Why We Love Hand-Tied Wigs

Why We Love Hand-Tied Wigs

When you know something is handmade, you have a few expectations for it. You’re expecting a high-quality product, and you’re likely willing to pay more for that handcrafted work. This arises from the idea that someone is painstakingly putting together this product and keeping an eye out for any discrepancies that a machine can pass over.

“Handmade” typically refers to craftier pursuits, like fashion. Believe it or not, wigs can also be placed in the “handmade” category!

You won’t find a wig being marketed as handmade, though. Instead, this wig will be listed as hand-tied. Specifically, this means that someone is tying individual strands of hair into a wig cap. Other wigs are put together by machines.
 
What makes the hand-tying so special? Namely, it has to do with wefts. A weft is just a line of hair created by a machine. Wefts are small curtains of hair (picture extensions), and machines attach them to a wig cap.
 
Again - what’s the big deal? These wefts are usually disguised with what’s called a permatease or a permalift. This method isn’t inherently bad - it creates volume, for instance. Still, it can create the obvious “wiggy” look that most try to avoid.
 Julianne by Jon Renau
Meanwhile, when someone is carefully hand-tying each strand of hair, the result is very natural. It gives the illusion of natural hair growth and provides parting and styling versatility.
 
Hand-tied is generally considered one of those most comfortable types of wigs as well. These types of caps tend to be soft and lightweight.
 
As always, there are downsides. As mentioned initially, you can expect to pay a premium for hand-tied wigs versus machine-made ones. Handmade means quality, remember?
 
Likewise, handmade items are delicate. Wigs are no exception. You will have to be incredibly gentle when washing a hand-tied wig. You’ll also need the right tools. 
 
To summarize it all, here’s a quick list of the pros and cons.
 

PROS:

- Can be synthetic or human hair
- Gives you the most natural look
- Mimics the hair growing out of your scalp
- Comfortable fit
- Lightweight
- Styling/Parting Versatility
- Less density

       
      CONS:

      - Price is higher
      - Delicate
      - Less Breathable (because there’s no open wefts)
      - Runs slightly smaller

         


           
          Our Favorite Hand-Tied Wigs

           

          Upstage by Raquel Welch 

           

          Upstage is a heat friendly synthetic wig. It features a 100% hand-tied monofilament cap almost to the nape, where there are hand-tied wefts. This looks comes in Petite, Average, and Large sizes.


          Rachel by Jon Renau 

           

          This synthetic Jon Renau wig has a 100% hand-tied cap and a hand-tied stretch section for the most comfortable fit.


          Voltage Elite by Raquel Welch 

           

          For hand-tied Raquel Welch wigs, be on the look out for the word “Elite.” These wigs have 100% hand-tied caps for the most natural movement.


          Joy by Ellen Wille 

           

           

          This trendy short style looks amazing and is incredibly lightweight thanks to a 100% hand-tied cap.

           

          Do you own a hand-tied wig? What are your feelings on it? Tell us in the comments!

          2 comments

          Dear Patti,

          Thank you for contacting Beauty and Hair!

          We do have a few styles like the Scorpio in a hand-tied cap. Unfortunately, not all of them will have a fringe/bang across the face. Below are some links to a few styles that may work.

          <https://www.wigs.com/collections/wigs/products/play-it-straight-lace-front-wig-raquel-welch>

          <https://www.wigs.com/collections/wigs/products/tempo-100-deluxe-hand-tied-wig-ellen-wille>

          <https://www.wigs.com/collections/wigs/products/elizabeth-lace-front-wig-jon-renau>

          The Wig Experts

          I would love to get some things like Scorpio in a hand tied

          Patti Johnson

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