Beginner’s guide to wigs: Lace front wigs 101
Rita Ora once said, “to save your own hair, wigs are literally the way forward” and I couldn’t agree more. I am sure we all remember the negative stigmas around wearing wigs growing up or wearing hair extensions in general. I mean let’s be honest, several of the wigs we saw back in the day did look like they were made out of squirrel hair. Despite the constant criticism, wigs have been around for centuries dating back to the Ancient Egyptians who wore them to protect themselves from the sun and vermin. Not to bore you with history here but Queen Elizabeth I was known for wearing her elaborate, tightly curled red wig and historians credit the revival of wigs to King Louis XIV who wore wigs to cover his thinning hair line (sounds real familiar huh?). Wigs were historically considered fashion statements, protective styles and measures of wealth. Well one thing we know to be true about history, it repeats itself.
My journey with wigs started in 2015 after years of damaging my natural (free of chemical process) hair with color and every heat tool I owned. Prior to this, Vixen Sew Ins had me in a choke hold. For those who are not familiar with a Vixen Sew In, it is a method used to allow more freedom with styling your extensions by leaving an excessive amount of hair out. I loved this idea especially since I am a firm believer in hair being an accessory. Being able to do different styles with my hair was a must. With my hair being natural, I was constantly finding ways to make my hair bone straight to blend in with my weave. Although I enjoyed the compliments of those who thought my Vixen Sew Ins were au naturale, I did not enjoy looking like Angelica was my hairstylist once the sew ins were taken out (please google “Cynthia the Doll” for reference). I always thought about trying a wig but was so scared from the wigs I grew up seeing my grandmother wear (praying she doesn’t see this). I had a conversation with a coworker one day about how good her sew ins always look or so I thought. She then let me know that she had been wearing wigs the entire time! Her hair always looked so luxe and realistic I just couldn’t believe it. We talked about the evolution of wigs and how great they were as protective styles. Desperate to save the last survivors of my crown and resurrect the others, I started my wig wearing journey. YouTube played a huge part in my research and learning how to construct a wig. What started out as a complex process became one of my favorite hobbies. I couldn’t believe I could make my own wigs to start my own collection and be whomever I wanted to be on any given day. All of this without sacrificing my real hair was the best choice for me.
After receiving my membership into the Baddies Who Wear Wigs Society, I started to realize several people were wearing wigs but being very secretive about it. As more knowledge flooded the internet about black hair care, the wig industry evolved and gained more respect than ever. Wigs were being branded as excellent protective styles for black women as well as fashion statements. We started to hear all of our favorite celebrities open up about wearing wigs and how they helped eliminate the wear and tear on their natural hair. The versatility that comes with wearing wigs is a plus. I was able to get wigs with a closure, lace frontal or a 360 frontal. Let’s briefly explore these options.
Closures
Several sizes and standard parting options to explore with closures. Can limit styling options with your wig as they only cover a fraction of your hairline but usually require low maintenance.
Lace Frontals
Lace frontals have the flexibility to be parted anywhere. Can give you the freedom to style your wig in several ways but require more maintenance as it covers your entire hairline from ear to ear.
360 Lace Frontals
This is a circle lace around your head covering your entire perimeter. 360’s allow you to wear high ponytails if you want.as well as many other hairstyles. Very high maintenance lace.
Choosing which lace is best for your wig is completely based upon preference and needs. With any lace you choose for your wig you have the option to wear it with or without glue. It is important to learn healthy hair habits when using glue to place lace on your hairline as it has the potential to cause hair loss. Let’s be clear, there isn’t a wig on this earth that is worth losing your edges sis. My personal favorite is glueless as I am able to slide my wig on and off easily with very little product use. I am also able to care for my real hair more since my wigs aren’t tacked on.
My advice to those newly embarking upon their wig journey is to Do Your Research! This will help you understand what you want and help you save money on making bad purchases. The price of a wig varies but the important part of it all is the quality of lace and hair you are receiving. Just like a sew in, no one wants hair that is going to shed everywhere or that doesn’t give off that luxe realistic hair look. Most importantly, bad lace can ruin your entire wig. HD and transparent lace have been the best quality for me. My favorite wigs have been constructed and customized by some really great hair stylist, but this can get pretty pricey. To ease into your wig journey, I would recommend a few online wig sellers like XRS Beauty Hair, Hairvivi, Myfirstwig and Yswigs. Although I am hesitant to say this, I have seen YouTubers make magic happen with wigs from Amazon and AliExpress (buy at your own risk). No matter what route you chose in your wig journey, it will definitely serve its purpose of protecting your natural hair if done correctly. Say “Hello” to Meek Mill braids and being able to match your hair with your personality or just your outfit. Remember not to neglect your real hair while on your journey as it will still require your love and attention to flourish. Now go out there and make me proud by showing the people you are Every Woman! *cues “I’m Every Woman” *
XOXO,
MissPCoy
