Recently, I wrote about the challenges of learning about wigs when one is a senior and hasn't needed a wig before. A lot of women in their sixties and beyond are now looking at wigs as an option who may have not looked at them before. There is more than one reason for this. Women live longer in general and they have products at their disposal to help them look younger longer. We live in the time of Botox, fillers, microcurrent technology to firm up the muscles under the facial skin, and a host of skincare products that can help us look our best. But when it comes to hair—well, it is what it is, and some women are not so happy about that. Their thinning hair makes them look older and is no match for their face and body. What to do? 

It was these women that I talked with recently. Their concerns were much the same as a wig wearer of any age. Will the wig look “real” and how do in decided on a cap construction, color, style, and what about wig care? They did have one concern that was different from younger women—length, and the out-of-date thinking that senior women should never wear long hair. As we have all learned by now, it’s all about the wig style, color, one’s face shape, and really—one’s attitude. 

When I think about attitude and how that matters, I think of women I know who are always just comfortable in any situation, can talk to anyone about anything, and who have their style. They don’t second guess their choices, or at least they don’t’ seem to dwell on them. They just wear things, including hairstyles, colors, and wigs that just feel right for them. This has been the biggest hurdle in my discussions with senior women. They are of the generation, especially in certain parts of the country, where they do pay more attention to “what their peers might think” and I don’t see that changing. That may be their comfort zone, so that’s fine. When I talked with them about what was holding them back from hitting that “buy” button there were just a few things they were trying to resolve since our last meeting where I did an actual wig presentation using my wigs, answering questions. These questions may resonate with you too—they are not just senior concerns. The top ten questions that came up over and over:

1. Can I make a big color change from my bio hair—and if I do, how do I prepare my friends and family for it?
2. I don’t want to deal with long wigs because of the care involved, how do the mid-lengths hold up compared with the shorter wigs?
3. Should I buy two of the same wig and rotate or wait until one is wearing out before I get another?
4. If I don’t want to tell people I’m wearing a wig, how do I make it look more real?
5. How do I decide what securing method to use?
6. Do I have to wear a wig cap?
7. Do I have to shave my head?
8. Can I sleep in my wig?
9. If I want to go lighter should I do it gradually if I don’t want people to notice and think it’s a wig?
10. Should I have a backup wig, asleep wig, a swimming wig, etc.?

I did address all of these questions with the group. I have had some of these questions and I am sure you did (or do) too. Some senior women, depending on the age range, are very media savvy, and some are less so. There is a gap in resources and knowledge in the group that I was dealing with, and that was an eye-opener for me. Some knew how to search for answers and some had no idea. In the end, I decided to make it a personal mission to work with this group on my own to try to help them overcome their fears and hesitations about jumping into the wig world. There is no reason that they can’t wear wigs successfully and feel good about it. If you are a senior woman or if you know a senior woman who is thinking about wig-wearing but is put off by the lack of information or support please encourage them to go to the WigStudio-1 Facebook page or the help desk at WigStudio-1. No one should have to do the wig journey alone. 

Along with the shorter wigs that a lot of them like are many of the mid-length ones. These were the most popular in the group, and I hope some are ready to hit the buy button. 

https://www.wigstudio1.com/collections/gabor-wigs

Until next week, just get out there and be your version of a beautiful you!

Vickie Lynn

We all know the usual things that can cause people to look twice and think someone is wearing a wig: too much shine, odd colors, cheap wigs that are more like a hat, too coarse fibers that don’t move. And the list goes on. 

In my years of dealing with wigs and wig wearers I have noticed that there are three groups of wig wearers (in general): 

1. Those who wear wigs for fun and fashion. They usually don’t care if someone knows they wear a wig. 
2. Those who are terrified of wigs and don’t want anyone to know they wear one (it takes them forever to wear one out of the house. And why—because they don’t pick the right one (mostly due to lack of information) and now they are not happy with how they look in the wig they bought. 
3. (and this is a unique one) A wig wearer who thinks more hair is better (that’s not necessarily so), and those who are so afraid of more hair/big hair that they won’t try anything that’s not low density. 

Whatever category you fall into, or somewhere in between, there are challenges to all of us in our wig journey and for different reasons. We are individuals with individual likes, needs, and there is no “one size fits all” answer on the wig journey.

It is often difficult to “see” ourselves as we are, or as others see us. We often have a picture of ourselves in our minds that may not have a lot to do with reality. Are we trying to look like we did ten or twenty years ago when we had all of our bio hair? Trying to mimic that is often the first and biggest mistake that wig wearers make. They forget that if they had kept their hair and it had aged with them, that it would look different today, and not as it did ten or twenty years ago.

