You have probably seen a wig before and didn't even realize it. The art of wig making has been around for many centuries, and requires skill and practice to master. If you have ever purchased a wig, you may be wondering about the benefits of making your own wig. Often, store-bought wigs don't look right or don't fit correctly. Making your own custom wig gives you the ability to not only fit the head you are making the wig for, but it also lets you be as creative as you want when it comes to style and color.
There are many type of wigs, but the wig we are all most familiar with is a basic store-bought wig. These wigs can be made of human or synthetic hair. Since they are relatively inexpensive, basic wigs normally are made by machine and don't carry high quality hair. Wigs can take be seen in a basic wig form, a toupee (a small wig used to cover only a portion of the head), hair piece, or lace wig.
When it comes to wigs, the creme of the crop is the Lace Wig System. This wig is not only made out of the finest quality of hair, but takes the longest to produce. It also has the most natural looking results. To make a lace wig, strands of hair are individually attached to a fine piece of lace in the ventilation process. The result is an appearance that the hair on the wig is your natural hair.
Wig making is a process that not only requires time, but unique tools as well. You will need a mannequin head to use as a stand to complete your wig. These heads can be made of a number of materials and can vary greatly in price. Along with this, you'll need a base to attach the hair to. This base can be made of a netted or stocking cap, wig cap, or lace. A wig cap is of higher quality than a netted or stocking cap, and of course the material with the highest quality is lace.
The next thing you will need is the hair to make the wig out of. Try not to use hair designed for braiding and weaving and make sure you get either human hair or synthetic hair. Human hair has a more natural look and will work better for the wig making process.
You will also need additional tools, depending on the type of wig you are making. Most of these tools can be purchased at your local beauty supply store or online through a number of reputable distributors.
If you want to get into the art of wig making, here are some things to remember:
1. Although human hair is the more natural choice, wigs made of synthetic hair are known to hold their style better in adverse conditions, such as heat and rain.
2. Make sure you always wash and care for your wig with special wig shampoo. Regular shampoos are too harsh on the wig and can cause the hair to lose its luster quickly.
3. Wigs must be worn as close to the head as possible to achieve a natural look; however, doing so can cause the top of your head to sweat and the wig can come loose. To stop this, try using a powder (such as baby powder) that is cornstarch-based to absorb the excess moisture.
4. Putting a wig cap on before putting on a wig can help keep stray hairs from popping out of the sides of your wig.
5. If your wig seems to be a bit too big, or doesn't fit snugly in certain places, try using wig tape to hold the wig in place. Remember, small pieces of adhesive go a long way.