new thread
I know the question of whether it's possible to hide long hair under a short wig has come up on this forum a few times in the past, and it was almost always discouraged. So I've decided to defy conventional wisdom and demonstrate that it is in fact perfectly possible to make your hair temporarily short by means of a wig (although any shorter than this wig would be difficult). I didn't even have to do anything fancy to my hair to keep it from being visible; I just put on a wig cap and then the wig. If your hair is really long (waist length or more), here's a good tutorial for how to hide it under a short wig: http://nerdykitsune.tumblr.com/post/27967133608/tutorial-how-to-hide-long-hair-under-a-wig-cap
The most important thing to keep in mind is the quality of the wig. It should be thick and not shiny, so it will look like real hair. Arda Wigs is a good brand that sells short wigs for $30 each (the wig in the photo is made by them).
Something to be aware of for those who have never worn wigs is that the wig cap can be very painful when worn for long periods of time. So wearing a wig every day to work should really be used as a last resort if it's truly the only way you can make yourself employable in your chosen field.
Do this for a week at work. Just come in with short hair for a week, explain to everyone why I got it cut, and then show up the next week with waist length hair again. Just for fun :p
That would be funny! It's great that your workplace would be open to that kind of thing.
Let me put it this way: I'm 59 years old and have had long hair
for 49 years. I flatly refuse at this ripe old age to 1. cut
my hair 2. hide my hair 3. pretend I don't have long hair.
My long hair after all these years is my trademark, I'll proudly
go around wearing my long hair. If someone doesn't like it
they can go jump out the window.
As far as hiding it for work, if they don't want me and my long hair then it is time to find another job. Besides i've worked
at the same job since 1986. I don't anticipate having to look
for another job soon.
And that's great if that's what works for you. I'm not trying to encourage people to hide their hair if they don't have to. I just wanted to let people know this is an option in circumstances which require a person to choose between their hair and being employed.
But the main problem with this is at some point your employer or
fellow employees are going to figure out that you have long hair
and that it may become useless to hide it.
Someday you may be at a local store/resteraunt/doctors office/etc. and run into your boss/co-worker/etc. and they notice how long your hair is. AT which point it will useless to try and hide it under a wig/in your shirt/etc.
Been there, done that. I had a job in the 1970s where they wanted me to cut my hair. I didn't want to, tried hiding it under a wig/inside a shirt/etc. It didn't work. They still insisted I cut my hair so I quit the job rather than cutting my hair. And it was fortunate that I did quit that job,shortly after I got a much better job where I didn't have to cut my hair,
could wear what I wanted for clothes, got paid much better,
and it was a much better job.
My beard definitely breaks "hair can't touch the collar" rules. Do you think I could stuff it under that thing?
Bill
I don't know about you, but I feel like this should be a highlighted post.
I went to a private religious school that had the 'no hair to the collar' rule. If I had known that this was a viable option, I would have used it for two years of high school and would have had significantly longer hair right now.
Then again, it really was only two years, and I really can't get that back.
If this was two years ago (when I started growing out my hair), I would have used this trick and would have my hair down way past my shoulders right now.
It's definitely not sustainable on the long run, but if it's just a year or two of having to pull off this 'appear PC to society' charade for a few hours each day (such as my high school), it may just work out.
I agree, it is a very valuable post.
It's sad that in 2013 we'd still need to worry about such discrimination but in certain circles and job situations it does still exist. I grew my hair long while I was already employed as did another longhair I work with at this company. I'd seriously consider the wig route if I couldn't find work again if I ever lost this job.
I've bought from the link below and have always been a happy customer. Extensive selection of wigs for men in all kinds of styles and lengths. Ships from California.
If you're serious about this, consider the extra cost of using a human hair wig. It looks much more natural (wet or dry) than synthetic, and you can cut it and restyle it any way you need if you're not happy with the way it looks. If you get close to anything hot with a synthetic wig (like leaning towards an open oven door for example), you'll turn it into a frizzy mess. Synthetic also tends to look very unnaturally shiny in certain kinds of lighting.
They also sell a 'wig cap" which you can use to gather up your long hair first before slipping on the wig.
