How do I Choose the Best Wig?

When choosing the best wig, it's a good idea to have an understanding of your skin tone and the most flattering hair colors for you. Knowing the best length and style for your face shape is also important. Look for a wig with a construction that suits your climate and comfort preference.

A good fit is necessary for the best possible comfort in wigs. Having your wig properly fitted by a hairstylist with experience in working with wigs may be advantageous, especially if you plan on wearing the hair piece often. In hot weather or warm climates, a woven honeycomb inner construction may offer more comfort than the cap style found in many wigs. Cap style wigs tend to add warmth to the head; look for hand stitching in these for the best quality.

If you have an oval face, practically any length and style of wig should suit you. Oval face shapes have a balanced forehead and chin, so extremely short, straight wigs or long, curly hairstyles as well as anything in between is likely to be flattering. If your face is round, wigs with sides that softly layer hair away from the fullness of the cheeks should help bring visual balance and the illusion of a more oval shape. Shoulder-length wigs are likely to be more flattering than either longer or shorter cuts. Solid, strong bangs aren't typically the best for a round face; rather, look for a wispy bang style as well as a wig with some height on the top.

For square faces, especially those with a strong jaw line, wigs with softer curls or waves can help add flattering softness. Yet, thin rather than full sides also tend to flatter square shaped faces. Height on the top of the wig or a side part may also complement the square face shape. Square faces often suit medium length or long wigs best. Rather than all one length, a layered style may be the most flattering.

For a heart-shaped face in which the chin is narrow and the forehead is wide, fullness at the sides of wig often looks attractive. Very short wigs may not be as flattering to the heart-shaped face as long, layered cuts are. Soft waves or curls without a lot of volume on top of the hairpiece may work well for you if you have a heart-shaped face.

If your skin tone is warm with an orange undertone, wigs with a golden cast to them are likely to suit you best. Golden blonds and light gold-browns may be the most flattering. If your skin is cooler with bluish undertones, ashy or platinum blonds or red-browns will tend to flatter you. A black wig is often too harsh on lighter skin colors, but can be worn by people with medium and dark skin tones.