My first wig

[Rosa]

I don't know if this should go here, in fashion, or somewhere else (so mods, please move if needed).

Anyway, I've been keeping an eye out for wigs in the local thrift stores since I am quite poor and I thought I might get lucky and find something decent enough to let me see how I look with long hair.  Well, I found this really nice brown wig for $10.00 and it turns out to be 100% human hair - so the label says.  I know they are usually very pricey, so I felt fortunate.  But, after I got it on, I thought I looked like a guy in a wig!  I'm wondering if it is just the type of wig or me.  The wig is nice, but it is kind of like Mrs. Doubtfire with brown hair and longer bangs.  The sides come just below the ears and the front bangs come over, the back is to the collar.  It just looks so bushy though.

I guess nothing beats natural hair though.  I'm letting mine grow out, but it is starting to itch my ears - and it is only 3 finger widths long, haha!  I have a long way to go with the hair.

[Colleen Ireland]

At least you have hair.  I'm thinning on top, which leaves me with few options but wigs.  Or transplants, but wigs would be a lot less expensive, I think.  And quicker.  Not to mention, my hair is grey (talk about Mrs. Doubtfire).  But we each do what we must with what we have...

[Cindy]

I realise this is a BIG step for girls coming out. But nothing works better than going to a wig shop. They are totally used to TG girls. At least the one I went to. You can always call first and ask BTW. The advantage is they are professional and know what sort of styles will fit your face and age. They have lots of product so you can try lots of different thins. You don't have to buy but you will know what you are looking for. If you do buy, they may have credit terms to make it easier.
Human hair wigs can be quite difficult to look after in my experience.

Cindy

[tekla]

But nothing works better than going to a wig shop.

If it wasn't for ->-bleeped-<-s and cancer patients wig shops would not exist.  And as with just about anything, and everything, real experts (vs. persons who 'read something on the web' and 'saw something on TV about it once' are always better.

[Rosa]

Our hospital gift shop has lots of wigs, but I think they are just for cancer patients - plus the volunteer ladies there are all church goers.  They looked nice, but none of them were long.  When I bought this wig at the thrift store, I said it was for someone that was shy to come to the store (me, lol) and she understood that it would be difficult to come out if you were bald.  I just didn't give any extra info or hints, and she was very pleasant, though I did not try it on.

I think a wig that had hair laying closer to my head and a bit longer would make a difference.  Plus, I am a blonde, and I suppose anything different than your own hair color will seem strange in itself (I never died my hair before or anything). 

I see they sell wigs in the mall out of town, but I couldn't get up the courage to try it on, even in a strange town - it was a display in the mall hall and not even a store.  Oh, if I only had courage said the cowardly lioness . . .

[Cindy]

Our hospital gift shop has lots of wigs, but I think they are just for cancer patients - plus the volunteer ladies there are all church goers.  They looked nice, but none of them were long.  When I bought this wig at the thrift store, I said it was for someone that was shy to come to the store (me, lol) and she understood that it would be difficult to come out if you were bald.  I just didn't give any extra info or hints, and she was very pleasant, though I did not try it on.

I think a wig that had hair laying closer to my head and a bit longer would make a difference.  Plus, I am a blonde, and I suppose anything different than your own hair color will seem strange in itself (I never died my hair before or anything). 

I see they sell wigs in the mall out of town, but I couldn't get up the courage to try it on, even in a strange town - it was a display in the mall hall and not even a store.  Oh, if I only had courage said the cowardly lioness . . .

You have the courage you are just not aware of it as yet. All of these steps seem like mountains. But you will get there. I think lots of girls when they start the wig route go for long hair. I know I did Long blonde of course, I looked totally silly When I went to a wig shop they immediately said I need something to mold my face and cover my brow. Then we went for a mixture of colour. The difference in colours did amazing things. Dark colours made me look awful. I settled on a light brown with blonde highlights.

You want a shop where you can go in, be seated in a private area and have a professional talk to you. The first question I got was whether I wanted a cup of tea.


I fully realise it is a difficult step. I was going out in public when I went to the shop so I wasn't fazed. Just take your time, you will know when you are ready. As so many have said on this sight. It's not how well you 'pass' it's all to do with confidence, and you need to work on being confident it doesn't just arrive as a bolt out of the blue

Hugs

Cindy

[Lyric]

One thing wig newbies don't often realize is that it's not easy to choose, fit and wear a convincing wig. There are many factors that come into play: wig cap size/shape, wig color, length, texture (even with human hair). There many different qualities of human hair used in wigs. It's best to find a wig hair that has both a color and texture compatible with your coloring and  general appearance.

I've seen people with $1000 wigs that looked like mops on their heads and people wearing $20 wigs that looked great. A wig has to match you. Most often, though, the higher priced ones are the best quality. Also, wigs almost always have to be thinned to look more realistic. Manufacturers seem to feel obligated to load too much hair into them (oddly enough). If you can swing it, a professional wig stylist might be able to improve your wig's appearance, but it's quite likely that you got your money's worth on that one.

If you have the volume, by all means let your own hair grow. Long hair takes some getting used to, but you'll probably learn to love it in time (I sure do). Once you stop worrying about the time it takes to grow and get your mind on other things, it will be where you want it.

Lyric