Thread: What kind of Hairpiece do you wear for Performance?

I saw the listing on the butterfly lady's ebay list(from the ebay watch thread) for a full lace wig and it got me thinking...What type of hair piece do you wear, if you wear one when performing? Does anyone ever wear a full wig? falls? extenions?

I have always worn falls or half wigs for performances. I'm looking into a full wig.

I have had a weave for performance but it's a lot of maintenance for me at least. So I perfer falls or wigs.

Originally Posted by akashablue

I have always worn falls or half wigs for performances. I'm looking into a full wig.

are they easy to secure? What brand do you like?

Back when my hair was short, I wore a 3/4 human hair fall every time I danced. I secured it with a bunch o' bobby pins and a headband to mask the seam where the wig and my hair came together.

Mono or full lace wigs have a natural look,
but cheaper alternatives like a fall or a 3/4 wig for about 30-60$ looks very good on stage too!
I secure my 3/4-s with toupee clips,
they stay on really secure then.

hugs,
Emma

where should I look for a fall? I have been thinking about trying one..

I wear 3/4 falls and long full clip on ponytails. My hair is long, a couple inches past shoulder, but the hairpieces make it longer.

For a 3/4 fall you want to have a good color match to your own hair since the front part of your hair is going to show. I like my Revlon 3/4 falls because they have an open weave cap that lets lots of air in and I can actually pull some of my own hair through the open weave the anchor it more.

Hairpieces come in all kinds of color options--tipped, chunked, streaked, regular which whipped cream!

I like chunked cause it adds some depth of color and blends with my own better--darker color underneath and lighter highlights.

Try Wigs.com - The Wig Experts: to look at some. They have regular sales and give great service.

Souzan

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How do you anchor it? What's the best way to do this?

As I have Sisterlocks, I usually have to wear a full wig for performances. Recently, I was able to find a fall with hair texture that is similar enough to my hair that it works, though.

Makeda

Clip in 14" human hair extensions (dyed to match, because reds are impossible to match off the shelf).

Love 'em love 'em love 'em.

I have a fall from Capistrano Bay Beauty on eBay. It's a clip-in (claw-clip) and I usually put in a few bobby pins. It's worked perfectly so far, and actually matched my red! Very inexpensive, too.

eBay Store - Capistrano Bay Beauty: Clip-On Extensions, Brown Wigs pony tails, Blonde Add-ons Wig

ps, definitely invest in a wire wig brush....regular brushes will fray synthetics

I usually lay my fall out on a pillow and then carefully brush it in 1" sections, starting at the very bottom. The wave that it has always comes back after a careful brushing.

I gave up on full wigs because even if I "blend" the bangs of the curly wig with my own curly bangs the overall result is just too hot! I mean temperature. So I switched to 3/4 wigs, curly and layered and curly clip on half or as full as possible clip on ponytails. I do 2 or 3 little teeny ponytails at crown with my own hair and 1 or 2 at nape and then I don't really need to pin. The only types of clips I don't like are the weird "drawstring" things on some ponytails and the type that has to "snap" into place - just too hard to deal with and PAINFULLY tight.

I should also mention that my own hair is baby fine and permed curly medium shag (almost to shoulders) - but even then I usually like "more" hair. I've tried lots of brands and the hair texture that most closely resembles my hair is "Wig Pro" - synthetic and I'm always a dark auburn #33! Rene of Paris is the next level up in price and sturdy comb construction, but the hair is too thick and doesn't look natural. Most people don't even realize I'm wearing a fall when I wear the Wig Pro so now that's the only brand I buy; the style is a 3/4 softly curled fall called "Anemone" that is almost to my bra strap and blends in perfectly with my bangs. There are lots of color choice in Wig Pro and I've been thinking about some chunky highlights for next one...g.:

I also dance in my "short hair" sometimes but then I need very elaborate long chandelier earrings or a head band with lots of sequins. Depends on venue, costume style, etc.

My natural hair length is to the shoulders.

"Claw" clip-on pony tail is what I'm using now. It was only about $35 (from a kiosk at the mall no less!) and is a good-but-not-perfect match for my hair (which is dark red/auburn).

