How to Find a Wig!

This article was last revised or reviewed on 08/18/2008 08:50:25 PM

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.

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!

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..

 $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.