The Wig Vocabulary

When you enter the world of wigs or toupees/toppers, you are faced with a multitude of new words and characteristics ; here you will find some definitions that may be of help to you .

In the future we will prepare other articles that will clarify many of these terms.

MANY ALTERNATIVES:

Microline / Thickener: A term used for a wig or topper that gives you the ability to pull your own hair out through the base, integrating it with the hair in the thickening system.

Topper or Toupet: It covers only the upper part of the head and has different sizes, depending on the level of baldness that you are experiencing. It is fixed to healthy and thick hair with pressure clips (specific clips), so it is important to carefully evaluate your type of hair loss.

1/2 wig: A partial wig or toupee/topper that covers half of the head

3/4 wig: A partial wig or toupee/topper that covers 3/4 of the head

Wig: It covers the entire head and can have many features, depending on the needs. To learn more, read the section “Construction”.

WIG FEATURES :

Machine Made: The wig structure is machine made, which allows good ventilation even in the hottest months and significantly reduces its price. The top can be opened or closed with a breathable material.

Lace Front or Tulle Cinema: This is the front part of a wig or topper, where the hair is hand-tied onto a tulle base, giving the illusion that the hair is growing directly from your head. This is a very delicate part of the wig, so be careful not to pull it too much or scratch it, to avoid it taking strange folds or getting ruined/ripped.

Monofilament Vortex: Section in the middle of the wig with a shape resembling a half moon, made up of a small section of monofilament. 

Monofilament Parting: Section of the wig where you can see the parting with a “cute effect”. The majority of wigs that fall into this category have a parting on the left but in some cases you can also find a parting in the center or a parting on the left. 

Monofilament: Monofilament is made of a fabric with very small meshes on which the hair is knotted one by one or two at a time and is found on the upper part of the head, where the parting is normally made. It is a technique that gives the wig a natural look.  and allows you to make a parting where you want, giving the illusion that the hair is growing right from your head. The material is almost invisible to the naked eye and highly breathable. All these features are the result of highly specialized and long manual work, which is also reflected in the price of this type of product.

Double Monofilament: A layer of silk-like material is added under the monofilament, a feature that gives the wig or topper extra comfort, especially when in contact with “bare” skin.

100% Handmade: This refers to a wig that is entirely handmade, from the monofilament top to the rest of the cap. This type of wig is the most comfortable because it is elastic and can be stretched in 4 different directions. It can take a person up to 40 hours to create such a wig.

Elastic Size Adjustment: Elastic bands located at the nape of the neck that serve to adjust the circumference of the wig according to the wearer's head. 

Sideburns (Ear tabs): The part of the wig that is in front of the ears near the temple, a sort of “tab” that inside may have a small wire that can be bent to make it fit perfectly to the head. It can have an open construction (ideal for those who wear glasses) or it can be covered in a breathable material, a velvet-like material or polyurethane; this depends on the model you choose. 

Polyurethane (PU): A thermoplastic polymer used as a base for wigs, toppers, and prosthetics that can be held in place with tape or glue.

Pressure Sensitive Clips (toupee clips, extensions, etc.): Coated metal clips used to attach toupees, wigs, and even extensions to existing, healthy hair. They can cause traction, so care must be taken to assess the condition of your hair properly.

Wig Density: A measure of the closeness of the fibers applied to the wig or toupee, or how many hairs are in one square inch.

Knots: Technique used to secure hair to the cap, monofilament and lace front (or tulle). 

Color Code: International classification of colors, composed of a set of numbers and letters and to which can be coupled a name that explains the color to non-experts. We at WigLove have tried to help you identify colors through cards, labels and specifying the name of the color you see in the photos of the products.

HAIR TYPE:

Natural Hair or Real Hair: These are generic terms to indicate hair collected from donations. They can have different origins and characteristics. 

Remy Human Hair: Hair collected from donations with the care of maintaining the alignment of the root-tip direction for all the hairs so as to avoid knots due to friction between cuticles that go in opposite directions. This process is more expensive but results in a better overall appearance of the hair and in a higher quality.

Non-Remy Natural Hair: Hair collected from multiple donations and for which root-tip alignment cannot be guaranteed. The *hair cuticles are partially removed to prevent tangles due to hair inversion.

Virgin Hair: Real hair that has never been bleached or subjected to any chemical process.

Synthetic Fiber: A synthetic fiber composed of a nylon base that is used in the creation of wigs, toppers and extensions. It is a cheaper and more practical alternative to real hair, since it reduces washing times and maintains the style regardless of climatic conditions.

Kanekalon (fiber): A synthetic fiber made from a petroleum base used in the creation of wigs, toppers, etc.

Heat Resistant Synthetic Fiber: A second generation synthetic fiber that can be styled with moderate heat. These fibers are generally less shiny than traditional synthetics but also have a shorter lifespan. 

* Cuticles: They are the outermost layer of the hair and have the function of protecting the underlying layers. When they are in good condition they are smooth and flat and translucent giving shine to the hair, when the hair is compromised they take the form of "scales".