Making the decision to start wearing a wig can come about for a number of reasons, many of which can often be medical-related. Although wigs can offer a safety blanket to ladies suffering from unwanted hair loss, your first time wearing a wig can induce a variety of emotions.
If you’re feeling nervous, self-conscious, embarrassed or scared about your first time wig wearing, all of these feelings are completely normal. Anything that affects your appearance can be daunting, hair loss and wig-wearing alike, and we know that many of our lovely wig-wearers often start off apprehensively. However, once you overcome these feelings, you can feel wonderfully confident and self-assured whenever you wear your wig.
With years of experience in supporting ladies wearing wigs, here are our tips on how to start wearing wigs.
How to start wearing wigs?
If you’re wondering how to start wearing wigs, we recommend exploring the process sooner rather than later. In fact, we recommend starting the process of wig-wearing when you still have natural hair, if at all possible.
If you can try your first time wearing a wig while you still have some hair, this will help with the process of choosing the types and styles of wigs you like. Why? Well, you’ll be able to compare it with your natural colour, style, and also your current hair routine and lifestyle, to decide whether you want a change or to keep things more natural.
When having chemotherapy treatment, hair loss usually begins between your first and fourth treatment. If you have alopecia, hair loss can occur in patches or hair can thin or recede the hairline within months or days, depending on the progression.
We want you to feel fabulous, and the best way to know when to experiment with your first time wig wearing is when you want to start building confidence and feel more like your amazing self again. So, don’t wait a moment longer to explore wig wearing than you have to!
Consider a Wig Fitting
Although potentially daunting, your first time wearing a wig can be liberating, and so is finding your first wig. Here at Simply Wigs, we know that there’s a lot of choice to choose from and many factors and features to consider, which is why our customers can book an appointment to have a wig fitting at our showroom. During your fitting, we can help you try different wig styles and find the right one for you.
An undisputed key to confidence when wearing a wig is making sure that you have chosen a good quality wig, and we only offer the best. Most first-time wig wearers want it to look as natural as possible. You may want to consider a human hair wig, with the reason being that human hair wigs are human hair, so they look undeniably natural.
It’s also important to note though, that there are also some wonderfully high-quality synthetic wigs too. Synthetic wigs can look just as natural as human hairstyles. Some synthetic wigs may have a subtle shine to them. To combat this, be sure to take a look at our guide on removing shine from a synthetic wig.
First Time Wearing a Wig
Comfort is of the utmost importance for your first time wearing a wig, and so investing in the right wig and accessories is essential. For ladies with and without complete hair loss, wearing a wig cap can have various benefits. A wig cap acts as a protective barrier for your scalp, which helps to avoid any itchiness or discomfort, particularly for those with a sensitive scalp.
How to Rock a Wig
Knowing how to wear a wig and how to rock a wig for your first time wig wearing are two completely different things. You might have mastered putting a wig on so that it feels comfortable, but you might not yet feel as confident as you might like. Fear not. It’s a personal journey that we are happy to help you embark on. Here are our top tips on how to rock first time wig wearing…
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Practice Your Wig Wearing at Home
When figuring out how to start wearing wigs, a great way of increasing your confidence is to practise wearing your wig at home. Wear your lovely new wig around the house for a few days or weeks; however long it takes for you to get used to it and build up your confidence. Confidence is beauty after all, and once you build your confidence, you can truly start ‘owning’ your wig.
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Practice Your Wig Wearing at Home
If you’re first-time wig-wearing and nervous about showcasing your wig to the people you know, a great way to help you build up to it is to wear your wig in a public place where you are unlikely to run into people who know you. When doing so, you’ll be amazed at how quickly you forget about your wig and, before you know it, you’ll be able to rock it everywhere with confidence.
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Practice Your Wig Wearing at Home
To make sure you feel as confident and comfortable as possible for your first time wearing a wig, we have some useful tips for securing your wig in place, even on a windy day! Comfortable wig tape, wig grips, and silicone sheets are easy to apply and ensure that your wig stays in place throughout the day. Having this reassurance can make wig wearing enjoyable and comfortable.
Wearing a wig is nothing to be ashamed of. Many ladies, celebrities included, wear fashion wigs, and you will do a great job at fashioning yours. Give yourself the time you need to wear your wig for the first time and use our Simply Wigs community as a source of support and advice!
How do you properly care for your wig to ensure it lasts longer and looks its best? Share your tips and tricks for washing, styling, and storing wigs to maintain their quality and longevity.
My own hair used to be quite thin, but it looked good. I had some extensions and that was fine with me. But after surgery in2014 I had to start taking medication for lifetime and my hair went thinner and thinner. I was very sad about it and didn’t like myself on pictures anymore. I started to wear a wig, which looked as much similar to my own hair. I also chose a similar colour. With roots. I think roots are very important for a more natural look. And lace front is also important to me. Then step by step, I am more experimental and changed my wigs to longer, but still not too long wigs. Long bobs always look awesome though. I went to lighter colours and love it. But I took my time. I was lucky to have lots of support with the Simply Wigs Team. I had so many question all the time and they were never tired of it. Be yourself and be beautiful the way you are!
