Finding the Perfect Stroller.... a Journey

Okay, I know this blog is supposed to be dedicated to sheitels/wigs BUT I spent so much time researching and testing strollers that I feel inclined to write a thorough review of the stroller I decided to buy.  

Things I wanted:

• A stroller for MOST uses (I'll probably get a $30 umbrella at some point for travel)
• Tall enough for me 5 foot 8 inches and my husband, just under 6 foot
• Ability to work from infancy to childhood
• As light as possible
• Ability to fit in my car
• All terrain wheels to make long walks more pleasant and for occasional dirt trails and grass
• Possible ability to convert into a double

My stroller quest started while I was pregnant.  My husband and I went to Babies R Us to try out strollers.  Babies R Us mostly stocks Graco and Chicco travel systems.  We pretty much hated ALL of them.  I hated that they were plastic, bulky and heavy.  They had the City Mini, which I was VERY impressed with (mainly the lightness, the fold and the maneuverability).   But our favorite stroller from that day was the Combi Cosmo, which is actually an umbrella stroller.  It can become a travel system with a Combi car seat and it is also one of the only umbrella stories with a recline-able seat which can be used for an infant.  However, I quickly learned that an umbrella would not be suitable for heavy use or walking long distances so I realized it would not work as my "main" stroller.

With the due date approaching my husband and I decided to order the Graco "snap and go" snugrider so we would at least have something.  We were buying a Graco car seat anyway so it made sense.   It only took me about a month of using the Snugrider to really dislike it.  The stroller functioned fine in stores such as Target which has a very smooth floor, but was not satisfactory for long walks on the sidewalk.  Bumps seemed to disrupt it.  However, I will say that its MAJOR benefit is that it folds REALLY compactly, it is pretty light and it is really easy to fold.  So it is great if you need to get in and out of the car A LOT and do not want to remove your infant from their car seat.  The Snugrider was also very convenient for grocery shopping because it has a rather large basket which I used instead of a shopping cart.  But, having only the Snugrider was keeping me inside because I was dreading taking a walk around the neighborhood with it.  One of the main problems was that I was too tall for it.  The baby was below the level of my hips, rather than being at my waist....

Then the stroller search began ONLINE.  I started watching a lot of video reviews.  I found Baby Gizmo's video reviews the most helpful.  I watched everything from Peg Perego to Bugaboo, UppaBaby, Baby Jogger, BOB, Phil and Teds and Chicco.

I got tempted by the Baby Jogger City Select and the UppaBaby Vista because they had the option to become double strollers.  Even though I only have one baby, I hope to have more children and I thought it might be a good idea to buy one that becomes a double, if needed.  However, once I actually saw it in doubles mode at the store I realized how frustrating it would be to have a 28 lb stroller (in single mode) and 34 lbs in double mode when not yet needed.  Also, while the telescoping handle was great for tall people, it also made the front of the stroller seem really far away and not so easy to navigate through store aisles.  However, if I had twins or already had two babies I would definitely consider these strollers as one of the best tandem double options.

I tried the Phil and Teds stroller, but when the second seat is added you basically have to lean forward to push it.  Very uncomfortable.  Then I moved over to the Baby Jogger section.  I tried the City Mini and the Summit XC Jogger.  The Summit XC Jogger has a weight capacity of 75 pounds... BIG DEAL, I don't think I would let my kid ride in a stroller if he/she was 75 pounds.  The salesperson tried to use that to sell me the Summit XC.  It had the easy one handed fold but the stroller itself was heavy from the large wheels.

Then there's the City Mini, the VERY popular lightweight stroller that has a sleek three-wheel design.  It weighs only 16.8 lbs and folds with one hand.  Overall, I think it is a fantastic stroller.  It makes great turns and can maneuver through small aisles in a store.  The seat reclines and thus is suitable for an infant.  It has a great canopy too.  There is also a car seat adapter as well as other accessories available.  The best thing about the City Mini is the $229 price tag, but in the end there were a few factors that made me desire a different stroller.  First, the wheels are not all-terrain.  Second, the synthetic fabric, albeit light, is very thin and seems the type that could tear if accidentally snagged on something.  However, I wanted to only need ONE stroller, aside from a cheap umbrella eventually.  And I really wanted something that would feel amazing to push on long walks and be able to handle uneven sidewalks with ease.  The other disadvantage of the City Mini is that all the accessories are sold separately.  When you start adding them up: Rain cover, car seat adapter, bumper bar, cup holder, snack trayBumbleride.

