Should I buy a wig or dye my hair?

I have done both. The nice thing about a wig is that you can always put on a different one. The nice thing about dyeing one’s hair is that it doesn’t itch or make your head hot. If you can find a wig shop near you I suggest you go and try some wigs on to see how you look in them and to get a feeling as to what styles and brands you prefer.

But then make a note of which ones you liked and shop online at WowWigs – their prices are excellent and they ship quickly.

OTOH, why not try streaking your hair or going radically different (I tend to dye mine red or red blond streaks)?

PS If you are taking PE forget the wig on those days. It will make you sweat and may go all crooked, making it very obvious that it is a wig.

I would go with dying your hair. You never know what’s going to happen in highschool, and your wig falling off is not a good thing.

You could also check out extensions.

Thanks. But if I did decide to do streaks or extensions how much do they range in price? If I streaked my hair how long does it usually last and is there a way to do without so many chemicals but yet will stay in long? And the extensions, what kind of styles can you achieve with them that you can’t without? I have medium hair and am looking for longer so extensions might be an option if the price is right.

I say dye it (No, I didn’t say diet. I said dye it. You look fine. Really.)
I don’t like women who wear wigs because a wig makes your head smell like a foot.

Prices will vary depending on who you go to. One relative of mine is getting extensions and spent $200 just for the hair. However, you can get extensions for much less than that. With extensions you can get length, you can get a completely different hair texture such as curly if your hair is straight, or straight if your hair is curly, and you can play with color, using hair of different colors. You would have to check around locally to see what the price is on both the hair that you like and the process.

As to how long extensions last, that depends a bit on how they are done and how much they vary from your own hair. I would say from past experience a month for sure, but I have known folks to stretch that to several months.

As to streaking, it generally involves bleaching the hair in stripes. You can do it at home but it would be easier to have someone help you with it or to go to a salon. Depending on how many streaks I would guess it would cost $40 to $80 (at least in my part of the world). If it is done well it last fairly long (3 to 6 months) in that you don’t get the abrupt change at the roots. Then you would just need a touch up.

@AstroChuck – Obviously, your wig-wearing friends aren’t washing their heads or their wigs often enough.

Thank you yet again. Although I have yet another question about the streaks. Which looks better on a light brunette, red or blond streaks? Or what about dark dark brown? Would it be noticeable? I kind of want something elegant and striking. Something that stands out.

For your last question, red would be better. You could even go for something more radical, like pink. I’ve done that.

I would love to do pink, but my school has a conformist dress code policy. So red, dark brown, black, and blond are really only my options.

Why not go to a wig store and look at some of their options (or go online). You can search out wigs in your hir color but with the various streaks and hold them up to your face to see which strikes you as the best.

What I prefer is many small streaks, some lighter and some darker, but that is just what I like.

Have fun with it. It’s only hair and it will grow back.

Ah, then red is a good bet. For light brunette, an auburn is beautiful.

I’ve tried wigs when I had hair half an inch long (been there, done that, long story) and they ended up feeling uncomfortable and looking fake. Granted, mine wasn’t an expensive nice wig, but I ended up just looking like a man for over a year.

Thanks,but I think I’ll go with the streak suggestions, ctferrarajr brought up a very good point about high school. But thanks for the wig information anyways its was very insightful. I think I am going to have great fun with streaks, now that I have all this wonderful information.

samanthabarnum, I feel your pain, except mine wasn’t as short but it was drastic compared to my old hair. The day after I did it, I went to school and everyone said they hated it and they just said it right up to my face, so I understand the hair dilemma completely. And I think auburn is a great color, I can’t wait to try it. Although I have one question before I sign off, when I get streaks can I have them just at the bottom of my hair instead of going from the roots down?

You can have streaks put in any way you want them, as long as you can find a hairdresser who understands what you want. However, if you have streaks going from the roots down, eventually you will only have streaks at the bottom.

Thanks again. I really appreciate everyones feedback.

For heaven sake, don’t wear a wig!! You’re probably what, 14 maybe?! You have no need to be going through that discomfort. If you wan’t a new look, dye your hair, cut it, style it.. do what ever you need to do but don’t wear a wig to high school! Your real hair will look a million times more natural and more you then a wig ever will.

Thanks. But I was just thinking about that more in the terms of convenience. But I’m sticking with streaks now, so don’t worry.

God I’m glad I’m a guy!

Guys can wear wigs, too, you know. Just look at this guy.

And then there is the matter of hair color and. of course, beard color.

And then the whole matter of comb-overs and toupees.

I am so glad I’m a girl.

Also, just to let you know, if you have bangs (side-swept or not), streaks do look good in the bottom layer of them. It brightens up your face. :)

stay away from the wig…

To be honest a wig is kind of corny, no offense or anything.

I would avoid cheap hair salons. They will bleach your highlights and not apply the right color toner. $65 is about the cost of highlights in my area and they last several months. If you keep an eye out for people’s hairstyles you like, you can find out where the good colorists are.

Dye it and go to a good salon. The color lasts much longer than what you do at home, which fades.

@Darwin, but at least I can just get a 10 minute, $10 trim and forget about it for the next two months, without being seen as making a ‘statement’.

@Jayne – And I can skip the whole thing and let my hair grow forever if I want.

You can get streaks without doing the top layer of hair and it looks really cool. They can be seen well, but you don’t have to deal with the root upkeep because the roots can’t be seen. They are called flash lights around here, but I’m not sure if they have another name or not. I have them because I can’t afford the constant upkeep of roots.

Don’t get a wig. High school children are cruel.

Yea they can be, but I want to stay optimistic even if I don’t get a wig. And I’m hoping I can change my community and influence others to do better. Work with me here.

Good luck with all of that.

Thanks. I’ll try my best.

If you want lighter parts it is called highlights. If you want darker parts it is called lowlights. Make sure you get them done in foils. Please don’t ask for “streaks”, as you will end up with stripes and look like a skunk. Good hi/lows don’t show in stripes. That’s tacky and cheesy. Ask for blended. You will still see different tones, but they will look much more natural than zebra stripes.
good
bad

Except some people like the look of zebra stripes.

And some people like to wear spandex. Yuck.

Often, it is the same people. But not always.

Very true :)