Wigs are made of either synthetic (man-made) material such as acrylic, natural human hair wigs or a combination of the two. The wig you choose to wear depends on your own personal preference. According to hairstylists specializing in wigs, “The most important thing in the appearance of a wig is the styling and shaping of the haircut.”
Synthetic or man-made wigs have lots of benefits. They hold their style well even under unfavorable weather conditions such as humidity, cold temperatures and a tremendous amount of rain. Also the fibers of the synthetic wig do not fade in the bright sunshine or change colors due to weather conditions. However if you smoke be careful of the wig and also when you cook watch yourself as these types of wigs can catch fire easily. The modern synthetic wigs are lightweight in construction as they have an open-cap which makes it possible for the head to breathe properly because it is not hot or itchy to wear. Standard synthetics are still worn by some wig wearers and these can be made even cooler by accenting the wig with a mesh wig liner that resembles a fish stocking.
Natural wigs are constructed entirely from human hair and can be made from fine or coarse hair. Just like with real hair, natural wigs experience “bad hair days” due to humidity and rain and sometimes can be flat, frizzy or lifeless looking. Natural human hair wigs are made of a thicker construction than synthetic wigs and can be very hot on the head because they are sewn on caps made of full lace. Unfortunately natural wigs can get drab looking over time because they don’t contain the natural oils of real human hair.
Natural wigs are a great deal more expensive than synthetic wigs but also have more lasting power than a synthetic one- in the area of three to five years. They require a more precise fitting than do synthetic ones as well. A synthetic wig is easier to take care of because it is not made up of real hair. Natural wigs need to be styled in the same way that real hair does which is a drawback for some women. Many women who purchase real hair wigs and like to have them professionally cleaned splurge and buy two so that they will always have one on hand.
Most well made wigs are made with Velcro attachments in the back of them to allow them to remain on the head snugly, even if you are out in a windstorm. Sweating under a wig is very commonplace regardless of whether you choose a synthetic or natural wig. To help minimize the discomfort of this problem, apply a tiny cotton liner or a speck of cornstarch-based baby powder.
It is recommended that you shampoo your wig (with special shampoos designed for wigs) as often as you used to wash your hair. You can do this in the privacy of your own home or can have it done at a private room in a beauty salon.
In order to feel comfortable and not as self conscious, when choosing a wig choose one that is as close to your original hairstyle and color as possible. In some cases you should be able to convince your hairstylist or a person specializing in wigs to cut or style a wig to your exact specifications. It may sound silly but when you first put on the wig make sure that it is placed on your head in the proper way. It is all too easy to put a wig on backwards. Check and then double check for proper fit. Another thing, don’t be fooled by expensive price tags, cheaper wigs can be as viable and of as good a quality as a more pricey one. Also whether they look real or not has nothing to do with the price tag. Many women choose to only wear their wigs when they are out in public and not wear them in the comfort and privacy of their own home. When you choose to wear yours is completely up to your own discretion. Do what feels most comfortable to you. Some ladies prefer a cap or scarf when they are sitting out on their patio or gardening. You must do what feels right for your self and not cave in to the ideas and opinions of others.
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