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Revised 9/09/26
wig buying guide
How to Buy a Wig
You don't have to figure this out alone. We've been helping women find a wig that feels like them since 1995, and this guide walks you through exactly how to do it.
You didn't choose this. But you get to choose this.
Whether you're going through chemotherapy, managing alopecia, dealing with thinning hair, or simply ready for a change, you've come to the right place. No woman should have to work this out alone. You don't have to.
Hair loss from chemotherapy, alopecia, or another condition takes something from you: the way you recognize yourself in the mirror. That matters. It's okay to care about getting that back. Done right, a wig gives that back to you. Done wrong, it sits in a drawer. We're going to make sure you get it right.
Typically, the first time you wear your wig out, you'll start receiving compliments on your haircut. Women tell us finding the right wig was a turning point. Not just in how they looked, but in how they felt getting through it. We've helped a lot of women get there. We'll help you do the same. Walk through these five steps, and by the end you'll know exactly what to look for.
Two things worth doing before you start:
Already know what you want? shop wigs by cap type, fiber, or size →
1
step 1: find your head size
where to start
Most women wear Average. If hats generally fit you without issue, that's likely your size too. Measure to confirm, but don't overthink it.
Do hats fit you?
If they're consistently too big or too small, you probably fall outside the Average range. That's the clearest signal to measure carefully before ordering.
how to measure your head
Use a soft measuring tape. Starting at your forehead, follow your natural hairline around your head, behind both ears, down to the nape of your neck, and back to where you started. Keep the tape snug but not tight. It helps to have someone assist you.
wig sizes at a glance
Most caps include adjustable straps that give up to half an inch of flex either way. Measuring under 20"? That's ultra petite sizing. Adult styles are limited at this size, and some good options are found in youth collections.
where to shop based on your measurement
| you measured | browse these sizes |
|---|---|
| under 20" | ultra petite |
| 20" – 21.25" | petite |
| 21.25" – 21.5" | petite · petite/average |
| 21.5" – 21.75" | average · petite/average |
| 21.75" – 22.5" | average |
| around 22.5" | average · large |
| above 22.5" | large |
Your measurement is a starting point, not a verdict. When I fit someone in person I take the circumference and then we try wigs on, because head shape, whether you have hair underneath, and personal preference all affect fit in ways no tape measure can catch. If a cap is too small or too big, it becomes obvious the moment it's on. Our full size guide goes further, including the two measurements we don't use here.
About Petite/Average and Average/Large.
You'll see these when shopping. They're not separate sizes you need to qualify for, they're simply how some brands size their caps. Petite/Average falls between Petite and Average and runs slightly smaller than Average, which is particularly common in Ellen Wille styles. Average/Large falls between Average and Large.
When in doubt, go slightly larger.
A cap with a little room is easier to adjust than one that's too snug. Don't jump a full size up though. Marginally bigger is the goal.
Shopping at the larger end and not finding styles you love?
Look for hand-tied caps. Hand-tied construction stretches more than wefted caps, so an Average hand-tied wig can often fit comfortably above 22.5". browse hand-tied wigs →
2
step 2: choose your hair type
synthetic, heat-friendly, or human hair
There are three types of wig hair. Here's what each one is like to live with day to day.
most popular
synthetic
Ready to wear right out of the box. Shake it, spritz it with water, and it returns to its original style. No heat tools, no daily restyling.
Can't be used with curling irons, flat irons, or hair dryers. Heat will permanently damage the fibers. This includes everyday heat sources too: take care when putting something in the oven, barbecuing, or leaning over steam. Keep it away from any direct heat source while wearing.
For most women it means you can get up, put it on, and not think about your hair again that day.
Lifespan: 4 to 6 months with daily wear. Occasional wear extends its life considerably.
Best for: A first wig, going through treatment, anyone who wants it ready to wear.
shop synthetic wigs →
versatile
heat-friendly synthetic
Can be styled with heat tools, giving you the ability to switch between curly and straight. Keep tools between 270 and 300 degrees F for best results. A good middle ground if versatility matters but you're not ready for the upkeep of human hair.
