Wigs: Varieties and Tips for Choosing

Hair plays a significant role in shaping a person’s appearance, reflecting his character and features. And for those who do not have such a thick hair, a wig correctly selected by color and structure will be a successful solution to any problems with hair.

The first artificial hair was obtained in the middle of the last century from synthetics. The new fiber - nylon was just invented and immediately became firmly established among fashionistas. The synthesized polymer began to be actively used for the manufacture of all kinds of wigs, pads and hairpieces. Translated from French, “wig” means “hair pad”. Attitude to the wig changed depending on the era. So, in the Middle Ages, the wearing of this device was considered criminal and prosecuted by law. There is evidence in history that people were excommunicated for wearing wigs.

At the beginning of the XVIII century, without a wig, it was embarrassing to appear in a decent society. Then the first “insights” appeared - overlays imitating hair. And their manufacture was done by the master - postigers. The pads were worn in fashion, slightly powdered and treated with lipstick to keep in shape. In the Renaissance, people wore these powdery devices as fashion accessories. They were especially common among aristocrats and nobles.

But the best wigs were made by barbers for royalty. These were complex compositions with flowers, lace, beads, feathers and other decorations. Some inserted in them compositions from fruits and ship models.Such constructions are definitely not practical.

Historically, the fashion for wigs originated in ancient Egypt. Long curls were of particular value there. They were sacrificed to this or that temple in order to propitiate the deity. Women weaved precious stones and pearls, lotuses and other flowers into long braids, decorated their heads with gold chains, tiaras and pendants. Hairstyles were made in the form of clear geometric shapes: trapezoid, semicircle or oval. Then the hair began to be cut in a stepwise or cascading manner.

Often, both male and female heads were decorated with false pigtails in horizontal or vertical form. Children were also provided with such a device by attaching one or two pigtails to the temple, which meant that this child had not yet matured. Wigs were made from their own hair, but sometimes used the hair of slaves. There were wigs made of wool, grass and shavings, which were carefully laid and painted in various colors. For example, the favorite shades of the Egyptians were red, black, orange and blue.

The skillful inventions of hairdressers of that time included cones with oil, located on top of the hairstyle. They were used for aroma and irrigation of hair, protecting them in a similar way from drying out. Family members of the pharaoh and his entourage wore strict intricate wigs, which are complex geometric structures in the form of cones, pyramids and ellipses. Aesthetics combined with practicality: devices performed a protective function, protecting their heads from the scorching sunlight.

Wigs came to Greece much later. They were used in theatrical productions. Then this object from the category of stage went into the domestic sphere. Wigs began to be worn in everyday life. Their diversity was great: from light Gallic to dark Indian. White hair was very expensive and was used to make the most elite aristocratic wigs.

The ancient Romans came up with sophisticated ways to style false hair. They invented all kinds of curling methods using chemicals and oils. To give the desired shape to the hair, the Greeks began to use the first hot curlers - the prototype of the modern curling iron. For this, special metal rods were made that were heated on coals.

Roman beauties were regular customers of beauty salons, in which they carried out hours-long operations for winding and styling hair. It was easier to purchase some ready-made wigs to save time and money. Rich matrons adorned their hair with devices with pendants and precious stones, women of simple classes wove bright satin ribbons and fresh flowers in curls.

Each type of wig has its own characteristics, advantages and disadvantages. There is a conditional gradation for “live” and “dead” wigs. Some are made from natural hair, others from artificial strands. Artificial products include kanekalon - extracts of seaweed, synthetic ones are made of nylon, modacryl, canton and vinyl. Natural product purchased in Europe and Asia.

The most popular product is from India. There it is considered an honorable and profitable business to hand over your hair for processing. In this country, there is a custom to completely cut off hair after significant events in life: healing from serious illnesses, long-awaited recovery and other “gifts” of fate. Hair as a sign of sacrifice is given to the temple, where they are bought by resellers and after processing they are sold to distributors. Temples earn several million a year on “sacrificial” temple hair. The hair of the Indians grows well, so this business is booming.

Raw materials are sorted, processed, discolored and stained again, and then put into production. For the manufacture of one wig, hair of different structure and quality can be used. This is due to the imitation of "their" hair, heterogeneous in structure, color and appearance. Strands can be pre-painted in the desired colors.

Inexpensive models will be relevant in the case when a person wears them from case to case or constantly changes, buying new ones.

Quality wigs are made of thermal fiber. They look like real ones, resistant to heat, hot drying and styling. Poster products include not only wigs, but also semi-wigs, as well as false hairpieces, “tails”, braids and other aesthetic devices and accessories.

