2023 Ultimate Guide for First Time Wig Buyer - All You Need to Know

by Colorful Kingdom April 2, 2021

When you’re choosing your first wig, there is a world of possibilities for you to choose from. You could buy a minimalistic blonde wig to wear every day or choose something more adventurous to wear at the weekend and when you want to make a statement.

Buying your first synthetic wig can feel overwhelming, especially with how many features there are for you to choose from. Along with the color, you want to consider aspects like the cap size, length, and texture of your wig. There are thousands of wigs for women to choose from, meaning there’s something for everyone. Our first-time wig buyer guide gives you a step-by-step of what you should consider before you hit ‘add to cart’.

The Hairstyle

Wigs are perfect for creating easy hairstyles, whether you’re heading for brunch with your girlfriends or attending a family wedding. You might decide you want a wig that looks like your natural hair color but with added length and volume. Wigs are also a great opportunity to get adventurous with your look and change it up without experiencing the hair damage that comes with using bleach or dyes.

It’s always best to go into your wig shopping with an idea of what you like ahead of time. Instagram and Pinterest are the best places to look for inspiration, and you can grab some screenshots to save your favorite photos. You can start to see what common features appear across the wigs, to give you an idea of what it is that you’re looking for.

If you’re looking to experiment with hairstyles, try hand-tied wigs for an effortlessly natural look that you can style however you choose. This style of wig comes with a soft mesh cap with each of the hairs hand-tied onto it.

The Length

Choosing the cut and length of your wig will help you narrow down your search. When you’re considering the length, you want to think about the ideal hairstyles you want to create. Hairstyles for short hair are more limited than their longer counterparts, but these wigs can be a great choice if you live in a humid climate.

A shorter length might be a better fit if you want a hairstyle that is more carefree and effortless. Opting for a pre-styled synthetic wig can make it easier to look after and help you create effortlessly cute hairstyles.

The lengths of wigs are measured from their roots at the crown to the ends, with textured synthetic wigs being measured the same way. You’ll want to keep this in mind when choosing your wig, especially if you’re debating between two similar styles with a few inches of difference in length.

The most popular wig lengths are between 10 and 15 inches for a medium style, but you can find ones from as short as 8 inches for a pixie look.

Hair Types and Textures

Before we jump into hair textures, you want to consider the type of hair the wig is made of. Synthetic wigs are an ideal option for your first purchase, especially if you’re on a budget but still want a natural look. This type of wigs for women is perfect if you're looking to purchase multiple wigs to switch out your look throughout the week.

You can opt for a synthetic option for easier styling and maintenance, although you want to avoid using heat products with a temperature above 350 degrees. You can often get a similar look using a heatless option, which is easier to achieve and set with a wig than with your natural hair. If you’re using hair curlers or straighteners to create a hairstyle, you want to put the tool on the lowest possible heat setting to protect your hair. With synthetic wigs, you can expect to get around three to six months’ worth of wear, and they’re easy to care for. The best way of looking after your synthetic wigs is to avoid tangles by keeping your wig brushed and properly cared for between uses.

While human hair will give you a natural look, you’ll pay a higher price tag for your wig. If you’re planning to wear your wig every day and want a style that will last for longer with proper maintenance, then a human hair wig might be a better choice for you. You can expect to get around six to twelve months of wear out of your human hair wig, but this will depend on the quality of the hair used. It’ll also depend on how you style and treat your hair, along with how often you wear it.

Whether you choose a synthetic or human hair wig, giving it some extra TLC and avoiding using heat products will help you expand the lifespan of your wig.

Whichever hair type you choose, you want to avoid using hair spray or any shining products as this can damage your wig. You want to make sure you take it off before you sleep and that you invest in a shampoo and conditioner specifically for your wig.

If you want a wig you can put on just before you head out the door, a flat and straight wig can help you create easy hairstyles for every day. For the woman who prefers a vintage-inspired feel, you can search for a bouncy wavy wig style that gives you volume and a classic look.

For the woman who wants to avoid having to style her wig every day, buying a textured style is a great option. You can choose a texture similar to your natural hair or think outside the box. Buying a pre-styled textured wig is one of the easiest to style, especially if you choose a structured curl. If you’re not sure which texture to choose, a straight style is the most versatile option that’ll work for any occasion and give you extra flexibility with styling.

