How to set acrylic wig and setting my Historical hair design

In our lesson before the assessment we had to set our wigs. Setting an acrylic wig is slightly different as its not real hair but can take some heat. The way we are setting our wigs is with steam, we create the design with rollers in the direction we want it going and then steam the wig and wait a few days for it to dry.

We were first shown a demonstration by our lecturer Lottie of how to steam our acrylic wigs and what it can do. She got one her quite old acrylic wigs and then filled the steamer up with water and turned it on. Then face the steam towards the wig and start brushing it through, you can style the wig using this technique and also get knots and bumps out of the wig.

Chosen Hair Design 

Above is my chosen design. I have decided to go with the complete beehive up do with the middle parting and pleat at the back. I decided to go with this one because I love the tradition up do beehive as I think it looks very classic and Audrey Hepburn. I think for the modern design I could do something a little different for that. 

Setting my Acrylic wig

I started with sectioning the hair off in the direction I knew the rollers needed to face and what was to be rollered where. I started with parting the hair in the center and clipping it to the side.

I then clipped the side back and pulled all the hair back that I wanted rollered at the back.

I wanted a lot of volume at the top of the head at this part will create the beehive. I used the largest rollers which are the red ones and used the white pins to hold the rollers in place. 

Once I had done the brick work half way down the head as the top half will be coming backwards and then I started on the side with the pink rollers which are slightly smaller and they are facing the side as the sides will be slick backwards. The back then all rolls to the center which will form the pleat at the back of the head.

This above is the steamer, I filled it with water till just below the full line and then waited for it to boil until the steam starts coming out the funnel. 

I also put too large rollers in the fringe to give it volume and a slight flick. Once the whole head was rollered I used the steamed and steamed the head twice over. 

I think the technique is very good and the rollers should give it the volume I need for the beehive and help shape the style overall. I found the rollering very hard as the hair is very smooth so it keep sliding out the rollers and some of the wigs layers are shorter which also made it hard to roll around the roller. The steaming was good and you just had to rotate the head and hold it close to the hair and make sure you get every section. I put the rollers in, in the direction the hair need to go/face which will help direct the hair. 

Equipment:

• Hair brush
• pin tail comb
• clips
• roller (different sizes)
• white pins
• steamer
• grips

Health and safety:

• Be careful with the white pins for the rollers as they can be sharp
• The steamer becomes very hot
• When the steam comes out its just like a kettle so be extra careful and do not put your hand over it. 
• Do not run in the studio
• Keep work area tidy and neat