Written by Liv Jennings. Liv was 20 years old when she was diagnosed with stage 3B Hodgkins Lymphoma. A skincare girl at heart, she is determined to get her sparkle back and live her best life after beating cancer, while continuing to spread awareness. To find Liv on Instagram click here. To follow Liv on Tik Tok click here.

Prior to my first round of chemotherapy, a nurse came into my hospital room to read out the potential side effects I may experience. However, as a 20-year-old girl, the side effect I was most concerned about was of course hair loss! The nurse said unfortunately I may lose it all; head, eyebrows, eyelashes, everything! Sure enough, that is exactly what happened but…the good news?! I discovered so many ways to feel like myself again, one of them being wigs.

When I first thought about buying a wig, I’ll be honest, I somewhat resented the idea. It’s certainly not how my peers were spending their weekend. Though throughout my cancer journey, I came to realise that wigs can be so much fun!

There is a lot to know before you buy your first wig so here are a few of my best tips:

1. Synthetic vs Human Hair

If you’re on a strict budget, synthetic wigs may be your preference and that is completely understandable, it’s a big purchase! While synthetic wigs are far more affordable, lighter weight and even come in heat resistant fibres, I’ll be honest, they don’t compare to a human hair wig.

In my personal experience, human hair wigs are far less itchy, easier to wash and style, but most of all, they truly made me feel like myself again. If you plan on wearing a wig every day or require one long term, a human hair wig is definitely the better investment.

2. Head Measurements

While the way a wig looks is important, the way it fits and feels on your head is equally so. Where you’re ordering online or buying in store, it is important to measure the dimensions of your head to find the right cap size for you. By finding the right fit, your wig will feel far more comfortable and look more realistic as it will sit flatter around the head.

3. Medical Discounts

It is good to keep in mind that many wig companies offer a ‘medical discount’ for those needing a wig due to health issues like cancer. One of my favourite wig brands, Eniola hair, offers a $100 medical discount!

4. Lace and Styling

When choosing a wig, there are many options, including lace front, glueless and weft types. As a general rule, the more lace, the more a wig will cost. Glueless wigs are my personal pick, as they have a lace hairline for a natural look but don’t require gluing down on a daily basis! Its important to be aware of the different types and how they vary to avoid any disappointment, especially when ordering online.

Written by Liv Jennings. Liv was 20 years old when she was diagnosed with stage 3B Hodgkins Lymphoma. A skincare girl at heart, she is determined to get her sparkle back and live her best life after beating cancer, while continuing to spread awareness. To find Liv on Instagram click here. To follow Liv on Tik Tok click here.