Carolyn's Corner:
Beginner's Notebook

Synthetic Hair Wigs

Today, wigs can be remarkably realistic substitutes for real hair. Not long ago, only expensive human hair wigs looked at all like the real thing. Now, inexpensive synthetic fibers can nearly duplicate the look and feel of human hair. As a result, the great majority of wigs sold today are made with synthetic fibers. Good synthetic hair wigs can be found in a price range of $50 to $150.

Synthetic hair wigs are not perfect, however. First, they look best in a curly or wavy style, even though women today are mostly wearing their hair straight. Most straight-hair synthetic wigs have a uniform no-hair-out- of-place look that looks artificial. Second, synthetic hair does not move like human hair as you move your head, often looking stilt, as if coated with hair spray.

Human Hair Wigs

If you want the absolute best quality, or want a straight or versatile hair style, you may want to choose a wig made with real human hair. Human hair wigs look and move like your own hair, perhaps because there are always a few hairs out of place. Human hair wigs have the advantage, too, of being able to be curled and styled just like your own hair. However, the downside is that these wigs require about as much maintenance (washing and styling) as real hair, and few beginning crossdressers have the skill to make them look good.

Some manufacturers now make blends of half human hair and half synthetic hair. These offer some of the look and movement of real hair but more of the easy care of a synthetic wig. These average about $300 in cost. Full human hair wigs cost somewhat more.

Wig Stores

In Portland, both Wells and Wigland, two of the largest wig stores in Oregon, are prepared to help our members. Wigland advertises in our newsletter.

Also, Patti Johnson carries some wigs and has much experience in styling and cutting wigs for crossdressers. Many of our members have bought wigs with half synthetic and half human hair from Brenda Kay in Portland, who has served our community since the early Dream days. I do not know anybody in Oregon specializing in 100% human hair wigs, but "Lady Diana" in Everett, Washington, has sold many to Emerald City members.

Many wig stores are accustomed to dealing with crossdressers. If you have any doubts, take advantage of the anonymity of a phone call to check out the store. Some higher-end wig stores prefer you make an appointment, due to the time it takes to select and style a wig properly. Stores vary in how much help they can give you. If you are buying a $50 wig, it is not worth the store's time to spend hours helping you find the right one and styling it just for you. The more you plan to spend, the better service you can expect.

Given that wigs are almost never returnable once worn outside the store, you must make sure you have the right one. I have found it best to go to the store while crossdressed to get the best idea of how the wig will look, but I once bought a very successful wig in my male business suit. If you cannot find something you like in the store, some places will order a special wig for you if you think you know what color and style you want. (You may be committed to buying it, however.)

Mail Order Wigs

Mail order companies offer the advantage of privacy plus the widest range of colors on the wigs they stock. If you can tolerate cycles of ordering and sending back, you will likely find something you like. (If they do not allow you to send wigs back after trying them on, do not order from them. It is very unlikely that you will find the right style and color on the first try.)

Be aware that the models in the catalog probably have smaller heads than you do. Consequently, you may need to order a wig with longer hair to achieve the same look.

Mail order has two disadvantages. First, it is hard to guess what hair style and color will look good on you. For me to find the right style, it took a visit to a professional at a wig shop. Different facial shapes need different hair styles, and your hair color should complement your skin color. A professional hair stylist sometimes is your only source of good advice on what will look best on you.

Second, it may be impossible for you to tell whether a new wig will ever look good on you, if you do not know how to style it. Most wigs just out of the box - even synthetic wigs - look about as good as a woman's hair when she has just gotten out of bed. Considerable skill may be needed to bring out the wig's potential. Don't believe the advertisement that you can just shake or comb out the wig in seconds, particularly if the wig has long hair.

Some Common Mistakes

The unfortunate truth is that many crossdressers give themselves away with their wigs. Often the hair style they wear has not been worn by stylish women for years. Sometimes the wig is far too long or too fancy for their age or occasion. Too many crossdressers wear blond wigs, when they do not have the right coloring or are not the right age to be blond. Ask yourself what you are trying to achieve as a crossdresser. If it is blending in as an everyday woman, you should look around at what hair styles women are wearing today. If your goal is to go to parties in full glamour, you will want something fancier. Crossdressers often do not know how to style their wigs. Since genetic women must deal with their hair every day, most acquire real skill in styling hair. Make sure you can learn how to style a wig before committing to it. When you get your new crowning glory, take the time to learn and experiment, or get some training from a professional. You will find that the time you spend with your wig will pay off.

Finally, remember that hair styles change just as women's fashions do. You should expect to replace your wig every few years to keep up with what women are doing with their hair.

Here is a list of several major mail order wig suppliers that offer free catalogs:

Paula Young
P.O. Box 483
Brockton, MA 02403-9967

Beauty Trends
P.O. Box 9323
Hialeah, FL 33014-9323

The Wig Company
P.O. Box 12950
Pittsburgh, PA 15241-0950