Crossdressers-Haven.com

I finally bought my first wig , trying on a couple of styles made me because my hair is almost gone & I picked one the was faily long( feeling hair on my cheeks tickled) Its a first lady wig so It seem to be of good quality. Do you girls buy ant special products to take care of your wigs ?or do you just use regular stuff that you would on hair( i did for the first time buy the wig kit it had wig spray,shampoo&conditioner) & I quess my next step would be to get a make over to find out what colour of make-up to wear. any suggestiuons girls. Stephenie g

Hello: I don't style the wigs myself.
When they need to be re-styled/washed, I take them back to the wig shop, and the wig doctor (store manager) does it.
I am clutzy and impatient, and feel much better if a professional takes care of the wigs.
This probably wasn't the answer you're looking for, but it is the solution that works best for me.
(And of course going to the wig shop is a good opportunity for "dressing." Also, there's a GAP OUTLET store just a block away from the wig shop, where the staff has generally been supportive and even helpful-- I go there in "drag" most of the time ).
Good luck with your wigs!
Peace-- Kendra Lynn ("hippie cheerleader").

Congrats on getting the wig! I dont have a wig, but I have found that for questions on wig attachment and first time makeovers ,,there are some good videos on youtube! yes just search for crossdress or transgender,, . I would like to see how everything turns out after the makeover, and please post a pic !

I have a shampoo and conditioner that was made for use on real or synthetic hair wigs.

You'll get various responses on what others use, but, since you've already bought some stuff, it should last a long long time. I don't wash my wig very often. Don't wear it very often either.

As for makeup, I'm artistic, so needed no help to choose colors and learn how to apply makeup. To me it just didn't seem that hard to do.

One suggestion is to go to a stand alone MAC store and let them teach you how to apply and what colors you'll need. It could get expensive, though, depending on what you want to end up buying.

Another suggestion is to approach any of the makeup counters in many department stores or malls, and ask for a makeover. Make sure they explain what they are doing, and then remember what was said.

Plus there are video's online, and some good makeup books. Like Making Faces by Kevyn Aucoin

Stephenie G wrote:... Do you girls buy ant special products to take care of your wigs ?or do you just use regular stuff that you would on hair( i did for the first time buy the wig kit it had wig spray,shampoo&conditioner)

The regular shampoo can build up on your wig. If you use regular shampoo just make sure it is mild. Make sure you rinse it well.

For hairspray it is best to use ones for wigs. Some regular ones work but really watch out what is in it. Things like alcohol can damage the synthetic hair fibers. Making them frizzy or worse.

I use both regular shampoo and hairspray in a pump. Many of the areasols usually have the stuff you do not want in them for the wigs..

I wash my wig most times right after wearing it. Sometimes just rinsing in warm water if it was not too long and I did not sweat or use hairspray. I tend to sweat a fair amount and also do not like to leave the hair spray in unless I am wearing it the next day. I roll the wig gently in a towel to get a lot of the water out and then find some place to air dry it. This can be tricky in a hotel especially when wearing it the next day and it needs to be dry. They do make folding travel wig heads. But I have not gotten one of those. In front of the heat/AC fan works good on the end of a chair with a towel over it, but not too close. Make sure the wig is good and dry before putting in a plastic bag for long term storage. Otherwise you will be getting a new one. Sometimes when traveling I do keep in unsealed plastic bag for the travel and take out at the next stop or when home for more dry time.

Wigs are interesting in that it is the old saying, "you get what you pay for."

I have had great success with Paula Young and the synthetic styles. Revlon makes a shampoo specifically for synthetic wigs and I have been using and it works quite well. The wigs that I have when I wash them, I use the synthetic shampoo, in cool water, dry on a "folding head" and once they are dry, just a gentle shake and they are just like new. They can be brushed and styled (to some degree) and there is also a synthetic hair spray too.

Human hair wigs while being more expensive also require the care that any, well most GG's give their own hair and if you are into that - go for it, otherwise, stick with a good synthetic and don't scrimp on the cost it will be worth the extra $$$.

Donna mentioned MAC and I will mention Merle Norman. Call first to see if they work with T-girls if they do set an appointment for a make-over and it is free, but they expect you to by the recommended products so if you go that route, you may pay some big bucks as well, but you have to ask yourself, "What is Stephenie worth!!!!?

Good luck and tell us what you decide and how it goes!

Virginia

I two get my wigs from Paula Young and they sell all the stuff you need to keep you wig looking clean and good looking.