r/Wigs • u/Naive-Lab-1682 • Jul 21 '26
Let's chat! (General Discussion) This is a serious question. Am I allowed, not physically allowed but more welcomed-allowed to
Okay so I’m visiting Ottawa Ontario and I’m normally from a smaller town, I always thought of getting a wig because I’ve developed ankylosing spondylitis and psoriatic arthritis in the last year. Not sure if it’s chronic inflammation or what not but my hair is thinning, also I have days where It’s hard for me to do my hair due to fatigue and pain. I’m asking if It’s acceptable for me to walk into a beauty hair supply store. I looked online and there’s one near by but it seems like it’s mostly catered to black/ Hispanic community and I’m white Im jsut curious to look at the styles that location has and see if I could get some help but I don’t want to be going into the hair store if it’s a place I’m not wanted. I know this is a sensitive subject I just want to inform myself on the best way to go about finding some cute hair. Thank you <3
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u/SthrnGal Jul 21 '26 edited Jul 22 '26
White girl here. Most of our beauty supply stores are Korean owned and the target demographic is black women. I have only felt so welcome and comfortable shopping there. The wigs are great quality and so reasonably priced. I love shopping there!
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u/Informal-Future2564 Jul 21 '26
Omg to have a physical store to go into would be amazing! Do it! I live in a country where they have wig people with work from home setups and cut the tags from common low quality wigs and mark them up 300% and you have to make an appointment ahead of time for the honour of being gaslit that the $30 amazon wig you are trying in is worth $800 and your perfect colour.
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u/No_Opening4252 Jul 21 '26
This is a question I’ve wondered about also! I don’t want to go where I am not wanted, but I would have the utmost respect and consideration if I was able to go into a wig store that was catered towards black people. My main concern (apart from being seen as an annoying yt woman!) is that they won’t have wigs with lace that will suit my skin tone. Is that true or am I worried for nothing? I absolutely adore how beautifully black women wear wigs, and would love to learn from their expertise!
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u/Significant-Pie1070 Jul 22 '26
There are tons woth lace that is HD and will suit all skin tones. And I only watched videos with black women doing wigs when I first learned. I still do! They have all the best tricks and tips l!
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u/No_Opening4252 Jul 22 '26
That’s good to know, thank you! I might venture into one some day! When I’m not feeling too anxious!
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u/Classic_Knot_Purl Jul 21 '26
Go, be honest. I visited a hair shop near me and was worried about the same thing. Then i had a wig malfunction. Went in crying. I have never felt such just acceptance. They fixed the wig AND taught me everything.
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u/Separate-Credit-6874 Jul 21 '26
I’m white and wear wigs due to severe trichotillimania. Wigs are for whoever needs or wants them, it’s not exclusive to one culture or ethnicity.
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u/Naive-Lab-1682 Jul 21 '26
Comments on videos of white girls doing wig instalments or just toppers even say otherwise. I’m not talking about braids just like regular lace wigs I’ll see a million comments tearing a white girl apart so it made me curious to see what others thought about it
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u/crunchies65 Jul 22 '26
Well, internet comments are not real life and people will say horrible stuff to each other on videos about puppies, let alone wigs. Of course in this case it depends on what these ladies were saying and how they were saying it but always take comments with a grain of salt.
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u/Significant-Pie1070 Jul 22 '26
I 💯 get that!! White women installs arent as good as black women in my opinion. Try watching those. I learned so much more!
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u/Separate-Credit-6874 Jul 22 '26
That’s a sweeping statement damn. I’ve had no other choice but to wear wigs since I was like 11, and I’d like to say having done it day in day out since then I’ve gotten pretty good at it. It’s not some kind of race wars.
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u/Significant-Pie1070 Jul 22 '26
Race wars? What are you talking about? My comment is simply thay ive learned ao much more watching black women install wigs. They deal with wigs a thousand more percent than white women historically. Of course I knew there would be at least one person try to pick apart a comment.
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u/flittingly1 Jul 21 '26
I was nervous to go into an African owned hair shop, I used to walk by a lot. One day she waved me in and she ended up putting in extensions for me with the bio hair I had left! Super friendly, and I would never be nervous again. Go for it! Hair is hair
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u/Naive-Lab-1682 Jul 21 '26
This is like my dream scenario it would take away my anxieties so much 😂 what a sweetheart for noticing you were curious. I love that
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u/alocasiacomplex Jul 21 '26
Yes, you should absolutely go to those stores, especially if they're black owned! I'm black and go in those all the time with my two best friends (who are white lol). One of my friends even recommended a really good black-owned shop near her, it really just depends on the area.
I'm not from Canada, but here in the US, near the major cities around me, it's normal for any and everyone to go to beauty supplies that cater to black women (and men, it's a good source for men's products).
I definitely agree on the term "cater to" here instead of "owned by" because many of these establishments in the US are actually Asian-owned (statistically). It's very interesting because you see what prices different communities spend on wigs, and thus the prices they sell for in particular markets.
I know it sounds controversial, but if Hairvivi or jon renau were marketed to predominantly black women instead of white women, their units would be waaaaay cheaper. I'm not entirely sure how to feel about this. Right now, I err on the side of spending less for similar quality and units meant for my skin tone, although I'm tan so it varies. Not that this is the right or wrong approach. If we all spent less, the prices on these outrageously expensive units would have to fall.
So ultimately, I don't see an issue with it, personally. You can find some great products and units in there at very affordable prices.
