Wigs New Zealand shoppers are exploring today offer fantastic options for creating unique styles with minimal maintenance or disguising hair thinning and loss. As specialists at Custom Hair Company, we understand that navigating the world of wigs can initially seem overwhelming with so many technical terms and options available.
From human hair wigs to versatile hair pieces and practical hair toppers, the terminology can certainly be confusing. When shopping for wigs, you'll encounter terms like "wig cap," "hand-tied," "Remy hair," and "synthetic fibres" that are all crucial elements affecting how your wig will look, feel, and perform.
In this comprehensive guide, we'll explain the essential wig terminology you need to know when purchasing wigs in New Zealand. Whether you're a first-time buyer or looking to expand your collection, understanding these terms will help you make informed decisions about which options best suit your specific needs and preferences.
The foundation of any quality wig is its cap construction. At Custom Hair Company, understanding the different wig cap types helps our New Zealand customers make more informed choices about their hair solutions.
A wig cap is essentially the foundation to which hair is attached, playing a crucial role in comfort, fit, and overall appearance. This base determines how natural your wig feels when worn. Most caps feature some combination of materials like lace, monofilament, silk, polyurethane, or wefted construction.
Each material serves a specific purpose in creating a comfortable, natural-looking wig that stays securely in place.
Lace front wigs feature a sheer lace panel along the front hairline where individual strands are hand-tied, creating an incredibly natural-looking hairline. This allows you to style hair away from your face with confidence.
Lace top wigs refer to the monofilament lace top where all the hairs have been hand tied allowing for multi directional partings.
Monofilament parting means the wig can only be parted in the one strip where the lace is.
Hand-tied caps feature individual hairs meticulously tied to a soft, breathable mesh base across the entire wig cap. This labour-intensive process creates superior movement and a natural flow, making these wigs extraordinarily comfortable but also more expensive.
Wefted caps, alternatively, have rows of machine-sewn hair attached to strips of material in the sides and back section of the wig cap. Although less expensive, they're remarkably durable, provide good airflow, while maintaining structure.
Most quality wigs include adjustable features for a secure fit. Adjustable straps (typically hook closures or velcro) at the nape allow you to tighten or loosen the cap by about an inch either way. Ear tabs are the small pieces that sit just above your ears, often lined with velvet and containing bendable metal stays.
These tabs help position the wig properly, contouring it to your face while ensuring the hair covers the area in front of your ears for a seamless blend.
Understanding these construction elements helps you choose between the various human hair wigs, synthetic options, and specialised hair pieces available in the New Zealand market.
Choosing the right fibre type forms a critical decision when shopping for wigs in New Zealand. At Custom Hair Company, we regularly guide customers through understanding the various options available to them.
Human hair wigs provide an exceptionally natural appearance and movement. These premium options can be styled, coloured, and treated much like your own hair. With proper care, human hair wigs last typically a year with regular wear.
Furthermore, these wigs offer versatility for styling with heat tools. In New Zealand, the Ministry of Health offers subsidies for certain hair loss causes, making quality options more accessible for those with medical hair loss.
Synthetic wigs represent the most budget-friendly option. Made from advanced chemical polymers, these wigs come pre-styled and maintain their shape even after washing. The convenience factor means being able to simply wash, air dry, and wear without styling needs.
Nevertheless, standard synthetic wigs cannot withstand heat styling and typically last 6-9 months with regular wear. For maintenance, synthetic wigs require washing every 30 wears.
Heat-resistant synthetic options offer an excellent middle ground. These specially developed fibres can withstand temperatures up to 135°C, allowing for limited styling adjustmentswith curling irons, straighteners and hairdryers.
Heat-friendly models remain "ready to wear" like standard synthetics yet offer the added benefit of thermal restyling. Their lifespan falls shorter than regular synthetics, which is approximately 6 months with daily wear.
Remy hair represents the highest quality human hair available in New Zealand. The distinction lies in cuticle alignment; all strands run in the same direction from root to tip, minimising tangling and maintaining natural shine.