If you're sitting back on the couch or in a car seat for a few hours, the nape can start to mat slightly. Most women run a flat iron over it every few days to smooth it back out. Takes about 30 seconds.
Lifespan: 3 to 4 months with daily wear. Occasional wear will extend this significantly.
Best for: Switching between straight and curly without the upkeep of human hair.
shop heat-friendly wigs →
most natural
human hair
The most styling versatility. Can be cut, curled, and blown dry exactly like your own hair. It moves and sways the way real hair does, which is what some women are really after. Lasts the longest with proper care.
Requires more upkeep. Will lose its style in rain or humidity and needs to be restyled. Without your scalp's natural oils, it can dry out without regular conditioning.
Lifespan: 1 year or more with daily wear
Best for: Alopecia, experienced wearers, anyone who wants to style it like their own hair.
shop human hair wigs →Most first-time buyers assume human hair is the better choice. For a first wig, and particularly during treatment, synthetic is usually the better choice. With today's fiber quality I often can't tell unless it's in my hands, and I have been fitting wigs since 1995. If you choose heat-friendly you can still style it.
The real benefit is that your hair looks good with almost no effort. When you're not feeling well, with so much already on your mind, that matters more than it sounds. And if you're wearing a wig for thinning hair rather than treatment, the ease is what women tell us they didn't expect to love.
For women with alopecia, and for experienced wearers who know they want it, human hair is worth the investment.
Want a deeper comparison? See our full guide: human hair wigs vs. synthetic wigs →
3
step 3: choose your cap construction
how the wig is constructed
Cap construction determines how natural the wig looks, how comfortable it feels, and how much styling versatility you have. There are four main types, ranging from classic construction to the most realistic.
classic cap
The most affordable construction and the one with the widest style selection. Machine-made with open wefting that keeps things cool and comfortable. If you love a short style with lift and body, classic cap holds that shape beautifully. Worth knowing: the part area has teased fibers rather than a visible scalp.
Best for: Budget-conscious buyers, short styles with volume, anyone who wants maximum style choice. shop classic cap wigs →
monofilament cap
At the top of the wig, individual hairs are tied to a sheer mesh that creates the look of natural hair growth from the scalp. The part can be moved, allowing more styling versatility.
Ideal for women with complete hair loss from chemotherapy or alopecia. The scalp-like appearance is convincing even up close.
Best for: Complete hair loss, alopecia, maximum realism. shop monofilament wigs →
hand-tied cap
Every hair is individually hand-sewn onto a soft mesh or lace fabric, not just on top but throughout the entire cap. The result is the most natural movement of any cap. The cap has a stretchy construction that conforms to the shape of your head, which is part of why it feels so different from other cap types.
The softest option against a sensitive scalp, which makes it particularly valued by women in chemotherapy treatment. It's an investment.
Best for: Sensitive scalps, maximum comfort, most natural movement. shop hand-tied wigs →
lace front
Individual hairs tied along very fine lace at the hairline, creating the appearance of natural hair growth at the front. Can be added to classic, monofilament, or hand-tied caps.
Worth it if you plan to pull your hair back or wear it away from your forehead. Not necessary if your style has bangs, since the hairline won't be visible anyway.
Some women find the lace slightly itchy against the forehead. If comfort is a concern and you're wearing bangs, you can skip it without sacrificing anything.
Best for: Styles worn off the face, updos, pulling hair back. shop lace front wigs →
Want to go deeper? See our full guide on the different types of wig caps →
if the mono top is out of budget
It's what looks natural at the part, which is where cap construction shows most. If budget is tighter, a partial mono top gets you most of the benefit at a lower price point.
where to put your budget
the decision that matters most
Cap construction has more impact on how natural your wig looks than fiber type does. Our honest advice: invest in the best cap you can.
