Wig Care Routine

Wigs, weaves and extensions in general need the same TLC (tender loving care) that your real hair does. Why? Because just like your real hair, the extension hair is prone to damage and needs to be repaired/replenished in order to continue looking fabulous.

New Video! Update - Relaxer, Wig, and Hair Book

Wig Wash Day Routine

I'm trying a new technique for my wig wash-day routine. Normally I would remove all of the cornrows and wash my hair every weekend. Well my scalp is actually doing pretty well right now, no itchiness or flaking. So I decided to see if I can go two weeks between washing my hair. 

Swig Cap (100% Silk Wig Cap)

I ordered the Swig Cap last week and was so excited when it arrived in the mail yesterday. It's 100% silk and has a good amount of room in the cap. 

"My" Hair Today

My winter wig regimen is in full swing! Here is how it looks today.

I keep forgetting it's a wig and try to rub my scalp lol. I hardly feel it on my head.

What do you think?

Wig Prep Results

Bantu knot - Dry set / wet set

In my last post, I shared how I did an experiment with a dry and wet set on my winter wig. I let the wig air dry and then removed the bantu knots and curlformers.

Winter Wig Prep

I know many of you have been patiently waiting for me to implement my winter wig regimen (Thanks for being so patient!). Well you may already know that the "trigger" (so to speak) for me to wear my wig is snow. Well guess what? It still hasn't snowed here (And "they" say global warming isn't real).

Faux Bangs (Video)

I recorded this video back in August but just got around to editing and uploading it. I also recorded a Curlformers review/tutorial that I will edit and post this week.

I just checked and the bangs are now on sale for $12.99! I'm tempted to buy another one so I can get the textured look that I lost when I flat ironed it. Click below to buy the bang on Sally's website.

I Miss My Hair

My hairstyle for the week

This is exactly why I can never do permanent hair color, bangs, or layers. After a few weeks, I always end up missing my own hair. Dark brown, and blunt cut is perfect for me. This week, I'm giving the wig the week off and will wear my own hair. The great thing about a wig is that it give me the flexibility to skip a week of wearing it whenever I feel like it.  I'll go back to wearing the wig next week, but it is good to be able to "play" in my own hair for a few days.

I'm currently 7 weeks post relaxer and I plan to wear the wig from now through my relaxer in March. I'm actually debating whether to wear the wig until my birthday in May. I do love the ease of styling the wig as it saves me time in the mornings. Also, if I wear the wig that long I am more likely to retain the maximum amount of my length.

We will see how it goes.

Wig Regimen FAQ

"Scalp" shot of the wig

Here are some of the most common questions I get about my wig regimen.  I hope this is helpful.  

1. Do you sleep in the wig?
• No, I remove the wig every night, moisturize my hair, and cover with my silk bonnet.  When I'm at home, I usually just wear a pretty scarf to cover the braids.
2. Since your hair is texlaxed, how do you get the hair you leave out to match the wig texture?
• I flat iron the hair I leave out once a week, after I wash my hair. 
3. How do you care for the hair you leave out?
• I use my usual creamy moisturizer daily on the hair I leave out.  If I used the liquid moisturizer that I apply to the braids, it would cause my hair to "revert" and would require more frequent  flat ironing to match the texture of the wig.

Wigs and Working Out

Now that my winter wig regimen is in full swing, I've had to decide how to wear my hair when I exercise.  I'll share what I do and then I'll offer some alternative suggestions.

For ballet class: I remove the wig, unbraid the cornrows, and put my hair in a high bun.  Last winter, I actually wore my wig to ballet class, but I've changed my routine because the old wig was synthetic and this wig is 100% human hair.  Human hair wigs (like real human hair) will hold odors from sweating.

For horseback riding: I remove the wig, unbraid the cornrows, and put my hair in a low bun.  I always wear a helmet when I go riding and I would be hard pressed to fit my cornrowed hair under a helmet.  I'd rather not get a headache from the helmet squeezing the wig, my cornrows, and my head.

Fortunately, my ballet class is on Thursdays and I go riding on Fridays and Sundays.  So after I remove the cornrows on Thursday, I do a few plaits instead of re-cornrowing my hair.  I'm still able to fit my real hair under the wig.  I then wash my hair on Sunday night, cornrow, and restart the process.

Winter Wig Preview

Here's a picture to whet your appetite.  I recorded my winter wig regimen video today.  I will edit and upload it this week.  

I need a name for the wig and for some reason "Drusilla" stuck out to me.  Who remembers Drusilla from the "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" tv show?  Come on, I know I'm not the only one who watched that in the 90s. 

Reader Mail: What do you think of sew-in weaves?

January 2006, my sew-in weave

I recently got an email asking about my thoughts on sew-in weaves.  Here is my response below:

Sew-in weaves can be a great option to protect your hair.  My stylist does sew-ins exclusively (with the exception of me and maybe one other person lol)  and her clients have had success with using them to retain length.  Check out her website for some progress pictures at www.reniece.com. 

