Thursday, February 26, 2009

Wig Accessories – why do you need them?

Millions of people battle baldness every day. To many of them, baldness is a curse that cannot be reversed. If you have lost your hair due to heredity, age or chemicals, chances are, you are not likely to get much of it back. But high quality wigs can help you overcome the pain of hair loss.

Unlike in the past, wigs are not difficult to maintain. Advances in the cosmetic technologies ensure that you get wigs that look similar to human hair. So, if you use the right stuff and put it on the right way, nobody can make out whether the luxurious growth on your head is your own or from a factory.

Wig accessories are a range of products that help you extend the life, look and luster of your wigs. Each of these products performs a different task but their ultimate aim is to maintain the condition of your hair extensions, hairpieces and wigs.

Many people make the mistake of treating their costly wigs the same as their own head and hair. Nothing can damage your wig more. Hair wigs and extensions need special products. Even those products that are made of real human hair need special attention. Wig accessories are quality products recommended by the experts. They are made to keep the delicate hair and wig cap intact. They allow you to manage your wig in a way that retains the original volume and beauty of the wig.

Some of the most popular wig accessories include:
Styling brush: You cannot comb your wigs using the same brush that you use for your hair. Your normal hair is resistant. Even if you pull it a little, there will be no permanent stretching or tearing. But, your wig is not that hardy even though it is made of durable material. You need to brush it lightly with a good quality styling brush to keep it free of tangles. Different kinds of combs are available for different kinds of hair.

Wig shampoo: The normal shampoo you use on natural hair is too harsh for a wig. The chemicals in it could damage the wig permanently. Special shampoos work gently to deep cleanse the wig and improve its texture. This leaves the wig looking and smelling fresh.

Wig conditioners: Another must for a wig user, wig conditioners help you retain the volume and natural body of your hair. These lift tired looking hair. Most wig conditioners need to be sprayed after a wash.

Styling sprays and gels: Wigs and hair pieces need special styling sprays and gels. Styling sprays that dry fast and can be sprayed from a distance are convenient.

Wig tapes, adhesives, wig stands and mannequin heads are some other wig accessories that you may need to buy if you are a regular user of wigs.

The use of high quality wig accessories can extend the life of your wigs by 50%. That’s twice the usage for the same amount of money spent. Besides, people who use wigs for fun and for the look of the day may find that some of these accessories can help them look chic and elegant for very little.

Friday, January 23, 2009

How to Take Care of African American wigs

Most wigs are good, some are fabulous. Want to know what makes the difference? Quality craftsmanship and regular care. Wigs have come a long way from the old one-size-fits-all solutions. Today, wigs are made from durable but light materials. They feel and look just like real hair, which is a blessing as far as special hair is concerned.

African American wigs offer high quality hair for the African American. Many people make the mistake of treating wigs just as they would treat their real hair. But wigs are not the same as real hair. Even those wigs that are made from human hair. If you’re not going to take proper care of these babies, you are literally throwing them into the trash can. Besides, many of the best quality wigs are hand sewn and even have real hair. These need regular care and maintenance. Even those that are made of synthetic material need proper maintenance.

So, here are a few tips to help you take proper care of your African American wigs.

Instructions for regular use:
African American wigs have the natural curly hair style, texture and look of the African American. So, it may be tempting to roll an iron through them but these wigs need to be preserved without any curling or heating. Synthetic hair can be frizzed if a heated coil is used on them. Excessive heat of any kind, whether from curling irons or ovens and fireplaces, are a strict no for wigs. The plastic wig cap can melt if excessive heat is applied.

Your wig does not need the legendary hundred strokes a day. Brushes made for human hair can stretch the fiber of the wig. Brush your wig sparingly using a special brush. This is true even if you have a real hair African American wig.

Do not use the wig in a swimming pool or with any strong chemicals. By the same coin, bleaching and coloring are taboo.

Instructions for washing:
If you are using your African American wig regularly, you need to pay special attention to washing and drying it. There are no ground rules about how often you have to wash your wig. If you are indoors most of the time, you can go for 12-15 days without a wash. If you’ve just visited the smoky interiors of a bar or club, you may want to wash all the smoke out of your hair immediately. How often you wash your wig depends on how much you use it outside, the humidity and climate of the place you stay in.

Wash your hair gently with cold water. You may use a wig shampoo. Swish the wig gently in water and run cold water over it after shampooing. After washing, blot it dry gently using a soft towel. Never ever wring the wig. Adding a conditioning spray makes your wig look soft and natural. Leave the wig open to the air for drying. Keep it in a shaded, cool place. Never blow dry it. Do not comb the wig until it is completely dry.

Taking good care of your hair wigs ensures that your wigs last long and keep looking fresh and buoyant. Good care and maintenance is the only way in which you can get the best value for your money. Otherwise, even the best material is of little use.