When it comes to choosing an ideal wig there are some helpful tips to cut through to finding which wig is going to be the best fit for your end desired end result.
Most importantly it helps to have a good idea of a preferred style and desired length for your new hair. Wig come in numerous combinations of fibre, cap style/size, cap design each aspect with its very own pros and cons. No wonder choosing the ideal wig can quickly become overwhelming.
With a general idea of the length and style, you confidently start your journey of finding the perfect wig. Our top five tips for choosing a wig walk you through the elements of a wig and the pros and cons for each step, it can be a process of elimination and we highly recommend sharing this process during a consultation with a Wig Specialist; in person if possible or online. Either way a Wig Specialist can provide insights on specific wigs along the journey and be sure the size and cap will suit your individual requirements.
We’re doing a deep dive into the top 5 tips for choosing a wig and breaking down the key things in each tip.
Trying on your wigs always reign supreme and isn’t even included as one if the top five tips for choosing a wig. This is something we just highly recommend!!
TIP NUMBER ONE - RIGHT FIT EVERY TIME
Measure your head and establish the right size for you. Being the Petite Wig Company, we were established for a reason! It became quite apparent to us that there is a big gap in the industry for petite sized wigs. So many ladies struggled to find wigs that were snug and felt comfortable, secure on their heads. Here in Australia we have a majority of ladies who have smaller heads when compared to what the industry average cap is.
For you, it’s important to establish what size cap you are before embarking on any wig selection process – this is the most crucial step.
” Industry Average doesn’t necessarily mean it is the average fit for most women”
Wherever possible meet with a Wig Specialist and have your head measured during a consultation. It’s really crucial to make sure you’re buying the right size for your wigs. Even if it is only slightly too big, this will cause slippage. We recommend the addition of a wig gripper in this scenario so the wig will stay in place and feel more secure on your head. But let’s try and get the fit right from the get go…
MEASURE HEAD CIRCUMFERENCE
MEASURE FRONT TO BACK
MEASURE EAR TO EAR
Industry has measurements in inches most of the time. Start with the tape at the front of your forehead and wrap it around your head until you have the tape back at the start. (Like the picture above)
INDUSTRY MEASUREMENTS CIRCUMFERENCE
Petite: 21″
Average: 22″
Large: 23″
Place measuring tape where your hairline starts/would start (think 3-4 fingers from eyebrows) and go front to back to nape of your head
INDUSTRY MEASUREMENTS FRONT TO BACK
Petite: 13.25″
Average: 14.25″
Large: 15.5″
Place measuring tape on top of one ear and run tape over the top of your head to the top of other ear.
INDUSTRY MEASUREMENTS EAR TO EAR
Petite: 13″
Average: 13.5″
Large: 14″
TIP TWO – THE RIGHT FIBRE FOR THE RIGHT RESULT
HUMAN HAIR – The absolute closest hair fibre to your own biological hair that you can get. Human Hair needs to be REMY human hair so all the hair follicles have been kept in the same direction. Human hair does need to be styled, however it will stay in its style until it’s changed. Low sheen, beautiful to touch and fully customisable. Human hair has the longest lifespan of all wig fibres.
SYNTHETIC – MAN MADE – This fibre is made in a factory and will not tolerate too much styling. There are some heat tolerant synthetic options which will tolerate VERY LOW heat (90 degrees) but for the main part, synthetics are shake and wear styles. Easy on the budget, synthetics made wigs more affordable and any style possible. Longevity is usually said to be around 3-6 months
TECHNO FIBRE – MAN MADE – For a synthetic fibre this is the most human hair like as possible. The longevity is the same as other synthetics, however the versatility is far greater. Heat tolerant up to 150 degrees enables full styling options for Techno Fibre Wigs. With correct care, these wigs will last well and suit both the budget concious and people who enjoy a pre-styled wig, shake and wear.
Tip Three : Wig Cap Designs
For tip numbrer 3 of 5 tips for choosing the right wig we delve into the different caps and look at why you would choose one wig over another purely based on cap design. Your lifestyle can be a deciding factor when it comes to a wig cap choice with an open cap being quite a cool wig to wear, or perhaps you prefer the lightweight stretch cap? This comes down to personal preference at the end of the day. But to help you with choosing the right wig, we’ve highlighted a few of the main features for the most popular wig cap designs:
MONOFILAMENT
LACE FRONT
STRETCH HAND TIED
BASIC CAP
A monofilament means that the fibres have been individually hand tied into the area of the monofilament.
This means that the hair will have the ability to be styled in any direction. It is the most natural looking and realistic feature for wig design.
We recommend always choosing a wig that has an area with a monofilament
Providing the option for off the face styling and a most realistic looking hair line, the lace front area of your wig will be essential.
Lace front has a fine lace area where individual hair fibres are knotted in.
The important thing to remember when wearing a lace front is to always ensure your lace is sitting flat.
The most comfortable and form fitting style of wig cap. A stretch hand tied cap is like wearing a beanie, so comfortable!
The hand tied feature of this also means that the hair is multidirectional. This cap is at the higher end of the wig selectioins, however definitely worth it for fit and comfort.
If budget is a consideration, this will be the right cap for you.
Machine wefts are joined together to form this cap. It is a quite a cool wig to wear as there is a lot of ventilation and can be a popular choice for people living in hot or humid climates.
