Wigs come in all shapes and lace wigs - from very short to 30 inches long, in straight, curly, wavy, braided, layered, spiky or ‘the wet look’. It is important that you look at many styles before you decide which one your heart desires.

First of all, if you’re worried that a wig will look natural on your head, never fear! A properly made wig - even the quality synthetic varieties - can look totally realistic.

Which is best - synthetic or human hair wigs?

Wigs can be synthetic or made from real human hair. Synthetic wigs are cheaper, but the very cheap ones you can find online don’t look real enough. On the other hand, high quality synthetic wigs like Revlon, Raquel Welch or Paula Young wigs look very real. Also, synthetic wigs are easier to care for, as you don’t need to restyle them every time you wash them.

Real human hair is in limited supply, so human hair wigs are much more expensive; typically they several hundred dollars. Human hair wigs look and feel very natural. However, it is important to know that the quality of your wig depends on the origin of the hair used. The cheapest hair comes from Asian countries, but their texture is different from the hair of European women. The best human hair wigs are made from European hair but, unfortunately, they cost a small fortune.

What wigs styles are available?

You can get ? wigs as well as full wigs. A full wig covers your entire head, so none of your own hair is visible. This type of wig is great when you want to try a color different from your own.

A ? wig is clipped to the top of your head. Because your original hairline is visible, the wig looks very natural. Also, your head doesn’t get ”toasted” under a wig cap. On the downside, though, three quarter wigs have to match your hair color very closely, otherwise it won’t look convincing. It is best not to buy this type of wig online because the colors on the color charts are usually not very accurate.

A very interesting style of wig is the headband wig. A headband wig is a full wig with a headband attached to its front. It is especially useful if you are always in a hurry, because the headband ensures that none of your own hair is visible. This style is recommended if your natural hair is a dramatically different color from the wig.

Do you want to be a blonde one day and a redhead the next? One way to do this is to dye your own hair and restyle it, but you can achieve the same effect with much less effort - just buy a wig. To select a wig that would be indistinguishable from real human hair and become your favorite fashion accessory, though, you need to know a few insider tips.

If you feel like a change, get yourself a wig. It is amazing, how much having a different hairstyle can transform a person. And for a woman it is always important to vary her image and look fresh.

It is a good idea to have your affordable lace front wigs customized, too. If you can find a hair salon that can trim your wig to make it fit your face shape, go for it. Customizing a wig isn’t cheap, of course, but it will make your new wig look more realistic and suitable for your face.

Do not despair, there is help and hope for anyone needing the proverbial Overstyling Detox Program. Finding help and ideas is as simple as picking up the latest fashion magazine, taking a stroll down Robertson Blvd. in L.A., or by visiting a local wig shop. You just might find that a new look, whether by choice or forced, is as intoxicating as the next pair of designer shoes.

We see it, live full lace wigs, and hate it every time we turn the corner. Whether staring straight into the face of the most up-to-date fashion diva with three toned singed hair, giving subtle clues of “please look at my shoes,” or ahead at ourselves in the mirror to an unwanted truth of less than lovely locks, the reality is, many of us just overdo it to death.

So what is one to do? Obvious options are to reckon the truth and make a decision to cut your hair down to what healthy hair might be left underneath the masses of damaged hair, or in some unfortunate cases, realize it is just too late, the damage is done, and there is nothing left to save. Talk about a bad hair day!

Next comes the dance of rationalization and grieving, yes, all stages will be met. Deciding a way out of this mess is as stressful as gaining fifty pounds in one day, and not having a single dollar to buy those designer jeans to accommodate your lack of attention to the matter. Either way, you need a quick fix, and you need it fast!

Reality states, these are the avenues we are left with: a) stay at home and comfort yourself with bon bons, b) find a trendy hat or scarf, c) consider buying a hairpiece or wig and weather the storm.