Choosing the Bumbleride Indie:

I was initially attracted to the beautiful canvas that came in gorgeous bright colors.  The canopy is HUGE.  When set in a toddler position the canvas goes all the way down to the bar. The wheels are 12 inch air filled tires, coming off with the pull of a lever for a more compact fold.  The handle gets high enough for both my husband and I to push with ease and not fear kicking the stroller. The brake is fabulous and breaks both back wheels at the same time.  5-point harness with pads.  The stroller comes with an infant head rest.  It pushes like a dream and the front wheel can either swivel 360 degrees or be locked into an inline position for light jogging.  When reclined all the way for infant position, the footrest goes all the way up to create almost a little bassinet, complete with fabric that snaps to the main part of the seat.  The stroller also has a nice zippered pocket behind the canopy for my cell phone and keys or other accessories.

The stroller is expensive.  It retails for $469.  However it COMES with a number of accessories:
1. Car seat adapter which also has a cover to become a nice padded bumper bar
2. Rain Cover
3. Cup holder
4. Infant Head Rest
4. Jogging strap
5. Air pump for the tires

I am so happy with my stroller.  I feel really happy when I push it and I love that I can either use it as a travel system with my car seat if my infant is sleeping, or just place my baby directly into the stroller.  I find the folding really easy and the stroller only weighs 20 lbs which is light for an all-terrain full size stroller.  The canvas is removable and washable for easy Pesach cleaning!!!  When one factors in all the accessories that are included I think the stroller is a good value.  Bumbleride offers a 1-year warranty and I hear they have amazing customer service.  I will let you know how it is holding up after a few months of use.

My Intentions for AskChavi

Dear Readers,

In the past two weeks that I have been writing AskChavi, I have received overwhelming positive feedback.  So many women are really clueless about their wigs, something that they wear everyday!  We are hungry for information and I am striving to provide it to you.  I really aim to do my best, and conduct thorough research before I answer each question. 

There are a lot of women searching online for wig reviews of different brands, and aside from some forums catering to Jewish women, allopecia patients and women with cancer, there is little information online on the topic.  In the next few weeks I plan on writing a review of a custom Shevy, a review of an Allegria (a little known but apparently high quality manufacturer of wigs from Canada) as well as any other brand I can get my hands on.

I also want to talk about the different types of cap construction on the market today.  There is a lot of advertisement for the Milano Freedom Cap, which is apparently clip and combless.  I wonder how exactly this stays on without being super tight.  Also, why do so many of us have to be unhappy with our wigs??  We are spending THOUSANDS of dollars on them and we are still often dissatisfied.

I want to write about everything from multi-directional skin tops, to sheitels with no part, to band falls, to hat falls to kippa falls (or topper wigs) as they are called.  There are a lot of different customs and interpretations of halacha (Jewish Law) when it comes to how women decide to cover their hair.  I also hope to bring together k'lal yisroel (The Jewish People) by helping us women understand each other and the way we cover our hair and not to be judgmental about it.  It is an extremely difficult mitzvah for some of us, and easy for others. 

Please keep sending your feedback and questions to askchavi@gmail.com - I love being challenged by your questions! 

Shavua Tov,
Chavi

Sheitel is darker on top!

Dear Chavi,

I just bought a Sheitel and I noticed the hair on the bottom was lighter than on top. The difference was slight but when I bent the hair over to compare the bottom and top it definitely was noticeable.

I spoke to my Sheitel Mochur (The one who sold me the Sheitel) and she told me that natural undyed unbleached hair is often like that. Is this true? Or was the Shaitel bleached and they are just trying to finish the sale.

It was a color 6 and the bottom is lighter that a 6.

-BS

Dear BS,
The sheitel macher was not lying when she told you that natural undyed hair is often two toned.  Since the hair at the ends is the oldest, it was exposed to the sun for the longest, hence it had more time to lighten.  The new growth near the roots of the hair appears darker since it has not had as much exposure to the sun.  The fact that the hair color is slightly different makes me believe that the hair on the wig is NOT dyed.

I have had a lot of experience with hair dye and when hair is dyed a solid color all the hair becomes one color.  If the wig had been dyed after being sewn together it would probably be exactly the same color on the bottom and top!  That being said, there is no guarantee that the person who sold their hair to a wig maker never used lightening products or dyes on their hair.  Some people put in lemon juice to enhance the sun's lightening for example.  If the hair feels healthy and smooth then I wouldn't be worried about the fact that the ends are lighter than the roots.  However, if this really bothers you and you want a more solid color look then maybe you could actually buy a wig made of dyed hair for less money.

