The best thing about buying wigs is that it is so convenient and you have access to so many options. But buying wigs online comes with its challenges – how can you tell what kind of wigs to buy or which have the best quality? Where should you even look to see high-quality wigs that suit your style and needs?
We answer these questions and more in this ultimate guide to buying wigs online in 2024.
Steps for Buying Wigs Online in 2024
- Choose the hair type
- Find a fitting cap construction
- Decide the Wig style
- Choose your Hair color, let’s dive into these
1. Choose the hair type
All wigs are made of two broad types of hair – human hair wigs and synthetic. So, the first thing you have to decide before purchasing a wig online is what type of hair you want to buy. Each of these broad types has different variations (or sub-types) within them, with their advantages and disadvantages. We’ll now address each of them. Human hair wigs also known as real hair wigs are the best quality to choose.
Synthetic Wigs
Synthetic wigs are manufactured from scratch, from fibers such as acrylics, polyester, and polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Synthetic wigs usually have a sheen and the type of fiber used will determine the wig’s sheen. Low-quality fiber wigs will have a greater sheen and look even less natural. Kanekalon wigs are currently the best-quality synthetic wigs available.
Synthetic wigs are more affordable than human hair wigs but it is often better to purchase one human hair wig than several synthetic wigs. This is because while you can get numerous styles from one human hair wig, you will need to buy that many numbers of synthetic wigs with various styles. Also, buying three to five wigs because one did not last as long will cost more in the long run than buying one human hair wig that could last for years.
Pros of Synthetic Wigs
- They are affordable and even premium synthetic wigs are less expensive than human hair wigs
- Synthetic wigs generally require less maintenance
- They usually are pre-styled and ready-to-wear
Cons of Synthetic Wigs
- Synthetic wigs do not look as natural as human hair wigs
- They are not as durable as human hair wigs
- There are not many styling options with a single synthetic wig
Human Hair Wigs
These are made from – as the name implies – actual human hair. Since it is 100% natural human hair, it can be styled and treated just like your hair, as often as you choose. When you purchase a human hair wig, the chances are that it is either Asian human hair or European human hair. These are the two main categories of human hair wigs in the market, with Asian hair making 98% and premium European hair being the other 2% of the human hair wig market.
These are mainly obtained from China, India, Mongolia, and Vietnam. China, however, produces a bulk of 90% of the hair for human hair wigs, toppers, and extensions that come from Asia.
There are two major categories of Asian human hair, based on how they are collected. These are –
- Remy ponytails
Usually, these are collected from hair donated by women at temples in India. The hair is then sold by the temple to human hair wig manufacturers. Manufacturers may also buy these ponytails directly from locals who wish to sell their natural hair for profit.
- Floor hair
It takes a longer time to get floor hair as the donor gathers the hair over time from shed hairs left in brushes or on the floor. After the manufacturers buy saved-up floor hair, they sort and process the hair for sale.
- Wigs from European Human Hair:
While these used to be popular in the 1980s-1990s, it has become increasingly scarce to find authentic European hair. This is because the socio-economic status in Europe is better than it was then and many do not have a need to sell their ponytails for profit.
However, there is still a small percentage of premium European hair available. These have a natural shine, direction of movement, and flow because the cuticle is still intact. In addition, European hairs generally have better manufacturing standards and quality control, with more longevity. Because of these, European hair now essentially constitutes luxury human hair wigs.
Pros of Human Hair Wigs
- They are more natural-looking
- It is easier to color and treat them
- They have versatile styling options
Cons of Human Hair Wigs
- They can be really expensive, especially those that are of high quality
2. Find a fitting cap construction
The construction of your wig cap will determine the wig’s comfort and styling options. Let us now look at the different types of wig constructions.
Front Construction
The front construction of a wig cap could be lace or closed.
- Lace:
Lace front cap construction wigs are those with a ventilated piece of lace that creates a hairline with a seamless look across the forehead. The seamless look is due to the following –
- The lace is ventilated with a process where very few hairs – 1 to 3 pieces are knotted all over the lace.
- Hair is directed away from the face with the hairline
- The lace blends with your skin tone because it is translucent
- Closed:
This is the construction used for bangs and fringed wigs, where your hairline is covered.
Top Construction
French, monofilament, and lace are the main types of top construction.
