Wigs have been around for centuries—possibly even millennia. Once upon a time, there was no shame whatsoever in wearing a wig. In fact, they were quite the fashion statement! But with the resurgence—and mass production—of wigs a few decades ago, they started to get a bad rap. It’s not all that hard to see why, really. When a wig is bad…it’s BAD. Unfortunately, those bad seeds reflect negatively on the whole wig industry and mislead the general public about benefits of wearing quality wigs and hairpieces. Below, we debunk some of the most persistent and loathsome myths:
Wigs look fake/don’t move like natural hair/are hot and itchy.
We can knock a few of these myths out with one blanket statement: the better quality wig you buy, the happier you’ll be with the way it looks, feels, and moves. Cheap wigs will look as fake as a three dollar bill. We’re convinced that some of the cheapest aren’t even designed to fit a human head—they don’t look good on ANYONE. Well-made wigs, on the other hand, use stretchy materials and adjustable straps to fit the cap perfectly to your head. If these caps are made with high quality materials, they will be lightweight, breathable and comfortable—far from the itchy, bulky mesh caps of costume-store wigs. High quality wigs will also use more realistic looking and feeling fibers, hand-tied, at least in part, to simulate natural growth and movement. If you choose to invest in a quality wig, no one will be able to tell it’s not your real hair.
Wigs fall off easily.
The first step to prevent this from happening is to have your head measured and fitted for a wig. But even without this step, there are many ways to ensure a nice, snug, slip-free fit. Envy Wigs are made with stretchy, scalp-hugging materials and adjustable straps to ensure a close, comfortable fit. You can also purchase toupee clips and silicone strips at wig supply stores for added grip.
Wigs are easily damaged.
Wigs do require a little extra care, but with the proper maintenance, a quality wig will last for years.
You’re stuck with the wig you pull out of the box.
Not only can you get your wig professionally styled, we recommend it! A hair stylist will be able to make adjustments to the wig to suit your particular face size and shape. A human hair wig (and some synthetic blends) can even be dyed to your prefered shade. There are also several ways you can style the wig yourself, according to your daily whims. Twist longer wigs into updos, use products to spike or smooth pixies, add scarves, clips, or headbands…the choices are endless!
Wigs prevent hair growth.
If you had no problems with hair growth before you started wearing wigs, there is no reason to assume wearing wigs will restrict that growth. It’s important to keep your natural hair healthy, of course, and let it breathe every once in awhile. Take your wig off and shampoo your scalp at least three times a week and you should be good to go.
Human hair wigs are better than synthetic.
Again, this all boils down to quality. There are several high quality synthetic or blended fiber wigs that look much more natural than cheaply made human hair wigs. Well-made human hair wigs are definitely some of the most natural-looking hairpieces out there—as well as some of the most expensive—but synthetic hair has come a long way in the last several years. And synthetic hair tends to last longer with less up-keep. There are even styling tools on the market today that will straighten or curl synthetic fibers without damaging them. And if you’re worried about that unnatural synthetic shine, try washing the wig with specially formulated shampoo, or sprinkle a bit of powder throughout the strands.
Wigs are expensive.
They certainly can be, but nabbing a great-looking, high-quality wig doesn’t have to break the bank. In fact, many wigs are similar in price to a fancy haircut/dye job…but last years longer. It’s also important to keep in mind, you don’t have to buy the most expensive wig on the market to get a style you love that looks completely natural. For instance, if you want the authenticity of a human hair wig but don’t quite have the budget for it, try a synthetic blend. Our 100% Human Hair collection is top of the line, but our Envyhair styles also look, feel, act, and style just like real hair—for about ⅓ of the cost.
Do you have questions about wig myths you’d like busted? Feel free to contact us with any questions or concerns you may have, and don’t forget to drop by your local Envy Wigs retailer for more tips and advice.