The two-toned look seems to be most noticeable on blonds, but can also affect brunettes by often turning the ends reddish.

Enjoy your new wig!

Chavi

Left picture is example of hair that was dyed and grew out whereas the right picture shows two-toned hair as a result of the sun's natural lightening.

Removing Hairspray

Dear Chavi,
I had my sheitel done for a wedding. What is the best way to get the hairspray out?

-R

Dear R,

This might sound rather simple but... Shampoo it!  Hairspray is intended to be washed out after use.  If you are washing at home and a residue is still present, I would recommend washing it again, making sure all the hair is getting wet and that you are gently rubbing the shampoo through it.  Afterward you can condition and dry.  Unfortunately, the only way to get it out is washing.  I would recommend having it professionally washed and set if you are having trouble getting it out at home.

Best of luck,

Chavi

Dyeing Sheitel at Home?

Dear Chavi-

I am thinking of dyeing my sheitel a darker color. I am also thinking of doing it myself.

What are the pros and cons of such an adventure?

Thanks!

KD

Dear KD,

Sheitels, like the hair on our heads, oxidizes and fades over time from exposure to the sun. Because of this effect, many wig wearers are inclined to dye their sheitels at one point or another when the color changes to a different color. If your sheitel is made of human hair, it can be dyed. There are two routes: Professional and At-home.

The professional job will be more expensive, probably $50-100 depending on where it is done. However, a colorist expert has ample experience and knows how to get the desired shade.

If you are attempting at home, I would advise buying two boxes of hair dye which cost about $8-9 each. Secondly, make sure to read the box. You want a permanent color and you want to make sure the dye is made for the color range. Also keep in mind cool versus warm tones of each shade and purchase accordingly. Instructions for dyeing a wig can be identical to dyeing your own hair except the wig will be pinned to a head. It is advisable to do a strand test to make sure you get the desired color result. It will be important that the dye covers every strand of hair. This can be done with a comb. It is best not to get the dye on the cap because it could leave a stain.

If you are desiring a dye job because your wig has faded it is likely that the wig will fade again, because of this, the cost of professional dye jobs could really add up in the long run if they are required every 6-12 months.

Lastly, while I would be comfortable with dyeing a piece darker I would NEVER advise someone to dye a wig lighter or put in highlights at home. The chemistry for lightening is more complicated and requires more knowledge. Going darker with a professional creme based dye is pretty self-explanatory. Also, if the hair has already been dyed it would make coloring at home more difficult (namely lightening) because of the way the colors interact. 

There is always the possibility of not getting the desired result, which could end up needed a professional to correct it anyway.  However, I have friends who had little coloring experience who followed the instructions and successfully dyed their wigs darker at home.  Good luck!

How to Curl a Sheitel with a Curling Iron

Dear Chavi,
How do I set my sheitel to be curly?
-B

Dear B,
Watch THIS video.


Something to keep in mind. Some sheitels will not hold a curl. Also, you CAN burn the hair if you hold the curling iron for too long, so curl at your own risk!

Special thanks to "Ruchie" for appearing in my video!

This was part three of my series on how to wash and style a wig.  Check out the other parts under the "how to" label.

Blowdrying a Sheitel Straight

Dear Chavi,

How can I blowdry my sheitel straight at home?

Wash and set your sheitel at your own risk. Keep in mind that this sheitel macher has years of experience...

This was part two of my series on how to wash and style a wig.  Check out the other parts under the "how to" label. 

How to Wash and Set your Wig

Dear Chavi,
I live in a place where there is no professional wig stylist. I was wondering if you could show me how to wash my wig at home?
Thanks,
R

Dear R,
Please see the video below which shows how to wash your sheitel in your very own sink.
Enjoy,
Chavi



This was part one of my series on how to wash and style a wig.  Check out the other parts under the "how to" label.  

Where To Buy Wig Heads

Where can I get cheap sheitel heads?

Thanks,

KD

Dear KD,

The first thing to know when trying to look for cheap wig heads is to NOT buy them from a sheitel macher. Styrofoam heads are... well, styrofoam, and should be priced accordingly. I bought the majority of mine in LA from a wig store specializing in hollywood type wigs: synthetics, lace front etc. The wig heads were only $5 each and she gave me free T-pins. I have seen sheitel machers selling some for $25 each! Here is a list of some places to buy online.  You can also try your local wig store that sells costume wigs or African American wigs.