These comments and stories from the heart are wonderful and helpful. I have been using tinted dry shampoo to cover up my shiny scalp but it is starting to look like paint. Also, they recently came out with the risk of cancer in the ingredients in most Dry shampoos, and the scalp is highly absorbent. It is dangerous . My new synthetic wigs are beautiful but they look fake on me, at least to me. I have to get over that.
I have been wearing wigs for almost a year due to significant hair loss from stress and tragic loss of my son.
Now my real hair is starting to come back so I had my hair dresser cut and style it this morning.
She convinced me to go to work without my wig.
I have been treated by friends and coworkers okay.
But I don’t think I am ready to go wigless full time, but do kind of like my natural hair.
My question is, can a person switch back and forth. One day wear your wig, the next go to work without it.
I suppose I should add that I have very fine short natural hair and my best wig I have been wearing is long, past my shoulders. I really love it and most people have no idea it is a wig. But if I switch back and forth they will for sure know.
So is it socially acceptable to go from short natural hair one day then full long beautiful hair the next?
Michelle
Hi Lisa
I have been wearing wigs for about eight months now. I found it very hard in the beginning and I am still a bit conscious about it and still worry that people might realise I am wearing a wig, although no-one has ever commented about it except to say how nice my hair is – I have not told anyone that I wear a wig in fact my Mother-in-law has just commented on how nice my hair always looks – that it looks as if I have always just had my hair done – obviously my fears of my wig being noticeable are unfounded.
I have learned that a lot of wigs have permatease, which is there to create volume to the wig, but I feel as if it looks too ‘wiggy’ on me and I prefer less volume as my natural hair was always on the fine side and I can’t get used to a lot of height at the top. I also prefer a lace front – but that is only my preference.
I have tried a human hair wig but I found that the style in the picture can be completely different to the one that arrives in the box and may need a friendly hairdresser to style it for you. I hope you find this helpful as wearing a wig is a huge learning curve, but the feeling that you can go out again with the hair that you want and not feel self conscious is well worth it.
Sheila
Hi Anita, I would love to talk to someone about where to start. I need to order one desperately. If you could share Pics of what you chose. Did you have human hair? Silk front, loads of questions…. ?
I have been wearing wigs full time for a couple of years now due continuing hair loss caused by a form of scarring alopecia which is permanent. Okay, I’m going to say it; rather that watch ,my hair slowly get thinner and patchier I just shaved it all off and do you know what? I think it looks cool and feels curiously nice. I really love the freedom it gives me to choose what hair to wear and I love being able to take my hair off at the end of the day. I have had complete strangers complementing me in the street and countless admiring looks, because of my fabulous hair. Let’s face it a lot of women wear wigs as a fashion statement and why not?
For me personally, I think it is important to get the best quality wigs that one can afford and for me now, this means lace front wigs as I think they look more natural. I think also that it is important to invest in good quality cleansing and styling products to help them look good and last longer.
Simply Wigs is my go to web site for wigs now as I know I can trust it.
My way of coping with hair loss was to stop looking in mirrors which also meant stop wearing makeup. On the odd occasion I saw myself in a mirror by accident I was horrified and depressed. In winter I hid under a woolly hat when I had to go out and tried to avoid going to places I’d have to take it off. But summer was approaching and I could hardly wear a woolly hat then. My plan B was to not go out unless it was absolutely necessary. However my lovely supportive husband is a sociable soul and plan B was not fair to him. So, eventually, and very reluctantly I decided to brave the world of wigs. Luckily I found simply wigs on the internet – as we were in lockdown going to a shop wasn’t possible – and I was too scared anyway! My first choice was made with fingers crossed and the hope that I wouldn’t look too silly.
When it arrived I put it on – and nearly cried. I had not fully looked into a mirror for so long and I could not remember what I looked like with hair. To me it looked awful and just like I had a huge bush on my head! However I nervously walked down the stairs to show my husband. His first comment was ‘It makes you look younger’. That helped a lot although I was sure he was only being nice. The next day I braved it out into the world. Most people were shocked because they hadn’t seen me without the woolly hat for so long and had forgotten I had hair!! But no-one seemed to notice it was a wig and they all said how good the new ‘hair-do’ looked. A month on and I have just bought my second wig. I still haven’t got used to seeing this ‘bush’ on my head but it is certainly much better than seeing my hardly visible real hair and now I can go to the places I used to enjoy without being mortified and embarrassed when someone looked at my bald head. So to all those who are scared of wearing wigs I would say read all you can from those of us who have braved a wig. Yes it would be nice to have a long flowing thick mane of hair but I would never thought I would say this but wigs are not like they were in the 70’s when you could spot them a mile off, now they are so realistic no-one would notice and to be honest a wig is far less high maintenance than real hair and certainly looks good for longer. Please remember you are not on your own – just try wearing your wig on short walks close to home until you get used to wearing it in crowded places. Take all the compliments (which you WILL get) and enjoy getting used to having confidence again.
