Are you tired of seeing the same cliché wigs at your local or online beauty supplier for yourself or a potential client? You know the feeling. For months you scroll or swipe through the sites frustrated by the lack of innovation, versatility, and personality. What’s worse? You know that you can do a far better job and charge a more reasonable fee if only you were a professional wig maker.

So what’s stopping you? Why not become a professional wig maker? 

What is a Professional Wig Maker?

A professional wig maker is just what the terminology implies. It is someone who has the skillset to make and seel a wig. Think of this person as a specialist within the field of cosmetology who designs and crafts wigs. They are true artisans who have a creative vision to produce wigs that fit the needs of men and women all over the world. Also, they have a baseline knowledge of what equipment and tools are necessary to support their work. 

 Who Wears Wigs?

The answer to this question may seem to have an obvious answer, but it is one that you should consider as you embark on this remarkable journey. You have to know your target audience. Sure, many of your customers will wear your wig collection, a favorite accessory that we use to complete the ensemble or to give testimony to how we are feeling.

However, it is essential to note that other people will wear them for more than making a fashion statement. Entertainers may wear them to breathe life to a character, and patients suffering from medical conditions or hereditary traits that may cause them to lose their hair may elect to wear the wigs.  Your wigs could very well touch many lives. 

Ready to know more about becoming a professional wig maker? Let’s take a look. 

How Do You Become a Professional Wig Maker?

There are a few opinions about what it takes to become a professional wig maker. You do have the option to complete cosmetology schooling where you not only can learn more about hair. Some programs include wig making as a part of their curriculum.  Even if you opt for a school that does not include wig making a specialty course within their curriculum, you will still walk away with valuable knowledge about hair care that will surely aid you in your wig making endeavors.  For those seeking careers within companies or with hair studios as a wig maker, they will likely seek a professional stylist with an appropriate educational background. 

For those of you innovative souls, who have an entrepreneurial spirit, you do not have to attend any school or institution to kick your dreams into high gear. Many of you are students of YouTube University, who have the unique skill set to learn by watching, trial, and error, and the gift to make magic happen without needing a lot of guidance.  There is no hard-fast rule that you have to have a cosmetology license to be a professional wig maker. 

How Much Can You Earn as a Wig Maker?

According to Salary Expert, wig makers can earn anywhere between $32K to $52K per year. Simplyhired.com indicates that wig makers can achieve a salary as high as $68K per year. Your income rate will ultimately vary based on the amount you charge for a unit or if you charge your clients by the hour an hourly fee to create their wigs. 

What Do You Need to Get Started as a Professional Wig Maker?

To become a wig maker, you will want to set up a dedicated workspace in your home or other location of preference to house your tools and equipment.

At a minimum, you will need to have a:

  • Mannequin Heads (petite, average and large)
  • Mesh Dome Style Wig Caps or U-Part Caps or Stretch Weave Caps
  • Durable Scissors, Action Bent Scissors and Ultrasharp Thread Snips
  • Woven Elastic Non-Roll Bands (1 inch)
  • Sewing Machine
  • Bobbins
  • Ball pins, t-pins or pull pins
  • Varying Colors of Durable Thread (SureLock)
  • Universal Needles (9014 -for doubling the tracks and avoiding broken needles)
  • Sewing Needles (C-Shape and U-Shape)
  • Slant-Tip or LaserTweezers
  • Measuring Tape (You will want to measure your client’s head circumference)
  • Chalk Pen

The list above is a starter list. Unless you currently have the budget upfront to purchase these items, you will more than likely acquire these things with time.

In closing, there are no specific education or schooling requirements for becoming a professional wigmaker. However, you do have the option to attend cosmetology school to become more familiar with hairstyling practices. Your income opportunities will vary depending on the rates you decide to establish with clients.

Nonetheless, should you choose to set up your wig making shop from the comfort of your home, there are a few tools and pieces of equipment that you will want to collect along the way to secure your state of readiness to take on new clients and to perfect your craft. 

The sky is the limit. You will have the ability to impact the world with your creations. Whether you decide to attend a cosmetology school to learn more about hair or know anyone who might be able to mentor you through your wig making journey, or you decide to do it all alone, be proactive. You must study your craft and take the necessary steps to learn all that you can about wig making techniques. The information is at your fingertips. Take advantage of social media platforms like YouTube, Google, Instagram, Pinterest, and other social media platforms where people love to share their skills and information about what they are doing.