TRESS TALES: (from left to right) Akshay Kumar, Saif Ali Khan and Kareena Kapoor in Tashaan

Have you ever wondered how our actors manage to keep their hair shiny and lustrous while you suffer from bad hair days? Don’t their erratic shooting schedules and endless photo sessions take a toll on their locks? Well, they do. But they manage to pull it off with the help of trendy hairpieces that in most cases go unnoticed.

Right from Rani Mukherjee and Kajol to Kareena Kapoor and Bipasha Basu, all have used fake hair caps to change their looks and styles. Even our Bollywood men are not far behind. Amitabh Bachchan used wigs, specially made for him by a London wigmaker, to look a tad younger on Kaun Banega Crorepati. Amrish Puri sported wigs in almost all his films. So also, Anupam Kher. Rakesh Roshan spent a large part of his career weighed down by a luxurious hairy pelt. Sunny Deol, Bobby Deol and even Akshay Khanna have had to wear wigs to sport a macho look.

From hiding your receding hairline to making you look younger, wigs have become an essential accessory and a style statement these days. But how does one purchase the right hair cap? “One should always buy a custom made wig which fits easily on the scalp and gives it a natural look. A wig made of human hair should always be preferred to a synthetic wig as it is much softer and more comfortable for the wearer,” says Pankaj Bhupatkar of Rajkamal Wigs, Mumbai, one of the largest wig manufacturers in the country.

But a human hair wig is more expensive. While a quality synthetic wig would cost between Rs 500 and Rs 2,500, a natural or human hair one would cost around Rs 4,500 to Rs 5,500, sometimes even more. This is owing to the non-availability of natural hair. While synthetic fibres can be manufactured as required, long women’s hair, of good quality, is in limited supply. “When it comes to wigs, Indian hair is supposed to be the best as it is thick, straight and usually very dark and, as such, the best quality hair is exported abroad. This naturally pushes up the price of natural hair,” says T. Roy Choudhury of NTC Export International, which exports wigs from Calcutta to Europe, America and the Scandinavian countries.

The wig business is sizeable. India earns around Rs 100 crore from exporting around 70,000 to 80,000 hair caps annually.

“If cost is an issue, it’s better to buy a best-quality synthetic wig than a mediocre human hair wig,” suggests Bhupatkar. But how does one know whether a hairpiece is synthetic or natural? “While buying a wig always look for one made of remy (natural) hair. In a natural hair wig, the cuticle of hair is in one direction. It also feels soft to the touch,” he says. “One should preferably buy wigs from a manufacturer or from a reputed hair salon,” he adds.

Payal Ghosh, a city model, says natural hair wigs suit her best as they can be styled and dyed like one’s hair. “It is easy to wear them for long as your scalp remains cool in summer. I have eight wigs. I wear them for family functions, theme parties and even for fashion shoots.”

Beauty consultant Flora Singh says she gets requests from models, actresses, housewives and even techies who want to look groomed all the time. “I recommend wigs for people who want to sport the latest style statement. You can sport wigs for parties, bashes, weddings or regularly for work,” she says.

Television actress Arpita Chatterjee feels that before putting on a wig it is imperative to check whether it suits you. “If the wig is heavy, it’s not ideal to wear it in public. Depending on your choice of wig, you can either look stunning or look like a complete fool. It is better to take professional help before trying out one,” she says.

Bhupatkar, who has been supplying wigs for more than 25 years to the glamour industry, says a few things should be kept in mind before buying a wig. “The colour of the hair should match one’s complexion. It should also be styled according to one’s need. Now wigs are available with a monofilament top which looks like skin. So it is easier to change the parting of the hair to any side. One should always ask for a guarantee while buying a wig,” he says.

If you’re not going to wear wigs regularly, try a synthetic wig — it’s cheaper and easier to look after it. “If you want a wig as a fashion accessory or a way to express yourself, I would definitely recommend buying several synthetic wigs of different colours and styles, rather than just one human hair wig for the same price. But be careful — only go for top quality, more expensive synthetic tresses; otherwise you could be disappointed with your new look,” says beauty consultant Singh.

If you are willing to spend a little bit more on your looks you can opt for imported brands such as Aspen, Revlon, Norico or Beverly Johnson. Priced at Rs 5,000, they look like real hair and offer value for money. Gopa Mukherjee, a homemaker, says it is not easy to buy an imported wig as most stuff sold in the market is not original. So how do you figure out whether a wig is an imported one? The texture of the hair in an imported wig is good. In a cheap Indian wig, the border is made of latex, which is hazardous to the skin. The front hair line and knotting direction are poor too,” says Bhupatkar.

Though most people like to buy imported wigs, Singh advises against buying one. “It is difficult to wear imported wigs for long in the Indian climate. Also, imported wigs come in pre-set Western styles,” she says.

The mixed advice from specialists may confuse you. But if you are still unsure about which wig to choose, go for a top-quality human hair wig, if you intend to it wear it every day. Real hair wigs are definitely better for people who need a wig because of hair loss. On the other hand, choose a synthetic wig if your intention is to have fun with your look and change your image once in a while.