Baron Unlimited wig store
One thing I noticed is their "very long hair" wigs for men are not as long as the long hair wigs for women and also are not as
long as my hair is now. Interesting.
In the early 70s. while a student at university. i took a job as a waiter at the local Marriott hotel. It was good money. I had long hair at the time and was asked to either cut it. or wear a wig. i purchased a good wig and dutifully stuffed my long locks under it. Alkways felt most uncomfortable. but it did the job. then . i realized thay had no r=trouble with waitresses hair none whatsoever. I looked at trhat wig one morning and decided, to retire the thing. I went to work with my hair neatly brushed and looking fabulous. Had my freak flag flying. When asked why, I stated what I had noticed. and waited for the word form on high.... nothing was ever said. Not one blamed word. Seems it was the same thing I heard form my parents in '64 when I wanted to eschew barbers and grow hair like the Beatles. 'Just keep it clean and neat and we have no issue. Easy enough.
Shame about the lack of a fight, though. I was ready...It would have been glorious.
Haha! Yeah, kinda disappointing really. What's the point of being cool and rebellious if nobody cares?!! :)
Damon
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I considered wearing a wig a few years ago while waiting for my real hair to grow out (yeah, I was seriously impatient!). I sometimes wore one for special costume events but I never bothered for everyday life. There are a few points to consider ...
1) Synthetic wigs tend to have an unnatural shine in certain lights. They scream fake! And wigs made from real hair are expensive.
2) Even wigs made from real human hair are obvious unless they have a fringe (US 'bangs') in front. The problem is the hairline above the forehead. Unless concealed by a fringe (like the wig Soren is wearing), the suddenness of hair/no hair hits you like a truck!
even a myopic 5-year-old ain't gonna be fooled by this hairline
3) Don't go swimming or do any physical exertion. Wigs are hot enough already!
4) Wigs don't grow. Wear one for more than a week or so and your friends will start to wonder why your hair always looks EXACTLY the same.
5) Wigs don't move. Real hair adjusts to your facial expressions (grinning, frowning, etc.). The change is subtle but it is noticeable - particularly around the hairline. Wig-spotters (yeah, there are such people - especially those who follow celebrities) will spot the fakeness a mile away!
Good luck though!
Damon
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Regarding my point number 2) ...
You can part it any way you want - it'll still look as fake as a 3 dollar bill!
You can part it any way you want - it'll still look as fake as a 3 dollar bill!
Damon
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I think you overestimate people's level of scrutiny. I've had loads of people compliment me on my "hair" when I was wearing a synthetic wig, even the pure white one I wear only for cosplay. I've also had the reverse happen; if I cosplay a character whose hair is similar to my real hair, then I don't use a wig, but people tend to ask "where did you get that great wig?"
You may be right. But the only wigs I've ever worn were crap synthetic ones off eBay. They were fine for costume nights out but I couldn't imagine wearing them during daylight. The wigs have an obviously artificial shininess that really stands out in daylight.
I guess a better-quality wig would be far more convincing and to avoid my point 2) it would have to have a fringe like the one you're wearing. But I'd still be very self-conscious wearing it during the daytime every day. I'd probably *think* people knew it was fake even if they didn't.
Damon
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For me it's painfully obvious that a person is wearing a wig.
Between the way the hair lays, the way the hair never moves,
and the texture of the hair it always look fake and screams out
wige/hairpeice/etc.
And this includes some women who have sunk alot of money into
these wigs.
Hi Soren,
Thanks for the very informative post! But I think you should never hide your beautiful hair under a wig my friend! And I can tell you I will be keeping my long hair if and when I return to work. I have been growing my hair while I am waiting for a kidney transplant and am on disability. I may not get a transplant for 4 or 5 years. So hopefully I will have some long thick hair which can't be put under a wig! You never know!
But please keep your hair growing and flowing! I love it!
Ted
Very interesting. Personally I think it's a damn good idea.
A lot of women wear wigs every day and it don't seem to bother them.
I can rarely tell if someone is wearing a wig myself. Maybe I just don't care enough to look that close or maybe my eyes are that bad.
Here's a tidbit for you... when I was in the military I had a long wig that I wore on occasion. Yeah, I hated short hair that much.