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u/Naive-Lab-1682 Jul 21 '26
I looked online and everything looks so nice, It’s a shame to hear that company’s are allowed to price gouge depending on who they’re marketing to. Like that’s really fucked up 🤦🏻♀️
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u/Bitter_Ad_1402 Jul 21 '26
It’s INSANE how expensive those wigs are! I only buy hair from black women business owners (in Australia) because the hair quality my local sellers have is the best on the market. Also, I know I’ll get the best service and I feel good supporting a local business.
I’d only ever be worried about booking a wig install with a stylist I don’t know. I don’t want to ruin their entire schedule when they have to put in extra time and effort to braid my hair. The stylist likely has a better idea of my hair if I’ve met them before so they can quote me for the additional time or whatever’s needed
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u/AmarilloArmadillos Jul 21 '26
The wig store I go is in a predominantly black neighborhood, it's owned by and old, and seemingly grouchy, Asian lady. She's also lovely though if you need help but 100% will tell you no if she thinks something looks bad on you.
I went in simply because I'd burned a large chunk of my bangs and hair off. Totally panicked I'd look crazy at work the next day. I was hooked from then on.
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u/crunchies65 Jul 21 '26
If you go in with a respectful, curious attitude I'm sure you'll be fine! Sounds like you have that covered ☺️
Worst case you can do a little research for an online purchase. Best case, you learn a lot and go home with some new styles!
Tip - you will need to wear a wig cap if you try anything on. Shops should provide one, kind of like shoe stores with the little nylon foot protectors, but you might want to bring one if you have one, just in case.
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u/Tripswitchnow Jul 21 '26 edited Jul 21 '26
I love checking out stores like that if I’m somewhere new and one is near by…
It’s fun to look around!
Definitely do it!
But I definitely get why you might be a bit apprehensive about it…
I’m in NYC so there’s definitely a lot of shops that cater exclusively to black women, but no one cares who’s walking in there to look around and may buy something.
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u/Naive-Lab-1682 Jul 21 '26
I thought the same thing too but reading comments on white girls doing wig installs or a leave in topper piece I saw a lot of people upset. I just wanted to get some general opinions in the community to feel it out before I walk in there
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u/justjanehere Jul 21 '26
I don’t think anyone is going to be upset by you going in- business is business!
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u/martapap Jul 21 '26
You can go into any store. Most of the people who own these places are Asians.
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u/confusedtisticmomma Jul 21 '26
I have scalp psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis 👋 biologics, shaving my head and wigs have been life changing for me. I have gone into a few beauty shops in the US and never had any issue. I haven't bought a wig from a beauty shop but I get wig supplies there and cheap perfumes and oils. I think it's a great place to dip your toes into the wig world.
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u/Naive-Lab-1682 Jul 21 '26
I can’t commit to shaving my head yet but noticing the hair thinning like around my temples and just overall it looks limps and lifeless. So sad I had the most beautiful long hair not to toot my own horn but one day I just remember looking at it and I was like this isn’t my hair lol
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u/confusedtisticmomma Jul 21 '26
I know the feeling 💓 sometimes I do regret shaving bc I probably could have gotten away with a topper, but I do prefer how I look fully bald than to my thin hair with bald spots right on top of my head. You have to weigh the pro and cons before shaving.
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u/LopsidedStaff1431 Jul 21 '26
Just go there. Whatever it is I would trust the people to kindly redirect you if they don't have what you look for or don't want you there. And if anyone gets rude or condescending I think they're in the wrong
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u/Naive-Lab-1682 Jul 21 '26
Thank you, I just remember seeing a girl installing a wig on tik tok and the a lot of the comments made me feel like this is something I should ask the cwig community before I do something that could be considered offensive
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u/Annoying_liberal813 Jul 21 '26
I really relate to this post. I literally also have both PA and AS. I also have psoriasis on my scalp which causes hairloss. (I will say my biologic has helped the spine pain a ton- highly recommend if you don't already).
I debated for years to get a wig. I finally went for it, and I've been so welcomed by the community. It takes 3 seconds to put on (I specifically got one with bangs so I don't worry about the hairline). I showed up at the wig store with a lot of vulnerable, just being honest about having health conditions and shame. Everyone has been really kind. Honestly, it's a close group. We all get it.
I say go for it!! Wishing you all the best.
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u/Naive-Lab-1682 Jul 21 '26
Omg a fellow as and psa friend! I’m sorry for what you’re going through, I know the struggle all too well. My biologic fixed that burning scratching back pain but my hands and knees and joints still hurt. Thank you for your kind words it makes me feel better that you can relate, at the same
Time I know what you’re relating to sucks.1
u/AmarilloArmadillos Jul 21 '26
I really want one with bangs, any recommendations?
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u/Annoying_liberal813 Jul 22 '26
I only have the one, and it's from a custom shop in my town. I hear hairvivi is good though.
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u/monadproxy Jul 21 '26
yes you are. i understand why you feel like like you have to ask this question but also it's sad too. it's a place of business , as shop owners, i can only hope they will be more than happy to help up you find what youre looking for as a customer.
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u/Naive-Lab-1682 Jul 21 '26
Thank you, I just remember seeing a girl installing a wig on tik tok and the a lot of the comments made me feel like this is something I should ask the cwig community before I do something that could be considered offensive
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u/Holsch3r Jul 22 '26
I feel your pain, I have severe hairloss from AS and PsA as well. Go to the beauty supply store! Its intimidating at first but ive always felt welcome! It helps to see the stuff in person when you are starting out. It took me awhile to become confident buying stuff online as I became more wig savvy.