Monday, October 10, 2016

Wig Review of Red Cosplay Wig

Posted by E at 1:21 PM 0 comments

 Well well well fans... I want to get this blog going again


http://amzn.to/2d829Ek $12.99 on Amazon.com

Monday, October 12, 2015

Combing out Knots

Posted by E at 8:17 AM 0 comments
Hi Chavi
I am looking to start washing/styling my own sheitels and came across your videos. Do I need to purchase one of the better wig heads/the water repellent/cloth heads or is my styrofoam head enough?
A
_________________________

Dear A

the block will give you more stability but you can certainly start on a styrofoam head.  Here are some options online:
Styrofoam Head $6

Block head $36

wig clamp $6



Chavi,
I just washed my fall for the first time and before washing it I got all the knots out. After washing however it was again very difficult to brush through and I pulled out hairs. Is this normal? In your video washing a fall it looked like you were able to brush right through. 
Thanks
A

Dear A
its very important to section the hair and comb or brush small sections.  You will want to hold tightly near the cap of the wig on any knotted strands as a really hard brush stoke could pull out or break hairs.  You can section the hair with these clips and use a gentle de-tangling comb or brush to untangle the hair - You should brush your sheitel BEFORE washing it to get knots out and then be careful not to let it tangle more in the sink.
Sectioning Clips $10



hatzlacha!
Chavi

Friday, February 27, 2015

Deep Conditioning Mask and Conditioner for Wigs

Posted by E at 7:06 AM 0 comments
Dear Chavi,
I recently bought a ^____ wig and was sorely disappointed by the constant knotting and coarseness of the hair(thisi s my third ^_____- I think Ill be going to milano now). After arguing with them for awhile they finally sent me home with my sheitel and a a cup of deep overnight conditioner. WOWZERS it was amazing.  Still dont care for _____ much as the hair falls out waaaaaay too easily, but I need to know what this magic stuff was. I have used many deep conditioners and even brought it to a professional for a deep conditioning with less than great results.  Any idea on what this amazing conditioner can be?? thanks. Also I have a wavy *_____ pony that gets soo poofy even with all the anti frizz and oils. any ideas on how to tame that one?
-RR


Dear RR,
Some deep conditioner and oils are a great way to go.  The masks are typically applied and left on for awhile and then rinsed out.  Follow instructions for best results.  Let's go over some good choices.  Don't apply the conditioners to the wig caps, just to the ends, and beware that the oils can leave the wig looking greasy if you apply too much or don't properly rinse.

Here are the two best masks I recommend for that first restorative measure!

Argan Oil Mask - this is a newer product on the market.  It has amazing reviews.  


KeraPro


For general maintenance I like: Keratin Vanilla Bean.  This stuff makes the hair look so shiny and blowdry with a sleek finish.


Biosilk Serum - I recommend this for last minute touchups, like the wig is already done but looking really DRY and frizzy.  But beware!! This stuff goes far, use the tiniest amount, distribute on your hands and distribute evenly and sparsely.  This stuff got me through high school when my nickname was "carpet head" because of all the flyaway frizz I had when my hair was in a pony tail.  




I haven't tried this last one but it looks amazing!!  Its all natural, sulfate-free and fabulous.  

.

