Wigs, Wigs, Wigs!

Hi there!

This blog post is all about wigs, what they are and why they're used in industry.

Let's get started, shall we?

Figure 1: Display of wigs (Jackson, 2020).

What are wigs? Why are they used?

Wigs are hair coverings which are made up of either authentic or synthetic hair. They are used to hide loss of hair or are more commonly used to cover your own hair for style purposes, filming/costume, makeup, and more (Cambridge Dictionary, 2021). I will be using and styling wigs throughout the period hairdressing module for film/TV and makeup purposes.

Wigs and postiche pieces have been used for centuries; Artefacts like coins and statues show humans sporting wigs (Figure 2).

Figure 2: Image of the bust of a Flavian woman (Villa, n.d.).

Remains of wigs have been found in burial sites, thus proving that humans have cherished wigs as long as we have existed in societies. Appearance has always been important whether it be to attract, disguise or entertain. Hair can make a visual impression and can be our most identifying feature; look at Catherine Tate and her luscious, long, red hair (Bouvet, 2018).

Researching and practising period hairstyles is crucial for a makeup artist because period hairdressing is very in demand in the film industry, with popular TV series including The

Crown, Downton Abbey, Poldark, Call the Midwife, and even Netflix’s recent original, Bridgerton, even though it has a slightly different more modern take on the period it is set.

Different types of wig: Authentic vs Synthetic

Prior to the 20th century all wigs were authentic - made of real human hair - and, as you can imagine, this was very costly. Scientific discoveries meant synthetic fibres such as modacrylic, nylon and polyester were used, meaning wigs could be produced at a much cheaper price, giving them accessibility all over the world and not just in Hollywood (Bouvet, 2018).

A table (Figure 3) has been created below using information from Milady (2015), showing the advantages and disadvantages of both human hair and synthetic hair.

Type of hair	Advantages	Disadvantages
Human Hair	Realistic appearance, durable, same styling requirements as natural hair, can be dyed, and can tolerate heat from curling irons, straighteners, hot rollers and hair dryers.	They react to climate the same way natural hair does; it can frizz or drop its curls. Colours can fade with exposure to light, and hair can break and split just like natural hair.
Synthetic Hair	Hair pieces made of modacrylic is strong and durable, it can be very realistic whilst being cheaper than human hair, does not react to climate in the way human hair does, most are already cut, textured, and styled, can choose from a very wide range of colours from natural to fantasy colours, they will not fade with exposure to light.	Cannot be exposed to extreme heat from curling irons, straighteners, hot rollers and hair dryers, the more natural the synthetic wig looks the higher the price.

Figure 3: Comparison Table (O'Connor, 2021).

Figure 4: Emma Corrin as Diana (HelloMagazine, 2020).

Which type of wig will I use?

After researching into both types of wig, I have decided to work on a human hair wig for this module, as they are more natural and realistic looking which is ideal for period hairdressing.

If I was to be doing a personal project, however, I would have to use a synthetic wig because human hair wigs are extremely expensive. If I was to be doing wig work in industry, the type of wig used would

depend on the budget and what part of industry I was working in; Theatres are more likely to use synthetic wigs, whereas TV Dramas such as The Crown use human hair wigs (Figure 4).

I hope you enjoy reading my future blogs and following me on my journey of period hairdressing!

Until next time,

Alysha :)

Reference List:

Bouvet, M. (2018) A Practical Guide to Wig Making and Wig Dressing, Wiltshire, The Crowood Press Ltd.

Cambridge Dictionary. (2021) Wig meaning [Online]. Available at https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/wig (Accessed 30th November 2021).

HelloMagazine. (2020) 11 royal hairstyles The Crown absolutely nailed: from Emma Corrin to Olivia Colman [Online]. Available at https://www.hellomagazine.com/healthandbeauty/hair/20201124101483/the-crown-hairstyles-vs-real-life-royals/ (Accessed 29th December 2021).

Jackson, D. (2020) A Beginner's Guide to Buying Wigs and Wearing Weaves [Online]. Available at https://www.popsugar.co.uk/beauty/beginners-guide-wigs-weaves-47302660 (Accessed 30th November 2021).

Milady. (2015) Milady Standard Cosmetology, Boston, Cenage Learning.

O'Connor, A. (2021) Comparison Table [Table]. York.

Villa, G. (n.d.) Styles and Status: Roman Women and the Art of Hair [Online]. Available at https://www.getty.edu/visit/cal/events/ev_2216.html (Accessed 30th November 2021).