Where are You in the Wig Journey?

Wig Shown Above: Harlow Wig by Noriko in color Melted Marshmallow

   I have said many times since the start of my wig journey, someone should have told me at least once a week:  YOUR WIG IS NOT HAIR! Sure, you know this, I knew this, but still…

   First of all, unless your wig is a human hair wig—it is not hair. Yeah, yeah, we know this, but it’s easy to forget sometimes because we become so used to our wig being just that—our hair replacement (or enhancement) that we forget to treat it as needed.

   It is often a hard lesson for new wig wearers to learn, and I for one have heat frazzled bangs on one of my old wigs to prove it thanks to opening the oven door while wearing it. Even a heat defiant wig can be damaged, and fast, by a blast of intense heat from the oven.

   So, as much as we like to think of our wigs as extension of ourselves, that they are our hair, they are not. That brings on an entirely different challenge, how to take care of our wigs.

   Since our non-human hair wigs are not hair, we must think of them as what they really are, treated fibers, manufactured, treated with a coating, machine and/or hand sewn, and put together in a factory.

   As much as I love my wigs, especially my two favorites, Ready for Takeoff and Muse, I try to remember to treat them better than I treated my own hair. Unlike my own hair, which was somewhat forgiving and would rebound from abuse, and grow back when cut, a wig is what we do to it. We might be able to fix some issues like dry ends by conditioning or trimming, but it won’t forgive abuse too long, or forgive a bad trim or attempt at alteration. When in doubt, seek out an expert.

   The best advice I ever got about wigs was, treat them with respect, and if you are not good at styling, take yourself and wig to your hairdresser for advice and help. Bear in mind that some hairdressers will NOT work on wigs. They know all too well that if they mess up there is no fix. So, call ahead and ask before you try to make an appointment for wig styling.

   I was lucky that I had gone to the same stylist for years, so when I got my first wig, he was agreeable to helping me. Though he told me he had very limited dealings with wigs, he’d tackle it if I would not hold him responsible for any mistakes. I agreed because I knew how talented and careful he was. We had history. And it turned out great. Not one person ever asked me if I was wearing a wig. He trimmed it to better suit my face structure, cut in some wispy bangs, did a bit of thinning it out, and I walked out of the salon confident that no one but I knew it was a wig. It was worth the time and money spent times a hundred.

   There are two wig salons near me, but because I now know what styles I like best, and that work best for me, I rarely need help. Also, I have gone to shorter styles as I’ve gotten older, and that helps as well. The ends wear longer and look better, more realistic. But everyone has their own journey, and it is a very personal one. You will figure it out, rest assured.

   As I think back, I see stages of my wig journey: Fear, caution, research, trial and error, learning, acceptance, mastery!

   Whatever stage you are in, my best wishes go with you. Know you are not alone. Ask for help, it can really pay off.

Until next time,

VickieLynn