Wigs

[Guest AlyTheGreatAngel]

Ok soo Im planning on buying a wig...not because I want hair my hair is LONG lol its past my boobs...nice and all:) but its getting a bit dry from heat:/ so I want to buy a nice wig to wear everyday so my hair can take a longgg breakk:) and so it stays healty:) well I just need tips and advice on how to buy one I know nothing bout them kthanks:)

[Guest DawnK]

Paula Young is where I buy too. I've noticed that if I wait long enough, the wigs I want usually go on sale. Your mileage may vary. But they do have a return policy if you don't remove the tags, so if you don't like it, just return it. So far, I've bought 3 and have been satisfied with all of them.

DawnK

[Guest Elizabeth K]

About 5 years ago, when I was buying wigs (good ones, finally), I just went into a wig shop and told the lady what I wanted, something to frame my face and to extend abut 6" below my shoulders. I asked for something to match my hair color. I said I wanted to send about $50.

She suddenly got interested in making the sale, knowing I was going to buy. She helped me select a good one, to put it on, and even taught me how to properly wear and store it.

I went in the middle of a week day, no customers were in the shop. She even asked me to come back anytime.

ATTITUDE!

GRIN - I hope this helps. It's best when you can try things on.

Lizzy

[Carolyn Marie]

Chanelle, the advice regarding on-line stores is spot on. I don't have experience with them myself, but I've heard of others here getting good quality merchandise, and a wide selection.

But since you live in So. Calif., if you have a little courage and want to try a brick and mortar store, I highly recommend Hollywood Wigs,

at 6530 Hollywood Blvd, near Schrader Blvd. I've gotten two wigs there, and was very satisfied with both. The young proprietor (try to

talk to her as opposed to the middle aged owner) is wonderful, totally non-judgmental, helpful and professional. I went the first time in

male mode, and she treated me with total respect and care, and helped me pick just the right wig for my face and coloration.

The older woman is OK, but her English skills are not that great and she can seem a little brusque, but she is actually quite nice, too.

I don't usually give recommendations like this, but I really do like this store.

Good luck.

Carolyn Marie

[Guest Krisina]

Buying wigs online could turn out to be hit and miss. A wig could look great in a photo online but when framed with your face not be a good match. In my city I ended up contacting a lady who sells brand name wigs and styles for people going chemotherapy. She also has another business outside the cancer clinic. I called her up, explained I had gender identity issues I was dealing with and the wig was for me. I explained the style and colors I was interested in too. When I went to the appointment I was able to try 12 to 15 wigs. The wig that I thought would look great didn't. If I had bought that on the web I would have been stuck with it. I also had the added advantage of buying wig shampoo and conditioner and a sheet for info on caring for the wig. For me the one on one and hands on trying before buying worked best for me. I hope this helps you.

[Guest AlyTheGreatAngel]

Thanks yall! But im hoping to look locally:)...im 15 and I pass and all so all go in a store and ask they think im a GG anyways;) lol ill just ask for a wig thats the same hair color and style I have...so no one will be like hmmm she looks different lol I just want a wig so my hair can take a break from all the heat I put on it...straightning, curler, ommgg blow drying I have to STOP...but I like looking fab so I really want a wig:( lol Iv been near Schrader is it the one near the Gay&Lesbien Center? U know I have to probably pick up my name change papers ill check it out when I go! lol and Iv only saved up 30>.> lol im still saving:)..Ima tell them I want something that is about 50:)! Thanks Ohhh and Is it harder to hide you natrual hair under the cap because like I said my hair is long:/ I dont want a bump? lol kthanks

[Guest Elizabeth K]

My hair is way longer than the $50 wig I was writing about, and coincidentally, I tried it on a week or two ago. I was able to get it looking good - and you can work around getting your real hair put up - with a liberal use of bobby pins. I would not worry about that unless you have extremely heavy hair, in which case why would you need a wig?

A short hair wig: Dee Jay can help you with that. Her natural hippy length hair fits under her medium length wig.

Lizzy

[Guest AlyTheGreatAngel]

My hair is way longer than the $50 wig I was writing about, and coincidentally, I tried it on a week or two ago. I was able to get it looking good - and you can work around getting your real hair put up - with a liberal use of bobby pins. I would not worry about that unless you have extremely heavy hair, in which case why would you need a wig?

A short hair wig: Dee Jay can help you with that. Her natural hippy length hair fits under her medium length wig.

