Hair is so important for women. Whether we style them or not, it’s a big part of our physical appearance and affect how we feel about our presentation. Wigs are great solutions for women who need a quick fix for their hair situation – whether it’s to change to a new style instantly or because they’re losing hair.
Regardless of the reason, wigs don’t come with an instruction manual that fits everyone. Sometimes, the wig might feel out of place or doesn’t look quite right. Don’t worry, it’s not because you don’t suit wearing wigs. It’s just some common and totally fine mistake you’re making when it comes to wigs. Here are the top 10 mistakes women make with wigs.
1. Not cutting the lace edges
First and foremost, you’re not cutting the lace edges of your wigs. That might be the reason why it doesn’t look as perfect as you want. Some people don’t cut it because they’re afraid of overdoing it to the point that it becomes unwearable. The thing is, if you don’t cut it, you’re actually making it worse. If the wind blows and moves the wig away from your hairline, the lace edges are then exposed.
With that being said, don’t overcut it. Just cut off small portions and not too much off. Cut around the front and sides of the lace wig. We recommend using long, fluid scissors strokes when cutting so you won’t get jagged edges.
2. Not wrapping natural hair properly
Source: Kimia Zarifi on Unsplash
A wig can’t sit properly on your head if your natural hair is not being secured properly. The foundation has to be secured perfectly before your wig can work its magic. If you don’t make sure your natural hair has been wrapped properly, your wig can move around and also look puffy instead of natural.
It’s best to braid your natural hair when wrapping it. This is highly recommended for those with longer hair. Braiding your hair gives the best results of wrapping your hair. Be sure to not tie them too tight. You wouldn't want your scalp to have unexpected problems in the future.
3. Buying lace-front wigs with thick lace closure
If you don’t know what a closure is, it’s the hairpiece that you see sewn at the front of the wig to mimic real hairlines. If you buy lace-front wigs that have thick lace closure, the front will look bulkier and less natural. It’s going to be a dead giveaway that you’re wearing a wig. You want the wig to look as natural as possible.
Instead, look for lace-front wigs that have thin lace closure. This will lay smoothly on your head and like a natural scalp hairline. Even if you have to invest a bit more in the wig, it’ll wield long-term benefits.
4. Choosing the wrong density
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More doesn’t always necessarily mean better. A wig should look as realistic as possible on your head. If you choose a wig that has heavy density, it might not look as natural on you than if you choose a lighter density.
This also depends on the thickness of your actual hair. You can have a reference of density from your own natural hair. Unless you have lost all of your hair, it’s best to stick close to what suits your physique.
5. Choosing the wrong colour
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Not every colour and shade suits everyone. We are all of different skin tones as well. Even dyeing our natural hair at the salon can be a disaster when the colour we choose doesn’t match our skin tone. With wigs, it’s easier to choose the wrong colour because it’s a quick decision as compared to dyeing your natural hair.
Choose a colour that will compliment your skin tone rather than contrast with it. Some say that if the shade is closer to your skin tone, it matches better. If you have a cooler skin tone, you’ll suit colours like blacks, browns and blondes. If your skin tone is darker, you’ll suit dark browns, golden browns and chestnuts. However, blondes are also possible if you get the right shade. Don’t rush into the decision before doing your research.
6. Not maintaining natural hair hygiene
Wearing a wig is like wearing a cap for some people. It hides your natural hair, which is convenient when we’re not paying attention to our natural hair sometimes. But that doesn’t mean we should neglect it. Your scalp and natural hair still needs to maintain proper hygiene.
When you wear a wig, even if it allows your scalp to breathe, it can build up sweat. This can cause bacteria and fungus to grow. You might get irritation and odour if that happens. Shampoo and dry your hair frequently to prevent this.
7. Not properly taking care of wig
And just like your natural hair, you have to maintain your wig’s hygiene as well. This is especially so if you’re wearing a natural hair wig, too. A big mistake many women make with wigs is not taking care of their wigs properly.
When combing the wig, you should be extremely careful. Don’t pull on them so much and don’t comb wet hair as this can cause tangles. It’s best to use a wide-toothed comb or a wig brush if you do get tangles.
When washing the wig, don’t use extremely hot water. It can damage the wig by shedding and drying. This also includes blow drying the wig. Try not to use excess heat and use a low temperature when blow drying the wig.
Taking care of your wig also includes the products that you use with it, like glues. Do a patch test on your skin first before using it. Not all glues are compatible with all skin types since they use chemicals. Make sure you don’t have an allergic reaction before wearing your wig. Alternatively, you could use a grip band.
8. Overstyling baby hair
Source: Joshua Oyebanji on Unsplash
The baby hair styling trend is all the rage recently. We’re all overstyling our baby hair because that’s what everyone else is doing. However, when wearing a wig, it’s best not to do it. That’s because you might not be able to seamlessly blend your hairline with the wig. When you’re more comfortable with styling wigs, you might be able to style your baby hair so everything still looks natural, but if you’re not confident, it’s best to stay away from it.
9. Cap size is too small or too big
Source: Joshua Oyebanji on Unsplash
Another mistake women make with wigs is wearing cap sizes either too big or too small for them. If it’s too small, it can be extremely tight around the head. You’ll be able to see a line when you take the wig off. On top of that, overtime, you might cause yourself cerebral pain.
If you wear a wig with a cap size too big, it won’t sit nicely on your head. The wig will be sliding back and forth throughout the day. In this case, you can sew an elastic band on the inside from ear to ear. This can save you from binning your wig. Make sure to use adhesives on the hairline as well.
10. Unnatural hairline
Source: Vladimir Yelizarov on Unsplash
Hairline is so important when it comes to making your wig look natural. Getting a wig that has an unnatural hairline is a mistake a lot of women make. They opt for a straight form of hairline, but our natural hairline is uneven and jagged.
The best thing you should do is get a wig with a hairline that’s similar to your natural hairline. Alternatively, if you have a straight form hairline wig, you can use a tweezer and pluck random pieces out of the wig’s hairline. Try to make a gradual fade from the hairline to the rest of the hair.
Conclusion
Have you made any of the mistakes mentioned above with your wig? If you have, make sure not to do them again! If you haven’t, now you know what to avoid doing. These are great learning tips when choosing and styling your next wig. Let us know if they’re helpful in the comments section down below!
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