From hairpieces to wigs

by Jan
(STL)

I started losing hair in my twenties and by 40 had to wear a hair piece. I made the mistake of going with a company that sold to men. The only advantage was that I could swim with them and not have them float away. It was attached all the way around by looping my hair through it and anchoring that with a little super glue. The biggest problem I had was that they had way too much hair in them and in spite of styling efforts were too flat on top.

Eventually, I graduated to wigs and couldn't be happier with the experience. To make things easier, I buzz my hair with clippers. Here are some things I wished I'd known from the beginning. Measure your head because wigs do come in sizes. Real human hair is beautiful and long lasting but it has to be styled often. Synthetic wigs are wash and wear with little styling needed. Wig caps are light, comfortable, and secure. There has only been one time that my wig has come off in public and that was when I was hiking and it got caught on a tree limb.

I've worn Henry Margu, Raquel Welch, Rene of Paris, and Jon Reneu. I returned a Noriko wig because it ran small and I thought it looked cheap. I buy 2 wigs and alternate wearing them. They last me about a year. Where I live, the heat is hard on them. Monofilament wigs allow parting and are easier to change the style in front. The material can stick to your scalp.

I've found that texture is as important to me as color. Many manufacturers copy the color trends in salons. Rooted, tipped, and blends make for the most natural colors. Wigs are cheaper on the internet than at your local wig shop but then they can't be cut if you want some taken off the sides or back.

If you shop online, check to see if they allow returns or exchanges. Some will not allow either and some charge hefty restocking fees.

Editor’s Comments,

Dear Jan,

Thanks for the tips and I believe it will be a useful guide for people looking for wigs!