Step #4: Get your hair did

This is the part that almost bested me. A hair stylist I AM NOT!  My first wig ended up looking so raggedy, split ended, and frizzy I should have taken it a hairdresser for all the time I spent trying to fix it. Would have been worth the money.  Instead I spent days straightening, trimming, and re-curling and styling this wig. Thank goodness it was for Halloween and the curls I styled made the wretched layering a little less noticeable.  However, when the day of judgement came, I took my wig off the manikin head and all of my styling fell apart.

I ended up buying a brand new wig the morning I needed it, about 5 minutes before the big reveal. What a nightmare.

Picture on the left is my positively destroyed wig mid-styling. Picture on the right is my last-minute purchase wig. I actually ended up really liking the pin-up style.

But enough of my trials and tribulations and knotty work.

There are three types of wigs. The best, and most expensive, are made with real hair. Not the ideal option for a first time drag queen. The next best thing is a heat-resistant synthetic wig. Not cheap, but definitely more affordable than human hair.  Lastly you have synthetic wigs. Most of these come pre-styled, which is good, because styling a synthetic wig takes a lot of time and patience.

The main differences between these three kinds are cost, and styling methods. Let's break it down:

1.     1. A human hair wig can be styled just as you would your own hair, which makes it very versatile. Use your everyday styling tools, everyday shampoos and conditioners and other products, and wash your wig just as you would your own head. Cost: $$$

2.     2. A heat-resistant synthetic wig. Better than a regular synthetic because you can change the styling using your regular hair tools like curling irons and hair straighteners. Cost :$$

3.     3. A  regular synthetic wig is the most difficult to work with because of the limitations they present to styling. While they do provide the greatest variety, they are prone to disaster. Cost: $

You can also choose between lace front wigs, full lace wigs or mesh caps.  If you’re going for a more realistic look, the lace front or full lace will blend best with your hairline and forehead contour. Mesh cap wigs are not versatile in their styling because you can easily reveal the seams.

BUT YOUR BEST OPTION IS…

Borrow a wig from a friend. If you know someone with a good lace front synthetic wig already styled to something to your liking, ask to borrow it. It will make your life that much easier!