Some people are forced to wear wigs as necessary, for example, to hide traces of biochemistry. Others believe that such accessories are very convenient, do not require fixed costs and time. Still others buy wigs in order to radically change their image and image. Depending on the motivation, wigs perform various functions, and also have their own characteristics.

The structure of this device is folded in such a way that it is a hat with planted tufts of hair. The fit of the product depends on its quality. For example, the basis of wigs - Montur, is a separate strip with fixed hair, sewn together. They are arranged in a stepped overhead way: tier to tier. In place of the parting and the crown there are always special pads that cover the montage. As a result, the hair is arranged in steps, but in such a way that the base is never visible - one tier will always overlap the base of the other.

To hide the hairline, all wigs are equipped with different bangs. In her absence, flip-flops are used, partially covering the head. A good quality wig is almost indistinguishable from "native" hair. Transformation ability is one of the advantages of a wig. Special lightweight models have been created to increase the volume, create highlighted or colored strands, as well as conceal unwanted areas of the head and face. They are heterogeneous, equipped with special cells in which their own hair is embedded. In the mesh structure of such products there are no parts of the occipital or parietal region.

Historical wigs are used as attributes to create a particular stage image. Stage wigs intended for performances, masquerades and shows are not so demanding according to the criteria of naturalness. They are much lower in price and quality, but they create a mood and help to enter one or another image.

Types of frames can be.

• Some of the best wigs are handmade models. Their frame has a dense mesh base to which each hair is attached manually. Therefore, they are as close as possible to natural hair.
• Usually, the hair in the wig is attached to the frame base, which is a strip with curls, fastened from the inside with lace nylon ribbons. When raising hair tresses can be detected. In a motionless state of fastenings it is not visible.These wigs are inexpensive, highly sought after and easy to wear. They are issued both with imitation of parting, and without it.
• Wigs with a mono mesh covering the gaps at the crown are also very popular. Such products can be combed and laid in any direction. The grid gives convenience and comfort.

Additional differences.

• Wigs from natural hair are well painted, curled or, conversely, straightened, they can be cut and styled in any way. Artificial are deprived of such an opportunity, therefore it is better to decide on the shape and color of the wig in advance.
• Natural products are exposed to atmospheric precipitation, while artificial products are not afraid of either snow or rain. They are afraid of hot tongs and heat treatment.
• Natural hair always weighs about 50 grams heavier than artificial hair. The weight of one wig from natural hair starts from 130, and artificial - from 100 grams.
• Products from real and mixed hair do not allow air to pass through much better than their synthetic analogues.

• Natural wigs last 5 years on average, while wigs with proper care can be worn for up to 2 years with constant use.
• Real hair wigs are often made to order, and synthetic wigs are put on stream.
• Organic products are much more expensive than their synthetic "brothers". The average price varies depending on the hair length, manufacturer, quality and is about 800 euros. Artificial models will cost much cheaper - only 200 euros.

All wigs are divided in appearance. There are ordinary, with short or long hair, with bangs, curls or flowing curls, as well as African or Asian. African include afro-wigs and pigtails.

• Afro are considered semi-ethnic and are not for everyone, but only for those with the appropriate appearance. Often these items are thick, dark-colored hair from medium-length curly hair. Hair can also be light (but not red), natural or artificial, and also have a different degree of curl. Such wigs are very popular among young people, they look very impressive and natural.
• African braids or wigs gaining popularity these days. These exotic products look unusual and fashionable, can be natural or synthetic, short or long, multi-colored, monotonous, with interwoven elements: beads, ribbons, multi-colored ropes, hairpins and other accessories.

• Neat bob wigs are short-haired and thick, long or short, natural, mixed or synthetic. Their appearance and shape depends on the quality of the material from which they are made. A caret is an elegant clear haircut of a strict form, with or without bangs, with a device or an arbitrary comb of hair of natural shades. The most popular are natural black, chestnut and light brown tones, as well as blond and highlighted.
• Cascading wigs are always at the height of fashion. They are comfortable, look natural thanks to the falling strands. There are various shapes and colors. Synthetic models made of algae and thermal fiber are very popular.
• Curly wigs often made from natural hair, as they hold the curl well and heat treat better than synthetic ones. Their diversity is great: from slightly curled ends to tight "shavings", from the falling hairpieces of hairpieces on hairpins to lightweight products with the effect of "wet" hair.

Quality wigs always imitate the natural color of the hair. The color palette is diverse: from pure natural colors to creative options, like colorized strands. Light are divided into light brown and blond, dark ones have a wider gamut: from red to natural black. Shop colors can be complemented by your own dyeing, if the quality of the hair of the wig allows.

