WITH celebrities like Lady Gaga showing off three different hairstyles in three days, and Katy Perry and Rihanna experimenting with bold and bright colours, wigs are definitely the accessory du jour. It started off as a necessity (for those suffering from hair loss or the after effects of chemotherapy) but has made its way into the world of fashion as an easy alternative to ironing, curling, colouring and invariably damaging your own hair. The options are aplenty, in different cuts, lengths, colours and materials (think human hair and the more superior Japanese synthetic fibre), and here’s how you can break it down:
Colour: Not all colours look good on everyone. Though Hollywood celebrities are rocking bold and multicoloured wigs and extensions, others opt for subtle shades. “People settle for wine, burgundy and brown. These colours complement the Indian skin tone. But there are many who are also going for the dip-dyed look,” says Krishna Mukhi, assistant fashion editor at Harper’s Bazaar.
Texture: Straight hair is also out of the picture, with wavy tresses calling the shots, even on wigs. Well-known hair stylists, Jawed Habib and Sandhya Shankar, say that the trend right now is semi curls, because they are easy to style and are low-maintenance.
Length: When it comes to changing the length of your hair, it does not get easier than a wig.
Transform from chin-length bob to long straight locks instantly. Celebrity hairstylist, Menaka Ramkumar says, “Indian women prefer long hair. But we usually prefer short hairstyles for parties.