I bought my canvas block and styling clamp head from TWC wigs. The price was very affordable. The only downside is that they kept sending me TWC wig catalogs featuring some very unflattering $30 synthetic wigs =)

TWC - Canvas Head and Clamp 

Sally's Beauty supply sells
Styrofoam Head With Face for $3.99   

As for long necks, I found them here for $12

How to Clip Your Hair So It's Flat Under a Sheitel

I found clips that will work for long thick hair on amazon here.

All About Hair Types

As you may already know, many wig companies make a large variety of wig types ranging in quality and price.  The one factor that seems to set the price of the wig above all other features is the hair type.  You have probably heard the following terms:

European Hair, Virgin European hair, Human Hair, Kosher Human hair, synthetic, synthetic/human hair blends, South American hair

European Human Hair - Hair that originated from people of European origin (Caucasian).  European Human Hair is the most rare and expensive to maintain.  However, just because a company claims the wigs are European Human Hair does not mean that the hair is not dyed or processed.  It is important to ask this question when purchasing a sheitel.  Dyed wigs will oxidize faster, Also if the hair is processed to be straight or wavy it could feel brittle or damaged.  Also, its possible that the hair was processed on the head of the original person before it was cut and sold to be a wig.

Virgin European Hair - same as above except hair is completely unprocessed.  That doesn't mean the wig will look better.  In fact, some sheitel manufacturers purposely process the hair to give it the smooth sleek look that so many consumers desire.  (Think how your own hair looks without being blow-dried and without styling products)

Human Hair - If a wig is being sold with the title of "human hair" the hair is definitely Human, but the origin is most likely Asian.  Indian hair was more like European Hair, but ever since the Indian Hair fiasco no Jewish wig companies will sell it (albeit some rabbis actually hold that Indian hair sheitels aren't a problem, consult your LOR)

Kosher Human Hair - Probably mostly or 100% Asian Hair.  The structure is thicker and coarser than European Hair, and much more affordable.  Human Hair is heavily processed in order to get all the shades of light brown, blond, red, auburn etc.  Curly Human Hair wigs are probably permed.  Kosher Human Hair is Kosher certified.

Synthetic Fibers - Wigs made out of synthetic fibers are the most affordable.  They come pre-cut which saves a lot of money.  Also they can be washed at home easily by just soaking in soapy water, rinsing and air drying.  Synthetics regain their shape by simply shaking and brushing them out.  Synthetic hair cannot be styled with heated hair tools (the hair will melt).  They typically have a much shorter life than a human hair wig, but they definitely require less maintenance. Synthetic hair often has a glossy reflective quality to it that makes the wig look fake or.. like a wig.

South American Hair - South American Hair is similar to European Hair, since many of the people there originated from Europe.  It is cheaper to obtain than European hair and a lot of companies are starting to offer South American wigs at a cheaper price but almost identical in quality to European hair wigs. SA hair may be processed to be smoother because its texture may be coarser than European Hair.

Eurohair/Y2K/European Texture Hair - A quality of wig hair between European and Human hair made with processed Human Hair and European hair blends.  These wigs are much cheaper than European Hair Wigs, and depending on ones needs and hair color may be satisfactory.


Caveat for blonds: As a blond I have had an extremely tough time being happy with a sheitel.  Finding a wig made of non-processed blond hair is extremely difficult and expensive.  Additionally, a person with dark brown hair might be perfectly satisfied with a sheitel made of Asian hair because the hair wasn't dyed, however a sheitel of the same price in blond is surely heavily processed to become blond and will most likely get damaged quicker..

Sheitel Review: Jap Wigs 20" Band Fall

 I heard about Jap Wigs from Imamother.com.  Apparently, it was a new wig company that popped up in Brooklyn offering very affordable "European hair" wigs.  After reading a variety of views on Imamother I decided to order one.  JAP is more of a warehouse than a traditional Wig Shop, so it has very limited hours and limited customer service.  I was, however, able to buy one over the phone for an affordable shipping price.  No returns, just exchanges.  I decided to take my chance for $440, one of the cheapest prices for 20 inches of hair I've ever seen.