Wednesday, July 16, 2014

Tips to Reduce Frizz and Increase Shine in Airdried Wavy Hair Wigs

Posted by Unknown at 10:56 PM 0 comments
Hi Chavi,

Thanks so much for all of your amazing tutorials on Sheitels. What your doing is amazing and really empowering. I used your tutorials and a few others as guides to washing, conditioning and drying my own sheitel. You must get a lot of questions but I have been trying really hard to find a video or a blog that address in about drying a sheitel but it’s been a little hard. If you have a second I hope you will be able to answer my question, and maybe even be able to have ideas for future ‘how to’ content on your blog.
So, my issue is that I have a wavy-ish human hair sheitel from Freeds that is a precut. It’s really nice, but the hair is a big coarse. I don’t really the ‘done’ look, but I do like the hair to be shiny and feel really good and smooth and healthy .  I have been finding that even when I send the Sheitel  Macher, the sheitel tends to feel dry at the tips (towards the front area) of the sheitel and get a tad frizzy in the back just after a week or two.  So because the hair is coarse.. perhaps it needs more touching up more frequently perhaps? So I started to try to wash and condition, and dry myself.   The results were that the ends of my sheitel hair feel very dry! I  used Shikai shampoo as well as nature’s gate aloe conditioner (both have ‘natural’ easy going ingredients) Then, to dry it, I hung it on something and put a fan in front of it, but it looked really frayed and messy afterward…  can you help me to trouble shoot?  I have a baybliss hair dryer…but didn’t use it because I like the natural wave in the sheitel and wasn’t sure how to maneuver the hair dryer to keep that wave.
 If you could try to pretty please give me some hints as to how I can successfully dry the sheitel so it’s nice and silky again that would be amazing. Note: I looked at your tutorial on drying a wig and really like the hint about how to use the curling iron…but I only have hair a hair dryer.. so pls let me know if I need to buy a curling iron if I want to keep my natural waves… or if there is a way to keep my sheitel ends silky (or just not dry and frayed) without these tools. Thank you so much!!
also -- I may need to "deep condition" and not sure what product to use..and not sure if my hair has been dyed or not.. do you recommend one? thanks so much

Dear S,
Thank you for your very detailed questions!  I am glad you have found my blog to be so useful and I hope my advice helps.  There are a few issues you are addressing:

1. Hair Texture (coarseness)
2. Shine
3. Dryness
4. Styling tips for wavy wigs


1. Texture... not much can be done about the texture of the hair except for chemical treatments like Brazillian Blowout, Keratin, etc.  Products and drying technique can change the look and feel of the hair though. 
2. Shine and "dryness" can be addressed with products.  A deep conditioning treatment could add moisture to the hair.  Avoiding gels which make the waves feel crunchy, etc.  There are products that can be applied before or after drying, or sprayed on hair just to elicit shine.  For "Shine" alone you could try a bit of Biosilk (apply VERY small amount as too much makes the hair look wet)

3. Dryness can be solved with deep conditioners.  I love Coppola Keratin Complex Vanilla Bean Deep Conditioner, 7-Ounce Tube - just make sure you rinse it out ALL the way, because it can leave kind of a greasy looking residue.  Also try the Moroccan Oil Curl Defining Cream (link below)

4. Air dried hair is going to look less sleek and smooth than blowdried hair.  Blowdryers are blowing the cuticle to lay smoothly in the same direction.  However, since you do not like the "done" (styled) sheitel look which typically involves a fancy blow out with some curls at the ends... with the help of products, frizz can be reduced in air drying but another option would be to blowdry with a diffuser. (link below).   Apply a styling product on wavy hair before drying.  like this Devaconcepts DevaCurl Styling Cream, 5.1 Oz

So try products... and try a diffuser.
Deep conditioning is good... shine is good... taming frizz is good!

Enjoy!
Chavi

Recommended Products:


Tuesday, July 1, 2014

Miri Wig Review

Posted by E at 12:37 AM 1 comments
Miri Wig Review
Submitted by reader.


How Long have you had this wig?
The wig is a year and 2 months old, and b'h still looks great!

Please rate the wig in the overall categories A-F:
Weight/comfort: A- It is pretty long, so it can get a bit hot for me or cumbersome, but prob all long wigs do
Hair quality: A+ does not frizz, looks shiny and nice
Skin top: A- Its a bit small of a skin top so the part sometimes shows 
Durability: A so far so good
Appearance: A- the curls don't always hold so well, but i just refresh w/ a curling iron

Cap construction: closed wefted stretch cap

How does the wig fit?
The cap was a large becauseI had very long super thick hair when I bought it. I ended up cutting my hair really short & it felt a bit loose, so I wear a wig grip underneath and it fits really well. It does not ride up in the back, which makes me very happy.

Is it Comfortable?
yes and it does not cause headaches.

Does the hair tangle easily?
The hair by the neck does tangle if I wear a winter coat, which I believe is common for longer wigs

Please describe the skin top.
Skin top is a bit smaller than I would like, so sometimes it shows by the part- If i don't part it properly when I style it myself.