The truth is, the two latter options are going to be the best bet. Unless you are comfortable with also having to deal with depression, weight gain, and unemployment, life marches on, and to be quite frank, nobody really cares about what brought you to this point of despair except for your local hairdresser and psychologist who are standing in line to take the money you will need to fix your immediate problem.

There are actually a lot of terrific options with hats, scarves, hairpieces and wigs that can help what feels like the worse case scenario a little more tolerable. If you truly take a moment to notice, you will see that many of the adored tresses we crave, are artificially enhanced by hair extensions, hair additions and full wigs to achieve such perfection. It’s become one of the “it things” to do. They are natural looking, light to wear, easy to put on, and are just darn gorgeous. Throw the latest style hat or scarf atop your new locks, and viola, you’ve just achieved a perfected look as the many you’ve adored yourself. Transforming your look and beauty routine becomes simple with the endless styles, colors and creativity they offer. You may want to reconsider bypassing the visit to your local hairdresser as evidence to the fact.

So let’s talk some truth that most won’t. Our remy lace front wig is one of, if not the single most important fashion accessory we obsess over. Second to none, our mass collection of designer jeans, handbags, and six inch stiletto pumps will sadly fail if that one most important element, our hair, falls down on the job. Replacing and trading in our used up blue jeans, softened and distressed leather handbags, or broken off stiletto heels, is certainly no match in having to admit defeat of overprocessed and damaged hair.

There are special styling accessories such as conditioners, lace front wigs sprays and shampoos to keep the wig clean. Cool water should be used to rinse the wig after the conditioning process. Leave the wig to dry naturally and avoid scrubbing the wig.

Why do people wear wigs? There are several reasons and the most relevant reason is to hide a bald head and show a stylish, fashionable and aesthetic profile. Wigs are mostly made of horse-hair, human hair or synthetic hair. Wig is a short form for the 17th century English word “periwig”. Actors wear wigs to get the nearest resemblance to the character they portray. Wigs have been used since ancient times. Egyptians used wigs to protect their clean shaven head from the sun. Romans, Greeks, Phoenicians and Assyrians also used wigs for style and to cover their head.

Wigs contain the cap which is its base, where the hair is attached. Caps are available in different types and hair is stuck to the cap using numerous different techniques. Hair is attached in wefts on the wig. Hair strings doubled over and closely sewn together in longer strands is the process by which wigs are made.

Wigs made from human hair have a very natural look. Depending upon the personal tastes, the human hair wigs can be colored, styled, cut or “permed”. These wigs need lot of care and they are more expensive. Similar to human hair, the wigs are also to be cleaned with shampoo, dried, and conditioned to preserve its natural look and feel. People who do not have the time or inclination to do these chores have the option of a synthetic blend wig resembling human hair.

Most of the good quality synthetic wigs are identical to human hair wigs. They are not very expensive and need very little care and maintenance. The synthetic wig retains the curl, wave, texture and volume due to the “memory” of the monofilament fiber hair. They get damaged when hair dryers, curling irons or hot rollers are used to get a wave.

What should be the correct size of the wig? Most of the wigs fit a head circumference of 21.5 inches to 22.5 inches. The wig should be worn on the natural hairline, nearly four fingers above the eyebrows. In the back, pull down the wig to the natural hairline. Using the elastic tab and Velcro provided in the back, adjust the wig to get a comfortable and secure fit.

Nearly 10 to 30 percent of excess hair is provided in most wigs so it is advisable to avail the services of a professional hair stylist to fine tune the wig so that it suits your features and gives a stylish look.

The wigs should be stored on a lace front human hair wigs stand or a mannequin when it is not used so that the shape is properly preserved.

Perspiration, environment and lifestyle are some of the factors to be taken into account when deciding the frequency of cleaning the wig. Normally it is advisable to clean the wig after a fortnight’s use. Strictly follow the guidelines given by the manufacturer, for cleaning and conditioning the wig.

If you plan to wear your wig daily, you should also look for lace wigs that are light and finely woven. The wig should allow a good amount of air to circulate through the wig and onto your scalp. This is not only for your own comfort but for the well being of your own hair. Tight and constrictive wigs can cause friction and cut off the blood supply to your scalp resulting in hair loss.

