No need to Wig Out…

Image by Elsie Cake

With Halloween coming up, how can I not talk about one of my favorite costuming pieces ever, the WIG! As you’ve seen before, I’m no stranger to this accessory, and I think they’re the perfect complement to a great Halloween costume.

My first two stops when considering wig pieces are always Fifi Mahoney’s (in New Orleans) and Peacock Blue. While I haven’t shopped with the latter, you can definitely see a great level of quality and creativity in the two places. And remember– events like Halloween, Mardis Gras, Carnivale are high profile events– be sure to get your wig early to beat the rush and potential delays.

Wigs come in two forms typically: full head pieces and half-wigs (also sometimes called falls), and they tend to come in synthetic hair and human hair. Half-wigs, I think, are best when they match your hair color– it’s a great and easy way to give you curly hair, long hair, wavy hair, and more! Full wigs are great for dramatic alterations to your appearance– take your hair from long and blonde to a short black bob without freaking anyone out.

Both synthetic and human hair can and SHOULD be cared for– definitely make sure to follow any care instructions that come with your hair pieces! When in doubt though, you can generally “wash” them with cool water and a mild cleanser and then air dry.

Great hair on Halloween doesn’t have to be limited to a full-on wig or even half-wig. In many cases, if you live in a warmer climate, it can be really hot and uncomfortable to wear! I definitely try to reserve mine for cool weather (or loads of Air Conditioning!). In warmer weather, I find things like synthetic hair falls, fascinators, and fancy hair pieces to be much more lightweight and comfortable, while not sacrificing the “cool” factor.

And if you’re feeling really bold? Combining faux hair with fascinators, barrettes, or other hair bits can help create a fun and fantastic costume!

Fun is not just limited to girls!
The Faux Beau with an aristocratic anarcho-techno air…as the Mad Hatter in 2005.

Extra hints: Many of the wigs I’ve bought from Fifi Mahoney’s have beautiful embellishments on them– hot glued on, actually! For more versatility in wearing them, I’ve found that you can REHEAT hot glue to gently remove the embellishments. I plan on adding mine to barrettes and clips, so that they can be added or subtracted based on my outfit. The downside is that the glue is still VERY difficult to remove– so try and get as much off with your fingers as possible, or gently cut away stray hairs if you can.

Favorite Shops for Head Wares:
♥ Fifi Mahoney
♥ Peacock Blue Design Studios
♥ Exoskeleton Cabaret
♥ Leper Queen
♥ Boring Sidney
♥ Topsy Turvy Design