Have you ever washed the wig yourself?
I did wash it myself before shavuous, it was very easy to wash and style and looked very shiny and great
The hair was not highlighted after I bought it, I'm not sure if the hair is virgin or not.

Where did you buy the wig?  Directly from Miri Wigs?
I did not buy the wig directly from Miri, I bought it from a shaitel macher here in lakewood that sells Miri wigs. I would be happy to give you her name and number. She was super to work with- I was able to take the wig home over shabbos and make sure I liked it and it didn't knot, etc before purchasing it, so I was much more at ease buying it.  The wig was not custom, but I ordered from the sheitel seller by bringing in one of my older sheitels for color comparison.  she ordered a few for me to try on before I chose one to purchase. 

What was the price?
I paid about 2200 including the cut and styling. 

Are you happy with the sheitel?
I am b'h very happy with both the shaitel and the seller and would highly recommend both!








Sunday, March 2, 2014

Wigs for Sale

Posted by E at 8:14 PM 0 comments
Sadly I need to sell my three favorite sheitels.  These each have a long and personal history, but it is time to let go of them.  The Milano Fall and Freeda sheitel with skin top have both had custom color work done by Brian.  All Three sheitels have been sitting in my closet in zip lock bags protected from the elements for the past year.

Milano Pony Sheitel.  Purchased in April 2012.  This is a medium/light brown wig.  Long, side bang, XL cap but there are adjustment tabs.. lightweight.  I love it.  Worn for about a year part-time.
$200 OBO

Freeda Riva.  This wig was first purchased in 2008, was worn for about a year M-F in an office and then became simply a shabbos sheitel maybe worn a few hours a shabbat for a year or two.  Then it became a once in awhile special occasion wig.  This had custom color work done by Brian last year, darker roots to make it look more natural and a touch up of highlights and lowlights.  This is a L cap but there are adjustment tabs.  Has not been worn since color was done.  $350 OBO

Milano fall.  This fall was purchased in 2009 and I absolutely love it.  It has had custom color work done by Brian.  Highlights and lowlights.  L size but there are adjustment tabs.  Has not been worn since color was done. $250 OBO


More photos here: https://plus.google.com/photos/116905391090923623542/albums/5985670445331299393
Email me askchavi AT gmail DOT com to make an offer.  PayPal accepted.  Buyer will pay shipping.  No returns.

Wednesday, August 21, 2013

Alternative Wig Styling Method

Posted by Unknown at 8:15 AM 0 comments
Before
A new bride shared her creative method for styling her new wigs.  She only had a Styrofoam head but was able to mount it on a paper towel holder in order to curl her wigs with a curling iron!  I thought this was a creative and great alternative for anyone who doesn't own a wig stand clamp!

Of course if you want to buy an inexpensive wig clamp you can find one here: Manikin Clamp * Wig Block Holder


And you can get a canvas block styling head here: Canvas Wig Head (23" 24" 25") (22" Circumference)

Although resistance is not needed to make curling iron curls, it is necessary to have tension when blow drying a wig straight.  So it would be good to have a stand that is sturdy and resists pressure.

After


Monday, July 22, 2013

Wig Review: Savvy Amhurt Curly 1B

Posted by Unknown at 10:07 AM 0 comments
I started AskChavi to help wig-wearers share their experience with their wigs and offer them a forum to review them open and honestly.  I am always happy to share a review from one of my readers and I encourage you to contact me if you want to review one of your wigs. 

With so many sheitel-machers & wig companies on the market today its hard to determine who to buy from.  For many readers the problem is where to buy a wig, because if one lives outside of New York, Israel, Los Angeles and other populations with large orthodox Jewish communities there may not be many or any local wig sellers to buy a wig from.  One option that is popular with readers living in more remote communities is to order online.  However, ordering online can be a stressful and difficult situation, being that a wig is such a personalized product and buying something with such a high price tag sight-unseen is a scary proposition.  However, there are many caring wig-sellers who cater to the online market with welcoming return policies and personalized customer service over the phone, striving to find out what the customer wants before sending out wigs for them to try.  I have found Savvy Sheitels to be a caring provider of wigs to their customers and they have a very customer-friendly return policy that makes it possible to find a wig over the Internet.