Most of our synthetic wigs fall between $145 and $275, and cap features like a monofilament top or a lace front take a synthetic to around $450. Full human hair runs from about $570 to $1,550 and up.
why do some wigs cost so much more than others?
At first glance, an inexpensive wig and a $300 wig can look similar online. The real difference isn't the photo. It's everything underneath it.
Cap construction, the way the hair is attached, the quality of the fibers, and how the wig holds up after weeks of daily wear all tell a different story in person. Most women assume hair is hair. It isn't. Low-grade fiber has a shine to it that real hair doesn't, and it holds its shape rather than moving, almost like doll hair. Better fiber moves, parts realistically, and blends the way your own hair would. The difference shows up most after a few hours of wear, and after a few weeks of it.
Features like a monofilament top, lace front hairline, hand-tied construction, and higher-quality fibers all add to the cost. They also add to the realism, the comfort, and how long the wig continues to look good. A better-made wig will usually hold up considerably longer.
Many women start with a more affordable option and move up over time as they discover what matters most to them. Either way, knowing what you're paying for helps you make the right choice for where you are right now.
a note on very low-cost wigs
If your budget is tight, we carry Vivica Fox wigs from about $33. They're not our most realistic styles and we'll tell you that honestly, but they're considerably better made than what you'll find on a marketplace at the same price. We know because it happens: a woman orders from us and from a marketplace, keeps ours, and sends the marketplace wig back to us. We've had a lot of them in our hands.
What you gain as you spend more is realism at the part, comfort over a long day, and how long the wig keeps looking good. If a lower price is what makes a wig possible right now, that's a perfectly good reason to start there.
Not sure where to start? A synthetic wig with a monofilament top, in a style close to your current length. It's what we recommend most often.
4
step 4: choose your style
length, texture, and what works for you
This is where most first-time buyers get stuck. They start with color and it makes everything harder than it needs to be. Start with style. Color is the last decision, not the first. We carry more than 3,000 colors, and each wig comes in only about 15 to 20 of them. Find the cut and length you love, then we'll find the closest color match from there.
For most first-time buyers, starting close to your own style is the easiest transition. That said, this is also a rare chance to try something you've always been curious about. For many women, that becomes one of the unexpected bright spots.
Thinking about length? If you currently wear your hair very long, consider going slightly shorter for your wig. Shorter styles are easier to manage, and there's less of a visual contrast once your hair starts growing back.
Matching your current length. Measure your hair before you lose it: the longest layer from root to tip. Product descriptions include detailed length measurements so you can find the closest match.
Bangs do more than you would think.
A style with bangs covers the hairline, so a lace front stops being necessary. If you were considering one mainly to make the front look natural, bangs get you there without the extra cost, and without the lace sitting against your forehead. They're also among the styles we see returned least.
If it looks too full, that's normal.
Your own hair had probably been thinning for a while before you lost it, so almost any wig will look fuller than what you've been seeing in the mirror. Any wig can be thinned, and a stylist who cuts wigs can take it down in a few minutes. That's a haircut, not a return.
More on choosing a flattering style: visit our wig style guide →
5
step 5: choose your color
matching, consulting, and getting it right
For most women, matching their natural color is the best starting point: familiar, comfortable, and the easiest transition. But not everyone wants to match. Some women use this as a chance to try something completely different. Pink wigs are popular with breast cancer patients, for example. If that sounds like you, go for it →
how to pick your wig color
"My husband didn't recognize it as a wig. He looked at me this morning and said, 'Is that your hair or wig?'"
Fran, Tennessee
When you're ready, browse all wigs, shop wig care, or talk to a stylist if you would rather have help choosing.
should I buy more than one wig?
the case for a backup
If your budget allows, a second wig is worth considering. If hair loss is ahead of you, have your first wig before it starts. Being prepared helps with the emotional side of the transition.
You're never without one.
