We all have to start somewhere when it comes to anything new, so I am here to remind you that you’re not alone when it comes to choosing the ideal beginner wig! There are many concerns beginners have when choosing their first wig. Some of your concerns may be:
- Should I go for a closure or frontal wig for my first wig?
- What wig is best for applying and removing each day?
- What wig requires the least amount of maintenance?
Below I will cover these concerns and go through the basics on what you need to know before purchasing your first wig.
WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT WIG TYPES?:
First it is important to know what makes up a wig and what are the different types of wig structures.
The most basic wig type is a closure wig. This wig is made with a lace closure and wefted hair. Lace closures can come in sizes, 4×4, 5×5, 6×6, 7×7 or even 8×8! (This measurement is in inches, i.e. a 4×4 closure is 4 inches in height and 4 inches in width). Closure wigs are best for beginners. The most popular closure type regularly offered is the 4×4 5x5 size.
The next type of wig type is a frontal wig. This wig is made with a lace frontal and wefted hair. Lace Frontals come in sizes 13×4, and 13×6. Frontal wigs are best for wig wearers that have some experience of wearing wigs. The most popular frontal types are 13×4 and 13×6 wigs.
Another well-known wig type is a full lace wig.This wig is made mostly with lace on the outer perimeters and has a matching net area in the middle. (Most people don’t know this but the breathable net in the middle is for structure!). Full lace wigs are best for wig wearers that have some experience of wearing wigs.
This lace area on the wig is where the majority of styling comes in to make your wig look like a ‘scalp’. Choosing the correct lace size is all dependent on your preference but the pros of choosing a wig with a bigger lace area is so that you can carry out more styles on it. For instance, with a full lace wig you can part it anywhere and do a lot of styles because it is mostly lace but with a 4×4 closure wig you can only style it within the 4×4 inches of lace that is provided, so styles may be limited. However, the more creative you are with your wigs, the more styles you can pull off with any wig!
But with that being said, as a beginner it is ideal to start with a wig that has a small closure size which is enough for you to create styles that you are confident with. With a 4×4 closure wig you can easily style it in a middle or side part.
WHAT WIG IS BEST FOR WEARING GLUELESSLY?:
The great news is ALL wigs can be worn gluelessly. In order to make a wig fit gluelessly, it needs to have some sort of band inside which helps the wig sit securely on your head.
WHAT WIG HAS THE LEAST AMOUNT OF MAINTENANCE BUT WILL LAST LONG?:
In an ideal world, it would be fabulous if wigs lasted an eternity without any styling or maintenance but wigs will need extra loving care just like how we take care of anything we care for. However, the process for maintaining your wigs is actually not that complicated and super easy as long as you consider the following:
- Opt for lower density wigs for easier detangling and styling. For a beginner, 130%, 150% or 180% density are great densities to start with as they require less work to style and maintain since there is less hair on the wig. From personal experience, it takes me roughly 10 minutes to silk press a 180% density in comparison to 30, sometimes 40 minutes to silk press a 200+% density wig!
- The shorter the length, the less time it takes to style. As a beginner, caring for and styling a 20 inch wig would take less time compared to a 30 inch wig.
- Go for straight or body wave texture for your first wig. These textures are easy to detangle, easy to wash and easy to style. For wigs that have a tight wave or curly texture, they require more care and are therefore more high maintenance. For instance when you’re detangling a curly wig you need to make sure you are not too rough and causing breakage in the hair. You also need to apply more products to curly hair to make sure it does not appear frizzy or feel dry.
- Natural coloured wigs are the way to go for beginners. Wigs that don’t have any additional colour added are great as a low-maintenance option because you don’t have to worry about maintaining the added colour. You can simply wash and condition with a nourishing shampoo set.
- Also consider a human hair wig for long-term wearing. Synthetic wigs are great but their life-span is usually up to 6 months. However, with human hair as long as it is taken care of and washed regularly, they can last anywhere up to 2-3 years