One of my readers wanted to share their experience with their purchase of a wig from Savvy Sheitels.  She had always wanted a curly sheitel since her natural hair is curly.  Thanks to the affordable pricing of this particular sheitel she was able to achieve the desired look.  Below is her thorough review.
Based on what I found on their website, prices seem to range from $300-$3500 depending on length, hair type & quality.
From Savvy Curly 1B
Wig Information:

Wig Name: Amhurst 12"/18" Color 1B Size L Wavy
 

Hair Type: Kosher Mongolian (European Texture)
 
Cap Type: Machine made stretch cap with closed wefts with movable "skin top"

Rating Section (How would you rate it on the following scale? A-F) :

Weight/comfort:  A with WiGrip, A- with clips.  The wig feels quite light, despite having thick hair.  The included clips were slightly pulling at my hair (this may be due to my having a large head and thick hair) but I recently switched to a WiGrip band and that solved the problem... sometimes, I even forget that I'm wearing a wig and not a tichel!

Hair Quality:  A-.  The hair itself is a very good quality--strong, maintaining its curl and virtually no split ends after almost 8-months of near daily use.  The sheitel needs gel and mousse to maintain its curls (which is true of all curly hair sheitels, and even curly hair that grows straight out of your head!) and I love that I can "reset" my wig just by scrunching in a bit of mousse -- so much easier (and cheaper!) than needing a wash and set!  I periodically add a small dab of BioSilk to the underside of the sheitel, to deter matting.  Underside matting is common with curly sheitels so I chalk that up to standard maintenance.

The hair color was originally a #2, and in my opinion it is oxidizing a bit faster than typical for this shade -- my other #2 sheitels took a full year to oxidize to the same color.  (To be fair, I live in a sunny region where oxidation is a common problem with sheitels.)  I do not think that the early oxidation will lead me to dye it any sooner than I dyed my previous sheitels so it isn't a big concern.

Skin top:  A.  The skin top extends far back on the head, allowing me to part the sheitel how I parted my own hair back in the proverbial day.  The skintop included some precut baby hairs (with other sheitel machers charge extra for) which add to the realistic hairline.

Durability:  A-/A.  After 8-months of regular weekday use, the sheitel still looks and feels like it did out of the box.  I am a bit hesitant to give a full "A" because of the minor oxidation issue mentioned above, but I'm also a bit hesitant to go all the way down to "A-" because someone who lived in a less sunny region might not share this specific concern.

Appearance: A.  The sheitel looks great, and I finally feel like I look like myself" for the first time in over six years!

Cap Construction: A.  The sheitel has a solid stretch cap that has not yet developed any holes.  It included a front hairline comb, two clips on the crown (I have no idea what those are for), two clips on the ear tabs, and two clips in back that could hold the sheitel in place for an up-do or pony tail.

Overall: A all the way!  Ironically, this sheitel is the wig that has finally, after six+ years of hair covering, turned me into a tichel wearer... I don't want to wear the sheitel every day because I want to make sure that it lasts for as long as possible!  I can't imagine that I will ever again find a sheitel that matches MY curls so perfectly.

Experience Questions:
 
Does the cap fit you well, is it comfortable?  I have an XL-sized head and very thick hair, and was a bit hesitant to purchase a wig with "only" an L-sized cap.  However, I wasn't about to pass up the chance to reclaim my curls and I am so glad that I took the risk!  The cap is much larger and more comfortable than the XL-wig that I purchased from a different manufacturer.  I would definitely recommend the Aura L and XL cap to anyone else with a large head.

Does it give you headaches?  The sheitel never gave me a headache.  My hair did pull a bit from the clips (this is probably due to my having a large head and very thick hair under the sheitel) and switching to a WiGrip cleared that right up.