There are many different types of wigs available and they can range from being inexpensive to extremely expensive. For the most part, the old saying, “you get what you pay for,” is true when it comes to purchasing wig hairpieces. The more you spend, the higher quality wig you’ll get in return. And a higher quality hairpiece means that it will remain beautiful versatile for years to come.

Perhaps the most deciding factor that will help you decide how much to spend on your wig is how you are going to use it. If you are only going to use your wig occasionally for special events, you may be able to get by with an inexpensive wig. But since most inexpensive wigs are made with synthetic hair, it is almost impossible to match them up with your existing hair color or to achieve a truly natural look. Inexpensive wig hairpieces are also not finely wefted. That means that more hair is sewn into one weft of the wig instead of distributed throughout the wig evenly resulting in a baby doll hair look if you’re not careful.

Other things to consider before you go by an inexpensive wig, is how you are going to style the hairpiece. Synthetic hair cannot be colored, permed or curled with thermal tools. So, your styling and change-out options with an inexpensive wig are limited.

All of these drawbacks make the natural-hair wig your best bet especially if you wear a wig on a daily basis. While this hairpiece may be a little more expensive, you can color it, cut it and curl it just like you would your own hair because it is real hair. Wig hairpieces made with natural hair also look more natural in sunlight and under certain lights than do wigs made with synthetic hair strands.

Even natural hair wigs, though, come with a wide variety of prices. The prices vary according to quality and length of the hair used and the craftsmanship of the hairpiece itself. Again, you get what you pay for.

While many people purchase a wig to change their lace front hair wig or to create a dramatic look for a special night, others wear wig hairpieces on a daily basis to conceal thinning hair or to cover baldness resulting from an illness. But no matter why you choose to wear a wig, there are a few things that you should keep in mind before you purchase one and incorporate wigs into your style.

Hairpieces are an excellent way to give yourself a dramatic change in look—without putting your full lace wigs through a damaging dyeing or perming process. Once associated with illness and hair loss, wigs and hairpieces are quickly growing in mainstream popularity—and are becoming seen on many people, young and older, just looking for a stunning change in look. One of celebrity’s best-kept beauty secrets for years, millions of women are now turning to hairpieces for those one-of-a-kind looks for special occasions—and the freedom to change their hair quickly and easily.

Want a change? Don’t buy that bottle of hair dye or self-perming kit just yet. Hairpieces are becoming more and more popular as a healthier, quicker, and easier option for changing your hair and your look. Celebrities have been using hair extensions, clip-on hairpieces, and full wigs for years—and you can, too! Here are just a few popular trends in wigs and hairpieces that anyone can follow.

Hair extensions add length without the wait. Hair extensions are one of Hollywood’s best-kept secrets. Many of those gorgeous, perfectly wavy, sun-kissed tresses on movie stars and models aren’t real—they’re hair extensions. These are a great way to add length quickly, and are starting to get popular at weddings and for formal parties. Glued-in extensions are not always easy on your hair and can take about three hours to apply, and they can also get expensive—so they’re usually used for special occasions only.

Wigs and parties—the new trends. Ever since Jessica Simpson wore a red wig to the NCLR ALMA awards, wigs have been getting press at celebrity events and parties. They’re becoming stylish party attire, and with good reason: a wig is an excellent way to change your look for a formal party—you can choose any color you want, without damaging your hair. Wigs are also easier to wear than glue-on hair extensions.

Wigs and weddings—the perfect match. This year’s wedding fashion includes long, free-flowing hair with a hint of delicate curl. For many style conscious brides, the flowing curls just aren’t possible by the wedding date. Women with short hair are incorporating hairpieces into their wedding look more and more. Lace front wigs are especially popular. These are wigs with a delicate lace base near the hairline that is undetectable, providing an extremely natural look and stunning hair. The back of the wig has a more traditional wig cap, also undetectable under a veil.

