Thread: It fell off while I was performing!

Okay, so after realizing that my hair is not going to grow more than a couple inches past my shoulder, I bought 2 wigs. Yay! That long-haired bellydancer look!

Yes, I practiced putting it on lots.

Yes, I tightened it.

Yes, I wore a wig cap.

Yes, I practiced dancing with it at home.

WHY did it slip back 2" above my forehead within 5 minutes of my show???!??!?!?

Seriously, how embarassing! I spent the whole show trying to sneak a tug (transitioning between rooms, during turns) and keep one or two hands on my head. I feel like an idiot. The staff and owner (who all thought it looked great before the show) reassured me that nobody noticed but COME ON! How did people not see that? I'm dancing right at their tables and face to face with them.

OKAY, what can I do to avoid this in the future because I really like the look (when it's on properly!)

Please be very specific and include illustrations if you can because my hair IQ is very low.

cheers,
Hala

Headband like a tourniquet!

I'm a big wig wearer....what I do is...make sure that I use the combs and adjustable straps(if the wig has them). If the wig is curly, I can get away with using lots of bobby pins where ever it feels loose and strategically place them especially if I'm using a headband---which can help too...sometimes I pin the headband down. If you want to use bobby pins, you can use a mesh wig cap, and that way you won't rip hole in the wig cap. If you use a straight wig, maybe the bobby pins will be more visible, so I sew wig clips into the cap of my wig if it doesn't have any combs...I found a video of this....and I just copied it and it worked so well for me, I was swinging my hair and flipping my hair over during my last gig...that wig did NOT budge....and mind you it was a mid back length, lace front wig...no glue. I'm def. no seamstress, but I followed the instructions in the video and it worked!

Try the headbands, bobby pins, and wig clips....you'll feel much more secure.





Familiarize yourself with your local "ethic" beauty store, b/c I'm sure that they have ALL the supplies that you need to keep your hair pieces secure and looking great, and I'm sure that you're bound to run into someone there who can answer any questions, or help you out more!

Good Luck.

Oh, and I just realized that you asked for specific details...but the lady in the videos that I posted above has literally hundreds of wig tutorials, half wigs, full caps, lace fronts, full lace, and lots of tips. She goes into details, she shows how she pins them down if they're not secure enough, and she tells where she buys the hair and reviews them all. So subscribe to her on youtube and I'm sure you'll get a lot of info!

At least it stayed attached to your head! My dance partner's wig came flying off in a spin and landed across the restaurant on a table!

Originally Posted by MahinS

At least it stayed attached to your head! My dance partner's wig came flying off in a spin and landed across the restaurant on a table!

Oh no! What did she do?

Hala Jamal, you could also try sewing in an elastic band for grip like in these videos:

for me, I don't wear a wig cap, I just bobby pin. I don't know if this is covered in the videos or not, but I lift the hair of the wig out of the way, send the bobby pin in through the wig base, twist it around my own hair until it pulls slightly, then shove it in in whatever angle makes the most sense for that position on my head. I do this near the edges all the way around the wig, then several at other places on the wig, and my wig doesn't go anywhere - even when I do zaar.

I have words of advice-just commiseration. Mine wasn't so bad, as it was just an extra hair piece that I had attached to a pony tail. It was totally my fault for not pinning it in adequately. It stayed on for half the show, then, when I noticed it was falling out, I pulled it out and tossed it off the stage.
From the video, it wasn't too obvious, however, I know that it was slipping for a while and I think that might have been.

It happens.

This is the best way ever... I have never lost an extension! This can be used to secure Full Wigs, Half Wigs, Extensions, Etc.

It's a metal comb/clip


These metal clips comb into your hair and then snap shut for a firm grasp

Sew these metal comb clips to hair piece (front, back and sides) or onto hair piece extensions
Back Comb or Tease your hair where the clips will line up
Big Tip, spray a lot of hair spray on your own hair where the clip lines up with your hair so it grabs firmly, freshly washed hair with a lot of conditioner will slide through clips

you will never flip your wig again!

Yup, the sew in wig clips are the way to go. They sell them at sally's beauty supply.