The fall arrived promptly.  I ordered a large 16/10.  The Cap was large enough to actually cover my hair line on the front of my hair.  I wear it an inch back which just meant there was actually EXTRA space in the cap area of the wig.  The cap may look similar to the Freeda stretch cap, but it is much CHEAPER quality and really not that stretchy at all.  However the best thing about this cap is the weight.  It is seriously the lightest sheitel I have EVER worn.  Now, most LONG sheitels are heavier and it is a common complaint.  One of the reasons that the Jap fall is so light is because the hair is sewn very thin compared to other falls/sheitels.  However, I think the thinness of the wig makes it look more realistic.




The hair is MATCH STICK straight.  This is a desirable look for someone like myself who used to spend hours straightening my wavy hair with a straight iron when I was single. The hair is probably chemically treated, either dyed, straightened or both.  It still feels pretty smooth, but it feels like processed hair.  As a dark blonde who used to highlight my hair I am used to that processed feeling and actually find it comforting in a sheitel, especially for a long one under $500.

The JAP 16/10 color is more ashy than the Freeda and Milano 16/10 and has much more streaky highlights.  If I remember correctly the JAP Wigs lady asked me what kind of highlights I preferred and I said a lot of highlights.  I was VERY happy with my choice.  The JAP fall even has a skin top... well a VERY small skin top.  It is about 1.5 x 3 inches in the front center of the wig.  The crown lies extremely FLAT which is great to make it look natural with a headband.  Some falls have too much volume on the top and it doesn't look natural with a headband...

To summarize.  If one is looking for an affordable STICK STRAIGHT, processed feeling fall that is extremely comfortable and light and a thinner look then the JAP fall is for you.












RATING:
Weight/comfort: A
Hair Quality: C+
Skin top: D (falls do not need skin tops in my opinion)
Durability: C- (This fall WILL die with heavy use)
Appearance: B+
Cap Construction: C (machine stretch caps are not as flexible as hand tied)

Overall: C+ (but if you consider the $440 price relative to other falls I would say B)

Sheitel Review: Freeda Riva Long 16-18 inch

 

Here is the stock picture of the Riva Long from the Freeda website. It is described as a "16-18" wig with long layers and a multi-directional crown."

Picture to the right © 2007-Freeda Wigs.


I purchased my Freeda from SavvySheitels.com in August 2008.  This is a 16/10. I paid $1600 for it.  I got it cut by Mati at the Fuzzy Navel Salon in Los Angeles.

The Freeda was a breath of fresh air after the Milano.  The most noticeable difference is the HAIR QUALITY.  The Freeda hair is extremely soft and silky.  I would describe the texture as straight with a slight wave.  This hair does hold a curl well.  I would often have it set by my sheitel macher with a curling iron and it would hold the curls extremely well.  Once I had it set for Rosh Hashana and the soft waves were still there when I got it re-set for Peasch!  (I only wore it on Shabbos that year).  As a dark ash blonde I have still not found a company that manufactures an out of the box color that matches my natural hair.  The Freeda 10 color is a little redder than I would like, but I have gotten many compliments on the color from random strangers.

Multi-Directional Skin Top

The Freeda has a much larger skin top area than my Milano sheitel.  I have styled the part on the left, right and center and they all worked great.  The part is shown here meeting up with the part in the side bangs.  You can also see the thin streaked highlight pattern in this photo.

The cap is a wefted stretch cap.  The wefts are sewn on in rows.  The advantage of this cap over open wefts is that the wefts cannot become twisted AND there is no chance of your hair showing through.  Freeda does a great job of creating a comfortable cap that has enogh give without feeling like it is going to come off.  There are a lot of tiny holes throughout the cap and therefore good air circulation.  There are bra-strap like clips that can be attached to the bottom of the sheitel for a tighter fit. I wear a size Large and it makes a HUGE difference in comfort for anyone with an above-average sized head.

Here is a picture of the back of the wig.  Hair is smooth and not frizzy, even when air dried.  My only complaint may have to do more with the cut in that the bottom layer causes the bottom of the wig to flip out, even with curled under.  It may also be the height of my wig head.  The wig is not as light as my Milano sheitel, but is by no means heavy or uncomfortable.  I had no problems wearing it all day to work.  In terms of its durability, I wore it everyday to work for a year and on Shabbos and it held up really well.  Like most skin top wigs, the skin top is the first to shed, but it does not need to have any hair added yet.