Weaves for long-term styles. If you want a long-term change, a weave is often the way to go. Real or synthetic human hair is woven into your natural hair, which is often braided into tiny cornrows. Human hair is more desirable than synthetic, because it looks more natural and won’t melt when subjected to the heat from a hair dryer or curling iron.

Clip-ons are perfect for a quick change. Clip-on hairpieces are much easier to apply than glued-in remy lace front wigs. The cheapest are made of synthetic hair, and can be applied in a variety of shades. Pricier versions are made of human hair and can be dyed to match your color. Clip-on hair is often incorporated into ponytails and updo’s for the most natural looks.

A resurgence of popularity of the full wig occurred in the mid to late 1900s because of the elaborate bouffant hairstyles which required thicker hair than that enjoyed by many females. These over teased and backcombed styles resulted in hair damage. It was much easier to style a wig and don it for occasions requiring hair styling. This was made much easier by the development of artificial fibers which look much like human hair.

Originally, the Egyptians who are the first recorded users of lace wigs wore the headpiece to protect their shaved heads from the rays of the sun. The use of wigs is primarily a Western trait; the Eastern world used wigs only in ancient theater settings.

After the time of the ancient Egyptians, Phoenicians, Greeks, Assyrians and Romans, the use of the wig fell into disfavor for nearly one thousand years. Not until the 1500s did wig wearing become popular again, and that for a very unpopular reason. With relatively poor personal hygiene habits, head-lice were common. The sufferers shaved their heads and wore wigs because the wigs were somewhat easier to clean.

Royal patronage was important to popularize wigs and wig wearing. Elizabeth I of England owned and wore a Romanesque style red wig. France’s Louis XIII popularized the wearing of wigs amongst men. England’s Charles II was restored to the British throne after spending time in exile at the French court during this period and made wig wearing and longer hair for men much in fashion.

Wigmakers became very much in demand and part of the elite class. Their creations were very elaborate, and also very heavy and uncomfortable to wear. Human hair was the first choice, with horse-hair a cheaper alternative.
During this period, the use of the elaborate formal powdered wigs for several professions, including that of judges and barristers in the United Kingdom was standardized.

Women’s wigs followed a slightly different path, being worn only by ladies who had lost hair due to age or illness.

A wig is a head of celebrity lace front wigs, natural, horse-hair or synthetic which is worn in addition to or instead of ones own hair. The wig may be worn for religious, acting, ceremonial, and beautification reasons.

Costume wigs are more than just simple lace front wigs. They can be reminiscent of a period in history, or of an character’s attitude, behavior, and secrets; and should go with the actor’s or costume wearer’s appearance. In film and theater productions, entire teams are assembled and devoted o making costume wigs. They are considered to be experts in history, make-up, and psychology. Costume wig makers wear even more thinking hats than those who wear their creations. Indeed, movies, plats, and entire parties rest their art and enjoyment on costume wigs. Costume wigs should succeed in making the unremarkable beautiful, the beautiful grotesque, and the grotesque just downright macabre.

I. Types Of Wigs

1. Stone Age
Bristly and large, these wigs resemble teased hair which has been run repeatedly through a washing machine’s spin cycle before being thrown, albeit vainly, into the garbage disposal.

2. Greek or Roman
These wigs are elaborate, especially for women. They will usually be piled with curls and braids, and be interwoven with jewelry and pearls.

3. Medieval
Although these costume wigs are often hidden behind large headdresses and veils, the war costume wigs are as bright and exposed as caveman hair. The hair shocks will stick out at angles, and will be embedded with blood and pebbles.

4. Victorian
Always powdered white, this may be embellished with ribbons and pearls. Women’s Victorian costume wigs will be bulky and piled atop their heads, and contain layers of heavy braids.

5. Roaring Twenties
These are a favorite among costume wigs because they are small and simple, with tendrilling curls framing the brow for women, and neatly combed and parted hairpieces for the men.

