Who wears wigs in the 21st century and why are they so expensive?

Wigs are one of the oldest features in fashion history. In the ancient Eastern states this was an attribute of power. And in Ancient Egypt it marked freedom from slavery. Later, wigs spread to the Middle East and the Mediterranean and appeared as accessories for actors in ancient Greek theater. And the Romans came up with another, now widespread use: to hide a bald spot.

There are many reasons for wearing wigs in the 21st century: from religious reasons, such as when a married woman who professes Orthodox Judaism cannot show her real hair in front of strangers and therefore wears a sheitel (wig), to professionals, where artists transform into certain characters. or change image for photo.

How are wigs made of natural hair, how much do they cost, how to properly care for them and why do almost every star of show business have these wigs? We talked about this with wig artist Petya Bogdanov.

Petya Bogdanov, wig artist

Who wears a wig now?

In the bold or 13th century, royal wigs were supposed to complement their regal image and therefore looked appropriate, impressive and solemn. There was no talk of naturalness at that time. But since then the fashion feature has improved greatly. “Wig production has now reached a completely different level and continues to develop with increasing demand,” says Petya Bogdanov. “This is directly reflected in their appearance.” Now wigs look so natural that we cannot always distinguish them from natural hair.

“They are worn by TikTok users, divas of a banned social network, doctors, teachers, housewives, socialites, singers, actresses, stylists and makeup artists, everyone,” adds Petya. Now everyone can wear a wig because it is no longer an attribute of power or a sign of public and social status.

The most common request when buying a wig is the desire for transformation. For a costume party, performance or photography. A wig bought from a joke shop is far from the desired aesthetic, so people prioritize quality.

What hair are wigs made of?

“Wigs, or as professionals call them – “hair systems” and “half-hair systems” – are divided into two types: natural and synthetic. And hair suitable for production is used. Everything is clear with synthetics – they (completely different types and qualities) are produced in factories. Wig manufacturers also purchase natural hair in sections from people in different parts of the world where those with luxurious hair live. For example, Slavic hair is purchased from us. It is often seen that workshops producing systems from natural raw materials advertise and invite people to get their hair cut, to buy their hair,” comments Petya.

How much does a quality wig cost?

A quality wig made to measure can be ordered in a studio in Moscow without a “name fee” of about 300,000 rubles.

“This cost usually includes the opportunity to select the hair live, take measurements and fabricate the system for about a month, and install hairpins for fastening in individual places for each client. And from the seller come various bonuses: branded storage bags, combing pacifiers, care products,” says Petya .

How to wear a wig?

For daily fixation, you need a nylon cap to conceal your hair; If not, this will increase the adhesion of the wig base to your head. Then you will need a silicone elastic band around your head – the clips on the wig are attached to it. And after the system itself is installed and the clips are installed, you need to design the area around the face – with a special tool, glue the mesh along the edge hairline, if any. And if there are more complex tasks – filming or going out into the world, it is best to entrust this work to professionals.

Can I wear a wig every day?

You can wear a wig every day. It won’t damage your hair but it won’t damage your wig. If you use it every day, it will lose its smooth appearance more quickly.

How to care for your wig?

“If the wig is made of natural blonde hair, the care should be the same as for blonde hair; Emphasis should be placed on nourishing masks and leave-in products. If the system is made of dark hair, you can add serum and balm to add shine to the strands.

Wigs should be washed as they become dirty, and shampoo should be applied carefully without mixing the hair. You can use a soft comb to apply care products. You can dry it with a hair dryer as usual. It is better to store wigs on special mannequin stands or in velvet bags. “Artificial wigs have their own special care,” comments Petya.

Which showbiz stars wear wigs?

Kim Kardashian, Rihanna, Rita Ora, Ariana Grande, Anna Asti, Oksana Samoilova and others have repeatedly admitted that they use wigs. The list could go on and on, but one thing is for sure, this is a common practice among celebrities.

Petya confirms this: “Almost all stars of show business use wigs from time to time. “Many people get an exact replica of their hairstyle and use it to avoid damaging their natural hair during daily heat styling.”