My bio hair is coloured very red and is very fine and thinning especially at the ears and nape, everywhere really. I have discovered simply wigs but much prefer the light/ white colours but I’m scared that even when wearing a wig cap my red hair will poke out and look so obviously I’m wearing a wig. I’ve even considered shaving my hair off and letting my grey hair come through so that it would suit the wigs I prefer. Can anyone advice
I used to wear hair pieces which is an easier route until you get used to it. People will not be bothered. A complete wig is a bit harder but it’s only for a day, wear it for a few days and only good comments are made, people want to wear one too they need encouragement also. Good luck with your new hair.
My hair has been thinning for about 10 years and recently I lost a significant amount. I just couldn’t style it anymore so I went to a wig shop and bought a hair topper. I took it to my hairdresser and she thinned it out and shaped it. The next day I wore it to work-I was so scared. People commented that my hair looked darker, and that I looked different. I think some may have noticed that it was a hair piece, but since I’m their boss, they wouldn’t dare tell me to my face. My daughter came over the next day and she asked me what was up with my hair and asked if it was a hair piece. I confessed but I”m feeling very self-conscious now.
I am afraid to start but really need to wear them. My hair is so thin I am severely depressed at times. I worry people will comment. I also worry I will mess it up or it will come off. I am not a hair person. I have never had skill with styling even with my natural hair. I just want hair. Simple hair that looks natural!
Did you wear your wig yet?
Thank you for your comments. I shall wear one of them tomorrow. Hannah
I’ve been dreading the day I would have to start wearing a wig because I remember the ridiculous wigs my mother used to wear when I was in my teens (she would have been in her early forties then).
For the last five years or so, more and more of my hair has fallen out and I knew it wouldn’t be long before That Time came, and it came just before Christmas. I’d ordered two wigs from Simply Wigs and some others too (for everyday wear) and took the lot to a classy hairdressers and explained my predicament. I was expecting to be totally in pieces – sobbing uncontrollably etc – but the exact opposite happened, to my amazement. As the hairdressers put the wigs on my head to trim the fringes (and sometimes thin the amount of hair), I was transformed into the person I used to be (confident, outgoing, head-held-high) and the shy, introverted person I had become just vanished in the space of an hour and 20 minutes.
But the attention I got walking around town really shocked me: men (who usually find me invisible) literally stopped in their tracks to look at me and SMILE, even if their wives were with them (oh, er), but the reaction from women (always the most critical, let’s face it) was the best confidence booster because NOT ONE LOOKED AT MY ‘HAIR’. They either looked at me and smiled; or looked at my lovely coat and then walked past but in a very busy town at lunchtime, NOT ONE WOMAN looked at my ‘hair’ so it must have looked so realistic as to warrant no attention at all. Who could ask for more.
In the last few weeks – with my new-found confidence – I have thrown out half my wardrobe (well, taken it to charity shops) – and ditched the long, straight skirts and jeans and trousers. In have come SHORT SKIRTS, low(ish) tops that really show off my figure; new nail varnish colours; high-heeled boots etc etc and I’ve never felt so good. Not bad for a woman of 62, eh? So for anyone who was dreading The Day as I was, check on You Tube where you will see many videos of young women CHOOSING to wear wigs, to save having to destroy their own hair with chemicals etc – this is also what gave me the confidence to at least try.
I will never look back.
Thank you for the advice. I bought my first wig a couple of. Years ago and have still not warn it, I think people will laugh at me, especially friends and acquaintances. Help.
P.S. What wig is in the top photo, please?
I suppose I was lucky. I was a young teen in the late 60s, early 70s when ‘falls’ were the order of the day. Hairstyles at that time were for intricate curls. My sister, who was a hairdresser, bought me a human hair piece, and then she would style it, attach it to my hair and incorporate some of my curls into it. I had so much fun with it. When I was about 14, I spent $10 on a wig at a local department store. It was for fun. My middle of the back hair was suddenly gone, and I had a short style. Then my sister and I traded wigs – again for fun. My mother used to wear a wig more to have a ‘fresh hairdo’ in between cuts and color. She would incorporate the front and sides of her hair into the style.
Now, I am experiencing the thinning on the top at around my double crown. And grey, oh the grey – which costs a fortune to keep at bay!
I bought a couple of wigs, again basically as fun, but with a mind to be able to go out looking human when I hadn’t been to the hairdressers in a few months to keep my natural highlights checked.
When I’ve worn my wigs, people I know, including my husband who saw me 5 minutes before I put it on, have no clue it’s a wig. The real test was wearing it to an event with people I’ve spent the last 14 years with, who all complimented me on the style and color. And none of them had any idea it was a wig. Neither did my hairdresser when I wore it to the shop to get my hair done! She wondered why I was coming in.
Wigs are very commonplace now, for fashion or to give back a person their confidence. And that’s the key, wear your ‘hair’ with confidence. Have fun with it. Wigs have always existed through history, and at one time, mostly everyone wore one!
Now, I am off to go look for a new wig, I fancy a change in style!