6. Modern
These costume wigs comprise a broad range of styles and fits. They can be used to disguise a character, enhance a character’s looks, or simply change a character’s appearance. Such wigs can be used to dress up spies, partygoers, and exotic dancers.

7. Fantasy
Fantasy costume wigs cover the range of make-believe lace front hair wigs worlds as in the Lord of the Rings trilogy; invented alien worlds such as those in Star Wars of Star Trek, and horror situations such as those that exist in horror movies.

The scanty underwear some lace wigs makers already were quietly making for themselves started stirring local debate in June 2004. The suddent shift from religious ornaments to sexy lingerie was noted by major news sources worldwide. Magazines as reputable as The Wall Street Journal, The Chicago Tribune and the New York Times covered the topic and around that time the thongs have began being available online. Each pair can be made to a customer’s specifications of color and design. Although the lingerie is definitely feminine, it stirs interest among men as well, being unique and sophisticated romantic gift ideas.

Koniakow, the 500-year-old village in a strongly conservative southwest part of Poland that produced Pope John Paul II, is almost totally unreachable during wintertime, particularly heavy in terms of snowfalls. For two centuries, the women have hooked thread in intricate crochet patterns to create lace tablecloths and altar ornaments coveted by royalty across Europe. It was an art taught by mothers to daughters, done at home after the daily farming chores were finished, bringing honor and income to the small local population.

Then came G-strings. Last fall, some lace makers trying to earn money spun a racy twist to the art, deciding that underwear would sell better than doilies. Since, the town of 3,000 has been in an uproar, neighbor pitted against neighbor over lace thongs.

“Lace making has always been a way for people to earn money here,” says the 56-year-old mayor of the village, “But since the strings started, the community has been divided: about money, about morality, about tradition.”

Some traditional lace makers accuse the renegade lace makers of greed. Others say the thongs defile tradition, are indecent and promote sex. “Our lace graces Polish altars, the office of our president and that of the holy pope in Rome,” says the president of a local craft guild of lace makers who has been working with lace for six decades. “And suddenly, our lace is turning up – I don’t dare say where. How did the lace makers of Koniakow come to this?”

“Times are tough,” say their adversaries in the conflict, “handkerchiefs and tablecloths don’t sell well.”

Lace making in Koniakow began in the 19th century when young women began creating caps of white lace to don after their weddings. Soon after, say lace makers, women in the town began to weave tablecloths, altar ornaments, clergy robe collars and other ornaments that adorn Polish religious and family occasions, as a way to supplement their income. Like heirlooms, patterns and lace needles passed through generations.

During communist times, business was good. The community was supported by the state in official craft guilds and subsidized as a nationally recognized art. Orders poured in from state-run stores, prominent officials wanting to use them to present as official gifts and clergy who used the lace in ceremonies and on their clothing.

Things changed when communism collapsed in the late 1980s. The government subsidies stopped and state-store orders dried up. Borders opened to influence and products from the West. People became poorer as they lost state jobs in the former planned-economy.

Oval or round, made with tremendous patience and skilled tablecloths reached tables of stock lace front wigs, aristocrats, bishops and all those with abundant amounts of money to spend and a desire to live surrounded with splendor and beauty. Koniakow lace decorates tables in Vatican, Buckingham Palace, the White House and many other eminent places.

Traditional wig-making starts with getting the right measurements of the head of the full lace wigs. Most of the time, hair technicians derive hairline patterns directly from the subject’s head. In some cases, they even make a replica of the subject’s head for reference purposes during the development of a “wig form”. Wig forms signify the blueprint of the potential wig. After making the wig form, the hair technicians then produce wig laces. These are the synthetic fibers which represent the artificial hair strands for the wig. The wig laces should blend with the subject’s scalp and trimmed accordingly so as to fit the subject’s head measurements and expected hairlines.

Being bald is becoming less and less of a problem these days. Aside from the many hair replacement and restoration options available today, people who experience baldness can opt to join the fascinating and highly creative world of wigs.

