Human hair vs. Synthetic wigs

mssaprl9 · 05-02-2008, 10:40 PM

Im thinking about purchasing a wig for fun. For those of you who have worn them what do you think of human hair vs. synthetic? Does it really make a difference? If not, Im going to go for the synthetic because there seems to be cuter styles in the synthetic wigs I've been looking at. Also, do wigs look fake??

blu_cypress · 05-03-2008, 04:39 AM

Well, I think it depens on what you're looking for..if you're wanting something just for fun, I think I'd go with a synthetic. They're cheaper and are more "styled"...you just pop it on your head and are pretty much ready to go, whereas a human hair wig requires more styling. Of course, if you WANT a wig that you can style, you'd be better off getting a human hair one...you can't use heat (irons, blow dryer, etc) with a synthetic wig b/c the fibers will melt. A human hair wig can be styled just as you would your own hair.
As for realism...depends on what you get. I think wigs today are much more realistic looking than they used to be, and the styles are cute and modern. I would recommend getting a mono-top...the part looks amazingly realistic. Synthetic wigs are typically brassier looking.

mssaprl9 · 05-03-2008, 02:34 PM

Well I don't want it to look like a "wig" if you know what I mean. Maybe I'll go for the human hair. Which do you think looks better? Whats a mono-top?Maybe I'll go for that!

soulfulqween · 05-03-2008, 03:49 PM

It just depends on what you are going to do with it and how often you plan on wearing it. Human will last longer too...synthetic will start to look like crap sooner and you have to let them air dry when you wash them (for reasons the pp provided)

I'd say go human really. Unless you seriously aren't going to use ot more than once or twice.

mssaprl9 · 05-03-2008, 07:11 PM

I'll probably be wearing it more than once. I was able to get my hair to stop falling out, but it isn't as thick as it used to be.

I'm hoping a wig will be the answer. I'm just worried about it looking fake. I guess human hair and a mono top would be my best bet then?

KatCarney · 05-03-2008, 07:21 PM

I mostly wear synthetic because they're MUCH cheaper, and to me, they look more real.

Instead of a full wig, what about a Jessica Simpson Hair Do. I bought a few, and as long as the color matches your hair, it won't look fake AT ALL because the top of your hair is out. (I bought mine at HSN. If you buy from them, you can always send it back if you don't like it. You won't be able to do that at a wig store.)

The Hair Do's I got were synthetic. They were a little shiny when I first got them, but my hair dresser told me to brush it a LOT with a boar's hair brush to take some of the shine off - it worked.

Other than HSN, I would never buy a wig without trying it on, so spend some time in your local wig supply store. Some that look good on 'the head' look awful on, and some that look blah on 'the head' look great on.

Also, "half wigs" or "falls" tend to look more real than full wigs because some of your own hair is showing.

If you just want to add thickness, consider getting some 'clip in tracks' like these: http://www.hairuwear.com/pop.aspx?pgID=961

blu_cypress · 05-04-2008, 03:19 AM

The monotops look pretty realistic. I agree with Kat--falls or toppers would be a great way for you to add volume and they can look very realistic since they're integrated with your own hair. I would head into a local wig shop and poke around...ask questions, try stuff on and see what you like. Above all, have fun with it! I've already decided that if I ever need cosmetic hair, I'm just going to go hogwild with it and treat it just like any other accessory. Good luck with it!

mssaprl9 · 05-04-2008, 03:10 PM

Thanks for the advice! I have clip on human hair extensions which work well. But I want more volume on the top...would a half wig be good for this? Is a half wig the same thing as a topper?

KatCarney · 05-04-2008, 03:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blu_cypress

I've already decided that if I ever need cosmetic hair, I'm just going to go hogwild with it and treat it just like any other accessory. Good luck with it!

I don't 'need' them, but I consider them an accessory, anyway. When I want my hair to look FABULOUS, I don't have time to mess with my own hair. Plus, I can have fabulous hair in minutes with the fake stuff.