Virgin hair, meanwhile, refers to completely unprocessed hair that has never been chemically treated. Virgin hair ensures consistency in texture and colour throughout. Above all, premium options like these provide the most natural look, exceptional styling versatility, and the longest lifespan among all wig types.
Finding the perfect style, length and colour for your wig makes all the difference in how natural it looks and feels. At Custom Hair Company, we help our New Zealand clients navigate these crucial elements.
When it comes to wig length, standard wig lengths include
Short styles typically fall just below the jawline, medium lengths reach the collarbone, long styles extend to the chest or waist, and extra-long wigs flow to the hips. Remember that curly or wavy textures will appear shorter than straight styles at the same length measurement.
Face shape significantly influences which style suits you best. Round faces benefit from longer styles with volume, whereas square faces look best with soft layers and wispy fringes.
Many wigs one basic length allowing for the wig to be personalised to your specific requirements. First-time wig wearers often find success choosing lengths and textures similar to their natural hair.
Balayage colours- featuring darker roots blending into lighter ends, create a dimensional, grown-out look, while highlight options incorporate lighter strands throughout for natural-looking finish. Both techniques add depth and realism to your wig.
Wig density refers to how much hair is on the wig cap, expressed as a percentage. Lower density (130%) mimics fine or thin hair, medium density (150%) resembles average thickness, while higher density (180%) creates fuller, more voluminous styles mostly seen in synthetic styles. Denier measures the fineness of the lace, lower denier means thinner, more invisible lace, but requires gentler handling.
Beyond full wigs, at Custom Hair Company, we offer various partial solutions for those needing targeted coverage in the New Zealand market.
Hair toppers (sometimes called wiglets or hair enhancers) attach to existing hair, primarily covering thinning at the crown or part. These versatile hair pieces come in different shapes and sizes, designed to blend seamlessly with your natural hair using clip attachments. Ideal for those experiencing minimal to moderate hair loss, hair toppers provide a lightweight alternative when full coverage isn't necessary.
Butterfly clips securely attach hairpieces to natural hair featuring silicone backing protect your hair from damage while providing a secure hold. Additionally, stretch lace offers flexibility and ensures hairpieces contour naturally to your head shape
Toupees, now called hair systems offer men partial coverage for specific balding areas. Unlike full wigs, these hairpieces provide customised solutions for particular thinning spots.
Men's hair systems can be attached in a range of ways from clipping in and out each day to securing with skin safe adhesive to sleep and shower in for weeks at a time. Attachment method is decided upon each client lifestyle and wearability requirements
Your wig size should be correctly fitted from the start. If you have a cap that is a little too big or too small or if you have unique shaped head, here are some tips to improve the fit of your wig
Several methods keep wigs firmly in place:
Navigating the world of wigs certainly becomes easier with proper knowledge of terminology and options. Throughout this guide, we at Custom Hair Company have aimed to demystify the essential wig concepts for our New Zealand customers.
Above all, understanding cap constructions provides the foundation for comfort and natural appearance, while knowing the differences between human hair and synthetic fibres helps determine longevity and styling versatility.
Similarly, selecting the right style, length, and colour significantly impacts how well your wig suits your unique features and lifestyle needs. Additionally, partial solutions, such as hair toppers and wiglets, offer targeted coverage for those who do not require full wigs.
At Custom Hair Company, we believe informed decisions lead to better outcomes and higher satisfaction. Therefore, whether you're shopping for your first wig or expanding your collection, this knowledge empowers you to ask the right questions and identify quality pieces that meet your specific requirements.
Most importantly, remember that wigs offer more than just coverage, they provide confidence, versatility, and style options to suit every occasion. Our team remains committed to helping Kiwis find perfect hair solutions, regardless of whether you're seeking a dramatic change, addressing hair loss whether from alopecia, cancer or any other causes, or simply wanting a low-maintenance style alternative.
With this guide as your reference, you can now shop for wigs in New Zealand with confidence and clarity. Want personalised advice before you buy? Take advantage of Custom Hair Company’s free video consultations. Schedule yours now and let our specialists help you.
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