Best wig option for natural look/feel ?

[Valfreyja]

Hi,
      so I'd like to pick your brains about quality wigs. I bought an "incognito" wig that I really like (color/design) a while ago when I was just experimenting with cross dressing but now that I'm thinking transition might be the right way for me, I'm looking for the best wig option for me. Some of you might say "...let your hair grow.. let hrt work it's magic... your bald patch might go away...etc" well even if I was lucky enough to grow back my hair on my bald patch... I never liked my hair anyway. I grew them long in college and they were super coarse and curly and just a natural afro... the amount of gel I was putting in there + straight perm was just unnatural .. so not an option;p

      So, what do you think is the best option for a semi/permanent wig that would feel light and look natural ? Human hair? Cyber Hair? Let's say I want to spend like 500 $ initially... is this realistic or should I expect to spend more ?

Thanks !

Chloe

[Tori]

Honestly, if you are budgeting $500, I suggest you start cheaper.

Try one or two in the $50-80 range. Styles you like. You can always trim or style further. A color that matches your own features, complexion and visible hair is great! They draw far less attention.

Then look for a $200-400 wig in the same style and color. It will be better but you can wear the other, cheaper one to places/events were you do not wish to weather, damage or otherwise ruin your good hair... casual acquaintances will hardly notice the difference.

That is my suggestion... but I am new to the wig game. I do believe the wig makes the woman though. Good luck.

[EmmaD]

My hair loss is too great and transplants a very marginal proposition. So I am venturing into the wig world.

Just got a $450 synthetic and I am trying it for a while before I go back and get it styled. It is very nice but too long for me I think.  Thing is, you can't let them grow!!! The consultant thought we would work it shorter slowly.  Still fantastic to have hair!!!

I am also looking at a couple of cheaper options just to try styles and hell, why not have some variety?.  If you can work a cheaper wig, you are set.  Human hair custom would be nice but not until I am confidant I know,what I am doing.  May instead opt for lots of synthetics instead and try to own the problem.

[Alaia]

With $500 you should be able to get a pretty good wig. With human hair wigs and some synthetic blends you will be able to style it using curling and flat irons. With a lace front or full lace cap it makes the hairline look very realistic. If you do get a full lace cap, make sure to check what type of knotting is used. Single knotting looks the most realistic but falls out easier. Double knotting is more durable but not as realistic. And then there's triple/reverse or hidden knotting which from what I read is where the hair is double-knotted on the inside of the lace, fed through and then single knotted on the outside. That one is both durable and realistic but will cost a lot more.

I'm not sure on prices, might need to go into a wig shop or browse around ebay.

[Ms Grace]

Here are a few things I've learned from becoming a full time wig wearer... it applies more to when you are full time but probably useful to know...

You will need more than one wig - either because the main one needs to washed and hasn't dried in time, or because of a disaster (lost, damaged) and/or to mix it up (i.e., different styles). Extra wigs relieve the stress of daily wear from the main wig - I have no idea how long a wig would last with daily wear and regular washing (apparently the manufacturers say it needs washing every 10 or so wears, but i'm going for once a week, especially in the summer) but extra wigs will extend that life. I'm getting another wig like the one in my avatar but I'm also getting some other styles - shorter, straighter, bangs. I'll never be going to see a hair dresser for a new look so I might as well have a few I can swap around as the mood takes me.

I bought a Henry Margu - it is synthetic (micro fibre) but looks very realistic, I've lost count of the number of times people have told me how much they like it and how natural it looks. It is quite light and allows my scalp to breathe (a must in a warm climate)... and it doesn't break the bank, I bought it for about $AU175 (online mail order) which has left me with enough money to get more.

Yes, I wish I didn't have to wear a wig but I cannot pass without one.

[Julia-Madrid]

Here are a few things I've learned from becoming a full time wig wearer... it applies more to when you are full time but probably useful to know...

Ms Grace - that's a wig!?!?!?  Well, girl, you look great.  Hope to us all 

[Joan]

I have three wigs. 

I started off with a couple of 40 dollar synthetics and they gave me an idea of styles and colours that suit my face. 

I recently spent money on a decent synthetic and it looks much better, but at 4 times the price.  It's lighter, the hair is more natural, and you can style it and heat it and curl it.  It is much better, but if I'd spent the money on it and it didn't suit me it would have been quite a financial hit.

Like others have said, maybe try some cheaper ones in different styles and colours to see what suits and then look into more expensive options

[Carlita]

A couple of questions for all you wig-wearing girls ...

I'm balding, but still have a fair amount of hair, so I might be able to get away with transplants, but it would be very expensive.

I've thought of combining my remaining real hair with some kind of weave or hairpiece.

And I'm also considering the straightforward option of shaving the whole lot off and wearing wigs full-time.

So ... How easy is it to find a wig that you can wear all day and feel secure that it won't come off? How about going to the beach, or ending up in bed with someone else? It's the practical aspects, as much as the aesthetic ones that worry me. But am I getting stressed for no reason?

[Valfreyja]

Thanks a lot for the valuable information. Ms Grace, you do make a very good point about the importance of buying more than one wig. I was actually looking into the Amy's presence Cyber Hair wigs/water wigs etc. but at around 750$ each... well, maybe if I were to win the lottery For now I think I'll follow Alaia's suggestion and try to find a good wig shop to try different styles, designs and fabrics. Thanks again

[Ms Grace]

Carlita, you'll find HRT will stop the thinning and that a preparation like minoxidil will help with regrowth. I  have enough at the front so keep it a bit long and use bobby pins to secure the wig to my hairline (so maybe don't shave yours all off). I haven't felt like it might fall off but then it is a snug fit anyway. As for the beach or sexual shenanigans, I'm not there yet on either front. I'm trying to figure out how to deal with yoga now I'm full time, I wouldn't want to wear my normal wig because I sweat too much, yuck, so a wig I can wear during the class and wash afterwards seem the likely option.

[Carlita]

Carlita, you'll find HRT will stop the thinning and that a preparation like minoxidil will help with regrowth. I  have enough at the front so keep it a bit long and use bobby pins to secure the wig to my hairline (so maybe don't shave yours all off). I haven't felt like it might fall off but then it is a snug fit anyway. As for the beach or sexual shenanigans, I'm not there yet on either front. I'm trying to figure out how to deal with yoga now I'm full time, I wouldn't want to wear my normal wig because I sweat too much, yuck, so a wig I can wear during the class and wash afterwards seem the likely option.

Thanks so much for that info/insight, Grace. And you're quite right ... for me, at any rate, any talk of beaches or sex is both premature and wildly optimistic!

[JoanneB]

As a member of the wig wearer club, thanks to MPB hitting hard at age 14 (another of my life of ironies) I would suggest trying more time in the shallow end of the pool first. There are plenty of nice $100-$200 wigs out there. Learn what works for you. Learn what makes you feel best in when you see yourself in the mirror.

[JoanneB]

Thanks so much for that info/insight, Grace. And you're quite right ... for me, at any rate, any talk of beaches or sex is both premature and wildly optimistic!

Beaches are realistic, even venturing into the water.

Scuba... In the cold dark North East waters in a full wet or dry suit you still can. But not in the Carib where you'll likely find me 30 ft under in 80 degree water. 

[suzifrommd]

Hmm. I must be doing this wrong. I bought a nice wig for US$125 in a shop not far from here. I started passing it (and getting male attention) as soon as I started wearing it. Don't know how it will stand the test of time, but I know where the shop is, so if I need another I can just buy it. Now I'm wondering what I'm missing that I'd have if I went to the $400 range.