how its made (wigs)

how to make wigs

How its made-wig [documentary]youtube videos. published 10 july 2008. available from: https://youtu.be/dv5wXwuApK4

Wigs consist of two main parts: the foundation and the hair.

The Foundation

The foundation of a wig is the base to which the hair is attached (knotted or sewn in). It also creates the shape of the head and is used to attach the wig to the wearer’s head. These are the main types of material used to make wig foundations, thy can be used on together or alone 

Hair Lace

• A fine material that comes in different thicknesses and skin colours. It has a small holes onto which hair is knotted or hand tied

• Hair lace is used for a more natural looking, especially on the front hairline, as there isn’t a hard edge. The front lace goes onto the wearer’s forehead and should blend into the skin and not be noticeable.

• Wigs made completely with a hair lace foundation is called a hair lace wig (this is the most expensive). A wig that has no lace at the front and is made with a solid edge is known as a hard-front wig

Mono-Filament

A mono-filament element in a wig

• Mono-filament is a very fine transparent mesh fabric that has individual hairs (human or synthetic) hand tied into the mesh.

• Mono-filament material can be used to make a whole wig, or used in key areas where the hair’s movement is more noticeable e.g. the top of the head – crown, parting, front. This is known as a mono top and is cheaper to use.

• Wigs with mono-filament are generally more natural looking than wefted wigs, as the filament is fine and translucent enough to not show. The hair also appears to be growing out of the scalp and the hair can be combed in any direction.

Wefted Foundation

Machine-made wefted foundation

• Made from rows of wefts (synthetic or human hair) that have been machine-sewn together into a basic cap.

• The wefts of hair are sewn onto thin cotton or lace ribbons – these are then sewn together to form the wig shape. The ribbons are flexible and ca stretch, allowing them to fit the wearer’s head.

• It’s a very common foundation type, and is lightweight and breathable (because of the spaces between the wefts). These wigs are known as hard-fronted.

A hard-fronted wig with adjustable band to the nape, allowing for a snug fit, and tape tabs at the side. Hair used could be synthetic or real.

Other Foundation Materials

Foundations can also be made from a thick mesh fabric.

Other Features of a Wig Foundation

• Wigs usually have an adjustable strap and hooks or Velcro at the nape, which is used to fine-tune fitting at the back of the head.

• Wigs may have tiny toupee or wig clips in them, to slide into a small section of the wearer’s hair for extra security.

Sutton, Alfred M. Boardwork or The Art of Wigmaking, etc. R. Hovenden & Sons, Ltd., 1921.

Read more: http://www.madehow.com/Volume-3/Wig.html#ixzz3t7JD0mm2

H&MUA team, 2012. Wigs: how thy are made: [24 November 2012]. Available from: http://hair-and-makeup-artist.com/wigs-how-they-are-made/