My only caveat is this - don't wear a sew-in at the risk of developing scalp issues.  My scalp will go crazy if I wait longer than 10 days to wash it.  With a sew-in you won't be able to wash your scalp thoroughly, thus its just not a great option for everyone.  This is why I prefer to wear wigs in the winter, because I can easily remove it and wash my hair.

Feb 2006, Sew-in curled

If you won't have any scalp issues and decide to get the sew-in, keep the following in mind:

• Make sure the stylist doesn't braid too tightly. If your eyebrows won't come down, or you feel like you've just had an instant face lift then its WAY too tight.
  
• Ask the stylist to sew a weave mesh along the perimeter of your braided hair and then sew the weave onto the mesh instead of onto your braided hair. The threads can cut into your hair when sewn directly onto your braids.
  
• You still have to moisturize your real hair under the weave (use a color applicator bottle to apply it between the tracks).
• Don't wear it for longer than 6-8 weeks, any longer and you risk finding matted roots when you remove the sew-in.
• After you remove the sew-in, thoroughly detangle your hair and remove all shedded hair before you wash.  If you don't remove all the shedded hair, you will end up with a matted tangled mess that may require cutting to remove.  I don't mean to scare you but it can get that extreme in a matter of minutes.  

The Search for the Perfect Wig, Part 2

In Part 1 of The Search for the Perfect Wig, I discussed what I am looking for in a human hair lace wig.  Here is what I learned about getting each of my requirements met.

Types of Lace Wigs.  There are mainly two types of lace wigs available - full lace and lace front.  A full lace wig has a cap that is made almost entirely with lace, and allows you to wear a high ponytail.  A lace front wig is has a few inches of lace in the front of the wig, and weft tracks in the back of the wig.   

1. Durability - The type of lace used is essential to how durable the wig will be.  There are two main types of lace used - French and Swiss.  French lace is considered the most durable, but the durability comes at the expense of not being as invisible on your skin.  Swiss lace is less durable than French, but is undetectable against your skin.  I plan to use my own hair line, so whether the lace disappears on my skin is irrelevant to me.  Thus, I chose French lace.   
2. Length - The longer the hair, the more it costs.  I feared getting a shorter length and then "outgrowing" it, which would then require me to buy another wig in the future.  So I chose the 20" long wig.  I figured that if it is too long, then I can trim it but if its a little shorter, then it won't be such a big deal.  
3. Texture - For the most part, the human hair used in lace wigs are either Indian, Chinese, Italian, or Malaysian.  In its natural state, these hair types are straight and silky.  Fortunately, manufacturers have developed a process where they can alter the texture of the natural hair to resemble relaxed type 4 hair.  Hair that has been process to have a relaxed texture are categorized as light yaki, yaki, and coarse yaki.   
1. Here are examples of yaki textured human hair:
   
   
   
   
   
   
   Light Yaki/Yaki
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   Coarse Yaki
   Image Source
   
   
   
   
    Texture
   
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4. Maintenance - Full lace wigs require more maintenance than lace front wigs, because the lace is delicate and can tear.  Minor tears can usually be repaired at home with a needle and clear thread.  With repeated washes, the hair on a full lace wig is also more prone to shedding.  To minimize shedding, a knot sealer should be sprayed under the lace cap after each wash.  Also, it is recommended that you use a fray block on the lace, after you cut it to reduce shedding along the hairline.  All human hair wigs should be shampooed,  conditioned, and moisturized to prevent excess damage to the hair.  I decided to get a lace front wig because it requires less maintenance, and is more durable that a full lace wig.      
5. Style - All human hair wigs can be styled with flat irons, and curling irons.  However, as with your real hair, it is important to use heat protectants when styling your human hair wig.   
6. Application (*New category*) - Most people who wear lace wigs, apply the wig with an adhesive (tape or liquid glue).  I am not comfortable with using an adhesive, so I plan to attach hair pins to the inside of the wig to secure it to my head.  Wig clips can also be sewn into the cap of the wig, but I prefer the no tension hold of my hair pins.    

In summation, I chose a human hair, lace front wig that is made with french lace, and has a yaki texture.  For me, this was the best option because it offered me the most durable, low maintenance, and realistic looking wig.  

Stay tuned for Part 3, where I will discuss shopping for a lace/lace front wig.  
   

The Search for the "Perfect" Wig

Hi friends!

Please excuse the short pause between posts.  I hurt my leg in ballet class, when a very limber 17-year-old assumed that I was a fellow limber 17-year-old.  I'm not as flexible as I was at 17, but I'm getting there.  My leg is doing better and I will be back in ballet class next week.

