Bone straight is just as glamorous. - photo by Tesi Johnson

Yahneake Sterling, Staff Reporter

Annie, Racquel, Rene, Aaliyah, Mary J., girls' names right? Wrong. These are the names of the latest wigs on the market, named for the stars who made the haircuts popular.

Hair is a woman's crowning glory. If the hair isn't right, then everything else seems out of place.

Stress-free days mean stress-free hair and one way to look smashing within minutes is to grab a wig.

Years ago, women wore wigsto hide baldness, thinning hair or just for aesthetic or stylistic reasons.

In today's society, wigs are often worn to make fashion statements, for convenience, or as the case is with actors, to help them portray the character they are playing.

Less stress

Celebrities such as Dolly Parton and Cher made wigs famous in their heyday and numerous young celebrities have been utilising the convenience that wigs offer ever since.

Let's face it, less stress is placed on your natural hair when you wear a wig. You can go from black to blonde to red - whatever your preference without thinking of colour damage.

Wigs come in all different colours and styles and can range from the subtle, natural looking type to outlandish colours more often worn by those in the dancehall or rap arena.

ELVA RUDDOCK

Local entertainment personality/comedienne, Elva Ruddock, wears wigs well.

Elva is so fascinated by wigs, she has created her own 'Ladies Association of Wig-Wearers (LAW) Weave and Extension Club of Jamaica'. (This is by no means an official organisation).

She owns a collection of 27 wigs - one for every occasion.

Why does she wear wigs? "It was borne out of time-management because the arduous task of sitting in a salon for three hours blowing, tossing and curling, and then one ounce of humidity touches my hair and the style is gone," Elva told Flair.

So, after many years of hair stress, it was time to 'wig' it. "I hate a one style; I have to reinvent myself every time I step through the door," the wig-wearing comedienne shared.

But according to Elva, attitude is what carries off a wig. "Yuh haffi have the attitude fi walk out ... you have to be at one wid di wig, be the wig, feel the wig, you are the wig," she said.

What to bear in mind when buying a wig

Type - basically two, human hair wigs and synthetic ones.

Choose a hair colour that is reasonably close to your own. Remember that genetic traits such as skin tone, eye colour and hair colourare closely related.

Advantages & Disadvantages of types of wigsMachine-Made / Man-Made

Inexpensive - often stiff and itchy.

Fast availability - can see through "wefts".

Wide range of styles and colours - often looks "thick" and unnatural.

Hand-Tied

Natural-looking part line - more expensive.

Colours can be blended - usually four to eight weeks to make.

Natural-looking density - will shed hair overtime.

Synthetic Hair

Least expensive - may look stiff and unnatural.

Easy to maintain - low resistance to heat.

Wide variety of colours - cannot change colour.

Minimal colour fading - may frizz.

Human Hair

Provides the most natural look - generally more expensive.

Moves and feels like growth hair.

Requires upkeep like growth hair.

Easily styled, coloured and permed.

Will require periodic repair due to normal shedding.

Lasts longer.

Washing and conditioning a synthetic wig

Step 1: Gently brush out the wig to remove any tangles (unless the wig is extremely curly and/or it came with a tag telling you that it shouldn't be brushed). Separate the tangled strands with your fingers. TIP: Apply wig spray as lubricant to aid brushing and easy removal of any tangles.

Step 2: When the wig is ready to be washed, fill the sink with about two quarts of cool water (hot water relaxes the curl). Pour about two caps full of synthetic wig shampoo into the water and then submerge the wig. When the wig is fully wet, swish it around for about a minute and then let soak for about another minute. TIP: Leave the wig to soak in the shampoo and water for five minutes before washing.

Step 3: Remove the wig and rinse in cold water until no suds remain. Place the wig to dry overnight. Tip: Always rinse the shampoo off with the water flowing in the direction of the hair fibre. Lightly spray conditioner onto the wig after towel drying to aid later brushing and to return oils lost through the washing procedure.

Washing a human hair wig

Step 1: Draw enough lukewarm water in a large pan or bowl to cover the wig or hairpiece well. Dissolve a capful of prescribed wig shampoo, along with one tablespoon of baking soda.

Step 2: Squeeze shampoo solution through hair gently, keeping hair going in one direction or it may tangle. Rinse.

Step 3: Dissolve a cap full or so of wig conditioner in water. Work mixture through wig hair. Rinse. Lay wig out on towel and pat out excess water.

Step 4: Pin on wig form and pick or comb out gently. At this point, a detangler may be used. Comb hair from the ends. Set if desired. Place under a hood dryer or leave to dry overnight.

Tips from www.mhrw.com, www.allaboutwigs.onthetop.com and acewigs.com

Stones for all occasions

Necklace made from semi-precious stones. - Contributed

Lovers of exquisite high- fashion jewellery designed with precious stones will get a chance to view an exhibition at the Courtleigh Hotel on Knutsford Boulevard on Sunday, April 29, between 1:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. And Flair has a preview for you.

The pieces are made from semi-precious stones and pearls from around the world. Designs are fashionable and affordable with something for every woman's pocket. The pieces range from open-ended, free-spirited necklaces, delicately constructed with amethyst and cultured freshwater pearls to create a stunning ensemble. Designs are configured in traditional single strand or multi-strand pearl necklaces for the more conservative wearer.

Pearls come in a variety of shapes, colours and sizes such as peanut pearls, coin pearls, rice pearls, button pearls and bullet pearls, just to name a few.

Already successful in the United States, Caribbean women and Jamaican women in particular, will now have the opportunity to wear these creations through a Jamaican company, Scents and Sweets, run by Nora Lewis, who will market and distribute the products in Jamaica.

Nora also distributes natural skin-care products and a line of Cooyah designs.

For further information call 999-1876 or 929-4117. Entrance is free.

Drop earrings featuring pearls and jade.

A combination of freshwater and other pearls.