When I asked NON-wig wearers if they could generally spot a wig, and if so, what was the giveaway, here are their top ten answers: 

1. Too much hair.
2. Too much shine.
3. Flat or unrealistic color.
4. Too much hair on top.
5. Hair that didn’t fit the person’s age (in days gone by, it was elderly women who were more likely to wear wigs, and they were mostly short). I think this contributed to the idea that older women should only wear short styles. As I have written about before, this is not always the case. There is NO rule about age. It’s about how one looks in a style and color—how one feels. 
6. Weird hairstyles (not sure what they had in mind).
7. No visible part in the hair or the part was wig-related.
8. The hairline was not real.
9. The hair was too perfect, like a sprayed-on helmet.
10. The weird hairs sticking up on top of the ends of the hair looking clumpy.

As a wig wearer, I fight against all these things, as I know so many of you do. Most of us have learned or will learn which brands and styles work best for us so that we can defeat all of these “it’s a wig” markers. I think I’ve found my styles, brands, and colors, and hope you have found yours. In the end, it’s about what makes us feel good about ourselves. If I can go all day and never think about my hair/wig, it’s a good day. If I am uncomfortable, worried about my wig, unsure how realistic it looks, then it takes away from my day and can alter my mood. Therefore, I do all that I can to make sure that doesn’t happen. 

It’s a process, and none of us will become or has become wig experts overnight. So, be kind to yourself on this journey, and know that we are more than our hair.

Until next time, I’m wishing for autumn, and loving my new wig, “Ready for Takeoff”

Vickie Lynn 

https://www.wigstudio1.com/search?q=ready+for+takeoff

Fortunately for us in today’s world, there are no rules about when or if one should wear a wig. It’s a matter of personal choice. Today, in addition to those wanting to wear a wig due to hair loss, are those who wear wigs like any other accessory, whether it be male or female.

Just recently I read an article about “wigs are trending” and how much the over 50 crowd is paying attention. Gone is the shame, and hello options! Celebrity endorsement of wigs, and other “helper hair” has also played a huge role in spiking this trend. Even though a celebrity may not “advertise” for any particular brand, they don’t try to hide the fact that they enjoy wearing their “helper hair” on many occasions. These high-profile women of varying ages show up in every style, length, and color available, and then the social media influencers and millennials across the nation imitate their looks.

Though a lot of women over 50 or 60 and beyond might not care about social media influencers, the fact that they are making wig-wearing more accepted as the “norm” does help. This brings us to those who don’t want to say, “Hey, look at me!” Rather, they want to be looked at and have nothing noticed but how nice they look, and how like themselves they look.

After interviewing a group of seniors, I found their big complaint was that the wig industry, due to the societal push toward pleasing younger women, left them out in the cold when it came to choices, styles, and colors. I think that I convinced them that though it could have been that way in the past, it was no longer true.
Wearing wigs can bring a kind of freedom because one can look fantastic in minutes rather than spending hours in a salon putting your biological hair through all kinds of abuse. Another issue for this age group was that some had not tried today’s wigs. I showed them two of mine and they were amazed. “These are not our mother's wigs,” one lady told me. After spending a bit of time with them talking about how great today’s wigs were in general, I pointed out the many improvements: new color blending techniques, rooting, shading, different kinds of cap construction, and those great lace fronts. They were all eager to get more information.

The most obvious benefit of wig-wearing is that in almost all cases, an older woman (and man too) will look younger immediately with the right wig, style, and color combination. Unless blessed with the same head of hair one had at 30, anyone in their 60s and beyond will look younger in the right wig. And by “right” wig I mean the right length, as well as style and color specifically for you today, not what looks good on some actress, or the younger you. The hairstyle one had at 30 may not work with a 65-year-old face that has lost some roundness or collagen, and whose complexion might now be different as well. We can’t go back in years, but we certainly can make our years today look amazing.

No matter the reason for wig wearing, and whether young or old, we all want to look our best. A tip from a stylist made a good point: the days of having to go shorter because you are maturing are gone. Their advice was to pick out a favorite facial feature and find a style to highlight it. Do you have great eyes, great cheekbones, long neck? Work with those features. You don’t have to do the “old lady length” or color for that matter, just because you might be over 60.

In conclusion, I want to remind everyone as I reminded my senior ladies during our wig interview-education session—you won’t see a “senior wig” section on a wig site because there is no such thing. You can wear any wig you want. But with that said, I find I automatically went for the shorter styles but those that had some flair, not the old “bubblehead” of yesterday. There are so many chic short styles that it was really hard for me to narrow down two that I wanted. But going shorter was a personal preference for me. I don’t like to fuss with my hair or my wigs. I went with the heat-friendly fibers and they just hold up better with the shorter styles (no constant friction of rubbing the ends against your body or clothing). But you might be more talented than I when it comes to styling and might love working with the longer styles. One of my friends loves the longer ones because they give her more styling options, and she doesn’t mind the little extra care involved. That’s the beauty of today’s wigs. There is something for everyone! 

