If time, money and style maintenance weren't factors, what sort of hairstyle would you wear for a special day or evening? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
As a curious doll of a certain age, I always have my eyes and ears opened to what could help make my life easier. And as a former beauty editor the "what" is usually something hair, skincare, or feel-good oriented. Of course, once I find it, I want to tell everyone about it. Hmm, wig rental? You mean, for a fee I could switch do’s and colors in an instant with luxurious human hair wigs like a celebrity? Sign me up!
As an avowed silvery poufy ponytail wearer, I did not necessarily think I was a candidate for a Lil’ Kim-esque pink bob on Thursday or caramelized Yoncé mermaid waves on Saturday. But the idea of having access to as many hair looks as a celebrity for a subscription fee was intriguing. I could experience a high quality, 100% human hair lace front, (costs anywhere from $1200 to over $3,000,) without dipping into the 401K it to determine if it was for me.
The demand for wigs, extensions and weaves among Black consumers has reached a market size of $5 billion according to worldmetrics.com. I had to investigate. There are few businesses advertising this cutting-edge service, although it’s worth asking if your local wig shop or salon does. Be aware that similar services cater to niche clientele who wear wigs for religious reasons, cosplay or theatrical performances. Among our high-fashion options: I spoke with the co-founder of the first national wig rental service, Shante Frazier of Well Capped (wellcapped.com), with locations in Atlanta and Queens, New York as well as e-commerce. I also queried hairstylist Tracey Dennis who rents wigs from her salon, Styles by Tracey Star (stylesbytraceystar.com) and combed through the websites of each business. I wanted to find whether rent-a-unit is really a thing. And what are the benefits specifically for us? Here’s what I found:
Why rent a wig?
Frazier states, “at WellCapped, we are on a mission to empower women to embrace all facets of their unique individuality. To us, that means using your hair to accessorize your mood and personality. You may want to show up to the boardroom in a short bob and then go to dinner with friends in a curly highlighted style.”
She says that her customers are women who are already spending hundreds or thousands of dollars on hair extensions and wigs. “We offer convenience and affordability by allowing members to pay a fraction of the total cost to rent instead. We want women to look and feel their best without breaking the bank.”
Hairstylist Dennis feels that financial reasons or lack of confidence may hold many women back from going for the look of their dreams. Hair rental could be a great opportunity to try a style at an affordable price, and also help you to discover a new dimension of your beauty. Both businesses offer pre-styled units, often customized, so clients have to do nothing but put them on. Although this might not be for everyone, it's definitely an option to not spending a lot and committing.
A few things to keep in mind with rentals: You can purchase the wig if you love it. If you damage the wig or it is lost or stolen, expect to be responsible for the full price of the unit. You also cannot cut, color or chemically change the texture of rented hair.
How does the customer go about choosing a wig?
Well Capped offers a video quiz on the website where customers select their preferences and then are offered a list of recommended styles. Frazier uses the responses from the video quiz to update inventory regularly. At Styles By Tracey Star there is a wide array of wigs in stock. If there is a particular style or texture that a client needs, it can be customized for them. Dennis says It is unbelievable sometimes to see that the more mature clients are so passionate about their haircuts and style, because they are used to their hair being a particular way. “Most of our older clients do a medium to short cut. Very few ask for [100 percent gray hair]. It's usually the lighter colors from dark browns to blonds,” she says.
What about cleanliness?
Frazier baked sanitizing into her business plan. “First, I studied how sterilization technicians prepared tools for surgery and then I worked with stylists to figure out which solutions were safe for the hair, since all of our wigs are made with 100% human hair,” she says. A partnership with The Hair Laundry, a wig cleaners located in the ATL ensures that the wigs are thoroughly sanitized, washed, conditioned and restyled before they are sent to a client. Dennis agrees that cleanliness is the number one concern and says that all units she rents out are first steam cleaned. “The fabric of all caps are sanitized at [high] temperatures, after which they are deep conditioned and then styled at the client’s request. Also, the units must be worn with freshly washed hair and a stocking cap.”
Are there style options for mature women or are they all for Instagrammers and club kids?
As we get older, we want to experiment more and learn more about ourselves with varied looks—but we still want to look like ourselves. Frazier found that her older clients like the shorter, conservative looks such as the Farrah and the Chelsea with a bang. The entrepreneur observes, “we have had quite a few requests for salt and pepper wigs... and let's just say we hear y'all and they are coming very soon!” It appears New York-area women agree as Dennis says most of older clients reach for a medium to short cut.
What about help with putting the wig on correctly?
Local renters can stop in for the personal touch. Styles By Tracey Star’s Dennis requires first-time customers to make an in-person visit to learn how to properly put on the wig. She explains that this helps to ensure cleanliness, adjust sizing and extend the life of the units. “For returning clients, the units come ready to wear but we are always available to help any of our clients,” she says. Well Capped customers can turn to the shop’s You Tube channel for assistance.
What is hair for hire going to cost me?
Wig rentals at Styles by Tracey Star range from $75 to $150 a day. Renters must have valid credit card and identification. Well Capped rentals start at $100 a month for one style each month or $72 for a two-week event rental.
If time, money and style maintenance weren't factors, what sort of hairstyle would you wear for a special day or evening? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