Wig is made in Ukraine



RATING:
Weight/comfort: A-
Hair Quality: A- (sometimes the ends get wispy and small knots can form under the neck)
Skin top: A- (has stayed thick and can part in many directions easily)
Durability: A (has stayed in great condition)
Appearance: B+
Cap Construction: B+ (machine stretch caps are not as flexible as hand tied)

Overall: A-

My First Sheitel: Milano 20 inch Review

When I was but a kallah maidel... I had to shop for my first sheitel. Although it is the "done" thing in Brooklyn for the chatan's family to buy the sheitel for the kallah not every bride is so fortunate. After all:

1. Some women don't cover their hair
2. Some women don't wear sheitels
3. Some families cannot afford to buy a sheitel after paying for a wedding
4. Some MILs and DILs do not get along!

For any of the reasons above and more you might have been a kallah without in-laws or parents buying you two $3000-4000 sheitels for your wedding. Not all of us have that kind of money when we are first getting married either. I certainly did not have that kind of money and I didn't know what I was doing! I had to buy my own sheitel. So what did I do???

Top of Milano SheitelWell, I decided to go with a Milano. LL14 was the model in a 16/10 color. It means 20 inches in Milano language. It was $1100. One of the reasons I got it was because Milano has a payment plan option... $1100 was affordable, whereas it would have been hard for me to come up with $3000 CASH for a Shevy.


I wanted:

- A sheitel that looked like my hair
- Long length
- "European hair"
- Comfortable
- Skin top

I made a few mistakes... I bought 16/10 knowing it was too dark because I thought it would fade... BIG MISTAKE. Also the tone was much redder than my natural hair, which always bothered me. Also at one of my sheva brochot I noticed that the bottom of the sheitel was really knotty behind the neck. I called the sheitel macher and she was like "oh you need to brush it"... (I later found out that Milano has a 6 month warranty on their defective pieces which mine clearly was)

IT WAS MORE THAN JUST NEEDING TO BE BRUSHED!! The hair texture was wavy, and different waves!! Meaning, the hair strands were tangling with one another instead of all lying in the same direction. Secondly, I wanted to wear the sheitel straight, but it always seemed to get frizzy instead of that sleek straight look.

HINT: When the sheitel is wet is the hair straight or curly?? This is how you can tell what kind of hair it is. When wet, my sheitel became instantly knotty!! So much hair fell out when trying to untangle it... it was frightening. The sheitel started out REALLY thick, the perk of that is that its been cut two times and still does not appear too thin.

So how much did I wear it?? Every workday and Shabbos for an entire year, before it started "dying". One shabbos a friend pointed out that she could see my hair clip through the sheitel!!!

Let's see how it held up after a year of heavy use and another year of very occasional use (rainy day shabbos sheitel). I do not think that Milano sheitels are all sub par, I just think they are hit/miss and for lighter brown and blond customers there is a higher chance that the wigs contain dyed hair, meaning it could be more processed feeling.


-Skin Top.  Side bangs help it from looking like a sheitel. Note frizzy hair...





-SMALL multi directional skin top area compared to other sheitel brands



-Open weft construction.
Pros: allows air to circulate, can stretch out, VERY light and comfortable

Cons: can stretch out too much to the point where it is too big or a hairclip shows through!


Edge of skin top looks like a BALD spot, i.e. this sheitel cannot handle an extreme side part!



RATING:
Weight/comfort: A-
Hair Quality: C (I am convinced it is dyed human hair not virgin EHH)
Skin top: C+
Durability: B-
Appearance: B
Cap Construction: B- (it stretched out A LOT)

Overall: B-

Welcome to Ask Chavi

Purchasing a sheitel is a complicated and often time consuming process. It involves trips to a sheitel macher or wig shop or perhaps hours of searching for wigs online. Nearly every orthodox woman I know has been dissatisfied with at least one of her sheitels over her lifetime. It is extremely common for a kallah to hate her first sheitel for reasons which I will elaborate on. My goal is to research and educate frum married women and kallahs about sheitel options and how to go about purchasing one. With wigs ranging in price from $30 to $5000 there is A LOT of variety available.

Many of us wear our sheitels every single day, whether for hashkafic reasons, family minhag, personal preference or out of necessity in order to work in a professional environment. Some of us only wear sheitels on shabbos and special occasions and some of us do not own a wig but have considered buying one for years. I will be conducting video reviews of various wig types and wig brands and the pros/cons of each.

It seems every week there is a new wig or sheitel brand popping up. How many of these shops offer good quality wigs? Do they have customer service? Do they stand by their products? Do they offer warranties? Feel free to submit your questions to me via email at askchavi@gmail.com and I will do my best to answer them.