(I actually finished one!) :D
It has been ages since I posted anything. Life has been crazy and I just haven't had much time to ventilate, let alone update the blog. However, I just finished a new piece that I'm really happy with! It is a blonde, Marilyn Monroe lace front wig. Actually it's a 'quick-front' as the back is a commercial ready-made half wig, and it's only the front that I ventilated myself.
I bought two synthetic half-wigs on eBay. I cut one down a bit and added a lace front to it. Then I used the hair from the remaining wig to ventilate the front of the new piece.
It still needs to be cut and styled, but I'm pretty happy with it, even as-is. I will post better photos once I have a chance to take some, but in the meantime, here is one I snapped on my iPhone:
Oh my, this is simply beautiful. And you got the hair line spot on! You are simply marvelous.
ReplyDeleteI am so happy you're still continuing with the blog, keep it up.
Lena
p.s. Where do you tend to by your hair, both human and synthetic? And what type do you tend to go for? Thanks ever so.
Hi Lena, thanks so much for your comments! I wish there were more hours in the day, I have so many ideas that I want to work on! I will definitely keep up with the blog whenever possible!
DeleteRegarding the hair, there are several places that I use. I'm not sure these links will work here, but I will try them.
I buy mostly from eBay. The hair for this wig came from here: http://www.ebay.ca/itm/330863099824?var=540137767753&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649
I was really happy with the quality - very fine and silky, not at all plasticky and shiny like some synthetic, and heat-stylable!
Another good source for synthetic (albeit in very limited colours) is here: http://www.ebay.ca/itm/160994570051?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649
The quality of these new synthetics is really amazing. I think I will try using them more.
For the human hair, I usually just buy Brazilian remy hair, again from eBay. I always just look for the least expensive ones. I don't think I have ever paid more than $35 for a 100g weft. I always buy the wefted hair because I find it easier to store, and much easier if I have to dye it.
Sorry, the links don't work, but you can copy and paste them into your browser...
DeleteThank you Dave, this was just what I was hoping for. How many grams of hair would you say you use per wig? I am terribly sorry for all the questions.
DeleteIt, funnily enough, also caught my eye since I am just starting to look at working on a Jane Russell/Lauren Bacall styled wig. I do hope you could give us the details of the styling process when you have some spare time, and on how well the hair took the curl. See if I can use your methods to supplement my own!
Keep it up when you can, shame there seems to be so few of us left now. Blogs like this helps the new ventilator's, I'm almost sad it wasn't around when I was learning.
Thank you again,
Lena
No problem Lena, I'm happy to answer any questions if I'm able!
DeleteIt's hard to say how much since this is the first one that I have actually finished... HAHA! However, I try to keep the density as light as possible so I would probably use much less than a lot of people might. I should think if I was to ventilate an entire wig, I would probably buy two wefts, so 200g, but chances are I would only use about 150g or so.
I actually haven't done any styling at all to this yet. I trimmed a little bit off the length because it had become a bit ratty while I was working on it. But the wave that is in the hair is just what it came with. However, I plan eventually to make a classic short Marilyn curly style, so I will definitely post the process then! I'm just a bit reluctant to cut it yet, it looks so good with the length! I will take some decent photos of it like this first before I proceed with the cut/style. I'm definitely better at making them than styling them, so fingers crossed I don't completely ruin it! :)
It's true, wig making is a disappearing art! I think most of it is being done in Asia these days for a fraction of the cost. Hopefully it won't die out completely in the west!
I would love to see photos of your Jane Russell once you make her (or any other projects for that matter!)
However, I have recently been using a curling iron on some white synthetic hair for another project, and it takes the curl really well! The key is just to hold the hair in the shape you want it for a few seconds as it is cooling. Don't just remove the curling iron and let the curl drop or it will fall out. It's actually good because you can control how curly you want it to end up. Once it has cooled, the curl stays beautifully in the hair!
DeleteWell the length is practically perfect as is, and you only want one or two definite layers, less in the back, more in the sides! It helps I pin curl my own!
DeleteI will admit to struggling with hair density, I tend to over compensate and put a little too much in for fear of a thin and flat wig and have to go back and add! Then again a little thickness with the Jane Russell is expected, she had beautiful thick hair till the very end, hardly even scalp at the part!
I look forward to the pictures! I'm thinking of starting my own blog of pictures along the way to each creation, more of a portfolio to sell myself!, so you can see them then!
It's always hard to find a wig maker who can style, I got so sick of looking for someone else I taught myself! And remember to tuck the ends of the hair, always makes for the best vintage hair set! And use less curls at the back section, curl only from top of the ears down! Lots on the sides, lots on the top! I really look forward to seeing the finished Marilyn!
Lena
Oh... now I'm even more nervous about styling... that sounds quite complicated... HAHA! Oh well, only one way to learn!
DeletePlease do let me know when you have your blog up and running. I always love to see what others are creating!
In this particular wig, I should have used a higher density. The join between the lace front and the commercial back is still very obvious if the hair isn't brushed back. I think it will be OK with the Marilyn style, but if there was more hair at the front it would be less of an issue. However, in general I feel that most wigs I see are far too dense to look natural.
Are you familiar with John Blake's wigs and facial hair? They do a very nice job with the density and graduated hairlines, especially considering they are made as 'stock' pieces: http://wigsandfacialhair.com
Thanks for the styling tips! Please stay in touch!
Dave
Trial and error, best way to learn,Your right, Marilyn curls will hide almost any sins, as-well as creating them I'm sure.
DeleteI completely agree with you, many wigs look like wigs simply because of too much thinness and a big thick ungraduated oval hair line.
And the John Blake wigs amaze me for what they are, the quality of their hairlines always appears to be above and beyond a 'stock' wig. They are the right balance to aim for!
No problem, and I will, you can count on it! And when it comes to the fringe, brush it up and back, then flip the end back over, Marilyn did over complicate her hair sometimes but it's her signature look!
Lena
I meant to put *too much thickness and a big thick ungraduated oval shaped hair line.
DeleteHaha, you have to expect spelling mistakes at 1:30 in the morning!
Lena
Most human hair weaves come from parts of Asia and India.This is because Indian hair is easily blended with hair of women in other countries.
ReplyDeleteyes, you are right.
DeleteYou have done well. I also bought a wig before the experiment, but I have failed. You gave me a good source of inspiration.
ReplyDeleteThanks! I'm not sure I understand - how do you mean you failed?
Delete