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As I planned a birthday trip to Las Vegas, I buzzed with excitement—finally seeing the Sphere, eating at the decadent Wynn buffet, and catching the water show at the Bellagio were on my itinerary. Even with all the fun my friends and I had planned, I mulled over what I would do with my hair. I was over braids, sew-ins, and lace front wigs. I didn’t want to deal with lace glue, straighteners, or curling irons (plus there was no room for them in my luggage). I wanted to wear my natural hair out but wanted more volume and density than I have currently. And with all the walking around I planned to do, I wanted to make sure my hair would last in the desert heat and crowded spaces I might find myself in. While searching for something that would meet all my criteria, I found the Fingercomber wig units and immediately fell in love.
Finding extensions or a wig that is similar to my type 4 hair texture has always been a struggle. Either the curl patterns are gimmicky or the extensions are priced higher than others on the market. Between packing and trip planning, making salon appointments right before a vacation can feel like more effort than it's worth, especially given the time-consuming nature and the price. Fingercomber's wig units allow you to achieve your desired hairstyle while still taking care of your natural hair. The wigs are mindfully constructed: You'll still have access your scalp, can easily take it on or off, and can adjust it to your needs. With sunnier weather on the horizon and hotter days ahead, it's a great option for staying cool and comfortable. If you're in the market for a similar wig, here are my tips for how best to prep your hair and style and maintain the wig itself.
How do you prep your hair before wearing the wig?
I bought the wig with the intention to wear part of my hair out. So, before putting the unit on, I followed my normal wash day routine. First, I shampooed and conditioned with the Design Essentials Almond and Avocado line. These are the products my hairstylist swears by and I’ve seen a real change in my hair health since I began using them. After six months of regular use, my hair doesn’t have as much breakage at the ends and detangling is a breeze. I followed up with the Wash Day Deep Moisture Masque to help to lock in moisture and nourish my hair before applying any type of heat.
I then blow-dried my hair with a comb attachment to elongate it, so that it’d be easier to grip while I braided it. From there I sectioned my hair into three parts: two small sections in the front and a section in the back, and then began to cornrow. After I was done braiding, I oiled my scalp with the Design Essentials Lavender oil, laid my edges down with some gel, and placed a wig cap on my head.
Once I landed in Las Vegas, I took the two front combs of the wig and placed them in the middle of my head. After unraveling the two braids in the front I did a quick head shake to make sure the wig was secure and the curls blended with my hair before setting off for the day. That’s how easy the wig is to put on. But even if I didn’t want to have any hair out, the layered cut of the wig creates curly bangs that fall to my forehead, making it easy to wear without leave out.
How do you style a wig while traveling?
I want to start by saying, the wig is beginner friendly and well constructed. Each wig is sewn onto a breathable wig cap that has tiny combs that attach to your hair on the front and back of the unit. It also has an elastic strap to alter the size of the wig. It can fit the smallest head or be attached to a full head of hair to give more volume. You can really make the wig your own by using it on your full head or just a section.
I purchased the Kinky Kurly Afro Unit. Voluminous is almost an understatement for the sheer size and density of the unity. I chose it because I loved the intricately curled ends at the bottom. The wig has a coarse texture, a Deva Curl layered cut, and the curl pattern of a braid out. Each wig comes in five colors: Autumn Spice, Chestnut, Dark Hazelnut, Darkest Espresso, and Onyx. And each color can have a “pinch of salt” added for those who are embracing their gray.
What is the maintenance needed for the Fingercomber wig units?
Fingercomber offers a salon service where you can send your used wigs back to the company to have them wash and reset the wig for you. You must detangle and pre-wash the unit before sending it or risk having it returned without being serviced.
If you’re looking to do it at home (as I have) I recommend taking care of it as you would any other kinky hair textures. I washed it with the Design Essentials products and then I detangle it with a Denman brush to get the knots out of the tight coils. Afterwards I’d sit the wig on a mannequin head and let it dry underneath my hooded hair dryer so that I knew the wig would be dry throughout. Air drying is fine too, but it’ll take much longer. After each use and while traveling, I store the wigs in a silk pouch to keep them organized and tangle free. The pouch compresses down enough that it can fit the very full unit inside a backpack.
Other travel-friendly Fingercomber units I recommend:
Since purchasing the Kinky Kurly Afro Unit, I’ve purchased two more units: the Original Fingercomber unit and the No Leave Out Kinky Koily unit. The Original Fingercomber wig comes in two strand twists that you can unravel and wear with your own twist outs. It's easy to blend but requires a bit more time to style before traveling. For those who just want an extremely low maintenance wig unit, I would recommend the No Leave Out Kinky Koily wig. It has an edge design that blends with your own natural hairline and creates a seamless look without lace or the need for wig glue.
