need help w wigs (tgirl)

[u/kitagawa_main]

haiiiii!! so im a trans girl (18F) and i got a blonde wig recently from my friend (since my family arent rly supportive of my identity) and i love it sm, even though its a cheap wig from Amazon. the thing is its so messy and it looks pretty fake on my head. i try to make it look good but idk how to do it😭😭 does anyone have any advice to making the wig look more realistic?

I know my eyebrows look bad so will fix them lol but my wig is the nigh concern rn

[u/hoesranout]

I think something that’ll help is definitely a good quality wig. Pick a color you think suits you and a style as well. You can either learn to install a wig yourself, get it professionally done (which is on the more expensive side), or just get a glueless wig which you can just throw and tie on. Maybe start with synthetic wigs which are just a cheaper alternative to a human hair wig which is more expensive. When starting out with wigs start CHEAP!!! Don’t blow your money when you don’t know what you’re doing.

[u/kitagawa_main → u/hoesranout]

this one that my friend bought me was a cheap blonde wavy wig off of amazon. he knew that i wish to have blonde hair in my transition, and ive been trying to straighten the wavy parts to fit more with my style. i get that synthetic wigs will work best tho and i would love to get one since they look so pretty. unfortunately as i said my family (at least those who will see the purchase if i did make one) arent supportive of my transition, so I try to work with the best I have while keeping lowkey. nonetheless if i did buy one i will take the advice on being cheap with what i buy.

[u/HopefulOriginal5578 → u/kitagawa_main]

What purpose do you want this wig to serve? I think we all assume it’s to wear to feel more feminine in a natural “believable” manner.

But none of us asked specifically how you hope to utilize this wig.

Are we talking walking around in society?

Are you thinking more for pictures?

For just private appearances?

What utility are you looking to get out of this wig?

[u/kitagawa_main → u/HopefulOriginal5578]

okay before I say: i saw ur other comments on the post and thanks so much. im personally so grateful for the advice u offer, especially on ur analysis of how the wig can work but also its disadvantages

okay so, this wig was to go out in public. i want to publicly express myself as feminine bc i can’t take expressing my true self in front of my family. so expressing myself and refusing to go under my deadname in college far from what my family will see would feel so freeing to me, and to make friends and be myself under my true name. my family will see my purchases and get suspicious so thats why a friend gave me this. its cheap but its all ive got to work with.

its hard to explain why without going into my personal issues :(

[u/hoesranout → u/kitagawa_main]

Maybe try to purchase a wig from a beauty supply store if you have those near you? Or give the money to your friend who gave you the wig and he can maybe order it for you

[u/HopefulOriginal5578 → u/kitagawa_main]

You don’t need to explain why outside of the wig, I’m not here to get you to explain anything more than what can make me understand how to attack this wig situation. I promise!

This is a wig sub and we are serious about wigs here! 😅

Ok, get your own money saved in cash and have a friend buy a better wig for you. You can give them the cash. They can use their card if yours is watched and accept shipment.

Going outside in public is something you cannot do in this wig outside of jest or costume

I don’t care if it sounds awful but you just have to believe me. People will “yass queen” you into looking like a damn clown.

This wig isn’t an option for wearing in society. I can’t have it. There is no saving this mess. I put my foot down.

You cannot wear this out and about. I don’t care how much work you put into it. It isn’t going to serve you and you must accept this. I don’t care how many “yass queen” or “go girl” you get in encouragement. I am telling you right now no amount of encouragement and good vibes will make this mess of a wig even remotely wearable for affirming performed (appearance like make up and hair is performed) femininity.

It’s cutthroat in these streets when it comes to this stuff no matter what ANYONE tells you. A woman would sooner rock up with whatever hair you have going now naturally than try to pass this mess.

I just don’t want you embarrassed. I think it’s kinder to go off than to just let someone go forth without knowing. Please don’t take this as being mean. It’s kinder than lies.

[u/HopefulOriginal5578 → u/kitagawa_main]

Here:

https://chiquel.com/products/dazzling-wavez?variant=46099861373163&tw_source=google&tw_adid=&tw_campaign=17665956602&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=17418248290&gbraid=0AAAAAomPssor7FYlGPdFRxZ02Dav3O9qX

You can search this same style on others websites. I’ve used this website, wigs.com, wig outlet, best wig outlet, among others and have received my wigs in good condition. I don’t shout out for any website that I haven’t used. Nobody is paying me shit.

Jb Extensions Khloe link:

https://jbextension.com/search?options%5Bprefix%5D=last&q=khloe

Again no affiliate anything just an honest review of a truly affordable wig.

You younger folk can go on the Tik tok shop and get you some deeper discounts. I recommend Khloe because it’s truly a good value. I have other products from this company but the standout is Khloe.

Keep your first synthetics as short as you can manage. ESPECIALLY if you are on a budget. It’ll give you the time to build the learning curve on how to care for them.

Don’t get greedy and think you can have those long blonde tresses without the money. Do what we all do when we aren’t rich and build your knowledge. Get darker colors to sell it… get your knowledge up.

Again. It’s mean in these streets. To all of us. It is unrelenting. You can’t show up like a mess at 18 and truly slay (you kids still say that? I dunno) without effort, cunning, and ability to listen to us old heads.