Does the hair knot?  It is normal for curly sheitels to get matted in back, and this wig is no exception. Rubbing a tiny amount of BioSilk into the hair helps to keep matting at bay.  I do not find that the rest of the hair knots any more than my "real" hair did, so I don't have any complaints... of course, I never tried brushing the wig myself because brushing a curly sheitel will be its set's kiss of death.
From Savvy Curly 1B

Do you think the skin top is realistic?  The skin top is (in my opinion) very realistic, especially with the included baby's hair.

Have you ever washed it yourself?  Yes, I almost always wash my sheitels myself.  Admittedly, I tend to just add more mousse/gel whenever the sheitel isn't looking so fresh, though, so I think I've only washed it once.

How long did it take to arrive?  The wig was premade and shipped as soon as Chira received my payment.

How was the customer service?  Excellent!  Chira was very patient answering my (many!) questions when I deliberated over whether or not to make the purchase and sent me several detailed photos of both the sheitel and its cap.  When I had trouble with matting (a common problem for curly sheitels) Chira advised me on how to safely remedy the problem with BioSilk.

Would you order from them again?  Yes!   I have an extraordinarily difficult time finding sheitels that fit me comfortably, and the Aura's L-sized cap, combined with the sheitel's excellent hair quality and sturdy build, definitely won me over to their side!

Did you get what you expected in terms of quality?  Overall, I got more than I expected in terms of quality.  The sheitel's extraordinary durability and hair quality--both much, much better than I expected for the price--more than compensate for the slightly early oxidation.


Thursday, June 20, 2013

Sheitel Color Makeover by Brian

Posted by Unknown at 7:43 PM 0 comments
I wanted to share pictures of the awesome work Brian in Los Angeles did on my old Sheitels.  The new color really revitalized these two wigs.  The full wig is a Freeda purchased in 2008 and the Band Fall is a Milano Collection fall purchased in fall 2009.  I think they have held up really well considering they are 4-5 years old!!  Adding color is much cheaper than buying a new wig.  I like how Brian added roots on the full sheitel and beautiful highlights. On the fall he made a lot of highlights and darker ash on the top to integrate nicely with my real hair. The best thing is that I didn't even have to drop them off in person!  I mailed the wigs to him and he colored them remotely and returned them to me.  I sent him a picture of my real hair so he could match the fall perfectly.  I highly recommend his work!  

 Brian
(310) 499-6836
Milano Band Fall wig Before
and After:


Freeda Wig Before Pics 
and After:


Here's more pictures!!!: Pictures of Wigs!!

Tuesday, May 7, 2013

MyHeadCoverings Video Review & GIVEAWAY

Posted by Unknown at 3:38 PM 0 comments
AskChavi in conjunction with MyHeadCoverings.com is giving away four items to one lucky winner.  The items are shown in detail in the video below.  MyHeadCoverings.com sells a wide variety of hair coverings including hats, tichels, scarves,snoods, turbans, berets, headbands, wig accessories and more!  Check out their website for all of your headcovering needs!!

Win the Items featured in the video below:
-Travel Wig Stand
-Tichel
-Volumizer
-Headband


TO ENTER:
1. Like AskChavi on Facebook
2. Share Giveaway Image on Facebook! Tag AskChavi and MyHeadCoverings on Facebook when you share the status!!
3. Enter by 5/12/2013 (end of day) to be considered!!!

I will ship to US and Canada free of charge!



These are just a few examples of the wide variety of items they carry.
Headbands
Travel Wig Stand
Tichels!
Volumizing Stretch Liner Cap

Thursday, April 25, 2013

Lena's Sheitels and LENA Handmade Wigs Review

Posted by Unknown at 11:39 AM 0 comments

Since opening her consignment wig boutique, Lena’s Sheitels, in 2009, owner Lena Fleminger has sold nearly 500 gently-worn sheitels for clients from all over the U.S., Canada, and Israel. Now she’s expanding by adding her own line of new wigs, LENA Handmade Wigs, which she sells in addition to the consignment sheitels.

Lena started her consignment business when she realized that almost every woman she knew had a sheitel she never wore, worth thousands, just sitting in the closet. Her consignment shop allows women to sell the sheitels they are not wearing and put what they earn toward buying another piece.
Lena Wigs
Although the store is located in Baltimore, MD, 85% of its consignment wigs come from sellers in the New York and New Jersey area who send sheitels via the mail. Lena’s Sheitels only consigns nearly new or lightly worn pieces.