What exactly is a wig?

A wig refers to a head of hair processed and designed by skilled hair technicians so as to provide an artificial crowning glory for people. It may be made out of real human hair, horse hair, buffalo hair, wool, animal fur, feather, and/or other synthetic materials.

Who uses wigs?

Unlike other hair replacement options, wearing wigs is not only a choice for those people who are simply going bald because of old age, those who have pattern baldness (common for men), and people who are losing their hair because of medical treatments (ex. Chemotherapy) . Rather, wigs have become a popular option for people who simply want to create a fashion statement or be in style.

As observed nowadays, wigs are often used by models for fashion shows; theater actors and actresses for their stage performances; and Hollywood stars for various pictorials, public appearances and movie performances. Indeed, wigs have become significant components of the fashion industry in most fashion-and-style oriented countries.

Which is which- conventional or customized?

Basically, there are two main methods of wig making. The modern method uses machines to make wigs. These machine-made wigs are what we see in many department stores and fashion outlets. They are mostly affordable than the customized wigs.

On the other hand, customized wigs are those that have undergone the traditional method of wig manufacturing. Wigs done through the traditional method of wig-making are usually more specialized than the machine-processed wigs, primarily because they are products of a more tedious process.

After implanting the wholesale lace front wigslaces into the wig form, the “draft” wig is then styled in accordance to the wishes of the subject. The wig stylist designs the wig according to a specific hairstyle, trims the wig laces to a desired length, and tints the wig in conformity with the subject’s desired color and shade. However, it should be noted that various wig styles demand complementing synthetic materials used for the wig laces and wig form. Final styling is made when the wigs are placed on the subject’s head.

Women’s partial nature towards thick hair lead lace front wigs to be formed from human hair and sheep’s wool. Dyes and natural colors were implemented into wigs, with blues, greens, and gold hues being the most popular. Cleanliness and appearance was of optimal importance to the Egyptians. Wealthy Egyptians would have barbers maintain their wigs for them on a daily basis. Many tombs have been uncovered showcasing combs and hairpins.

Wigs can be dated back to the 4th century B.C. being a part of the Egyptian culture. Egyptians would shave their heads to protect themselves from vermin, but the hot sun lead their sensitive heads susceptible. The use of wigs was incorporated into the social structure so as to show status. The more elaborate and involved the wig was, the higher the rank or those who wore them. Palm and wool fibers, animal hair, and metals such as gold and silver were used in composition.

Around the Renaissance

The 16th century brought with it the periwig. The periwig simulated real hair and was primarily used for adornment or to cover the loss of real hair. Thought to have become en vogue by Louis XIII, who was prematurely bald, it was not uncommon for men of great stature to follow suit for years to come. The fact that kings and queens wore wigs shows the regal nature and status that came with donning a wig. During this period a wig would cost the same amount as the rest of one’s ensemble. A wig required constant maintenance pertaining to curling, cleaning, and powdering. Powder became popular due to the rise in lighter colors being in fashion. Coupled with scented dyes, powder became a necessity until the end of the 17th century.

Styles in the Times

At the beginning of the 18th century, the most popular dress wig was that of the long, full-bottomed wig. A popular undress wig was the bob wig, a shorter wig that originally was worn by those who could not afford the longer, more expensive wigs. Bob wigs were very popular in Colonial America.

A simpler fashion called the Club wig or the Cadogen, became popular as well by the end of the 18th century. Men emulated the ladies’ interest in the wig much through the 17th and 18th centuries. By the end of the 18th century, young men were wearing their hair natural, but kept the wig-esque powdered look going.

The end of the 18th century marked a curtail on the full lace front wig fashion being that both powder and wigs were reserved for older, more conservative men and ladies being presented at court. In 1795, the English government imposed a tax of hair powder that caused the demise of the wig fashion and powder by 1800. The wig vogue in France also, became eradicated around this time due to the connection between the fashion and aristocracy during these volatile years.