4 Pro Tips for Working with Wigs

Hair- Jada Jenkins; Makeup- Makki; Model- Saba
Hair- Jada Jenkins; Makeup- Makki; Model- Saba
Courtesy of Thomas Kirk, Photographer

Jada Jenkins, a Sam Villa ambassador, Mizani artist and L'amour de Rose salon owner, will be breaking down the different types of wigs and how to install them on Instagram Live Thursday, July 22, 2021 at 9 AM PT/12 PM ET. 

Types of Wigs:

  • Lace Frontal: Have a small sheer lace panel along the front hairline attached to the front of the wig for maximum versatility when styling.
  • Closure: Lace in a small portion of the wig, typically 4x4 or 5x5; there's not a huge amount of versatility.
  • U Part: Allows a part of the natural hair to be left out of the wig; great for blending and manipulating over the top of the wig. 
  • Fall/Half: Only covers a portion of the head. 

Four Tips for Working with Wigs:  

1) Measuring–Use a tape measurer to measure the circumference of the head temple to temple, the nape (behind one ear to the other), front to back, and side burn to side burn. The wig cap size is based on the circumference: small, medium or large. 

2) Detailing the Hairline–A proper foundation is key to a seamless wig installation. Selecting the correct lace, bleaching the knot on the lace and/or using a tent spray help with blending. The lace should match skin tone. If any hair is left out, make sure to choose hair that is similar to the nature texture and finesse blending with a comb or iron

3) Storage–Storing on a stand helps to keep hair fresh and prolongs longevity; covering with a plastic bin over the stand prevents dust from settling.

"I encourage my clients to have me shampoo and refresh their wigs every three to four weeks (everyday wear) and five to six weeks (if not worn everyday)…one wrong move can jeopardize a wig, and we don't want their investment going down the drain," explains Jenkins.

4) Scalp Health–Trim and treat hair before applying a wig to help prevent breakage and use Mizani Scalp Care to ensure scalp is healthy and can withstand wearing a cap and wig.

"Don't forget to advise clients to take a break every so often to allow their scalp and hair to breathe," adds Jenkins.

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