In this blog post, we'll give you a short overview of some of the different types of wigs available so that you can find the perfect one for you.

If you're new to wigs, you might be wondering what all the fuss is about. Wigs are a great way to change up your look, and they can be a lot of fun to wear! Whether you're looking for a new style or want to try something different for a special occasion, wigs are a great option.

Wigs have been a part of beauty culture for nearly the entire recorded history of humanity. In Ancient Egypt, the elite wore wigs (made from human hair or vegetable fibers) to signify their social status and reduce the chances of head lice. The 16th century was a time of great exploration for England, reflected in the elaborate, adventurous hair pieces of fashionable lords and ladies of the day. Ancient Romans commonly used them as fashion accessories because they looked good!

There are many different types of wigs available on the market today. Wigs come in different styles and types. This runs much deeper than just the color of the hair, though the color is often the most fun consideration. This is why many wig newbies make the mistake of shopping color first, without considering the influence of fiber on the way that color looks and how long it lasts.

The most important factors are pretty pratical:

1. What do you want to use it for and where do you plan to wear it? This answer will generally dictate your budget how much money should go into your first wig purchase.
2. The budget is another important consideration because it may force you to compromise if a high-quality, ethically-sourced human hair wig is out of your price range, for example. “Remember that the source of human hair is another person,” says Heather Hershey, A.K.A. CysterWigs, and owner of Hair Kitty Kitty. “Empathy and awareness of the source should be part of that purchase process.”

The type of wig you choose will depend on your personal preference and the look you're going for.

Lace front wigs:

Lace front wigs have a section of the cap – the front hair line area – made from a delicate grid lace material with strands of hair gently threaded – one at a time or in small clusters of individual strands – through the grids in the lace. The hair pivots naturally on its axis (where the knot is tied) and lays more naturally over time – a process commonly referred to in the wig-o-sphere as “training” the wig. The highest quality lace wigs have the hair placed randomly in the cap by hand for the most natural appearance. In the case of ponytail wigs, this lace sometimes extends all the way around to the back. Some wigs will take this further and make the entire cap out of lace. The lace material is sheer and allows your skin to show through, giving the illusion that the hair is growing directly out of your scalp. Lace front wigs are available in both human hair and synthetic options.

Glueless wigs:

Glueless wigs are perfect for those who don't want to adhesive their hairline because they can be easily fixed with clips or an adjustable band. Lace on Glueless wigs tends to be more rigid than the soft lace used on wigs that require glue to “slay” them down. Glueless wigs can often come with lace fronts, full-lace caps, and even monofilament just on top – and there is no need to use any harsh adhesives. All of the wigs at HairKittyKitty.com can be worn gluelessly.

Synthetic wigs:

Synthetic wigs are made from artificial fibers that mimic the look and feel of real hair. Synthetic wigs are usually less expensive than human hair wigs, and they require less styling and upkeep. Synthetic wigs can sometimes look shiny, but good dry shampoo can often help dull the shine with minimal expense. Pay close attention to whether or not the fiber is “heat-friendly” or “heat resistant.” Most regular synthetic fiber isn’t heat-friendly, so you cannot style them with heat tools such as curling irons or straighteners. This is different from heat-friendly (HF) synthetics, which can usually be styled up to about 350 degrees Fahrenheit. (Pro tip: Make sure you let HF synthetics cool before releasing the hair.)

Human hair (natural hair) wigs:

Wig newbies tend to believe that they won’t be able to look natural in a wig unless they literally by the most expensive human hair wig on the market. Nothing could be further from the truth. As the name indicates, these wigs are just like synthetics except for the fiber, which is sourced from the scalps of real living human beings after a prolonged growth period (the strand generally has to be 2-3x as long as the intended length). The human hair trade has a very long, colorful history that we won’t get into in this article. Human hair, when ethically sourced, can be a joy to wear in a wig. It also moves naturally, dyed colors fade naturally (particularly in sunlight), and it responds naturally to humidity, The more color and texture processing the hair has been exposed to, the more dramatic the humidity response, just like with your own biohair. Keep this in mind: one of the biggest reason why so many wig lovers adore synthetics over human hair wigs (aside from price) is that the style won’t respond to humidity and the color generally won’t fade. If you love reds and vibrant colors, long-term color retention for synthetic hair will be much better than on human hair. Then again, human hair colors pop in sunlight much more radiantly than synthetic, which just tends to shine in extreme light.

Though it doesn’t sound very marketing-friendly to say: shopping for wigs is all about your style goal, comfort, and the compromises you are willing to make to get the best result. Only you can determine that, but we’re hear to make that process easier. Wearing a wig is a great way to change up your look, and there are many different types available on the market today. Whether you're looking for an everyday style or something special for an upcoming event, there's sure to be a wig that's perfect for you!