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Wig-makers
& Make-up
Suppliers for
Stage & Screen


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FAQs

We have listed some of the questions that we are often asked about wig making. There is also some information on the different types of wigs that are available. We hope you find it useful and if there is anything you have a burning desire to know (in wig making that is!), let us know and we will do our best to help.

Do you use real hair?
Yes, most of our hair is European in origin. We also use Mohair, Asian hair, acrylic fibres and our facial hair is made from Yak hair!

Why are wigs so expensive?
A custom made wig will cost over £1000. This is because it is a time consuming process taking over a week to make. Moustaches can cost £70 as they too take time to make, so if ever you use a wig or tash, please treat it with care!

So how are they made?
Firstly we do a fitting. This involves discussing the client's requirements, taking measurements and a shape of their head using cling film and cellotape (always good for a laugh that bit!).

This shape is then put on a block and a foundation is made to fit the clients head. A special lace, made of many tiny holes, is used and the hair is then tied or knotted on to this.

Hairs are knotted on to the foundation by hand using a very small hook. In the back of the wig you may put in 3 or 4 hairs per knot but the front edge will be single hairs. It is tough work on the old eyesight and the whole process will take a week.

We will then do a final fitting to make sure everything is OK before we cut or dress (style) it.

What kinds of wigs are there?
We specialize in wigs with a lace fronts. This means that there is a band of fine, tiny holed, flesh coloured lace across the forehead and each hair is knotted in by hand. The result is very realistic and they are the kind of wigs you would see on " Stars in Their Eyes" for example.

Hard front wigs have a solid line where the hairline is and are the kind you would buy in a joke shop for example. This can be disguised by the hairstyle or it may be purposeful as in an Eighteenth Century wig.

The vast majority of machine made, ready to wear wigs have hard fronts.
Another option is to re-front a wig. This is where we take a hard front, machine made wig and add on a lace front.

Montage photograph of wigs and hair pieces

Factsheets:

Wigs Up North!, Unit 8, Royal Mills, 17 Redhill Street, Manchester M4 5BA
Tel 0161 236 5483 Fax 0161 236 6843