How to Find a Wig!

New lace front wig, click for more pics

This article was last revised or reviewed on 03/12/2010 09:04:41 AM

Since I have been searching for the "perfect" wig for the past 30 years, I thought I would pass along some of what I have learned in that journey. I will continue to add to this page as things come to mind.

UPDATE 2-21-2010

Where did I find these wigs?  There are lots of sites selling these wigs, mostly ethnic related sites, but I have bought some of the pieces you see in the pictures from the following sites. 

  http://myworld.ebay.com/wigelegance/

http://stores.ebay.com/Jennys-HairSense-The-Wig-Company

http://stores.ebay.com/Wig-Elegance

http://stores.ebay.com/ASAP-Hair-Makeover

(This is the site where the current blonde pics came from)

 UPDATE 2-8-2010

In my continuing search for better wigs I am investigating the lace front wigs which are so prevalent on the Internet and on celebrity forums. I finally found what I believe are fairly acceptable lace front wigs for other than ethnic buyers.  Previously the majority of lace front wigs were designed and developed with the African American community in mind. Those cleaver designers have listened to our requests and have come up with some pretty good pieces for those of use that desire an almost un-detectable wig. Jump over to the new page labeled Lace Front Wigs for a look at the new ones in the collection.

Lace front wigs incorporate a 2 inch wide front section of fine lace, hence the name lace front.  Individual hairs are hand-tied onto the lace and oriented so that they stand straight up. The wig is positioned on your head, a review of how much lace needs to be removed (the front inch or so has no hair tied to it, it is designed to be removed.  A few quick snips with your shears leaves an almost invisible front and side attachment  point.  You can secure the wig with wig tape or with wig glue.  Since the idea behind lace front wigs is to replace total hair loss, they are actually designed to be glued on for prolonged periods, some say up to six weeks.

I use three pieces of standard double-sided wig tape, one centered and the other two attached right above the ear aiming toward the center piece of tape.  The wig is placed, positioned just right and then you reach under or move that section of the wig, and remove the backing paper that is still on the tape. Gently re-position the wig and press down.  If you are using glue use the teeth of a comb to press so that you don't matt the hairs into the glue.  All you want to stick is the lace itself. 

The picture below is of one of the pieces I just received, there is no discernible hairline other than what appears to be your own natural hair.

Human Hair wigs, or the myths revolving around them

Human Hair wig buyers please read this note before you simply have to buy a Human Hair wig.

Unless you simply have to have Human Hair for some unknown reason, (I personally cannot think of one valid reason) never buy one. They suffer from the exact same frailties as living (or dead) human hair and can never look as good as the very first time they are used.  They are very similar to the crack cocaine of wigs.  The first time you wear the wig is always the best and you can never seem to reach that point again. Synthetic is less expensive, lasts longer, styles much easier, can be discarded without major guilt, and come in hundreds more styles than human hair can ever have.

Done! Of course, this is my opinion and you must develop your own experiences...

My personal tenants of wig buying

1. You will never find the "perfect" wig, but you can come very close! This piece is rapidly becoming my most favorite piece.  she is very versatile and looks good with virtually no effort.

Now this piece is rapidly becoming a favorite simply because of it's natural look and the fact that she passes in virtually any crowd.

2.  Price is not always indicative of value and appearance. Shop wisely and invest in something that you can wear. This little number was under $25 and can go anywhere.  I love to hear whispers from people like, "She would look so much better if she would do something about those roots showing"

3.  Buy all the wigs you want, but realize that only 5% will be "passable" pieces.

4. Never, never, brush a wig!!! Wet or dry, never!  When a wig is brushed, however gently, the ends of the hair will whip and snap and break and split.  If the look you are looking for is a frayed, split ends, fuzz ball, then brush away and you will achieve your goal. Believe me, I have created my fair share of fuzz balls.  To remove tangles use the wire end of the wig pick and gently start at the ends of the hair and pick out the tangles slowly going toward the root of the hair.  Sorry, I reverted to the one major caution I seem to have to pass on.

5.  Shop the Internet for wigs.  If you have an aversion to going into a wig shop and trying on wigs, then look for the best value online. Do an eBay search for "wig" and sit back.  The last time I used that vague search word, I got 14,333 possibilities. Narrow your search with other key words like "long" "short" "curly" or whatever you are looking for. Some of my best pieces have been the least expensive.  Chinese wig manufacturers have stepped up to the plate and started making excellent quality inexpensive pieces in very current styles.   Many of the major labels are manufactured in China in the very same plant that manufactures the less expensive pieces.

6.  Buy from a friend.  Does a friend who wears wigs have one that you think you would look good wearing?  Ask to try it on and if it is the "perfect" piece for you, ask if she will sell it or find out where she got it.

7. Take a good look at crossdresser sites.  Those people are nuts anyway but they sometimes have very nice hair.  (Those of you who take exception to my words think about it before you get mad and write to me! )

8.  Don't waste your time trying to thin or trim or curl or heavily modify a wig before you feel it can be worn. Put it on, adjust it, pick out the bangs or fringes and take an objective look.  If the piece needs too much attention and only lasts a few wearings because it needs so many modifications, it is worth it? A gentle bang trim or creating bangs on a bang-less piece is fine, but don't spend hours trying to make a piece look perfect.  There are very few perfect hairstyles out in the malls..

This piece is now 5 years old, she has been everywhere and in more styles than I can remember, and she cost under $40 and is still available

 $20 piece with and without bangs, down and in updo.

All the pieces you see on my site that are within the past 2 years are from Internet purchases.  Granted, you do not see them all, some suck, plain and simple. Those that seem to work for me get re-ordered regularly, thinking I must have one more in a different color.  The above piece is Ashanti from Wild Cat Wigs.  I now own 20 of the Ashanti pieces, covering more colors than I knew even existed.  They are so well made and can go up or look gorgeous down, why fight it? 

 I still get taken just as every starry-eyed buyer does, but I generally learn from the experience. 

My latest interest is in lace front wigs, something I never thought I would ever investigate. For those of you that are not aware, lace front wigs have a very fine lace in the front of the wig that is used as the base for hand-sewn hairs that basically stick straight up.  The wig line is almost invisible and after taping or gluing it down it is totally undetectable.

I have jnow taken the time to glue .  The glue forms a film, as you would expect, and must be removed or the mesh base gets stiff and the hairline becomes visible.  Use the remover suggested by the wig supplier for the glue that you use.  It works well and does not cause the mesh to break down.

I still use tape, it just seems easier, but can be visible if it shines too much. on the pieces I currently own.  If you look carefully at the hair line you can see the mesh base.  I have others on order and hope to be reporting on their appearance very shortly.