Lizzy

[/quot Hahahah no my hairr use to be really heavy but It has fallen out do to my eating disorders and malnutriten lol but yeahh its full just not as thick or full as at once was:( and I feel bad im only 15! Imagine when im 30 so im definataly getting a wig:) is 50 dollars a good investment or should I invest more...my mom thinks I should invest more lol but idk I just want it to look similar to my hair cut so I dont have to fix my hair any more give it a break for a year or so:)

[Carolyn Marie]

Iv been near Schrader is it the one near the Gay&Lesbien Center?

Yes, that's the place.

Carolyn Marie

[Guest AlyTheGreatAngel]

Yes, that's the place.

Carolyn Marie

[/quot Ok thanks do u know how much they cost? Or how much I should spend?

[Carolyn Marie]

I spent about $60 for the first one, Chanelle. It was very good quality, but not great. The second (the one in my avatar) cost around $120, and even though it's synthetic, it feels and looks like real hair, even with strands of different colors, like highlights. It is well worth the extra money, and I'm complimented on it often.

Carolyn Marie

[Guest AlyTheGreatAngel]

I spent about $60 for the first one, Chanelle. It was very good quality, but not great. The second (the one in my avatar) cost around $120, and even though it's synthetic, it feels and looks like real hair, even with strands of different colors, like highlights. It is well worth the extra money, and I'm complimented on it often.

Carolyn Marie

[/quot Sorry to bother you but are they nice as in...do they help u try it on? Do they charge u to try one on...because iv seen some places charge up to 10! For every wig u try on:/ would it cost more if I wanted a med siz? I really long hair so I want a med size modern cut black one;) lol

[Guest BeckyTG]

Chanelle,

Just call ahead, explain that you're transgender and wonder if they'll help you get a wig that flatters you. Tell them your budget and ask them if that's enough to get a wig.

Most of these places will try them on you for no charge. I'd never buy one online (done it before) because the wigs all look totally different on your head. Finding the right one is easy this way. You'll know it when you see it.

Most wig shop owners and operators have worked with trans people before and are not at all shocked by it. You're a customer with money and trans people need wigs. This isn't that hard to figure out.

Using a phone first, you don't expose yourself to possible ridicule and it allows you to set an appointment with someone that you know will help you. I've done a lot of "calling ahead" in the past and always tell them I want them to be comfortable and if they're not, I'll go quietly to the next business.

Best of luck, this can be a very exciting experience.

Becky

[Paula ult]

Great advice on going in person instead of buying online, you can try before you buy and they can give you advise as to if the wig is the right style and color for you. I bought a couple wigs online, one is a human hair wig that i paid quite a bit of money for, when it arrived it was lighter and longer than the online picture showed, it was not the right look for my age and thus did not wear it but around the house, my own hair is long enough now so i do not really need it, i recently took it to the woman that does my hair and she colored it and cut it into a style that looks good on me, so now i have another look when i feel like it, bobby pins will hold the wig in place as long as you have some hair to pin it to.

Paula.

[Carolyn Marie]

Sorry to bother you but are they nice as in...do they help u try it on? Do they charge u to try one on...because iv seen some places charge up to 10! For every wig u try on:/ would it cost more if I wanted a med siz? I really long hair so I want a med size modern cut black one;) lol

Om my gosh, no, they didn't charge extra. I tried on 5-6 at least, and they didn't mind at all. It seemed important to them to get me the right one. She helped comb each one after I put it on, and gave me good advice as to color and length and shape. They have many longer styles, and can also special order from a catalog. It really is a nice shop, Chanelle. It wouldn't hurt to call ahead, like Becky suggested,

but I don't think its necessary. If you want their full attention, I suggest to go early in the day.

Carolyn Marie

[Guest Elizabeth K]

Good advice. I would have wigs when I was dressing - way before my transitioning. but I wasn't wearing them out in public so I never bought expensive ones. I did finally buy a nice wig - and at the time it was $50 (ten or fifteen years ago). I really liked it.

So the amount you spend should be at LEAST that much, I was suggesting.

I can't comment on wigs for full-time because I - whatever reason - have thick and full female-type hair - like that of a 35 or 40 year old woman. Genetics I guess, no balding or thinning. kinda rare for someone age 63. And the HRT isn't hurting as my widows peak came back.

BUT - having a good wig showed me what I wanted when my hair grew out. The photos now, and earlier with the wig - are very similar. FUN - lucky I guess.

Lizzy

About a year ago - with my wig on

This year - at a 3D movie!

[Guest AlyTheGreatAngel]

Hahaha thanks everyone I shall call and ask if they have anything on my budget and go in:) Ill tell them I want a black hair one(: lol and LIZZY u look like a total gg:) lol