4c hair and wig tips: I am a stage actress and wear wigs while on stage. Theatrical wigs are made a littttttle bit differently (and secured differently) than average everyday wigs. I welcome and encourage all advice from all wig wearers!!!
I have 4c/b hair and I am working in rep theatre (it means I have multiple performances every week - in this case: 6 days straight of evening performances with one day off per week).
I’m going to put my concerns and questions at the bottom but before that I’ll explain a little bit about my circumstances.
• The costume shop has a wig department with specialists who are building custom wigs for me based on the actual shape of my head based on measurements and a molding they took of my head. I showed up to the molding in 8 flat twists that go all the way back the same way cornrows would (I only know how to flat twist on my own head and it’s faster). This is how I plan to wear my hair under the wigs.
•I’ve worked here before and they are very kind, accommodating, and do not ignore my concerns as a Black woman where hair care is concerned.
•The wigs will be lace front, have the usual side and rear combs, and probably the adjustable bra-strappy things, too.
• U-pins are the typical method of securing a theatrical wig. Glue is almost never used (and I wouldn’t want it anyway).
I plan on wearing a Velcro grip/wig band and a traditional fishnet wig cap.
• 2 of my 4 wigs will be very tall, Marie Antoinette style wigs. I imagine they will be pretty heavy. Wig #3 is lightweight and I’ve already tried it on. Unsure of the 4th wig.
My concern:
Wearing wigs combined with having my hair in a semi-tight style (straight back flat twists) might be kind of hard on my scalp. 6 days/wk for 3 months.
I don’t plan on making these flat twists very tight and prob won’t look very cute and I imagine they will be a lil frizzy from the wigs so my questions are —
Question #1:
I don’t want to wear my hair in the flat twists all day, every day. I don’t have to get into costume until about 7PM. And I’ll be washing my hair at least once a week, maybe twice.
Is there some benefit from taking them down at the end of the night and letting my scalp breathe? Or does creating more manipulation outweigh the benefit?
Question #2:
How do you think I should direct the wig installation to limit damage to my hairline and scalp? Pins only in the top of the wig? Avoid the temples?
• Also, for those who have never worked on stage: there is a wig supervisor assigned to you to assist in securing the wig to your head before the show, during quick costume changes, and then helping you take it off after the show. They also do the styling of the wig before you arrive. Wig maintenance will not be my responsibility