I challenge you to visit this site and find one or two that you would like to try and go for it. Know what you want though—do your homework and you’ll avoid disappointment. Do you want a mono top, lace front, etc., and know your size, so measure your head. There is so much information on this site, and on the Facebook, group site to help you every single step along the way in your wig journey. Take a look around and find the one to make you look 10 years younger!

Until next time, embrace your age, whatever that may be. 

Vickie Lynn (wearing Muse) 

It’s one of life’s ironies (and challenges) that we must keep re-inventing ourselves as things change in our life. Whether it be the many changes we go through to reach adulthood or now, as adults, the changes we must accept and deal with, whether it be by choice or circumstance.
We all have our milestones—graduation, dating, marriage, children, empty nest, and many others that are different or in-between all these. All along the way, we must put our best face forward as the saying goes. We play our part, and we must be the star in our current role no matter what it is. We may be a daughter, son, sibling, friend, employee, partner, wife, husband, but no matter what the title, there is a “real you” underneath that face we put on for every role that we play.
It’s not that we are phony, but we do wear a mask much of our life. We put on one for each of our roles. We’re not exactly the same when we are with our mother as when we are with our best friend or co-workers—you get the idea. But what does this have to do with wigs you may be asking? When one loses their hair, especially a woman, it can bring about a real identity crisis. Hair loss can come on sudden, or take years, or it can come as a result of medical treatment, but whatever way it comes, it is disruptive to our life and our identity. For years we may have been that person with long brown hair, short blonde hair, curly hair, and so on. But now what are we—the person with no hair, or almost no hair? And what does that mean? How do we re-invent ourselves when this happens? We need to remember: We are still the same person as always—just without our old hair.
There’s no getting around the fact that when we lose our hair we lose a part of ourselves—what has always been there may now be no more. It’s a shock, and our self-image is disrupted, and that can affect our lives in many ways. As strong as we may be, as efficient, capable, loved, loving, nice, kind—it doesn’t matter. A loss is a loss and must be dealt with, and often with very little help from others. It’s often the case that others don’t know how to help, or maybe we keep our situation a secret. Regardless, we must deal with sorrow, pain, fear, anger, shame, the best way that we can. For a woman, hair loss means that we are losing one of the things that help identify us as such. Our hair looks different from men’s hair, mostly. We need to remember: We are still the same person as always—just with different hair!
I’m glad I’m living in this time in history (when it comes to wigs anyway) because I know that I can walk down the street, go to any event, meet strangers and friends, and no one will know that I am wearing a wig unless I tell them. Wigs are just that good today. All kinds of people get all kinds of help every day to replace all kinds of losses. Whether it be hair, teeth, limbs, and even organs, we are living in a time where we have options so that we can still be who we thought we were with some help and adjustments. We need to remember: We are still the same person as always—just with lots of different hair to pick from now!
My hope for you is that you never forget who you are as you face your challenges, whether it be hair loss or other types of losses. We will all have them. No one gets out of this life without scars my grandmother used to say. She also said to wear them as a badge of honor because it shows how strong we are. That’s not to say we won’t have some dark moments and look in the mirror and get so angry that we don’t have the hair we had at twenty-five, and we wonder for the millionth time, “why me”?
When I am tempted to say, “why me,” I think of my grandmother who lost her husband before she was forty and was left with six children to raise during the depression. When I was growing up it was all just something in the history books to me. I didn’t connect it to her because I never once heard her complain about it, not even about losing their ranch in Texas. Nor did I hear her complain about the food and materials rationing during the war or hear about her fear when she watched two of her three sons, still teenagers, go off to that war. I never once heard my uncle complain about losing one of his legs. My grandmother never forgot who she was, nor did my uncle. They both got on with their lives. They are my inspiration when times get hard.
I don’t know if I could have endured what my grandmother did without complaining but knowing about it helps me keep things in perspective. In the end, no matter what we have to face, we find our way. We know that though we do play many roles in life if we remember who we are, that will keep us going.

Until next week,
Vickie Lynn saying,

Be proud of who you are, just like these English swans in a lake near London, this past winter. The bad weather doesn’t stop them from being what they are and from doing what they are meant to do. (Picture from my cousin who lives in London and never fails to walk no matter the weather).

Hello Everyone!

Thank you for taking a moment to read this announcement. I’d like to congratulate Terri Yeley (TAZ) for being selected as our Employee of the Month for July 2021.  

