Trending: Styles

how to achieve these looks with alternative hair

By Judy Geisinsky, Creative Officer and Wig Wearer for over 20 years

Freshen up your client’s look. Read on for inspiration on the top trending hair looks that you can use to refresh your wig, topper, or alternative hairstyle.

Bangs, Bangs and More Bangs

While quarantine bangs might have seemed like a fad, stylists are still incorporating every single bang style into their current cuts. There are lots of bang options for everyone. In addition to the highly popular curtain bangs full bangs, shaggy bangs, wispy bangs, and even side bangs are practically everywhere right now.

Curtain Bangs

Not quite ready to make a permanent change? Check out clip-on bangs to get the bang look without the commitment.

How to Achieve This Look

Bangs work well on your natural hair as well as wigs, toppers or hair replacements. I love taking old wigs or toppers that have challenging front hairlines and cutting in a trendy bang. This gives a nice fresh look and eliminates the cost and hassle of fixing or repairing the front. It is advised to go to a stylist who is experienced in cutting alternative hair since the placement and density vary from natural hair. When cutting bangs it’s important to blend the bangs and remove weight with point-cutting techniques to create that natural, seamless look.

The Shag

2021 is about the return of the shag. It requires a ton of layering, which helps to create texture for a cool, lived-in look.

How to Achieve This Look

Layering wigs and toppers create an illusion of volume and help frame your face. It also helps your style from falling. It’s important to make sure the layers blend well to create a balanced look. With wigs and toppers, everything is about balance. When they’re top-heavy it can create an unflattering mushroom or helmet effect. Layering also removes weight that provides a more natural look. It’s always recommended to go to an experienced wig stylist to create this flawless trendy look.

The chic French-inspired, ‘90s bob is the new way to keep your hair prim and polished. This look is great for anyone who wants an easy-going style, as it looks great with straight, wavy, curly, and coily hair.

How to Achieve This Look

Bobs are usually trickier than layered looks since straight lines allow little room for error. When cutting a bob, finish it off on the client’s head since it may lay differently on a mannequin head. Removing weight from the bottom line helps keep the density consistent with bio hair. If cutting a short bob, it helps to keep the inside length a little shorter to prevent the hair from sticking out from underneath. For an edgier look on a straight bob, I advise clients to style going straight down as opposed to rounded under.

Face Framing Highlights: Money Pieces

Also known as face-framing highlights, money piece hair is a popular coloring technique that is achieved when you get the front strands of your hair balayaged a brighter shade (usually two to three shades lighter). The finished result leaves you with face-framing “money pieces” that add dimension to your hair and help brighten and lift your complexion. Unlike chunky, e-girl highlights, this technique is seamless and can look more natural, depending on your preferences.

So, why are they called money pieces? This is mainly because they make your hair “look” expensive, so it’s no wonder they’re loved by celebs all-over — Beyoncé, Gisele and Kylie Jenner are all fans.

How to Achieve This Look

Color adds a pop of dimension to your face and complements anyone when done well. I always refer to hair color as makeup in the way it enhances your face. When you have makeup in your hair it requires less makeup on your face while still providing that dimensional pop. Money pieces can soften your face and provide a trendy, updated look.

It is always recommended to go to a colorist who is experienced with wigs, toppers or alternative hair, as the hair reacts differently to color. Always have your colorist test strand to assess the capability of the hair. Color when done well provides a natural look.

Barely There Waves

These “baby waves” look natural, high-fashion, and ultra-cool. Take a 1-inch curling iron and lightly curl random sections of the hair, pulling each piece taut afterward to straighten it out a bit. Keep it light by combing through your hair with a wide-tooth comb afterward instead of a brush. The trick to this style is keeping your ends and roots straight.

How to Achieve This Look

Imperfect hair makes a wig look that much more natural. Perfect is never good on a wig. I love some flyaways, hair sticking up and tousled hair. This creates a lived-in, natural look that deflects the eye from spotting a wig or topper. Hair is not meant to be perfect so mimicking the imperfections is the goal.

To create this tousled look I recommend running a larger curling iron through the hair but leaving out the ends. YouTube has great tutorials on creating a tousled look effect. The more you practice the better you’ll get. Rome wasn’t built in a day but practicing these techniques will turn you into a mini-stylist. I recommend getting comfortable with maintaining your look in between salon visits so you can always look and feel your best.