Daily Trust

The human hair gives a stylist the opportunit­y to be versatile and creative when styling the hair but with synthetic hair, one does not get the luxury of versatilit­y

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The 20th Century saw wigs leave the fashion scene as many began flaunting natural hair but just like everything relating to fashion, it continues to revolve, and return with a bang.

Wigs are now trending in different styles and texture, with the women folk basking in the euphoria of the once forgotten fashion trend that ruled the world in the early 60s till the late 90s.

Funmike Bello, an undergradu­ate of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), told Home Front that wigs are cheaper, considerin­g the money and time saved by not visiting the hairdresse­rs.

“This one I have on is N15,000, which I consider cheap and durable. That way I save more money, and it lasts longer.

“I made my braids wig for N30,000 and it lasted for three months, if it was braided on my natural hair, I wouldn’t even dare keep it for one month due to heat and itching,” she said.

Speaking on the downside of wigs, Bello said, “It can be very uncomforta­ble if not done by a profession­al hairstylis­t. Some wigs tend to be too tight or loose.”

On the benefit derived from using wigs often, Bello said, “It really helps because I can weave my natural hair underneath the wig, pour water on my head when bathing and apply my cream. At least my natural hair can breathe.”

For those who think wigs are expensive, she advised that the old weave-on or attachment can be used to make a wig.

“It depends on what you want and what you are looking for because you could actually re-use your old weave-on as a wig,” she added.

Florence Yakula, a resident of Abuja, is also of the opinion that wigs are affordable.

She said: “I don’t think wigs are expensive. Rather they help save money and time. My braided wig costs N40,000, while the human hair wig cost N200,000, this may sound expensive but it is not.”

Considerin­g the freedom that comes with wig, Yakula said, “You will agree it is cheap. The cost of going to saloon to fix your hair every time you want to wear a particular style is much higher.”

Commenting on the gains of having a wig on, Yakula said, “It is perfect, it helps my natural hair so well, and prevents it from thinning and breaking.”

Femi, a hair stylist in Abuja, told Home Front that demand for wigs has been on the rise over the last six months. Many customers now prefer wigs to fixing or braiding their hair, the demand is very high,” he said.

Femi said the braided wig is in high demand, and that it goes for at least N30,000.

“More ladies are going for braided wigs, which cost N30,000 to make, though the hair wigs are also in demand,” he added.

The stylist felt that the prices placed on the wigs are justified considerin­g the quality of raw materials and time that go into making them.

Speaking on human hair wigs, Femi said, “There are two types of wigs, human hair and synthetic hair.

“The human hair gives a stylist the opportunit­y to be versatile and creative when styling the hair but with synthetic hair, one does not get the luxury of versatilit­y. The synthetic wigs are, however less expensive and easy to manage.”

Home Front gathered that there are medical wigs for treating hair loss resulting from health conditions.

Now, people suffering from hair loss due to chemothera­py and radiation can grow their hair using medical wigs.

Wigs have been a popular fashion accessory of sorts for decades.

With increased technology, stylish, fashionabl­e, savvy and more comfortabl­e, wigs are produced.

Unlike the uncomforta­ble, heavy, helmet-like wigs worn in the past, lightweigh­t, comfortabl­e, elegant and easy to care for wigs are now available in different shapes and shades.

Fun lovers are not left out, as many wigs are used to create aesthetics during parties.

They are used at events like Halloween festivals and children’s events where the crowns wear them as costume wigs.

Two major items are necessary for wig constructi­on, Gold, a wig dealer residing in Abuja, said.

“The cap and the hair are basic for wig constructi­on.

The most basic type of wig is the standard weaved cap which is made with a sewing machine. And because it is made with a machine, it is the

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