For those of you not familiar with Taz, she joined our team in the summer of 2019. She began working on our YouTube Channel, uploading content creation from our regular Wig Reviewers, along with her own content to the Wig Studio 1 YouTube Channel. She took on the role of determining what styles and colors needed exposure on our channel to help those in the hair loss community as much as possible, and she ensured those styles got into the hands of creative, inspiring and caring individuals that would provide the most extensive and educational review of each style and color.

Taz helped develop our Guest Reviewer Program here at Wig Studio 1, allowing our YouTube Channel to reflect something very special; showcasing many differing face shapes, skin tones and personalities. The Wig Studio 1 YouTube Channel has grown approximately 4000% since Taz accepted the challenge to oversee, monitor and promote the growth of the channel just 3 years ago. This allows us to reach so many men and women needing education, guidance  and support through their hair loss journey. 

This growth demonstrates Taz's incredible dedication, effort and talent. Taz has helped build a creative and educational team of ambassadors dedicated to the education, assistance and support of those struggling with hair loss.

Thank you Taz and thank you to ALL of our ambassadors / reviewers. I’m very lucky to know each of you and appreciate your dedication to WigStudio1.com and the hair loss community as a whole.

On a personal level, Taz is one of the kindest, sweetest, laser-focused, creative and peaceful people that I know. She is funny and so thoughtful. I’m so grateful to have her on our team and as a personal friend. Please join me in congratulating Taz!!

July was a hot one! May August bring you cooler weather, or at least a place to cool off, and some fun with your families!

Wishing you all a great month ahead!

Sincerely,

 Andrea

Though I blogged about this a while back, it has come up again in recent Facebook posts and elsewhere. So, I wanted to re-visit this topic. How much do you tell others about your decision to wear wigs? This is a decision everyone must make on their own. No one answer fits everyone’s situation.

My friend once said to me, “it’s a mind field of judgment out there” but that can’t be your concern. There is nothing we can do to stop someone from rendering judgment about anything we wear, eat, drive, or do. Humans will be humans. With this in mind, you must decide early on how you will incorporate wig-wearing into your life. Will you just tell your family and close friends? How will you handle telling (or not telling) work colleagues? Again, only you know the best way because only you know your level of confidence, and the dynamics of your relationships, both personal and professional.

Yes, but what about romance? That is a question that I see a lot. How and when or if—you should bring this up. This is tricky because trust places a big role here. I’d certainly not make it a conversation on a first or even second date. After all, if this is someone that you don’t know well, and may not see again, why put yourself through that stress? Now, the tricky part. If you do progress to a more serious relationship, an intimate relationship, then what—how do you prepare your partner ahead of time, or do you have to do that? Unfortunately, there are no rules about this and it comes back to you, your trust level with the other person, and the confidence that you are more than your hair.

If you do get to that point and are still not ready to have the wig discussion, there is one thing my friend recommended that worked for her and allowed her time to ease her way into having the conversation. When they got to the time when she knew their relationship had progressed to the next phase, intimacy, yet she was still not ready to have the wig talk, she told her partner that she had hair extensions in and to keep his hands out of her hair. Plain and simple, and that is what happened. She offered no other explanation until she was ready to, and that was months down the road when she was sure their relationship was one she wanted to cultivate. By then she knew what to expect from him in the way of a reaction, so she took the risk. It worked out for her, but I also know someone who took the risk and never heard from the guy again. But she realized that if she was dealing with someone that shallow, then him walking away was a good thing for her. Why waste your time on someone who judges others solely by their appearance.

If you are like friend number one and you want to take some time, then there are things that you can do to help. You can do as she did or you can just say up front that you are wearing a wig so please don’t mess with it and offer no further information. However, saying that will in all likelihood bring questions, so make sure you are ready to answer them. If you are in the early dating stages there are, of course, ways to secure your wig to keep it looking natural until you do get to a more serious point in your relationship.

What about your work colleagues? That can be handled any way you think best. Depending on the change in your look, you may have someone confront you about it. Only you know your work situation. If it’s just going to a lower density wig from your thinning hair, then you might not need to say anything. I worked with a woman who decided her thinning hair was becoming a confidence breaker so she got a log density wig that matched her bio hair color and length, and just wore it into work—and got compliments on her new haircut. And I take this opportunity to remind you of something that you already know—people are much too concerned about their looks and life to dwell too much on others. We are our own worse critics and this is a hard truth.

If you love wigs and want to wear different styles, and colors regularly to work, then you’ll just have to go for it and tell everyone what you’re doing. In a week or so, it will no longer be a topic. This is the jumping into the fire with both feet approach. Some people can handle it, some rather not make this attempt. Only you can decide.

