Sometimes, I am a brunette with carefully tousled hair. At other times it’s short, raven black. Occasionally, a voluminous mop with bright purple streaks sits on my head, and on less dramatic days, it’s just a sleek burgundy mane…well, yes, my hair changes as I will it to. I don’t even have to frequent the salon for it. Wigs make my life simpler. And no, I am not follicularly-challenged. It’s what Lady Gaga, Beyonce, Naomi Campbell and I have in common — a love for wigs.
For quite sometime now, these delightful hair accessories have often been associated only with those with thinning or no hair. But it’s time to shower some credit, for it’s much more than that — a much sought-after fashion accessory, a crowning glory, a time saver, a hair protector... For long, shampoos and dry shampoos have been our best friends. Events and night outs have ensured that we find believable excuses to give the boss so we can head out early and charge to the salon for a blow dry. The result: an hour wasted and fried hair. Those who couldn’t manage to hoodwink the boss, well, too bad, our sympathies are with you.
Perhaps, you’d like to say hello to these lovely hair pieces. Wigs have spent a large part of their lives being objects of need — patients undergoing chemotherapy and those with alopecia, usually bank heavily on them. Neither are wigs restricted to fancy dress parties — where people wear outrageously shaped and coloured ones — or matches where fans wear hideous multi-coloured golliwog-like wigs.
Of late, they have risen to the stature of something that helps intensify the glamour quotient. Wigs have found fans in models, actors, sportspersons... There are many who travel with a trunk full of wigs. And not just celebrities, it has caught the fancy of us regular people as well. The sheer functionality of it, the way it effortlessly allows one to transform the way he/she looks, makes it popular.
“People are often apprehensive about trying it out. They think it’s funny to wear a wig. But once they see the whole range and wear one, they realise it can really boost their confidence,” says Uma Maheshwari, style director, Toni and Guy. The salon chain has just introduced a line by UK-based Wig-O-Mania. There are hundreds of styles and colours to choose from. And you also have customised options. “Short wigs like A-line bobs, box bobs, graduated bobs are popular,” she adds. “Toupees are a favourite among men. These hairpieces help conceal thinning patches and also allow them to try out new looks — like cuts they haven’t been brave enough to try out.” What’s interesting is that they also have wigs with the salt and pepper look.
While the collection from Wig-O-Mania is made from human hair, synthetic and fibre, there are places that deal only with human hair. What’s the difference? It’s expensive but looks more natural and can be styled any way you want. Bring on the bangs, waves, curls. As for heat therapy and chemicals… who’s afraid of all that now?
Chennai-based Raj Hair International started in 1979 as a hair exporting company. Four years back, they started manufacturing human hair wigs. “Twenty five per cent of the hair we collect is from temples. It’s then treated and given texture,” says George Cherian, CEO. “Our manufacturing unit is in Alinjivakkam, where we make around 50 wigs a month. Each takes up to five days to be completed,” he adds. Going by the demand, a retail outlet is on the cards soon.
Nu-Style Hair Replacement Studio, another city-based outlet specialising in human hair wigs, has noticed a growth as well. They are also available online. “We sell around 32 to 40 wigs a month. 60 per cent of our clients are women,” says V. Phani Kumar, whose father started the studio. “My clientele includes a lot of young professionals. Looking good has become so important and no one wants to compromise on it,” he adds.
With online sites such as Amazon and Junglee, too, stocking these dainty hairpieces, accessibility is barely a problem. According to sources at Junglee, “Wigs and hair extensions are popular search items and have been on our site for about a year now. Orders come in from all over India. We have noticed some significant volume in the last six months.” Remy, Map of Beauty, Onedor, World Pride, TooGoo are some of the brands available with them.
The ancient Egyptians, Greeks, Romans (trendy lot them!) wore wigs too. Yes, wigs make you look pristinely coiffured, with not a curl out of place, but they come with a few caveats. Position and wear them right. You do not want a lace lining sticking out, giving away your secret. Speaking from experience — it also helps to be careful when you’re getting engulfed in a massive bear hug. With synthetic ones, don’t try pushing them behind your ear because they are too stiff for that. “Given our climate, wigs may sometimes tend to get sweaty. You can wash them but avoid washing the synthetic ones,” says Uma.
Though some people maybe be tight-lipped about wearing wigs, there are those who look at it as a fashion accessory that needs to be changed like you would your clutch. Singer Adele once proudly declared that she uses wigs, on a television show, and that she even has names for each of them.
It’s finally time now, when wigs can find themselves sharing a pride of place along with fashion essentials such as bright lipsticks, intense kohls and stunning stilettos. But I warn you, it can get addictive. And it’s always fun spotting a fellow wig wearer.
How to choose a wig
l Check the texture. That helps determine how real it looks.
l Check colour.
Pick one that covers your entire hairline.
l Invest in a hair net. It will keep your real hair from sticking out from beneath your shorter-length wigs.
