Wigs have become the “go-to” style, they are not just for celebrities. The everyday woman; working, homemakers, and even students, they have become the universal look for anyone who needs to escape that “bad hair day” or a unique transformation for some excitement.  There are many reasons why people choose to wear wigs. Some like the versatility of changing their look from day to day, others have careers that require everyday styling that would otherwise damage their own hair and many have other issues like thinning hair or alopecia. Whatever the reason for wearing a wig, everyone should know the “ins and outs” of wearing them.

To start, there are many types of wigs, and to keep it simple let’s break it down; human hair wigs vs. synthetic hair wigs and expensive wigs vs. inexpensive wigs.  A human hair wig is made up of 100% human hair, synthetic hair wigs are made up of a plastic hair like fiber. Human hair wigs will definitely cost you more, especially a high quality human hair wig. Synthetic hair wigs can be found just about anywhere and you can pay almost little to nothing for it. While there are many synthetic hair wigs that can look great for a quick fix or a few wears, don’t be fooled, the pricing definitely reflects the durability. Synthetic hair wigs come “as is”; it cannot be styled by heat, what you see is what you get. Synthetic hair wigs can also have a shiny phony look to it that can be very aging if not worn correctly. Synthetic wigs have to be brushed and manipulated in such a way to even look somewhat natural. Even when choosing different colors, it can look fake because of the plastic shiny texture next to your skin.  I wouldn’t suggest this if you want a close to natural look.

Human hair wigs come in various textures and can be colored, styled, cut and hot curled. Anything you can do to your own hair can be done to a human hair wig. A human hair wig can look virtually undetectable, especially if you blend a small amount of your own hair around the perimeter. Human hair wigs can last many years if taken good care of. Chances are if you spend the time and money on a great human hair wig the more natural it will look and you will definitely save money in the end. It is best to go to a professional to help choose the best cap structure, ventilation and density. After that process is done have the stylist cut and style the wig to your face. The final look you desire should be a ready-to- go hairstyle that lasts for years.

So in closing if you want to buy a great wig, research your options. If you are a pro wig wearer, I strongly suggest a human hair wig as the best way to go. For a quick fix on-the-go, a synthetic hair wig could be what’s best for you. But always remember no one ever wants to hear, “Hey that wig looks great”; the ultimate compliment to receive is “Wow, your hair looks fabulous.”

With style and grace, Lavette Slater (@LavetteSlater) conveys this vivid quality through her skilled eye and hands when she is with each and every client.  Lavette spent 12 years as the Supervisor and key hairstylist on ABC’s The View, which earned her 3 prestigious Emmy Awards for Outstanding Achievement in Hairstyling.

During her illustrious career, Lavette has styled the tresses of Jennifer Hudson, Jill Biden, Condoleezza Rice, Hilary Clinton and our elegant first lady, Michelle Obama. Lavette has been credited for giving show ideas for on-air segments on The View and her work has been seen on various shows; Good Morning America, Regis &Kelly to name a few. Lavette continuously works on her own innovative techniques and pushes the boundaries of hair and beauty. The View gave her the key essentials to help create her line of human hair wigs, Lovie by LS; worn by Chandra Wilson, Angela Simmons, Yvette Nicole Brown, and Sherri Shepherd.