Keep your WIG on.

So this week if you didn't guess by the title is all about wigs!

Hair plays a massive part in TV , Films and Theatre. Not only does iconic hair link us to characters  Such as Dracula, Marge Simpson and spoke. Hair can also signal how much time has passed in the TV show or Film.

Hair patterns are very important for creating these effects, the most common are

1. Cowlick

A cowlick is generally found on the hairline at the front of the head. Some cuts will be unsuitable if the cowlick makes a strong pattern because the hair will naturally want to part in that area. You shouldn’t cut your hair to short in the area were a cowlick is present as it will bounce up a considerable sticking straight up from your head.

2. Double Crown

Found at the crown of your head they generally sit side by side in the shape of two very distinctive circles or whorls. This area shouldn’t be cut to short as it will stick up from your head and become uncontrollable.

3. Nape Whorl

Nape whorls are found at the nape of the neck and can be identified by observing which direction your hair grows in this area. If a nape whorl is present your hair will grow upwards or towards the center, either on both sides or just one side of the head. When cutting a nape whorl you should either leave the area long enough to ensure it is heavy enough to lay flat, or tapered very short so the hair growth pattern is shaped into the neckline – becoming unnoticeable.

4. Widows Peak

Widows peaks are generally found on the hairline. They form a point with your hair that grows upwards and out towards from the center and the sides of your head. Certain styles shouldn’t be attempted if a widows peak is present therefore my advice would be to either, leave your hair long to way down the widows peak, or to cut it very short so the pattern sits in the way you want it to (straight up).

Hair Type

The straightness or curliness of your hair is a clear indication of the hair type you have. The following list consists of the three main generic hair typing groups:

• African Caribbean – generally very curly.
• Asian – generally very straight.
• Caucasian/European – curly, wavy or straight.

The type of hair you have is a very important factor when your considering a change of style. To ensure you are able to style your new look with ease you must first assess whether or not the new style is suitable for your particular hair.

For example, lets say that your hair is naturally very curly, yet the style you have chosen is a one length straight cut bob that rests nicely just under your chin. If this is the case you must take into account that any amount of tension used when cutting your curly hair will inevitably result in your hair bouncing back up once dry.

An interesting face about wigs we see on the big screen is they are all hand made using a punching tool! In films such a Benjamin button you can imagine what man power that took.

To create a hair piece use a wig punching tool, punch the hair in to the fake skin, as shown below,

The tool itself can be hand made by using a needle clipping off the very top of the eye and gluing it in to a handle!

continuity is extremely important when it comes to Hair and makeup in TV and Film, so the process of getting all wigs or hair pieces exactly the same requires a great amount of skill and teamwork.