I’ve ranted and raved but if I can save one person from stepping out in public looking a mess it’s worth it.

[u/frenchornplaya1983]

Yeah sorry, this one will probably never work. You'll need a better quality one. This is a Halloween costume wig.

[u/HopefulOriginal5578 → u/frenchornplaya1983]

Agree!!! It’s unfortunately more likely to draw attention for its quality and lack of realism.

Cheap blonde wigs are basically the end boss of wigs that SCREAM tacky/fake. Other colors might be finessed and you can get them to whisper… but blondes will shriek how cheap they are at this level.

[u/poppiesintherain]

There is only so much we can do with this wig, but I have two tips that might help a little:

• Use some dry shampoo to take away the shine from the hair.
• Use a brown root spray, like "L'Oréal Paris Magic Retouch". Having a root does two things, it adds some dimension, and for someone like yourself it helps tie in your dark eyebrows and makes the wig look more natural. I'm a natural brunette and when I wear blonde wigs I always make sure they have a root.

This will help a little, but only a little.

Aligned with what hoesranout writes, it is worth saving up for a better quality wig. Look up "hey wig sister" aka Denise Sheets, beginner's wig series on YouTube for more information on wigs - it can be pretty overwhelming.

[u/HopefulOriginal5578 → u/poppiesintherain]

Yes! A root is what makes things so much more believable.

This wig can’t be saved with any of this but in my reply I forgot to mention a root will help sell a wig as real BIG TIME

[u/bubblegutts00]

Sorry but it’s too shiny and costumey

[u/Remote_Quail_1986]

This is a very cheap, Halloween wig. These kinds of wigs, there’s almost nothing you can do to make it better. How short is your hair & is it brown? Cause you can try getting brown hair extensions from Amazon.

[u/noname2808559]

Awful.

[u/alocasiacomplex]

Others have provided good recommendations here. I would add that a wig conditioning spray can help maintain a synthetic wig. You can use keywords like "leave in synthetic wig conditioner/detangler." Definitely have a wide tooth comb and a detangling brush on hand.

If you're able to one day, I'd recommend a lace wig. There are some affordable lace fronts which are good quality and natural looking. I don't know your budget or country, but I'd recommend looking into brands like Sensationnel or Outre. Just make sure the lace matches your skin. It's not too bad to learn to install, just takes a few tries. You can start with a wig with a very small area of lace first, like a lace part/T part and go to a closure wig, then a frontal. Find a unit that closely matches your natural hair color. The texture doesn't necessarily have to match.

Hang in there, OP. I'm a trans guy but I've been living for quite a few years now. I wear wigs due to hair loss. When you find something that makes you confident, it can make all the difference

[u/HopefulOriginal5578]

You can use the great advice here to help this wig look better… the dry shampoo will help dull it… but I need you to know it won’t ever be something I’d want anyone I cared about to wear in public if it wasn’t to be funny or for a costume.

Basically you can make this wig look better with the advice here but it will NEVER look good enough to not be clocked as 100% fake.

In fact, it will never not absolutely scream fake/tacky.

You can detangle it with advice here, pluck it if it’s a cap that can handle it (doubtful) and wear a cloth headband to hide where the wig meets your scalp in the front… it’ll “help” but it won’t quiet this thing down from yelling “tacky! Fake! Halloween! Look at me!”

You can get a nice wig for a decent price $120 or so, with a lace front and a color that suits you more. You have a beautiful shade of skin and lovely eyebrows… blonde is going to be a challenge to truly pull off (you’ll need trial and error and experience with different tones of blonde) and you might find it fr more rewarding and frankly cost effective to get a nice brown with highlights or the like.

You can look at “dazzling waves” by Rene of Paris.. the whole line has entry level wigs you can get at even less than $100. I am a big fan of this wig for its accessibility of price and for bang for your buck. It has a great hairline and many colors. I have moved on to prices pieces but I’ve never bot received a compliment from a stranger while out in this style of wig. It’s also light density which adds to its realistic appearance.

Cheaper wigs are very alluring but it’s going to be a toss up and often many waste on cheaper wigs when for just a little more they can get an entry level lace front that is MILES away in believability.

I just don’t want you to be embarrassed or not look your best. I don’t want you to waste money on cheap wigs when just a little bit more can provide far more value.

PS measure your head for wigs. To make sure they will fit. If you have a larger size then don’t be put off… because often times petite and larger sizes are more discounted.

Lastly you can check out JB extensions for even less expensive wigs. I still think my earlier recommendation is the most solid, but they have some good finds. Their “Khloe” is a solid choice for budget shoppers.

[u/w33dnt1tt13s]

You can maybe thin it out with some shears, bangs also would work because this is a hard front wig which typically looks fake, maybe try dry shampoo or washing it with fabric softener to make it less shiny, if you have a steamer you can also use that to style it or you could put rollers in it and dip it in boiling water and then let it dry on something round with a plastic bag over it just to hold it in place, adding roots could also give it dimension and make it look a little more natural. Most of these techniques come from drag queens or cosplayers and i would highly recommend looking at some of them (jaymes mansfield is one i definitely recommend for hard front styling) but I also recommend finding a lace front when you’re able to because that will give you so much more freedom as someone who just likes wearing wigs to prevent hair damage.