So you want a dreadlock wig
Will that be costume or custom?

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To get a good idea of your needs, Lana Guerra of LanaLand2 suggests that you should gather pictures of the look you're trying to get. "Especially the front of the wigs," she insisted, "Bangs in the front will make it look less like a wig." Other tips include knowing in advance if you will be wearing the hair down or in an updo and deciding on synthetic or human hair.

Costume Wigs

• rasta wig
• fun wig
• ethnic wig
• party wig

Not to be a party pooper, but the mere wearing of a costume dreadlock wig can be an insult to dreadlock wearers (those who use their natural hair to grow their "dreads."). That's because they are often worn to mock Rastafarianism, as part of an costume meant to scare people or generally advance negative stereotypes. Dreadlocks are neither funny or scary and there's no typical wearer of dreadlocks.

All that aside, if you're certain that you still want a "dread wig" for your pirate costume, Star Wars costume, or pimp custom then don't say I didn't warn you...

Unless you're in the theater business or seriously into cosplay, the typical costume dreadlock wig you find in a party store or online is often less than $20 USD and is made of low quality synthetic fibers. One size fits all and only made to be worn several times, it is basically a throw-away wig.

Wig makers like Lana (two pieces of her work appear above) can create mid-range or high-end priced wigs using synthetic hair and virtually no limits, "The crazier the better," said Lana. Mid-range costume wigs are often worn for cosplay and can cost $150 or more. High-end theatrical dreadlock wigs can cost several hundred dollars.

Custom Wig

The same methodology could be applied to a custom dreadlock wig, regardless of hair color. You could get a blonde, brown or black-haired wig with highlights. For the cost -- sometimes in excess of $1,000 USD -- you should opt for natural hair colors like these so that the wig can be worn for many years without seeming dated.

Wig Care

You should wash your wig after every 10 or 12 wearings, using the instructions given to you by your retailer or custom dreadlock wig maker. Air drying the hair piece extends its life (heat styling does the opposite).

Remember, if your wig needs cutting, reshaping or restyling you're better off not trying to do it on your own. Instead, take it back to the wig maker you got it from or to a professional wig salon.

From custom to costume, dreadlock wigs are becoming more popular as the dreadlock hairstyle becomes increasingly present in mainstream culture.