Growing up, I saw a lot of black women wearing wigs. It was something I witnessed often, especially in Nigeria. Even in movies, black women or black characters were always seen wearing wigs. I come from a religious background, so my mother never used them, but when I got to college, I tried one for the first time. As a writer and lifestyle blogger, I was sent wigs to review: some expensive, some up to $900. These were the “good wigs” that everyone was talking about. Different brands had me review their products and although they looked good (they fit my face and were actually pretty good), I never felt comfortable using them. No matter the material, even the highest quality wigs gave me headaches and I constantly wondered: how do people do it? I know it's not just black women who wear wigs, but it seems like we're the ones who wear them the most. How do people wear wigs all day? And those who glue them to look like real hair, how do they do it?

If you have ever worn a wig, you will know that they are not the most comfortable. Afro-style wigs may be a little better, but overall they are not the most comfortable. Wear a wig in summer? It's even worse. Sweat on your scalp builds up because your hair gets trapped underneath and adding another layer on top makes it unbearable. This is not just my personal experience. I mainly wear wigs in photographs to change my appearance, but not for long periods of time or as part of my everyday style. I would never trade my freedom and comfort just to look a certain way.

Now, I'm not here to condemn those who can wear wigs for hours. If you can handle it, good for you, but for me it's uncomfortable. Over time, they become itchy (especially if stuck on for too long) and can even cause your hair to smell bad. Wearing wigs for long periods does not keep you comfortable and can even make you look tacky. That is why I am writing this article. I love changing up my look, but I've noticed that many women have become obsessed with wigs to the point of spending a lot of money on them without even investing in themselves. Shows like Young, Famous & African on Netflix or other reality shows featuring black women rarely show someone wearing their natural hair or sporting a culturally significant hairstyle. And that's not to say that wigs are bad, but it's worrying how many black women promote looks that don't represent who we really are. We need to teach the younger generations that they don't have to wear wigs to fit in.

Wigs have become more about putting people into categories than having fun with their appearance. People spend a lot of money on wigs but have not made any realistic investment in themselves. Take reality TV, for example: most black women on these shows don't wear their natural hair, braids, or anything culturally representative of who they are. Instead, they wear wigs made from someone else's hair or mass-produced in factories. There's this narrative that to be successful or meet certain people, you have to wear a wig. I'm speaking from experience here.