I hate to end on a negative note but you will run into those, be they family, friends, or co-workers who will have something to say. There are people who seem to see their mission in life is to offer their opinion on everything, whether they know anything about the topic or not. In the case of wigs, I’ve found that it those who know nothing about them who feel they must their critique. Be ready for them. They will ask dumb questions, comment on the color and/or style, ask you the cost, and in general, make you uncomfortable if you let them. I have found a few well-chosen sentences can usually shut them down. Here are some retorts that I’ve heard used over the years by seasoned wig wearers.

“Why yes, it is a wig. Do you have wig or hair styling experience?”
“If you’re interested I can send you some information.”
“Costs vary. I can point you to a few good websites if need more information.”
“People wear wigs for all sorts of reasons. You must feel lucky that you don’t have to.”
“I like being a blonde, but hold on, I could show up as a redhead tomorrow.”

I could go on, but you get the idea. You really DO NOT owe anyone any explanation. How much you decide to “show and tell” is your decision. Don’t let someone force you into it before you’re ready.

Until next time,
Pull out that little bit of the magical witch in you and stand tall.

Vickie Lynn

It’s a good bet that none of us would have picked hair loss as something to challenge our confidence and self-esteem. But if it’s happened to you, know that the way you choose to deal with it can make all the difference in your mood, outlook, and relationships with others. 

If we stay in the denial or anger stage we run the risk of not taking advantage of those things that can help us—like wigs. We also run the risk of not getting on with our life. We don’t want to give over—not even one second of our life, to fight a battle that we can’t win. So, if you know that your bio hair is gone for good, or at least to the point that you don’t feel confident about how you look out in the world, then you have options. 

As I have written about in previous blogs, there is a psychological impact of hair loss, like any other loss, so I don’t want to make light of it, or the pain caused by it. But to linger in the stages of grief too long can hurt us too. 

So along with those grief processing steps that famously end in acceptance, let’s look at some things to think about along with way.

• Your Perspective: You know by now that you are your own worst critic. We’ve all heard it and it is definitely true – you are harder on yourself than anyone else is. This also means that you probably view your hair loss more critically than others do. 
• Your Feelings: It’s not the end of the world, and there are many worse things many other people must deal with—right? Yes, we know this, and some of us might have even had that sentence directed at us. Knowing it and internalizing it is a different thing. It takes a little time, so don’t be too hard on yourself. Learning to live with your hair loss is a psychological challenge but it is only as difficult as you make it—however, we need tools to deal with it just like any other problem or challenge.
• Your Solutions: Find help if you need it. Most of you who read this have long since gone to the doctor and you know all about your hair loss, but now you need a different kind of help. You need help from people who know about wigs and wig care. You need to find others who are dealing with this—you need support from those who can understand.
• Your Options: Professional therapy is there for you. If you’re still having trouble coping with your hair loss, there are professionals who can help you work through those grief stages. Don’t write off your pain because you are afraid of being seen as weak. Issues with anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem can impact your mental health both in the short and long term. Get the help that you need and don’t feel bad about it for one second.

We may not have a choice about losing our hair, but we can choose how to respond (easier said than done—but true, nonetheless). We can refuse to live in denial and allow hair loss to destroy our confidence and quality of life. Getting the help that we need is the first step. Learning about wigs and how they can enhance your life is the next step and just as important. Talk to people who know about wigs, and don’t be shy about asking questions. I’ve found that most people do want to help if we just ask. I find this especially true in the wig community because a lot of the people have gone through the same challenges themselves. They know about the feeling of loss, dealt with the self-esteem issues, gone through the stages of grief, and gotten to acceptance—and then went further. They became experts about wigs and wig care, and now reach out to help others. 

If I had to pick one thing that put me over the hurdle into acceptance, I’d have to say it was the day I found a wig that felt like it was meant for me. Long-time wig wearers have had this experience as well. Like most, I had to try a few wigs to get to my happy place, but when I did it was as if someone turned the light from dim to bright. I looked in the mirror and saw me—just me, and not the wig. I knew then that I had found a look and color that suited me, and that made all the difference. My confidence began to return. 

Things NOT to do:

Please don’t give up after trying just one or two wigs. You will likely feel the same as a lot of people: the wig has too much hair (because you are not used to seeing yourself with a thick head of hair), and the fit is not right. Granted, some wigs do have a lot of hair, but you should know that some have a lower density and no permatese if that is what you like best. In other words, don’t make quick decisions. There is a wig cap learning curve as well. Did you measure your head? Do you know about the different cap styles/construction? Also, know that it will take a while to get rid of the feeling that something is sitting on your head.