Human hair wigs are incredibly expensive, so it’s so frustrating when one spends that kind of money and ends up not using the product.  In this situation it makes so much sense that one style or length might not suit a particular woman, but may look fabulous on a different woman.  

And the consignment process at Lena’s Sheitels allows women to purchase very high-end wigs for a fraction of their retail prices. “Our most popular sellers are Shevys, Dinis, Shulys, and Freedas,” she says.
Most kallahs (brides) hate their first sheitel, and this was Lena Fleminger’s experience as well.  A sheitel macher convinced her to buy a very long wig at a higher price even though she was looking for a shoulder length wig that would have been cheaper.  Lena never felt comfortable in that kallah sheitel and spent hours styling and tweaking it.

All of this experimentation paid off because she learned so much about sheitels and how to make them look better.  This experience was the beginning of her journey to becoming a sheitel macher.

After years of selling all the different brands and styles of sheitels, Lena has started manufacturing her own line of sheitels called LENA Handmade Wigs. She conducted extensive research, testing samples from numerous manufacturers and hair suppliers until she was happy with her creation.  

One of the most distinct features of her wigs is that they are completely tied by hand (not made with machine sewn wefts), making them particularly popular with women who have comfort issues or suffer from medical hair loss.  

Chavi modeling a LENA Handmade Wig
Lena experimented with hair density to create a more natural look and comfortable wearing sheitel.  LENA Handmade Wigs are made with high quality European-texture hair that is only minimally processed in order to maintain the hair's cuticle, sheen and integrity.  The wigs are specially cut, highlighted, and styled for a haute-fashion look, and that also makes them ready-to-wear for buyers.

Lena sent me a sample of one of her wigs to try on and examine and I took some pictures and videos to share with my readers.  I found the wig incredibly comfortable and I found the hair quality to be similar to many higher-end sheitels on the market. I loved the way it looked on me
and would definitely consider purchasing one because I feel it is a great value considering the quality and price. You can see the wig in detail in the pictures and video on this page and please email me if you have any questions or feedback.  It was hard sending the wig back to Baltimore, but someone had already purchased it!  

Summary of Features
LENA Handmade Wigs
European-texture hair
Hand-tied stretch cap
Multi-directional skin top
Pre-cut and highlighted

Check out Lena's Facebook page for more information about wigs for sale and info on an upcoming giveaway!  www.facebook.com/Lenaswigs


Sunday, April 14, 2013

Wig Review: Jacquelyn Wigs Lace Front

Posted by Unknown at 1:32 PM 0 comments
Click to see the entire album of photos:
Jacquelyn Lace Front


I had never tried on a lace front wig, so I was curious about them. When I found out that Jacquelyn made them, and that they can work for people who want their wig hair to not fall in their face, I figured I would try it. Jacquelyn Wigs was happy to send me one to review and I had a lot of fun trying it on, taking pictures and making a little video series on Lace Front Wigs since I had never featured any on AskChavi before.

I love that the cap is hand tied. Most wigs I see have machine sewn wefts throughout the sides and back of the cap and a small hand made french top which gives the appearance of a scalp. The hand tied wigs are a big more comfortable and stretchier than a machine wefted cap. They take more time and skill to manufacture and therefore hand made work increases the cost of a wig.

The reasons this particular wig did not work for me was mainly due to my larger than average head. I also have medium-thick hair that is a little past shoulder length. Therefore, when shoved under a wig cap this piece was a little too tight for comfort. I was a little worried about the wig application process considering that I wouldn't want to wear tape or glue. I have heard there are ways to sew regular clips into lace front wigs, and I figured that even a The Hair Grip, WiGrip or Aishes, etc. would probably keep the wig in place sufficiently. Lace front wigs still have to be styled in the front in order to make them look more natural, but they at least have a "hairline" as opposed to french top sheitels.

