Wigs return in style

The 20th Century saw wigs leave the fashion scene as many began flaunting natural hair but just like everything relating to fashion, it continues to revolve, and return with a bang. Wigs are now trending in different styles and texture, with the women folk basking in the euphoria of the once forgotten fashion trend that […]

The 20th Century saw wigs leave the fashion scene as many began flaunting natural hair but just like everything relating to fashion, it continues to revolve, and return with a bang.

Wigs are now trending in different styles and texture, with the women folk basking in the euphoria of the once forgotten fashion trend that ruled the world in the early 60s till the late 90s.

Funmike Bello, an undergraduate of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), told Home Front that wigs are cheaper, considering the money and time saved by not visiting the hairdressers.

“This one I have on is N15,000, which I consider cheap and durable. That way I save more money, and it lasts longer.

“I made my braids wig for N30,000 and it lasted for three months, if it was braided on my natural hair, I wouldn’t even dare keep it for one month due to heat and itching,” she said.

Speaking on the downside of wigs, Bello said, “It can be very uncomfortable if not done by a professional hairstylist. Some wigs tend to be too tight or loose.”

On the benefit derived from using wigs often, Bello said, “It really helps because I can weave my natural hair underneath the wig, pour water on my head when bathing and apply my cream. At least my natural hair can breathe.”

For those who think wigs are expensive, she advised that the old weave-on or attachment can be used to make a wig.

“It depends on what you want and what you are looking for because you could actually re-use your old weave-on as a wig,” she added.

Florence Yakula, a resident of Abuja, is also of the opinion that wigs are affordable.

She said: “I don’t think wigs are expensive. Rather they help save money and time. My braided wig costs N40,000, while the human hair wig cost N200,000, this may sound expensive but it is not.”

Considering the freedom that comes with wig, Yakula said, “You will agree it is cheap. The cost of going to saloon to fix your hair every time you want to wear a particular style is much higher.”

Commenting on the gains of having a wig on, Yakula said, “It is perfect, it helps my natural hair so well, and prevents it from thinning and breaking.”

Femi, a hair stylist in Abuja, told Home Front that demand for wigs has been on the rise over the last six months. Many customers now prefer wigs to fixing or braiding their hair, the demand is very high,” he said.

Femi said the braided wig is in high demand, and that it goes for at least N30,000.

“More ladies are going for braided wigs, which cost N30,000 to make, though the hair wigs are also in demand,” he added.

The stylist felt that the prices placed on the wigs are justified considering the quality of raw materials and time that go into making them.

Speaking on human hair wigs, Femi said, “There are two types of wigs, human hair and synthetic hair.

“The human hair gives a stylist the opportunity to be versatile and creative when styling the hair but with synthetic hair, one does not get the luxury of versatility. The synthetic wigs are, however less expensive and easy to manage.”

Home Front gathered that there are medical wigs for treating hair loss resulting from health conditions.

Now, people suffering from hair loss due to chemotherapy and radiation can grow their hair using medical wigs.

Wigs have been a popular fashion accessory of sorts for decades.

With increased technology, stylish, fashionable, savvy and more comfortable, wigs are produced.

Unlike the uncomfortable, heavy, helmet-like wigs worn in the past, lightweight, comfortable, elegant and easy to care for wigs are now available in different shapes and shades.

Fun lovers are not left out, as many wigs are used to create aesthetics  during parties.

They are used at events like Halloween festivals and children’s events where the crowns wear them as costume wigs.

Two major items are necessary for wig construction, Gold, a wig dealer residing in Abuja, said.

“The cap and the hair are basic for wig construction.

The most basic type of wig is the standard weaved cap which is made with a sewing machine. And because it is made with a machine, it is the cheapest type of wig.

Next to this is the monofilament wig, made with a polyester or nylon mash. With monofilament wig, one can see the wearer’s skin through the lace.

“The capless wig has lace strips instead of a cap, allowing the skin to breathe. Another is the human hair wig, made of human hair or horse hair. Human hair can be styled, dyed just like real hair.

“Synthetic wigs are made of nylon and acrylic material, usually produced in curly, straight and wavy styles and to care for these wigs one must avoid heat because most synthetic fibers melt easily.

“Though it is better to buy a synthetic wig than to wear a poor quality human hair, which tangles easily,” she said.

Dandruff, hair loss and headaches, are some of the problems that can be associated with wigs, Aliyu Ajoke, a Lagos-based hair stylist, said.

 She said: “Wigs come with their problems. Some customers complain of headache, hair loss, especially around the edges, making them look bald, some even complain of allergy and hair breakage.”

The use of wigs, Ajoke advised, should be done in moderation, if one is to surmount some of these challenges “you can wear wigs but moderately, not all the time. The hair needs fresh air; lack of oxygen in the head skin, causes dandruff.”

 

Mostly, women wear wigs for convenience but some use it as a cover for rough hair, Andrew Beba, a resident in Lagos State, said. 

 

 

 

He, however added that, “It’s an eyesore, when a wig falls off a woman’s head.  This happens often when they are on motorcycle. Women should learn to condition their hair properly even if they want to wear a wig. When the wig falls off and all you see is rough sponge, it is horrible,” she stressed, adding that “hair is the glory of every woman and should be treated as such.”

Speaking to Home Front, Ezekiel Pius said, “I don’t appreciate wig on a woman. I prefer a woman with natural hair and braids and I don’t see any reason why a woman would not want to flaunt her natural hair, except she wants to have a feel of the trending wigs.”