If you’re ready for a new ‘do but aren’t quite sure you’re ready to do anything permanent, wigs are a great way to test the waters. You can try out different lengths, hair types (go from a type 4 to type 2 in seconds!”>, and colors and see if you’re comfortable sporting a new look.
What Wigs are Made Of
Wigs are generally made of either synthetic hair or human hair. Each kind has different care requirements, so learn about the basic requirements before making your purchase.
Synthetic wigs are made of acrylic fibers. Generally, these are the same kind of “hairs” found on the heads of dolls. Initially, these wigs tend to have more shine, but if you don’t care for them properly, they’ll go dull quickly.
Human hair wigs are made from human hair, which means you can cut, style, color, heat, and curl the hair just like you would on a person with that hair. You can even get human hair wigs that are “virgin,” meaning they’ve never been processed (for color and texture”> and you’re free to completely customize them.
Why Naturals Love Them
The process of transitioning to natural hair is a long one that takes a lot of dedication. Plus, if we’re being honest, things don’t always look the greatest in the meantime. It might take months before you notice the benefits of changing over to better hair care products. It could take several weeks to a month for your hair to show results of a new moisture-inducing regimen. Maybe you were brave enough to do a big chop and now you have only three inches of hair left. On the other hand, maybe you would consider big chopping because you know it’s really the quickest way to get rid of all of your damaged hair, but you’re scared of being practically bald. These are just a few reasons natural girls love wigs!
Keeping Up With It
If you’re going to sport the wig hair, do it right! A large part of this involves the care and upkeep of your ‘do. Proper wig care is essential; otherwise, you’re just covering your natural with a ratty mess.
If you go synthetic, use a wig brush or wide-toothed comb ONLY. Most brushes will ruin synthetic hair. Also, brush your wig in sections and spritz each section with some water — to dampen, not soak — just before taking the brush through your hair.
If you use a human hair wig, you can care for it just as you would if that were your own hair on your head. If you aren’t familiar with how to care for the textured hair that you bought, here are some general tips:
- Straight (Type 1″>: Use a regular brush to comb out tangles beginning with the end and working up to the scalp. Be sure not to tear through tangles. Gently work them out instead.
- Wavy (Type 2″>: Waves don’t need to be brushed. Simply finger comb and tousle the waves to get the beach look you want. Use light weight products to make sure that the weight of the product doesn’t result in straight strands.
- Curly (Type 3″>: Do not brush curly hair. Brushing curly hair will tear the curls and disrupt the curl pattern resulting in either uneven curls or lack thereof. Instead, finger comb to get tangles out. Be sure to use a leave-in conditioner if the hair begins to frizz. Don’t worry much about the weight of the product. Curls can hold heavier products, and often times, need the heavier moisture to stay frizz-free.
- Kinky (Type 4″>: Like with curly hair, kinks do not need to be brushed. Finger comb curls to get rid of tangles. Apply a deep conditioner to add slip as you detangle to ensure that you don’t disrupt the curl pattern and damage the hair.
The Nitty Gritty: Costs & Expenses
You get what you pay for in life and wigs are no exception. Synthetic hair wigs are less expensive, averaging anywhere from $30 to $500. The upside to this is that you can probably afford to purchase several synthetic wigs. Human hair wigs, on the other hand, range from $800 to $3,000 or more.
In addition, you might incur additional costs with the upkeep (coloring, for instance”> of a human hair wig. The advantage of a human hair wig is that it generally lasts far longer than synthetic wigs and carries a smaller chance of accidentally ruining it.
Want More?
Beyonce spends HOW MUCH on wigs?! Yea, you’ll be flabbergasted!
Final Thoughts
Which do you prefer and why: synthetic or natural hair wigs?
