, to make your wig look more natural:
- Choose a more natural-looking wig - avoiding capless wigs!
- Remove the shine from the synthetic fibre hair, using dry shampoo or baby powder
- Match the wig’s hairline with your natural hairline, or opt for a fringe
- Keep it messy, with wisps and baby hairs - perfect is obvious!
- Play around with the parting
- Pick a wig with dimensional colours to it
What do you need to know before wearing a wig?
Keep reading to find our answers to the most common questions, when it comes to wig-wearing:
Do you need to shave your head to wear a wig?
No, you do not need to shave your head or be bald to wear a wig. Most wig wearers actually have hair, but lay it down flat underneath a bald cap or their wig base.
Can you wear a wig all day?
Yes, all types of wigs can be worn all day, and comfortably so.
Can you sleep in a wig?
Not always. Sleeping in a wig is sometimes your only option if the wig is glued down for a period of time, however, if the wig is removable, we suggest doing so. Sleeping in your wig can reduce its lifespan, risk damaging the hair and can irritate your scalp.
If you need to sleep in your wig, we suggest protecting it by wrapping it up in a silk scarf or bonnet or sleeping on a silk pillowcase.
Can you shower in a wig?
Technically, yes. If your wig is removable, we suggest doing so. However, if your wig is glued down then you can shower whilst wearing it.
If you need to shower whilst wearing a wig, you must ensure to wear a shower cap and keep both the wig and the hairline dry at all times. We also suggest lowering the temperature of your shower, as the steam from hot water can cause your adhesive to lift.
So what now?
As a beginner, the world of wigs seems like a scary and pretty exclusive place, but you came to this blog looking for the answers to all the questions you had - and we had the key to the door!
Since reading this blog, you have learnt everything you could possibly need to know about wigs, including; what wigs are, the different types of wigs, why women wear them and how to make them look more natural.
But now what?
At Stranded, we are committed to making women feel confident, with our clip-in extensions and the education we can pass on to you. We write blogs, just like this one, because knowledge is the greatest confidence booster of all - giving you the autonomy to make informed decisions about you and your hair!
Want to learn more?
We have a huge range of educational content, just like this one, over on our Stranded Blog.
Fancy learning about all the other synthetic and human hair options on the market? Check out this blog on ‘What Is The Best Hair Extension Method?’, breaking down which extension methods work best for different needs and hair types.
Don’t think you need a full wig to get the hair of your dreams?
Why not invest in clip-in extensions, instead?
Stranded Hair Group stocks a huge range of synthetic fibre and human hair clip-in extensions, including one pieces, multi pieces, ponytails and buns. If you were considering wigs, a one piece clip-in hair extension may be the product you’ve been looking for!
Stranded One Piece Clip-in Extensions come in 16 and 20 inches, up to 33 multidimensional shades and Stranded Clever Fibre - our synthetic fibre specifically designed to mimic real hair, which is heat resistant up to 180℃. With four styles to choose from, our one piece collection has a look for everyone!
We also offer free expert colour matching, so that you can take the hassle out of finding your perfect shade.
