“Even better!” she replies, kindly.
But it doesn’t take long before I feel the hair starting to knot and tangle — a common issue with cheaper synthetic wigs, especially longer ones, which can mean they don’t last as long. High-quality versions, however, can be very expensive.
“Go for good-quality wigs,” advises Kim Kimble, a celebrity hairstylist who has worked with Beyoncé, Shakira, and Lizzo. She runs the hair department for HBO’s Euphoria — where wigs played a big role in the latest season — and owns a salon in LA. “You can find decent wigs for $500, but most people want custom ones, so you’ll pay between $1,500 and $10,000. A good wig will last you forever.”
Synthetic wigs are usually made from plastic fibers like acrylic, which aren’t biodegradable but need little styling. Some wigs mix synthetic and human hair, giving you the natural movement of real hair while still holding the shape and style. Burrell tells me these start at about £600. “Then there’s human hair, which needs more upkeep and can fade over time, but you can style it however you like,” she says. “These can cost around £1,000 or more.” It’s also important to think about where you buy from, since not all human hair is ethically sourced.
Day 5
Now we’re getting into the details: Barnard tells me it’s not really the hair that matters, but the cap construction. “The most basic is a fully wefted cap, which is machine-made,” she explains. “A step up is a cap with a monofilament parting area, which looks like a natural scalp but keeps the parting in one place. Above that is a monofilament top, where the whole crown is made from a fine mesh. This lets you part the hair in different directions for a more natural, versatile look. At the top end is a fully hand-tied cap, where each hair is tied in by hand. This gives the most realistic look, with hair that moves naturally.” That said, many clients find machine-made caps perfectly comfortable, or even prefer the simpler options.
View image in fullscreen: Leah in the Chiara wig from Valentine Wigs. Photograph: Linda Nylind/The Guardian
Next, I try Belle Madame’s Chiara wig (£183.54) from Valentine Wigs — a wavy, ash blond style, and the first time I’ve gone shorter than my own mid-length hair. The cap is part monofilament with a lace front, which makes the hairline look more realistic, but in practice, it means I keep having to push the front sections out of my face. I’ve never had hair that I need to constantly run my fingers through, like Cher Horowitz in Clueless, so this feels new. But it’s a warm day, and between the wig, the wig liner, and my own hair, I soon feel unbearably hot. My new voluminous look also makes it hard to perch my sunglasses on my head like I usually do. If my fellow bus passengers suspect anything, they’re too polite to say. I find myself looking at anyone whose hair seems a bit too perfect — could it be?
Day 6
View image in fullscreen: Channelling Vicky McClure’s punky crop in This Is England … Photograph: Linda Nylind/The Guardian
Feeling brave, I try going even shorter with another Ellen Wille wig from Wigs UK: a synthetic blond pixie cut with a monofilament top called the Bo Mono (£183.46). Hoping to channel Vicky McClure’s punky crop in This Is England, I end up feeling more like Elizabeth Debicki’s Princess Diana in The Crown and take the wig off just before leaving the house. Once you go out in a wig, I’ve learned, you’re committed.
But while wigs might not always be the easy choice, they’re certainly not a bad one.It’s not just for people with a team of stylists on hand. And of course, the reasons for wearing wigs can vary. “We get people with cancer, alopecia, trans people,” says Barnard. “There are older clients, people from the fashion industry – everyone! The popularity is really through the roof.” Could this surge also be linked to the rise in weight-loss drugs, since hair loss has been connected to GLP-1 medications? “I’ve definitely seen that,” says Barnard. “When I was a wig fitter, people told me they’d lost a dramatic amount of weight and with that, their hair had gone.”
Most of the specialists I speak to wear wigs themselves, but often just for fun. “When the team at Parrucche go out, we regularly wear hairpieces, especially if we’re all going out together,” says Burrell. She started her business after her mother lost her hair following chemotherapy and found wig shopping difficult. Now, she hopes it feels more like a treat, “more of a pamper, even when wigs are through NHS prescription, like going to a salon for any other hair appointment.”
Day 7
I’m off to a festival – and where better to channel my longtime hair idol Didi Conn as the candyfloss-haired “beauty school dropout” Frenchy Facciano in Grease? I end up choosing a slightly longer, paler, sleeker look: a 24-inch heat-styleable synthetic wig from Esmee Wigs (£21.79) in ombre pink – the darker roots do little to make it look natural. I trim the fringe, pair it with cowboy boots, and instantly feel festival-ready. The next day, I post a picture online that gets a flood of comments: “Your HAIR!”; “pink! Adore!” plus a bunch of love hearts and clapping hands emojis. Should I make the pink permanent, I start to wonder. But then, why would I, now that I can switch back and forth whenever I want?
Still, I’m aware that most things are more enjoyable if they don’t feel like a necessity. The style possibilities of wigs are almost endless, yet after a week of wearing them, I also have a renewed appreciation for my own hair, knowing I probably wouldn’t choose to wear one for a whole day. I do, however, decide to go full Moira Rose and invest in several wig stands – maybe nothing says “no longer taboo” like turning a once-secret hair accessory into a piece of mantlepiece decor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here is a list of FAQs based on the experience of wearing a different wig every day for a week covering a range of questions from curious beginners to seasoned wig wearers
BeginnerLevel Questions
Q Why would someone wear a different wig every day for a week
A Its a fun way to experiment with different looks without committing to a haircut or color It can also help you figure out what styles suit your face shape or just be a confidence boost
Q Do I need to shave my head to wear wigs
A No not at all You can wear wigs over your natural hair as long as its flat against your head Shaving is optional usually for comfort or if you have hair loss
Q How do you keep a wig from looking fake
A Choose a wig that matches your skin tone and hairline Plucking the part line using a bit of concealer on the lace and styling the baby hairs can make it look much more natural
Q Is it hard to put on a wig
A It takes a little practice but its not hard You secure your natural hair put the wig on from front to back and adjust the straps or combs inside Most people get the hang of it in a few tries
Q Will the wig damage my real hair
A Not if youre careful Avoid wearing it on wet or dirty hair and dont sleep in it Use a silk or satin cap underneath to reduce friction
Advanced Practical Questions
Q How did you switch between drastically different colors without your real hair showing
A I used a wig cap that matched my skin tone and made sure my natural hair was completely flat For lace front wigs the transparent lace blends into the skin so the color underneath doesnt matter
Q Did the curly wig tangle more than the straight ones
A Yes curly wigs tangle faster especially if theyre synthetic I had to gently detangle them with a widetooth comb and use a little leavein conditioner to keep the curls defined
