NEW H AIR, NEW M E!

They say to grow out a pixie cut takes approximately six to nine months, at least if it’s to grow into a bob (the kind of the style I’m aiming for now). It also takes up to fifteen months before I’ll be able to tie it up into a proper ponytail (that’s not something that just looks like a tufty stub of hair! Not a good look.

It’s definitely a painful process, I’m not going to lie. Ok, first world problems aside, it’s not great when people say I’m looking more and more like my mum now that I’m growing my hair out. Let’s be clear, my mum is amazing for her age. She looks far younger than her 86 years but, even so, she is 86 and to be compared to her when I’m 60, whilst complimentary, is not quite where I would like to be right now.

This is where Michila of The Wig Shop in Porthcawl comes into her own. Michila helps women who just want a change of style or, more importantly, are going through hair loss caused by chemotherapy, taking certain medications, or going through the menopause - this is where a wig is a transitional saviour.

I wasn’t quite sure what style I was looking to achieve so arranged a morning with Michila to try out different styles – both in colour and length. It was an interesting experience.

Michila said I had the shape of face to take either a straight, choppy or wavy bob or a fuller, more lengthy style so I tried quite a few options. I didn’t have any pre-conceptions; I just went with the flow.

I was surprised to find that now that I am 60, I couldn’t quite pull off the sleek bob I donned when I got married in 1996. I knew that as we aged our face shape changes as does our skin tone. So when I tried on a few sleek bobs in the hair shade I had way back then, I found that they didn’t suit me at all. I felt that they instantly aged me.

We both agreed that a more tonal, lighter colour suited me better. We also found that a fuller look, for me anyway, was less ageing. Michila said that the full, more bouncy looks could be tamed by smoothing out the wig or by pulling hair back and clipping them at the sides. They were so versatile and could suit different looks, outfits and seasons.

Also, to help with the transition, Michila suggested a clip on hair piece. I wasn’t convinced at first, but once she’d found the piece that matched my hair colour perfectly and attached it, I was hooked. I regularly have to attend events, and I thought this would fit the bill perfectly. I also thought it would be great for a wedding or special event. What a find!

Michila is a joy to work with. There’s no awkwardness with her. She gives you the time to try on as many wigs you like until you find the one. She suggests wigs that you wouldn’t have thought of. No surprise really, she’s been in the industry for many years and has worked with so many women of various ages, face shapes and circumstances, that you can trust her to come up with the wig that suits your needs perfectly.

My morning try on and choosing a wig was for pure fashion purposes, and why not? If you’re looking to try a new style for 2023 or if you have medical reasons why you might want to visit The Wig Shop, then give Michila a call to book a try on session. It’s a surprisingly enjoyable and empowering experience.

I left with a wig that gave me the transitional look that I was needing, plus the confidence that this new look gave me and, thankfully, helped me look more like me than my 86 year old mum!