The wig industry is still thriving, especially during the recent Covid-19 scare. The quality of wigs is improving as well. A synthetic wig can often rival a natural hair wig in terms of styling, ease of use, and durability. Higher-end synthetics can definitely fool most observers.
Some may seek out a wig as a replacement for natural hair lost due to a medical condition such as alopecia. Others may want the ability to change hairstyles, hair color, or hair length. Adding an inexpensive wig to a costume is also a popular reason for wig shopping.
Choose How It’s Made
Wigs are made with either natural or synthetic materials. Natural human hair of any length is often sourced from countries such as China and India, primarily because donors don’t use an excessive amount of styling products or dyes that can affect the quality of the hair. Natural human hair allows wearers to use heated styling tools, and the wig can be washed with shampoo. Wigs made with natural human hair tend to be on the expensive side, however.
A less expensive alternative is synthetic hair. Synthetic hair can be produced in virtually any length, texture, and shade and actually maintains its shape Better than natural human hair. Wigs made from synthetic hair only require minor touch-ups between uses. However, while traditional synthetic wigs can be styled with heated tools… Caution should be used to ensure minimal damage from over-heating. Also, sometimes heating may affect the natural sheen and bounce of the traditional synthetic strands.
One popular compromise between expensive human hair wigs and more affordable synthetic wigs is a heat-resistant synthetic wig. These wigs can be restyled through the use of low-heat styling tools such as curlers, blow dryers, and curling irons. Many of the synthetic wigs sold by Uniwigs.com can handle low to medium heat used in styling.
Choose How It Fits
The base of a wig is known as a wig cap, and there are a number of different design options. The most basic design is a collection of knitted strips of hair strands woven into a form-fitting cap. These caps breathe fairly well and are very durable. They’re also the least expensive options.
One drawback to a basic cap is the lack of a natural hairline. The solution to this problem is an extension known as a lace front. A lace front cap creates the appearance of a hairline with a hand-sewn section of hair, but the lace construction is not quite as durable over time.
Other cap designs include an extended lace front created with a monofilament line. The hairline and part can actually be adjusted, but the tighter mesh doesn’t breathe as well as a lace front or basic cap. The ultimate in cap design is a completely hand-tied mesh in which all the strands are attached manually by professional wig makers, though this is an expensive option.
Plan How to Maintain It
While many wigs look perfectly styled straight out of the box, the real consideration is long-term maintenance. Both natural hair and synthetic wigs need to be stored properly between uses, and some cleaning and restyling is required. Natural hair wigs can be washed with shampoos approved for that purpose, while some synthetic wigs only require a slight dampening to regain their sheen and style. Natural hair wigs can be affected by humidity, while synthetic wigs can lose their original style over time.
The main advantage of a natural hair or heat-resistant synthetic wig is the ability to use heated styling tools, but synthetic wigs have durability on their side.
While inexpensive wigs found on other websites may seem like a good deal, one should consider all of the factors above before choosing. At Uniwigs.com, we’ve streamlined the process of choosing a wig. We offer one of the largest selections on the internet and our helpful staff is always on hand to answer any questions you may have. We also have a large library of instructional videos to help you visualize your next purchase and help you maintain your wig and your confidence.