I think if styled and cut beautifully and if I had the application process down pat, I would love to wear a lace front in general because it would solve the problem of hair falling into my face and it nicely covers all of my hair.  I also think lace-front wigs are eye-catching and refreshing since they are still rare in orthodox Jewish circles, the kind of wig that will make people check twice to see if you are really covering your hair.  Plus, its different, why wear what everyone else is wearing when you can be a trend-setter?

However, if you like wearing bangs or side bangs or the "curtains look" (see picture below) then a lace front is NOT for you!
Ever seen wigs with a middle part tied back like this?


Video Review


Tuesday, March 19, 2013

Jacquelyn Wigs Interview

Posted by Unknown at 10:03 PM 0 comments
My husband happened to be in New York City for work a few months ago, and he happened to pass by Jacquelyn Wig's headquarters. Being the great husband that he is, he went in and told them his wife was "Chavi" of AskChavi and he asked if he could take some pictures of their showroom. After checking with the management, they allowed my husband to take pictures (even though they hadn't heard of me!). DH was also able to introduce himself to the management team which allowed me to set up a phone call with George to learn more about Jacquelyn Wigs. I learned a lot about the wig industry and how Jacquelyn Wigs distinguishes itself. I will share some things I learned during the highly informative call.

Wig making is a complicated process that requires a high level of skill and craft. Hair has cuticles, like the scales of a fish. Hairis combined from multiple sources to produce one wig. Therefore, when hair bundles are combined the hair cuticle needs to be kept in the same direction. If this is not done properly then the wig will likely have knotting problems. For the entire process from the time the hair is cut from a person's hair, through the cleaning process and through the hackling process, the cuticles have to be kept in the right direction.  Why am I telling you this? Because if a wig is tangling from day one, its possible that some of the cuticles were sewn in upside down, therefore creating friction and tangling between the hairs. This was a great quote that I transcribed from the phone call that describes in great detail the wig-making process:

" If the hair is not handled properly throughout the whole (wig-making) process. If (the worker has) 8 oz of hair 20 inches and she might start working it, hand ventilating it in and if she takes a lunch break and comes back and forgets which end is up then there will be a serious knotting problem. After the first wash, these wigs can be identified."
George emphasized that there is greater security in buying from a reputable wig seller with years of experience (such as Jacquelyn Wigs) as opposed to at a random travelling wig sale held in a random town. He said Jacquelyn Wigs stands behind their products and have been in business for over 40 years because they are a trusted name in the industry. With random wig sales, there is not guarantee that the seller/brand will stand behind their product if there is a problem. (I thought this was a valid point. Always INQUIRE about return/warranty policy before
buying a wig from anyone!)

"Knowing where to shop and buying from the right place (is important).  Many People do not know what they are doing and they are buying because their friends are buying - certain length, certain price = bargain and grab it. They don't think about whether someone is standing behind the product. and when later at home the can't style it properly the customer realizes they are stuck with a lemon."

Jacquelyn Wigs manufactures various quality levels of wigs because they cater to a broad segment of the wig wearing population. From synthetic, synthetic human blend, processed human hair,  and the finest  Russian hair. Their basic hair wigs are "European Textured hair"(that is human hair that has been processed to feel like European hair but at a much lower cost(that hair the cuticles have been removed and hair has been colored).  The more expensive wigs that they sell use higher quality hair and are processed differently.

In today's wig market, the reality is that most hair is dyed or bleached, and this is part of the regular manufacturing process, however a customer could order a custom wig and specify that they want un-dyed hair(but costs could be astronomical). its extremely difficult to obtain virgin European hair for wigs due to developing economies in Eastern Europe and women in these previously poor countries no longer growing their hair really long and selling it to hair buyers.  Plus most women all over the world tend to dye their own hair so its already not natural color. Hair quality and length is still the #1 determining factor in a wig's price, followed by cap construction. The more hand-sewn parts of the cap, the more expensive. Blonde all natural hair is the hardest to find and hair suppliers are struggling to obtain virgin blond hair in long lengths.