The market for this type of product is filled with different brands offering different types of wigs, designed for every consumer. Hence the wide range of prices for postage products. Chinese products are significantly lower in quality compared to European brands from Germany, America, Italy and Poland. The best among the leaders is the German brand Ellen Wille. It produces traditional products of high quality.

The company was created by Helene Ville, literally having made a breakthrough in the market of this type of product. The basis was laid on the best centuries-old traditions of making wigs and hair extensions. Each wig is a high-quality product, comfortable to wear and unpretentious in care. Among the advantages of the models, in addition to high quality, it can be noted: comfort, hidden front lines, natural dyeing and hair styling.

The Ellen Wille collection contains models of natural and artificial hair. Natural ones are made exclusively from Slavic type hair, softer in structure. Synthetic wigs are as close as possible to natural, with a matte shine, do not lose their quality with long wear, resistant to the effects of heat, water and light, precipitation, drying and styling.

NJ Creation wig models are specifically designed for everyday wear. Products of this brand are manufactured using innovative Modulcap and Novicap Liberty technologies, which allow you to adjust the cap in size, and are also equipped with polyurethane clips that provide the maximum level of fixation of the product on the head.

The choice of a wig depends on some features of the appearance. There are a number of rules for choosing products of this kind.

• To make the wig look natural, you need to purchase models of natural shades that are as close as possible to the color of your hair.
• When choosing, consider not only the quality of the wig, but also the haircut model that is right for you. Beautiful wigs in the window can look very different on different people. Each wig will sit in its own way.
• To make the face seem smaller, you should choose wigs with short or cascading haircuts with a voluminous top.
• Wigs are not suitable for everyone, but only for those who have a neat face contour. This haircut visually aggravates the chin, due to which the oval seems to blur. If you still choose a square, it is better from among the models without bangs, with long hair.

• All wigs take the form of the wearer's head over time. This must be considered when buying. Usually after a week the product sits well on the head and does not cause discomfort.
• The highest quality products are made manually on the basis of monofilament - tulle imitating the surface of the head. The invisible mesh along the hairline makes this accessory invisible, so it’s impossible to say whether your hair is natural or a wig.
• A quality real wig should correctly correlate with the head of the owner. To do this, you need to choose the right size cap. Wigs are sized: small (mini) - up to 54 centimeters, medium (standard) - up to 57 centimeters and large (maxi) - up to 60 centimeters in volume.
• According to the length of the hair, wigs are divided into short ones - up to 25 centimeters, medium ones - up to 35 centimeters and long ones - from 35 and more centimeters.

• The structure of products can also be different: straight, wavy or curly.
• An important value when choosing the manufacturer plays. Quality brands cannot make cheap wigs. The exception is models for the holidays, for example, for the "Jewess". Such products are always cheap due to low quality. But it would never occur to anyone to wear costume wigs every day.

Getting used to the wig, a man wears it like clothes, without psychological discomfort. It is important to choose your model and adhere to the basic rules of care and wear of this type of product.

Wearing a wig does not require cutting your hair. It is enough to remove them under a special mesh hat. Then, if necessary, they are fixed and laid, giving a natural look. You can comb, lay and curl your hair as you like.

Mass production products are equipped with special devices: hooks, elastic bands, clips and Velcro straps to create maximum “grip” with the surface of the owner’s head. You can plant a product on almost any head, since there are many options and devices for this.

Caring for postig products ensures their durability. The life of the wig depends on proper care. You can put on and wear an artificial wig for many years, or you can “kill” it in a couple of months. To care for wigs you need the same way as for your own hair, regardless of the degree of their naturalness.

• Among the features of natural wigs is the need for styling after each wash. When it rains and damp, they also need special care. There are special sprays that protect these products from the effects of precipitation.
• Natural products with the addition of thermal fiber are more resistant to various kinds of influences. They do not need additional styling even after washing. They are combed as you like. Natural products are best given to specialists. They know how to wash a wig correctly without ruining it. If you decide to do it yourself, you should consider some features. For example, natural wigs are washed, on average, every two months with a good shampoo, in a special grid, and after that they must use conditioner.

• Wigs made of artificial hair are washed much less often - once every four months and also use mild detergents with rinse aid.
• Wigs are dried on a special basis so that they do not lose shape. Sometimes, when you want to quickly put the product in order, you can use a hairdryer, but it is better to dry it naturally. Comb artificial and natural hair only in a dry form, gently, avoiding the contact of the comb with the base of the wig cap.

Using the advice of specialists, you can expect that your wig will last you many years.

For information on how to choose and wear a wig, see the video.