How to prep and wear your wig

updated: 2006-06-12 12:34:51

HOW TO PREP AND APPLY YOUR WIG

You Will Need:

Wig Tape, Bobby Pins, Wig Cap or anklet stocking (matching colour to your wig).

You Might Need:

Hair Spray, Hair Pins, Hot Rollers or Curly Stix.

  1. Securely pincurl your hair; 3 or 4 around the fringe, then evenly pincurl the rest remember, they must create a solid base onto which to attach the wig (For long hair: make small pin curls around perimeter of the head and larger evenly distributed ones on crown).
  2. Put the wig cap on and fasten it securely with bobby pins around the edge.
  3. Hold the wig over your head (hands should be inside the wig, holding the sides), place the front of the wig at your forehead sliding it over your head and pulling the back to the nape of your neck (get someone to help you, if possible).
  4. Proper fit: the hair line should match closely to your own (unless it is receded); check ear points for a level fit, and lastly tuck in hair at your nape.
  5. Pinning the wig down: use bobby pins and large hair pins at the 4 standard pinning points (2 at ears & 2 at nape). If it's a larger wig you may need extra pinning. Large hairpins can go through the styling at the sides and back at solid points where the style will be least disturbed.

NOTE: do not concern yourself with the hairline if it looks a bit solid, these are stage wigs and will look natural to the audience.

REMOVING AND HANDLING THE WIG(S):

  • Check for straight pins holding the wig on the styrohead
  • Place a hand at the back of the wig and gently slide up and toward the face of the styrohead.
  • Put your hand(s)in the wig to carry. This way you will not disturb the style.
  • When removing the wig after a show, be extra careful -- this is when most wigs get ruined!

If you do need to alter or fix the style here are some tips to help you achieve the best results:

  • To control frizz or fly-aways, use hairspray.
  • Hot rollers or curly styx are fine for perking up a curl that has gone limp
  • If the sides of a wig (sideburns) are flapping, try two way wig tape.
  • Under no circumstances should you use latex to hold the wig down.
  • NEVER USE A CURLING IRON (it will melt the synthetic fibre); if you need to straighten a wig, steam it (not too close).
  • STYROFOAM head blocks cost $6.00 each; please do not decorate them unless you want to own them.