How To Choose A Quality Wig

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Things are about to get fun…and a lot of complicated. But you can relax, because I’m giving you a good guide on How To Choose A Quality Wig for yourself! When it comes to wigs there is so much to go over. Style is of course one of the more fun elements to play with, and I encourage you to have fun with this, so that’s where I’m going to start.

It’s important for me to note, that finding a wig that works for you takes a bit of trial and error, so it’s important to find a place you can try some on. Stick with a style or color to start. Your style will of course change over time, just like someone with hair enjoys to cut, dye, and change their style, so will you with your wig!

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Starting with Style- How To Choose A Quality Wig

Picking a style opens a world of options. If you still have hair and you are wanting a wig that closely resembles your natural hair, you will want to go wig shopping before it all falls out. This wasn’t an option for me, you can read about my hair loss experience here.

Style Options

Now, may I suggest, if your style is more conservative, start conservative. If you are more bold, go bold.

…and know this! A wig is never going to look just like the hair you’re losing, but going too different too fast can make it more difficult to accept having to wear a wig…or choosing to wear one. Take time to learn what you like. When I first lost my hair, I preferred to wear long brunette wigs, but now, 13 years later, I prefer short platinum blond wigs…or just going bald.

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Not every style and color will look good on you.

Do The Following

• Try on different styles to learn what style you like,
• Try on different colors to learn what colors look nice with your skin’s complexion
• Try different shades of the color you want (I don’t look good in a yellow blond, but I love how I look in a platinum blond).

When you find A Quality Wig, Buy More Than One Wig

Buy more than one wig…if you can.

One of my biggest regrets is not having bought two of my favorite wigs, so that when one was worn out, I could have a fresh new one. Wig styles are constantly changing. This makes it nearly impossible to go back to the store and buy the same one again. The stores will have been restocked with all the new updated styles. So, if you find a wig you love and you can afford to buy two, Get two!

It is also nice to have more than one style for different occasions.

If your hair has fallen out due to alopecia, you will most likely be facing longer or permanent balding stages. This will result in you accumulating a lot of wigs. I owned over 30 wigs at one point, and I wore a different wig almost every day of the week during my first 3 years being bald. As fun as this sounds. It also came with serious identity consequences, and I would recommend exercising caution as you begin to accumulate many styles and colors.

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WARNING!!!!

As I mentioned in My First Alopecia Experience, hair is one of the best ways to express who you are, so if you’re changing your hair on a daily basis, your changing your identity every day. When you look different, you act different. This can make you Lose Your Identity, and take my word for it, losing your identity can be harder than losing your hair.

HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!!

I would recommend sticking to one style and having fun with color, or sticking to one color and enjoy switching the style you are wearing. This will help keep your identity grounded. Then, as you get used to wigs go nuts and have fun.

Cost of Quality Wigs

Now, consider the cost. There are so many wigs out there, and they range greatly in price. Wigs can be anywhere from $30-$3,000. In general, the more expensive they are, the nicer they are, but you’ll want to be sure you do your research on the company you are purchasing from.

Free Wigs

Free wig options do exist, but I have never qualified for them. Most programs require you to be under 18 years old. You can find organizations that offer free wigs on needymeds.org. Some of them are…

• Free Wigs For Kids
• Hair Club For Kids
• Hair We Share
• Locks Of Love
• The ButterFly Club
• …and more if you go to the site.

If you have lost your hair due to cancer treatments, your cancer center should be able to direct you to an American Cancer Society Contact, who can then direct you to more free wig options.  I’m not familiar with them because my hair loss is due to Alopecia and not cancer.  

I, personally have spent between $30-$1,500 on wigs and have bought them from a vast majority of places.

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How To Choose A Quality Wig from Stores and Sites

I recommend doing a search in your area, to find out what local wig stores there are close to you.

How To Choose A Quality Wig Structure

I have had most of these wig makes. Most of mine have been caps. There is an adjustable cap that the wig is sewn to. You can adjust how tight the cap is, so that it fits securely to your head. I did a back-hand-spring with a cap wig on and it didn’t fall off.  You cannot style a cap wig the same way you can style a full lace, or a front lace wig. Cap wigs are pretty much stuck in the style they are made in. They almost always include some sort of bang cut, to help hide the cap.

Full lace wigs are bonded to your scalp with either a wig tape or an adhesive glue. They can be gently pulled into ponytails and you can part the hair just about anywhere. You can style a full lace wig in almost anyway that you would your regular hair.

Full lace, human hair wigs are the most expensive. I have only owned one and it cost me $1,500. It lasted longer than any other wig I have owned. It better last after a sizeable investment such as $1,500. I was able to swim, curl my hair, and style my hair, and I did not overheat when wearing it during the summer months. The lace made it extremely breathable and very comfortable.

There is a company in Utah called Headcovers. They can have full lace wigs made for you. They will help you with putting the wig on and cut, style, and help you maintain it. The last time I checked, they also offer free wigs to kids under 18 years old. 

I haven’t bought a suction cups wig. They are supposed to be able to suction to your head. If anyone has tried this type of wig, please let me know your opinion on them.

Quality Synthetic or Human Hair Wig

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First, you need to know that neither wig will last forever, but human hair will last longer and always look more natural. Human hair is heat resistant whereas Synthetic wigs will frizz and melt in the heat. They do make a heat resistant synthetic wig, and I did have one, but I never tested it with an iron. I treated the heat resistant hair just as I did the regular synthetic.

I love Human hair wigs, but most of my wigs are synthetic due to them costing a lot less.

Accessories for Wigs

You’re going to need a few important accessories

• Wig Brush– made to gently comb the hair without pulling it out.
• Wig comb– wide spread legs to comb gently
• Head cap– Helps prevent itching and actually prevents overheating and sweating.
• Wig Shampoo
• Wig Conditioner
• Wig oil spray- especially for human hair. You don’t want your human hair wig to get dried out.
• Wig stand– To set your wig on while it dries from washing. or hat stand for multiple.
• Wig glue/adhesive
• Wig glue remover (100% acetone)
• Wig tape

Now you should have an idea of what you are looking for as you wig shop. When you tire of wearing wigs, I encourage you to check out all the scarves and hat options….and when you’re done covering your head, embrace your beautiful bald head and go out with nothing on it.

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