Quote:

Originally Posted by mssaprl9

Thanks for the advice! I have clip on human hair extensions which work well. But I want more volume on the top...would a half wig be good for this? Is a half wig the same thing as a topper?

I don't think they're the same. With a half wig, almost the entire front portion of your hair is out, and some of it is brushed back over the fall. Depending on what kind you get (ie curly or straight, or wavy), you can get a lot of volume. I just LOVE them. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE.

But you can just as easily use clip in tracks to create volume on top...you just have to work with them.

mssaprl9 · 05-04-2008, 03:38 PM

Here is a synthetic half wig Im thinking of, good or bad?

( http://www.wigs.com/product_info.php...oducts_id=2129 )

KatCarney · 05-04-2008, 04:02 PM

I don't like it. It was styled by a professional stylist for a promo photo, and it STILL looks fake (to me).

If it were me, I wouldn't buy one from the internet. You're in a metro area that should have PLENTY of wig stores. Go in in person, and try them on.

KatCarney · 05-04-2008, 04:11 PM

OMG, I just noticed that it's $99!?!?!

I've never paid that much for a fall.

mssaprl9 · 05-04-2008, 06:28 PM

I also liked this one, but its human hair and costs even more!

( http://www.wigs.com/product_info.php...oducts_id=2125 )

GlitterStar · 05-19-2008, 08:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mssaprl9

I also liked this one, but its human hair and costs even more!

( http://www.wigs.com/product_info.php...oducts_id=2125 )

I'mwith Kat on the first one. It looks fake in the picture and it was probably styled to the best of their abilities by a professional so if it still looks bad, then imagine what it will look like on you, especially since you're not a pro. and also you're matching the color the best you can online. The 2nd one was nice, but I pay that much for my hair pieces that I have "permanantly bonded" and I can wash those, swim in them, every thing you can do with normal hair. I'm guessing with that wig for that amount of money it would come off in a swimming pool and you wouldn't shower in it and you'd have to put it on and off every day. That just seems like an extreme amount of money for a wig.

But then again, I've thought about getting rid of the high priced hair pieces and going with a wig myself. I'm tired of paying for it all. So I've gone to a couple of wig shops around town. You'd think you'd be able to find a decent one in a town this big, but I gotta say, all the shops I've been to suck. It's either extreme totally fake looking wigs in crazy neon colors or it's old lady short curly silver haired styles. I guess they don't think that anyone other than a loon or an elderly woman would need a wig in a modern and fashionable style. So if you have the money to spare and you like it, I say go for it 'cause it doesn't look like there's much locally.

mssaprl9 · 05-19-2008, 08:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GlitterStar

I'mwith Kat on the first one. It looks fake in the picture and it was probably styled to the best of their abilities by a professional so if it still looks bad, then imagine what it will look like on you, especially since you're not a pro. and also you're matching the color the best you can online. The 2nd one was nice, but I pay that much for my hair pieces that I have "permanantly bonded" and I can wash those, swim in them, every thing you can do with normal hair. I'm guessing with that wig for that amount of money it would come off in a swimming pool and you wouldn't shower in it and you'd have to put it on and off every day. That just seems like an extreme amount of money for a wig.

But then again, I've thought about getting rid of the high priced hair pieces and going with a wig myself. I'm tired of paying for it all. So I've gone to a couple of wig shops around town. You'd think you'd be able to find a decent one in a town this big, but I gotta say, all the shops I've been to suck. It's either extreme totally fake looking wigs in crazy neon colors or it's old lady short curly silver haired styles. I guess they don't think that anyone other than a loon or an elderly woman would need a wig in a modern and fashionable style. So if you have the money to spare and you like it, I say go for it 'cause it doesn't look like there's much locally.

So you can swim In a bonded piece!? Thats awesome! I dont feel I need a full wig, just something that will give me a little more volume. Do you think people can tell you hair is fake? Do you have any pics? Sorry just curious!