Wig 101: A Guide To Buying Your First Quality Wig

The Nigerian Twitter (or should I say X) space is chaotic right now. There are several trending topics on there presently, but the one that stands out to me is a Nigerian TikTok Influencer reportedly scamming a young lady of 330,000 Naira by selling to her a “What I Ordered vs What I Got” wig.

It is still an ongoing matter at this time, and no conclusions have been agreed upon by both parties, but it did get me thinking, how do newcomers looking to purchase their first wig, determine if a wig is authentic as a vendor claims it is, or not?

Wigs have been worn on the head for fashion or several other aesthetic and stylistic reasons which might include cultural and religious causes.

Originally made from horsehair, vegetable fibres, human hair, wool, synthetic materials and even feathers, wigs have been in the beauty industry for centuries.

In Ancient Egypt, the gentry wore wigs to signify their social status, protect shaved scalps from the sun, and reduce the risk of head lice.

In the Roman empire, wealthy women usually wore wigs as a fashion add-on.

Later on, when the fashion caught on in Europe in the 16th century, wigs were notably worn by members of the royal family e.g. Queen Elizabeth I.

Nowadays, wigs have moved from being symbols of social hierarchy to symbols of self-expression. The everyday woman often turns to wigs to effortlessly switch their look from a basic look in the office to a glamorous lady at a wedding event.

Now that you know the basic facts about wigs, what types of wigs are there?

Presently, there are two types of wig: Human Hair and Synthetic Hair.

Synthetic Hair

is made using artificial fibers that are close in appearance to human hair. They are more affordable, and require less maintenance but the downside to this wig type is that it does not last.

Human Hair

As the name implies, is made from 100% human hair.

Other wig lingo you should know:

Lace-front wigs

They are usually made with human hair and with a closure (i.e a sheer lace that imitates your natural scalp) sewn on the front of the hair. It can only be parted one or two ways in the front.

Full-lace wigs

Are also made with human hair and are made wholly from lace. The full-lace wig can be parted in any direction you want and can be styled in braids, updos, ponytails or cornrows.

360 lace wigs

Are almost identical to lace front wigs but there’s a way to differentiate them. Unlike in lace-front where the lace is seen only in the front, the 360 lace wig wraps around the entire head. This is an ideal wig for individuals who love a ponytail and buns look while wearing a wig.

U-part wig

For this wig, hair extensions are sewn on a U-shaped wig cap made with mesh and clips. This wig can be made with synthetic or human hair and is much cheaper.

Hair Grade

This is another important factor to consider when investing your precious coins into a wig. Experts say that Remy Hair is the It-girl when it comes to remarkable quality. This is because it is collected from a single donor (or a select few) directly from the scalp. Naturally, Remy Hairs are über expensive but there are other popular options you can choose from that are less taxing on your pocket.

Straight Hair: Has a smooth texture with no curl, wave, or kink. This hair this can be rocked during the day or at night. It also requires minimal effort to style.

Yaki Straight Hair: Has a little wave that gives texture and body to the unit. The look is achieved by gently steaming the hair to give it a micro kink that imitates that look of your natural hair.

Kinky Straight Hair: The kinky straight hair moves freely, pumps up the volume, and mimics the texture of your natural hair.

Body Wave Hair: Has loose waves that mimic the pattern of a wave rather than a tight roll. They are notable for giving an effortless and full appearance to the wearer.

Loose Wave: In variance to body waves, the loose wave hair possesses more volume, has a tighter curl, and tends to retain its shape longer. If you love a bouncy curl hair, this unit is for you.

Water Wave: Has a peculiar curl pattern that imitates the ripples formed on the surface of water. It usually features loose and cascading waves with a natural-looking flow and has a soft, smooth, and bouncy texture.

Deep Wave Hair: Are known for their tight, well-defined curls. The curls imitate the ripples created when you throw a stone into a body of water.

Curly Hair: The curls are typically loose and can range from tight ringlets to loose beach waves.

Takeaways:

•  Wigs can be an amazing fashion accessory if you can select the right one for you.
•  Before making a purchase, ensure you look at the length, texture, density, and color.
• The length of a wig can range from short, medium, long, and extra-long.
• The texture of a wig can be straight, curly, or wavy.
• A wig’s density decides its fullness.
• There are various colours of wigs available.
• Glueless wigs are ideal for beginners because it’s easier and safer to install.