To secure, I make a bun near the the crown and secure it with two large hair pins. Then I clip the pony tail over the bun, as high as possible. So that the pony tail looks less like I just stuck something to my head, I take a small amount of hair from both sides of the top of the pony and secure those to my hair just in front of where the pony meets my head. I use two small hair pins to hold those little sections of pony hair in place. I also usually secure some of the underneath pony hair (the hair closest to the claw which can't be seen)and put a couple of pins through into my bun. Although I can't do head whips and stuff like that, the whole thing is very secure and looks quite natural.

I also second the recommendation to use a headband, etc. This is especially necessary for outdoor or brightly-lit venues where even the slightest color difference in hair/hairpiece can be more obvious. Somehow, putting a band of color between the two hairs makes it less noticeable. That said, if the colors are really off, nothing's gonna help!

I've been thinking about a wig for a long time. I just don't want it to look like a wig, ya know?

Deborah

I do the claw-clip ponytail thing, too. My hair is long enough that I can pull it into a half-ponytail (i.e. leaving some of it to hang) and then clip the ponytail onto my own ponytail.

Here's the effect (note: the colour used to match my hair better, until my hair got sunbleached and then I tried to colour it back to match the fall, without perfect success):

Im thinking about either a wig or a fall. I wanna wear a totally different hairstyle when I perform. I like my hair and its starting to finally get long, but its just not full enough.
I had bonded extensions for a while, but they are soo expensive!

when I attach my clip on I usually create a relatively high pontytail and then braid it. I secure the braid the the back of my head with bobby pins, and lift it a little before I attach it to make sure there's room for the clip to fit in. After I clip the ponytail in (top of the clip hits the top of the 'tail), I pin around on the underside of the hairpiece to my real hair

I usually wear extensions braided into my hair. If I do not have braids in then I will wear a pony. I don't like the clip or drawstring, just to afraid it will fly off. I will by a weft of weaving hair, place my hair in a tight ponytail and wrap the weft tightly around the pony securing it with hair pins. Very secure that way.

I've tried the 3/4 and extensions, but I keep coming back to the jawclip pony. It's just so EASY, not hot, etc.

Oh, since this thread popped back up, let me update.

I've started using a one-piece extension (the Jessica Simpson Hairdo one) and I really like it. It was too big for my head, so I snipped off the bottom piece (per Suzana, who taught me how!) and I attach that under my crown to help with blending & coverage.

I love it! So much easier & more secure than multi-part extensions for me.

Originally Posted by Lauren_

I've tried the 3/4 and extensions, but I keep coming back to the jawclip pony. It's just so EASY, not hot, etc.

Me too. As my hair keeps getting grayer, I go lighter & lighter blonde. Now I have those jaw pony tails in various shades of medium to extra light blonde!

subscribed- I have fairly short hair- at some point I'd like to have long hair for performances....

would be interested to see what people are using now- I need to research this some more.

For a 3/4 fall you want to have a good color match to your own hair since the front part of your hair is going to show. I like my Revlon 3/4 falls because they have an open weave cap that lets lots of air in and I can actually pull some of my own hair through the open weave the anchor it more.




I like this idea, but couldn't see any pics of the inside of the hairpiece on the wig.com site. Anyone else use this technique? I'm just looking for a decent synthetic 3/4 hair piece long fall. I'd love to be able to pull some strands of my own hair through.

Originally Posted by Bahtya

For a 3/4 fall you want to have a good color match to your own hair since the front part of your hair is going to show. I like my Revlon 3/4 falls because they have an open weave cap that lets lots of air in and I can actually pull some of my own hair through the open weave the anchor it more.




I like this idea, but couldn't see any pics of the inside of the hairpiece on the wig.com site. Anyone else use this technique? I'm just looking for a decent synthetic 3/4 hair piece long fall. I'd love to be able to pull some strands of my own hair through.

I tried to get into this technique, but it's far too high maintenance for me! The whole joy of wearing a wig is that you just put it on and you're done! Also, it doesn't matter how sweaty and hot your real hair is, it's underneath the wig, and *it doesn't show*!

I usually wear a 3/4 fall hairpiece, and I'm lucky that my hair is a nice generic Dark Brown colour and is usually very easy to match.

I love my hairpieces -- I have a few clip on ponytails (the best one has a flat clip, it looks better than the giant 'bump' you get with a claw) but if I want to wear my hair down I LOVE my Jessica Simpson "bump up the volume" fall. Oh and sometimes I'll use clip-in bangs with either of these!

My advice:
* go to a shop where they let you try on sample wigs, they'll have ideas for securing them and for styling too.