Don’t think that you will look like the wig model. Have realistic expectations. Your face shape, coloring, may or may not be the same as the models. Even the length of your head and neck will be different, causing the wig to look longer or shorter on you, perhaps. 

Don’t be afraid to put your hands in and on your wig. This can be tricky because you don’t want to mess up the “factory part” if there is a chance you might want to return the win. If you know you like it and will keep it, get in there and style it. Very few wigs come right out of the box looking great. Don’t be afraid to use the proper products on it to make it your own look. Put clips in or wear a headband to add an even more realistic look. 

Don’t give up because you haven’t found the right way to secure your wig. And by “right” I mean the way that works for you. Different people like and use different methods. I am a “purist” in that I like nothing but an occasional clip or bobby pin to secure mine if I go to the dentist. But I have found a cap that fits me well. Also, I don’t do a lot of up and down, running around, being outside, etc., which might require a more secure means. So, as you can see, securing your wig is a very personal choice. Find what works for you and your life.

A happy ending—yes, there is one. Before you know it you will be a pro in your own right. You will know all about caps, fibers, heat-friendly wigs, and how to care for them. You’ll know which colors and styles flatter you—and there is when the fun begins. You have options! Just take a look at the website today—wow.

Until next time, remember, we must make many choices every day. Today, let’s Choose to be Confident. 

Vickie Lynn 

--and Ollie the Owl (sitting among my violets in my living room looking very confident indeed). 

One major plus regarding heat-friendly hair is the ease at which you can revise the style. For example; beachy waves, whether it be too much or in this case, not enough. This is so often a challenge many of us have encountered when we like a style so much we understandably order it again. Sometimes I want a backup or another color. To the chagrin of myself and many wig sisters, patterns of curl inconsistency abound in wig land.

In this blog/ video we shall embark upon reinforcing and revising a rather limp beachy wave on a very popular style; Caliente HF (heat friendly) by Belle Tress in the gorgeous new color: British Milk Tea.

You will need: the patience of a saint, a wig head on which to secure your victim, a rat-tail comb, blow dryer, and either spiral-type Curlformers or a reasonably close item resembling such. (Shown in the video as many options are now available). These types of curlers can be obtained from Amazon in various price ranges and are reusable.

Optional: Estetica Design Sea Salt Spray.
T-pins may be used to secure the wig on the head (not yours). One pin on each ear tab and one pin at the nape area. Avoid going anywhere near the delicate lace front.

Note: Steam will NOT be used. The method depicted is for heat-friendly fibers ONLY. Not to be used on regular synthetic fiber as the dry heat from the blow dryer is too hot in temperature and will fry the fibers on a regular synthetic piece.

 It is recommended that the curlers be left in overnight for the curl to cool and set. In closing, thank you for reading and I hope you enjoy the show as we tackle another wig life challenge.

Best,
Michele Pearl

Does your wig slide like butter on a skillet? Does every head movement you make turn your wig over like a pancake? Yet, a size down is too tight? It could be you need a wig grip! 

How do I properly use a wig grip?

Follow these instructions below, and your wig will grip-like- syrup on a placemat in no time!

Step 1: Place the wig grip around the back circumference of your head. It does not need to meet your hairline exactly. Instead, push the grip slightly behind the hairline. Be sure to keep the lace at the top of your head. Then ensure the grip meets up with your wig’s part. As shown in the picture below.

Step 2: Adjust the the elastic band at the back. Be sure it fits securely and comfortably to your liking.

Step 3: Again, be sure to keep the lace at the top of your head. Then place your wig on your head, over the wig grip, and adjust the wig until it's settled in place.

Step 4: Once your wig is on and settled it's time start the day. One pancake at a time! 

For more information about wig grips or any other wig related questions please email us at support@wigstudio1.com. We are here to help!

Cheers,

Ramona Mellison

R, J. “Stay Put Wig Grip: How-To.” Jon Renau, 16 Apr. 2021, jonrenau.com/jonrenau.com/blog/stay-put-wig-grip-how-to.

Those of us who have been on the wig-wearing and wig care journey for a long time sometimes forget the overwhelming feeling we had when we first started. Having heard from new wig wearers recently, I was reminded that to master anything, you have to start with the basics.

Let’s begin with something that new wig wearers often forget about until they get that new wig home. We are always so excited, traumatized, scared, happy—pick your word, about getting that first wig that we often don’t think about how to maintain it until we get that wake-up call: How do I take care of it?

What follows are some basics for any new wig wearer or about to be wig wearer. If you aren’t one to read and research, and like one woman told me that when she started, this was a call she made to her hairdresser: “I washed my wig every day, just like my hair, and it didn’t last very long, what am I doing wrong?” Of course, the hairdresser knowing considerably more about the difference between human hair and synthetics gave her the scoop on the differences. This woman, not a fan of reading up on wig care, just treated it like her bio hair. You can imagine the result.