Let's play a game of Good news/ Bad news:

Good news - I recorded a video of my winter wash day routine!  WooHoo! I was excited and nervous and I'm sure the video will show both emotions.

Bad news - My camcorder's program decided it is no longer compatible with my laptop.  So I got a Mac.  The learning curve is fierce, but I expect to post my first video this weekend.

Now onto the subject of this post.

I have delved into the world of lace wigs and let me tell you, it is a world of its own.  I will share what I've learned with you, so we can learn together.  After the untimely demise of my last wig, I needed to get a replacement wig.  Instead of getting another synthetic lace front wig, I decided to invest in a human hair lace wig.  This purchase is an investment because as I learned, these things don't run cheap.

A good quality, human hair, lace wig can cost anywhere from $200 to $400+. The price depends on the hair type, density, lace type, length, and construction.  Here is a list of my requirements and my rationale:

1. Durability - If I'm going to spend hundreds of dollars on a piece of hair, it needs to last for YEARS.  Do I have high hopes? Perhaps. But I expect that with proper care, this wig will last for at least 3 winters.  
2. Length - I want a wig that is the same length or a bit shorter than my real hair.  This way I can switch from my hair to the wig, without getting questions about whether I cut my hair. 
3. Texture - I love textured hair, which is why I texlax my own hair rather than relax it bone straight.  Since I plan to wear the lace front as a half wig, I need my real hair to blend seamlessly with the wig.  
4. Maintenance - I need a wig that only requires shampoo, conditioner, and moisturizer.  Anything more and I might as well be doing my own hair. 
5. Style - I need a wig that can be styled with heat, so I have the option and flexibility to change the hairstyle.  I plan to have fun with the wig - beach waves, spiral curls, braid outs, etc. 

Now that you know my requirements, next I will share what I learned about getting each one met.

To be continued...

Winter Protective Style Regimen

Here is my winter protective style regimen. This post supplements the video above, so please watch the video in addition to reading this post.

Wash Schedule:

• Frequency - I wash my hair every two weeks (or once a week if my scalp gets itchy).

• Cornrow Removal - I unbraid each cornrow and thoroughly comb out all of the shedded hair. If you do not remove the shedded hair before you wash, your hair will get tangled and matted.

• Shampoo - I shampoo three times. First, with diluted clarifying shampoo. Then twice with diluted moisturizing shampoo.

• Deep Condition - To save time, I mix my reconstructor and deep conditioner together. I apply and comb the mix through my hair, then deep condition under my hair steamer for 40 minutes.

• Leave-in Conditioner - I use a liquid and creamy leave-in and comb them through my hair.

• Drying Technique - I let my hair air dry hanging down, with a silk scarf wrapped around my neck.

• Edges - I apply a heat protectant and flat iron the hair I leave out. Although I have a lace front wig, I use it like an instant weave. For me, this looks more natural than having the wig sit on my forehead.

Daily Care:

• I remove the wig at night and spray the cornrows with braid spray mixed with Infusium 23 leave-in. I seal with either coconut oil or castor oil.

• I comb the wig daily to remove tangles. I do not apply any product to the wig. 

I have a different regimen for the Spring/Summer seasons and will update my regimen when the time comes. 

Please let me know if you have any questions in the Comments section.

When Good Wigs, Go Bad.

As you may already know, I wear a wig in the winter to protect my own hair.  I planned to record a video showing exactly how I did it, but the video will have to wait until I get a replacement wig.

I accidentally left the wig out and suspect that my dog, Wisdom, decided to get into a brawl with it.  The wig lost the fight.  It is synthetic, so my options were limited.  I painstakingly detangled and washed the wig, but I couldn't revive it.  This is how it looked before:

This is how it looks after I combed and washed it:

The fibers tangle very easily now and I can not run my fingers through the hair.  I wore this wig daily for 5 weeks and it started tangling before this incident.  This was my first synthetic wig, and I was disappointed.  So I will stick to buying human hair wigs in the future.  It seems that the synthetic fibers are not as resilient as human hair.  My last human hair instant weave lasted for 4 months without major tangling.  The synthetic wig costs less than a human hair wig.  However, the human hair wig is a better buy, because I plan to wear it for at least 10 weeks.    

Here is a picture for the suspect:

 

I can't even be mad at that cute little face. 

Happy growing.

Retain Length with Weave/wigs

Hi ladies,

Every winter, I give my hair a much needed break and protect it from the harsh cold weather by wearing an instant weave/half wig. I take care of my own hair so that I retain all my length. I will make a video on my winter regimen soon. In the interim, here are some key points in my regimen:

• Cornrow my own hair,
• Moisturize my hair daily, and
• Wash weekly.

In general, people's hair growth slows in the winter time.  So by having a low manipulation regimen during the winter months, I maximize on how much length I retain.

Please let me know if you have any questions/issues you would like me to address in the video. 

Happy growing.