* if you're buying a ponytail or a partial and you can't get an exact match, go with the darker one, it'll match better under stage lights.

* use flower pins or headbands to camoflauge the 'join' if the match isn't perfect. I'm a brunette and with one ponytail I add a few brown/sparkly bronze flower and feather pins around the base of the ponytail, as this matches with all the costumes on a given night.

* if the fake hair's too shiny, spray on a salt texturizing spray to take the edge off.

* to keep the fake hair cleaner for longer, use perfume and hairspray before putting on the fake hair.

Finally, don't be afraid to SPEND MONEY. Quality wigs are pricey, but with proper care they'll last longer than several cheapo wigs. Thinking in terms of 'cost-per-wear' helps justify the expense

Originally Posted by autumndusk

How do you anchor it? What's the best way to do this?

IMO the best+most secure+most non damaging to the natural hair is toupé clips that are silicone lined(good non slip grip)
They can also be called "comb clips"and I use them for every "glam hair"-related deco like flowers,headbands,tiaras,feather pieces etc.
Attached a pic of a head band+bracelet made in 5min for a hafla dance.
Base is a plastic headband(covered with velvet)with an applique added w. hot glue.It´s not the most flattering but you get the idea.The applique were large and "floppy"so I glued on 2 toupé clips to have it secured in hair(when I danced paying gigs I didn´t wore my own short hair)
The sitting pic shows two ponytails secured over the small "rat tails" gathered from my short bob(socially,in a Lebanons hot/humid climate to keep hair off neck,not for dance-do not wish to look "girly"when I dance)
Originally it came with a small wire comb and snap to close the "roll" but I sewed my trusty toupe clips all around inner edgeThis is now discontinued but similar style(heat friendly):Jessica Simpson Ponytail - Hairdo Pony
Third pic shows a "Freely"(also called "Supreme")Revlon wig in 4/6 from behind,worn as a fall by leaving hair around face out.

I love wigs and hair pieces!

Originally Posted by ssipes

Clip in 14" human hair extensions (dyed to match, because reds are impossible to match off the shelf).

Love 'em love 'em love 'em.

Originally Posted by najla86

I have a fall from Capistrano Bay Beauty on eBay. It's a clip-in (claw-clip) and I usually put in a few bobby pins. It's worked perfectly so far, and actually matched my red!

When I have worn my hair in red it has been so frustrating to find a match that I even resorted to dying my hair after my extra hair...sorry for the messy hair,root grow(my natural hair is cendre w. 30% grey)and "no makeup&raki"-face;pic shows a "Jasmine" wig in #130 Fox Red worn as a fall.
Jasmine, Synthetic Fashion Wig by Sepia - WOW WIGs.com

Originally Posted by beafarhana

I tried to get into this technique, but it's far too high maintenance for me! The whole joy of wearing a wig is that you just put it on and you're done! Also, it doesn't matter how sweaty and hot your real hair is, it's underneath the wig, and *it doesn't show*!

Very much agree with this,the whole idea of performance glam hair is to just be able to "plop it on"and look fab. For this reason I seldom recommend systems that are pull through integrations,clip ons in several pieces etc becuase they require a lot of work(+needs to be chosen carefully depending on how much energy wearer wants to dedicate) to make them look believable.

One of my best buys that I wore for years,even in daylight was a mono top piece that allowed me to have a "scalp"parting(a glued in piece of off white silk)Mono Silk Top Demi HH Wig 267H by Look Of Love
Most dancer do not need to invest in a unit like this;because of only needing it for a few moments a year(at the time my "flowing locks" paid themselves after a few gigs. )

Originally Posted by Basha

subscribed- I have fairly short hair- at some point I'd like to have long hair for performances....

would be interested to see what people are using now- I need to research this some more.

Basha,I went through my "stash"now,and one that I think is a great value is "NIKI"from Sepia.
Sepia Niki Synthetic Wig • Sepia

It´s a synthetic 3/4-fall that is bone straight,it sits flat and doesn´t add height on top of head or volume along sides(they have tousled it in the pic I link to)
It gets thinner gradually in the ends like a bio hair grown out!To me its the most natural of all the low price falls I had...also very affordable(check prices online,link doesn´t show the cheapest place)
Attachment is 2 comb and 2 toupé clips on ear tabs,doesn´t really need more security(if not for khaleegy)

Hope this helps!:-)