So, let us look backward in this case to how best to get started and what you will need to chair for a wig (and some of this information can be tweaked to include human hair, of course. The type of products may vary but the needs list is about the same. 

Here is what would be on any list I made for a new wig wearer:

1. Wig stand
2. Water spray bottle
3. Wig Shampoo
4. Wig Conditioner
5. Wig brush (Human hair wigs ONLY)
6. Wig comb
7. Towel (I use a large hand towel and partially dry my wig by gently blotting it wrapped in a towel before hanging on a drying stand (NOT a Styrofoam head).
8. Wig hairspray

*Don’t use regular hair products on synthetic wigs (I get this question a lot)

*Don’t ignore your wig’s need for care. Proper maintenance will add weeks to the life of your wig, many months. And save YOU money.

*Detangle your wig before washing

*Resist the urge to comb a wet wig. Let it dry on its own sitting on a proper stand before you touch it with a comb. Don’t worry about how it looks. It will bounce back into its style when dried and then combed.

Special note: Make sure your wig is heat resistant before using any heat on it at all. The fibers on a heat-resistant wig will act differently from a regular synthetic wig with non-heat-resistant fibers. You can ruin your wig quickly by making this mistake.

Tips: in-between washes, lightly spritz your wig with a spray bottle filled with water. Then use your fingers to bring style back and calm down any frizz or flyaway.

A friend of mine swears by Ellen Wille Hair Power Hair Tip Liquid. I have NOT tried this, but if any of you have, let me hear from you. 

More Tips: What about curly wigs? Use short and very gentle strokes so that the curls remain intact. A “pick-comb” comes in handy for these styles as well. 

How to create volume: Light teasing, then smoothing over and subtle lifting will usually do the trick, followed by wig spray to set it. Be gentle but not too afraid of manipulating it. The fibers are made to take a level of punishment. But remember, too much, too often, and not done with the right tools—the wig’s life will be shortened.

Problems: Try as we might, our wigs will incur some damage, sometimes just by repeated wearing and sometimes due to our mistreatment. Here are some common problems and fixes for synthetic wigs:

• Dryness: Since the fibers are synthetic they can’t produce moisture, so we must take care of that by adding a conditioner. There are multiple leave-in conditioners and deep conditioners out there to choose from. For those clumpy ends, try a little trimming or get your hairdresser to do it, and the popular silicone sprays. (and of course, low heat with a styling tool if heat resistant). 
• Fixing unwanted curls, bends, and kinks: Unless your wig is heat resistant, you can’t use high temperatures. But you can use steam. Start slowly and gently and underdo it rather than overdo it because the steam will loosen the fibers but you don’t want it to remove fibers. (Use low heat on heat friendly wigs)

Preventing the Problems: How to prevent common problems and save time, money, and a few tears.

• Only use COLD water on your wig
• Don’t comb a wet wig
• Always air dry your wig
• Don’t apply heat unless it is a heat friendly wig or human hair wig
• Never sleep in your wig
• Use products designed for wigs not human hair
• Use your fingers more than combs for styling, detangling
• Use conditioners to make the wig softer, easier to manage, and comb (and to keep the stray hairs tamed).

How often to wash your wig: As you might expect, it will depend on how often you wear it and how much product you put in it. Rule of thumb every 10-12 wears, but if you wear it two hours a day that will vary greatly compared to wearing it ten to twelve hours a day—you get the point. You must be the judge on this. Does your wig smell okay, is it still smooth and untangled, is it looking dull from the products? You will know when it’s time if you pay close attention. 

When it’s time to go: I’ve heard and read different “rules of thumb” on this topic. The consensus is that human hair wigs very well cared for last about six months with “regular wear” and synthetics from six to eight months on average. Sadly, yes, they all have a much too short life span. We’re up against fading, heat, friction, washing, drying, combing, products, and they all take a toll on the fibers (human hair wigs as well). And again, you will have to be the judge. The life span of your wig will be driven by you and what you do or don’t do. Maintenance is the magic word

Your wig can become and will become a great asset to you if you treat it like one. 