Choosing Your Wig Color

When you’re choosing the color, you want to consider its wearability. A natural-looking color like blonde or brunette can be wearable for every day, including to the office. While pastel hues might catch your eye, you want to think about how it would fit into your lifestyle.

Start by deciding how often you want to wear your wig – either every day or just for special occasions. Once you know what you want your wig for, you’ll be able to draw up a short-list of colors that work for your lifestyle.

If you’re not sure what color to choose, it’s always best to go with one that is close to your natural shade to help you get used to the idea of wearing a wig.

You also want to consider your complexion and skin tone when choosing your wig color, especially if you want a more vibrant shade or something different from your natural hue. Along with your skin tone, you want to consider your undertones.

Here are some general color matches that can help you find the shade that works best for you.

Fair skin with neutral undertones can wear any color from amber through to strawberry blonde or rusty red. You can get inventive and choose a rose gold shade as a lighter hue that works with your complexion.
Fair skin with warm undertones suits ash, beige, champagne, platinum, and silver hues. If you fall into this category, a blonde wig would be perfect for you.
Fair skin with peach undertones makes the ideal combination for burgundy and red shades. Choosing an auburn hair color can make the pink in your cheeks pop.
Fair skin with cool undertones is best suited for amber, butterscotch, caramel, and honey shades. You want to focus on finding warmer hues that balance out the blue tones in your skin. If your skin is warmer, you want to stay away from yellow shades and choose one that is more golden.

If you have medium skin, these are the best colors for you, depending on your undertones:

Warm undertones work with a darker brunette and chocolate brown hair. While brown is universally flattering, it’s best suited for those with a medium skin tone.
Neutral undertones work with various black hues. You can choose anything from an espresso shade to a licorice hue.
Cool undertones go hand-in-hand with hair colors such as amber, honey, golden brown, and mahogany. Creating a contrast between your skin tone and hair color can give you a healthier complexion.

For a deeper skin tone, these are the colors you want to consider for your wig:

Warm undertones complement caramel and golden butterscotch shades that add depth to your complexion.
Cool undertones work with dark mocha and black shades by warming up your skin.
Neutral undertones for a deeper complexion work with red and chestnut hair colors. If you have neutral undertones, you have the most freedom with the color you can choose.

While these color suggestions are all more neutral hues, there are some standard guidance that you should keep in mind if you’re going with a more vibrant color like a pastel. If you have a darker complexion, you want to stay away from the lighter colors like baby pink as it’ll wash out your skin tone. You should focus on vibrant and jewel tones, like magenta to add depth to your complexion.

Out of all the features, the color of your wig will have the biggest impact on how you feel about it. If you happen to fall in love with the color of your wig, make sure to take a note of the shade number so you can repurchase it in the future.

Cap Size

This feature is the one that’s often missed by first-time buyers. The construction and shape of your cap will determine how it sits on your hair and how comfortable the wig feels to wear long-term. You want to make sure you buy a cap size that fits your head, as otherwise, it can make it obvious that you’re wearing a wig and make the experience uncomfortable.

When you’re shopping for a wig with a lace cap, you want to double-check the sizing that is provided on the listing to make sure you’re buying the correct size. Most adults will take the average size, but you may find that you need a larger size for a comfortable fit. It’s always better to be safe than sorry, so it’s worth taking an extra minute or two to check the cap sizing.

A wig cap is a must-have for anyone with a sensitive scalp as it reduces the chance of irritation by putting a protective layer between your scalp and the wig itself. If you’re buying your wig after experiencing hair loss, you’ll want to search for a lace front wig to ensure it stays in place. Lace front wigs are also easier to part in however you’d like for a more natural look.

Look for a mesh wig cap for a wig that looks effortlessly natural and that you can style however you’d like.

The Final Takeaway

Now you have an idea of what to consider when buying your first wig. While it can seem overwhelming, you want to check out and see what’s available. Decide your color and hair type preferences, choose the length you want, and consider the texture of the wig. Don’t forget about the wig cap! It’s a must-have if you have a sensitive scalp and buying the incorrect size will make it more difficult to create a natural look with your wig.

We hope this buyer’s guide makes it easier for you to choose your first wig. Buying a wig is a great way to change up your look without committing to a color or cut that you might eventually fall out of love with. Once you hit ‘add to cart’ to purchase your wig, you want to come back and check out some of the care tips that we’ve included in this article. Happy styling!