The only thing I have to add is that my pieces stay best when my natural gives the bobby pins something to grab onto. I usually braid my hair and then wrap it into buns. That way when I stick the bobby pins in around the crown they have something to stick into. I also think slightly dirty, textured hair holds the wig better than clean shiny hair. I agree that a mesh or lace wig cap is better b/c you can stick the bobby pins in and they won't pull out. For reference I use about 15-25 bobby pins to hold a wig in place. 3-4 (each) across the forehead, sides, and back and another 7-10 pushed in all around the crown. For the perimeter pins, I don't stick them right at the edge, I set them in about 1/4 inch back from the edge of the wig and bury them into the hair, through the wig cap and I set them at different angles so they kind of cross hatch into my natural hair underneath. This all makes for a slow removal later!
I've heard great things about the metal wig clips that snap shut but never tried them.

Originally Posted by JoLynn

Yup, the sew in wig clips are the way to go. They sell them at sally's beauty supply.

Do they have online sales? Can you give me the URL please?

Hala, they sell these at Abantu in Vancouver. They have a website and sell online and are only about $2.50 each. I used to use them with my wigs during my "exotic dancer" phase, upside down on a pole and never, ever even had a wig slip. Best thing since sliced bread to borrow a tired cliche.

Originally Posted by venusahara

This is the best way ever... I have never lost an extension! This can be used to secure Full Wigs, Half Wigs, Extensions, Etc.

It's a metal comb/clip


These metal clips comb into your hair and then snap shut for a firm grasp

Sew these metal comb clips to hair piece (front, back and sides) or onto hair piece extensions
Back Comb or Tease your hair where the clips will line up
Big Tip, spray a lot of hair spray on your own hair where the clip lines up with your hair so it grabs firmly, freshly washed hair with a lot of conditioner will slide through clips

you will never flip your wig again!

I second (third?) skipping the wig cap. For me at least, it's more of a hazard than a help because it gets in the way of the pins and adds another layer that can shift, if that makes sense. I sew a few wig clips around the edges, and I've cribbed Shems's twirly pinning method. I'm probably jinxing myself by saying so, but this hair ain't goin' anywhere.

Originally Posted by Birdielee

Familiarize yourself with your local "ethic" beauty store, b/c I'm sure that they have ALL the supplies that you need to keep your hair pieces secure and looking great, and I'm sure that you're bound to run into someone there who can answer any questions, or help you out more!

Good Luck.

Agree!I´ve had the best advice from my african/swedish girlfriends,the snapping comb clips are the *best* way to secure a wig,fall,ponytail or bun.

I have a short pixie now,and spraying it+putting on wig with wig clips allow me to do gulf dances&zaar without any problems.


Once I found 3 lovely wigs with thinned ends(super deal) and had prepared 2 of them with sewn in wire combs and clips...when it was time for a very big gig I naturally grabbed the third by mistake!

On the way there I discovered my mistake,sprayed the **** outa my hair,french braided in 3 rows and bobby pinned...
The band is from Dubai and plays mostly gulf music,I had to do some hair tosses and feel wig coming loose.
Spinned to edge of stage,swiftly removing it and putting it on a little girl innocently standing by(she looked great in it,heh!)

Continuing and finishing the gig,cried on the way home thinking of all the people filming and taking pictures and how I would never get a paying gig again to support my dance addiction

Band called to told me I haven´t collected my tips,and to alert me on two more gigs from same client
Everyone thought I planned it happen


Moral of story:just like costumes,don´t leave false hair(or body enhancements) to luck or chance-be *prepared*

Yes, wig clips (also called "toupe clips") and no wig cap is the way I go as well. I also like to make a thin braid of my own hair or small bun for the clips to sink their teeth into. In my opinion they work far better than combs. Easy to stitch in. I buy mine on Ebay from a variety of sellers.

Emma! What a great story! Thanks for sharing.

Everyone: I'm not depressed anymore thanks to all your support and excellent advice. I'm excited to wear my wig again once I've loaded up my ammunition. Stay tuned for the sequel!

Originally Posted by Ndi-mi

Do they have online sales? Can you give me the URL please?

Here ya go, but I didn't buy mine online, I went to the store, so the ones I bought were not the same brand as the online store carries.

http://www.sallybeauty.com/extension...ml?cgid=Hair16