Until next time,

Best to all,
Vickie

I had that thought so many times, even if I didn’t say it out loud a hundred times during my wig journey. I polled our Facebook group of wig wearers and wig lovers to ask them an important question: What do you wish you had known when you started your personal wig journey? Here is a complication of their comments:

1. My wig made me look so much younger!
2. That my wig wouldn’t make me look like the wig model – and I’d need to think about what looks best on me.
3. That I could trust a good online company and not overpay at a wig salon.
4. How much easier my traveling life would become.
5. I learned that mostly it was me over-thinking it all and that most people either couldn’t tell I was wearing a wig or didn’t care if they did.
6. I needed the basics—how to measure my head, pick a cap, and the differences in caps.
7. The difference in synthetics and human hair wigs and the care involved in each.
8. How to “train” and style synthetic wigs to get a natural look.
9. Don’t buy a wig on a whim, think about how it will look on you, how to care for it, and pay attention to cap construction and size.
10. It’s important to be kind to ourselves about all this. It takes time to adjust to hair loss and that pain is compounded when we are expecting perfection right away with our wig education. It takes time.
11. What fibers work best for my life – do I want to deal with human hair upkeep, and synthetics that require more TLC (HD fibers)? What are the pros and cons?
12. How a lace front can make all the difference in how “real” a wig can look for those who don’t want bangs.
13. Watch lots of reviews and see the wig on different people, and the colors in different lights before deciding. Lighting is tricky and can give you false ideas.
14. The value of going to a wig shop to get accurate measurements and trying on wigs even if you don’t buy from them when first starting.
15. Don’t decide to love or hate that first wig out of the box. Know it won’t look so great until you make it your own. Give it time before you put it back in the box to return.
16. Don’t be afraid to work with the wig, train it, move the part if you can and want to do that, and make it your own. 
17. Know that wigs can be cut and styled just like real hair (mostly) so take it to a hairstylist you know, trust, and hopefully one who might have some experience with wigs.
18. Don’t be afraid to ask questions!
19. How to get rid of that “Barbie-hair-shine” to get rid of that fake look.
20. How to secure the wig and knowing that it is different for everyone. 
21. What the heck is permatease? And then knowing that it varies by wig style. What you might hate in one style might work great in another. Permatease is not a bad word.
22. What is a rooted wig, and why some are better than others?
23. How to pluck hair from a part line to give it a more realistic look. Yes, it works!
24. Do not use a hairbrush or regular comb on a synthetic wig. 
25. Buy products meant for wig fibers, not bio hair. 
26. You still must take care of your bio hair and scalp.
27. Be careful of scams and buying from unknown sites or people.
28. Understand the return policies of the company you buy from.
29. Learning that paying a little more for a certain cap construction can make such a difference in how you feel after wearing a wig for ten to twelve hours. 
30. Being honest with yourself about what colors and styles work for you. 

I am sure that most of you reading this will have experienced some of these things, had these thoughts, and maybe can add some of your own. I had to journey on my own for the most part. I didn’t know there were blogs like this, or Facebook groups (maybe there wasn’t when I started), but there is help out there now. 

If I had to give any advice to new wig wearers, it would be this: Whether you wear wigs out of necessity or by choice, there are challenges, but that doesn’t mean that they can’t be overcome. My questions when I sit before the computer to look at new styles or think about new colors now are these: Will that look good on ME? Is this the right color for ME? Will I be comfortable with the care required to keep this style looking good? 

My mantra: be honest.

In other words, Yes, that long wavy one is beautiful, BUT…I’d hate to maintain it, and my lifestyle just doesn’t fit with it. I move on. Yes, that blonde one is fantastic, but would I look like a washed-out zombie in it…I move on. You see where I’m going with this. In the end, it’s about what makes us look good so that we feel good about ourselves. If we feel good about ourselves we can be who we really are. Our wig is just another part of our preparation to meet the world, just like our makeup, clothes, and maybe our glasses. We just have the advantage of having options on those bad hair days! Take advantage of the amazing knowledge from WigStudio1 reviewers and staff. They can be your best friend when it comes to your wig journey. 

Until next time, go out there and have a good hair day, and don’t forget to stop and smell the flowers. 

Vickie Lynn,

Hello and Happy Sunday! I wanted to take a quick moment to introduce our new Media Marketing Manager. Ramona has been with our company for a few months now, and she is doing a wonderful job! 

Ramona Mellison is a creative visionary. If a project has anything to do with a few color paints and a crisp piece of paper, you can count her in. She graduated from Corban University with a Bachelor's degree in Digital Communications and Multimedia. She has a massive interest in natural remedies and herbs. She decided to combine her interest and abilities to create a blog called Stardust Botanical; where she shares herbal recipes and a history of plants.

In her downtime, she loves going on walks with her Italian GreyHound Asa, watching movies with her husband, learning French, and eating a lot of chocolate.

Ramona is excited to be a part of our team here at Wig Studio 1 and cannot wait to bring more sunshine to your day! Thank you Ramona for all of your efforts! We are grateful to have you on our team! 

Have a wonderful week ahead! 

All the best,

Andrea