- French:
The French top is a combination of lace and monofilament layers. This method results in a comfortable, soft, and natural-looking wig top. It is, however, more expensive because of the materials and time it takes to create.
- Monofilament:
Also called skin top, this material is thin and smooth so it easily creates the natural look of your scalp. It also allows multiple styling options since they ventilate the hair to the cap’s top.
- Lace:
With lace tops, it is easy to achieve styles with the hair in several directions. Knots that attach the hair to the lace are visible but it offers more volume than other top constructions. This top is also more breathable and lighter than skin or monofilament tops.
Back Construction
The back of a wig could be knotted (tied by hand) or wefted with a machine.
- Knotted/100% Hand-tied:
Every strand of hair is knotted individually by hand and tied to a wig cap. It is breathable and lightweight, thus comfortable for all-day use. Styling and cleaning are also easy in knotted wigs.
- Machine Wefted:
Individual strands of hair are first sewn together on tracks. Then, they are sewn onto the back of a spandex wig cap. The advantage of machine-made wigs is that they are sturdy. However, they are often heavier because more hair is used and the weft makes some styles such as ponytails and buns difficult or even impossible.
3. Decide the wig style
There are various wig styles available, from full-looking to thin ones. It is usually better to get one that amplifies your natural hairstyle. There are certain factors to consider when deciding the wig style to go for, such as –
- Face shape
While this may play an important role in choosing the style of a synthetic wig because they are pre-styled but not so much for human wigs that are highly versatile. For synthetic wigs with limited styling options, be sure to choose the style – fringe, bangs, side parts, etc., that best suits your face.
- Natural hairstyle
Buying a wig that matches your natural hairstyle is the way to go if you’d like to enjoy the versatile stylishness of a wig without letting everyone know you’re wearing a wig at first sight. This means that if your bio hair is naturally full, for example, a full-looking wig will look more fitting on you. But this should not stop you from trying other wig styles. After all, versatility is a major purpose of wigs.
- Length
Whether you should get short, shoulder-length hair or a long, mid-back wig will depend on what you personally like and are comfortable with. The lengths of wigs vary across brands but there are generally three categories –
- short (laying just at your nape)
- medium-length (falling around your shoulders)
- long (as long as mid-back and even longer)
4. Choose your color
Since coloring is not exactly an option with synthetic wigs, ensure that the one you get is in a color you like and that you would not mind having it for as long as you use the wig.
You will not be able to try on various colors since you’re shopping online, so go for colors you already are comfortable with or use inspiration boards such as on Pinterest to see how the desired color matches people with your skin tone.
Color will not be a major challenge with human hair wigs, on the other hand, because they easily take color treatments and can be colored severely.
Other Tips for Buying Wigs in 2024
- Go for quality, not quantity, especially when you can afford high-quality wigs.
- If the store you’re purchasing from allows, measure your head circumference and get a wig with a cap that matches your head size. Otherwise, opt for wigs with adjustable straps or elastic bands.
- Research the available wig brands before making your purchase.
- Take your time to read the product description of any wig you intend to buy. Do not rely only on pictures when buying wigs online.
- Don’t be afraid to try something new, as long as you’re certain it will leave you confident and comfortable.
- Since you’re buying wigs online, ensure you do adequate research on the wig brands and the store you’re shopping from.
Where to buy Wigs Online in 2024
You can proceed to checkout on just any online wig store but that may not be the wisest option. If you’re going to buy wigs online, you should do so at a wig store like Eternal Wigs which is consumer-focused and offers quality wigs that do not necessarily leave you breaking the bank.
Look out for customer reviews, as these give you an idea of their customer satisfaction rate with their delivery, customer support, and product quality.
Wrapping Up
There are several types of wigs available in the online marketplace and so many stores to shop from. The best to choose is real hair wigs also referred to as realistic wigs. But inspecting these wigs before you make payment is just not possible when shopping online.
So, if you want to make a purchase you will not regret, it is important that you put a lot of thought into what you expect from the wig you intend to buy, as well as your budget and other relevant considerations we’ve discussed in this guide. As you use the points discussed, you will find yourself making better wig purchases in 2024 that will serve their purpose and are worth your money.
Quality and stylish wigs are what we’re about here at Eternal Wigs, so if you’re looking for one or a few, check here to take a look at some of our loved wigs that are worth every cent.