A wig being washed, dried, or restyled is a wig you can't wear that day. With two, that stops being something you have to plan around.
Both last longer.
Worn alternately, two wigs rest between wearings and hold their style far better than one worn every day. Over a year, that changes what the second one really costs you.
Different days, different wigs.
What works for a workday isn't always what you want for a wedding or a weekend. One wig has to be all of those at once.
Simplify your routine.
With a heat-friendly or human hair wig, keeping one styled curly and one straight means you're not restyling every morning.
Give the first one a few weeks.
You'll learn how often you actually reach for it. Some women wear a wig every day and want a second one quickly. Others wear one for work or going out and live in a soft cap, a scarf, or a hat with hair the rest of the time. Both are completely normal, and once you know which kind of wearer you are, the decision gets much easier. browse hats and scarves → | browse hats with hair →
If you want it to look like your hair is growing.
Some women have a stylist trim each wig to a slightly different length. Switching between them gives the impression of haircuts over time. A nice touch if you like the idea, and not something you need to do.
will insurance pay for my wig?
what to know before you file
Many insurance plans will cover all or part of the cost. How you ask matters. Here's how to give yourself the best chance of reimbursement.
1
Use the right terminology.
Ask your insurance provider about coverage for a "cranial prosthesis," not a wig. Many plans will say no to a "wig" but yes to a "cranial prosthesis." The word choice matters more than you might expect. While you have your insurance provider on the phone, ask two more things: whether you need approval before you buy, and what they want on the claim.
2
Get a prescription.
Ask your doctor to write a prescription for a "cranial prosthesis" or "medical hair prosthesis." Ask them to include your ICD-10 diagnosis code on the prescription. It strengthens your claim.
3
Buy your wig first.
Most plans work on a buy-first, submit-later basis, which is why step one matters: if yours needs approval in advance, get that first. Purchase your wig, and we'll provide a properly formatted receipt for a "cranial prosthesis," which is exactly what your insurance company needs to process your claim.
4
Submit and follow up.
Submit your claim with your receipt and prescription. If your insurance provider follows up with us directly, we're always happy to assist. We've been doing this a long time and we know the paperwork.
For a deeper look at coverage, denials and appeals, see our full insurance coverage guide →
why we do this
a family business, since 1995
In 1990, my mother Carol was diagnosed with breast cancer. She was a professional hairstylist, so she assumed she would be able to find a wig she could live in. She couldn't. She got through treatment on what little there was, and made a promise: if she came out the other side, she would make it easier for the women who came after her.
She came out the other side. In 1995 we started Headcovers together, and she spent the rest of her life keeping that promise.
More than thirty years on, I am still here every day. Every woman who calls here is one my mother would have wanted us to get right.
A person answers.
Call and you get someone in League City, Texas who handles these wigs every day. Not a queue, not a script. If your question needs someone else, she'll walk you to them.
A real consultation, free.
One to one, on color and style, with someone who fits wigs every day. Send photos, ask anything. And if we think you'd do better trying wigs on in person, we'll tell you that too.
Always new. Never refurbished.
We never wash, restyle or recondition a wig and sell it on. If your immune system is compromised, you shouldn't have to wonder about that.
All of it, in one place.
Wigs, toppers, hats, sleep caps, scarves, hats with hair, eyebrows, lashes, port shirts, mastectomy products. Hair loss isn't only about hair, and you shouldn't have to shop for it in five places.
"I feel more beautiful than I have felt in over 6 years. I am not sure how you were able to do online what salon owners who see me in person couldn't do."
J.M., Plainfield, Illinois
We'd love to help you find yours.
ready when you are
Browse the full collection, or call us and we'll help you narrow it down.
keep learning
cap construction guideWhat makes a wig look real.
how to choose a colorFind your closest match online.
human hair vs. syntheticCompare look, upkeep and cost.
are wigs covered by insurance?What to know before you file.
synthetic wig careWashing, drying and storing.
human hair wig careWashing, conditioning and styling.
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