I wanted to know how long wigs typically last. He said that their synthetic wigs are made of varying fibers and their higher quality fibers can last a year or two. Human Hair Blends hold up very nicely, some have lasted 2-3 years, but so - but there are ways to restore them to their original state. Some poorly made synthetics that some companies offer are truly garbage wigs that last for two months only (this usually reflected in their cheap prices). Getting 2-3 years out of a human hair wig should be expected, but it may need to be colored or deep conditioned during this time.

"People say that Jacquelyn Wigs has the best hair, they (the hair sourcers) travel the world to collect the hair.George says that buying hair is like buying a mink coat or diamond ring - As an example you could walk into a store selling Mink coats and you can see coats for $800 up to$30,000.In most cases   the average person looks at the fur and cannot tell the difference, similar with hair - most people cannot tell the difference. You are buying the quality of the wig and you are buying the styling and the trust of the company selling you the wig .Even the most expensive wig if styled poorly can look like a cheap wig. Not every girl needs a $3000-$5000 wig. When Jacquelyn started in 1969 synthetic wigs were becoming popular. (These women) had custom wigs at the time for $1200 (but) they wanted the new synthetic wigs because they were easier to maintain and much cheaper."

How often should a wig be washed?: We suggest that a wig worn every day should be be washed every  2-3 weeks(depending on the seasons of the year). if you are wearing it everyday. Some women wash their own wigs improperly or give it to someone inexperienced there by getting poor results- using the right products on a wig makes a big difference. Too much hair spray, too much mousse can hurt it. Some heavy oils make the hair clumpy and not natural looking.


In addition to being able to purchase Jacquelyn Wigs in their salon and online, Jacquelyn Wigs manufactures and sells their wigs to stores all over the world. They also manufacture private label wigs.

Thursday, March 14, 2013

Lace Front Wig vs French Top Wig

Posted by Unknown at 7:30 AM 0 comments
I made a video showing the difference between a lace front wig and a french top wig.



The Lace Front Wig was loaned to me by Jacquelyn Wigs. 10-7 from their European Line
The French top wig (Sheitel) shown is a Milano Collection Ponytail wig which I own. 6/10/8

The Lace front wig is handtied and the transparent lace piece in front that gives the appearance of hair growing out of the wearer's head.  Additionally, the hair is sewn to go up and back off of the face and can be parted in any direction.  The most realistic way to wear the wig requires wig glue or wig tape, but I have seen some people who wear lace fronts without adhesive.

A French Top Wig has a multi-directional "skin top".  The hairs are sewn individually into several layers of material, the top layer synthetic silk material which looks like skin.  Each hair is tied into the material and pulled through the top layer of synthetic silk to give it the "skin top" look.   However, the hair direction goes forward, and there is usually a thin layer of hair in the very front of the wig (not coming out of the skin top) going forward into the face as well in order to create bangs.  Because of the multiple layers of fabric on the french top, this type of wig is more "durable" then the lace front which is  just a piece of lace.  However, if the lace front wig is treated properly and washed properly it can be maintained over time.  

Monday, March 11, 2013

Lace Front Demonstration

Posted by Unknown at 7:39 PM 0 comments
Dear loyal fans and readers.  I hope you enjoy this new video where I show a lace front wig for the first time.  This is part of a multi-video series on Lace Front Wigs, the rest of which will hopefully be posted soon.  This wig was loaned to me by Jacquelyn Wigs in order for me to make this video.

Wig Info:
Brand: Jacquelyn Wigs
Color: 10-7 (light brown)
European line
Cap construction: hand-tied stretch cap with lace front.



As stated in the video. Lace Front wigs take a bit of skill to put on/apply. They can produce a more natural look especially for women who want to wear a style that does not go forward into the face (bangs)

Things to consider:
1. Lace front wigs are more delicate
2. Wig caps recommended
3. Forehead/hairline needs to be cleaned before application
4. Wig may look best if glued down. (but possible to wear without glue/clips)
5. Wig cap is not as "durable" as a french top wig
6. This lace frong wig is hand tied (very comfortable) and hair can be parted in any direction
7. this wig was tight on me, but I usually wear a size Large and I have long hair
8. the lace is trimmed down so there will be less lace on the forehead once its "customized" to the owner's head.
 

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