How to Travel With Your Wigs, According to Hairstylist Cliff Vmir
Welcome to Lace Frontier, a monthly column in which we dive into the dynamic, ever-changing world of wigs, its relevance in our culture, and, of course, tips on how to get all your pieces looking right. This time, hairstylist and star of BET's Wig Out, Cliff Vmir gives us all the tea on how to travel with your precious units. Read on to find out how he makes sure his wigs stay looking fresh on the go.
When it comes to traveling, packing can be a hassle. Along with figuring out which clothes to carry, you also need to consider how you’re going to transport your beauty stash without damaging it. For wig wearers, there's the added stress of figuring out how to store your beloved hair pieces while ensuring they don’t get damaged in the process. So who better to ask for tips on traveling with wigs than hairstylist Cliff Vmir, star of BET’s new digital reality show, Wig Out? His star-studded clientele — Cardi B, Trina, Joseline Hernandez, just to name a few — can have him jetting off all over the world on a moment’s notice with wigs in tow.
Over the course of the series’ eight episodes, the beauty mogul opens up about his journey becoming a sought-after stylist in entertainment, as well as his own ambitions as a rapper. For Vmir, it’s the perfect way to let people into his world beyond what you see on social media. “I want them to see what I go through on the daily trying to maintain my beauty career. I want them to see the struggles I go through, the relationships I have with my celebrity clients, and me going from beauty to music,” he tells Allure.
1. Pack it safely
Having worked with some major names in music, Vmir is an expert at traveling with wigs and making sure they remain in tip-top shape for his clients when they're doing appearances and red carpets. When packing, he recommends storing your wig in a silk bag to prevent it from getting tangled or damaged by something else in your luggage. (The last thing you want is for a zipper on a hoodie or the like to rip one of your precious hair pieces.) "You don't want to just throw them in your suitcase. Roll it up real nice and put a net around it, then put it inside the silk bag,” Vmir suggests.
2. Bring your product stash
Along with storing your wig in a silk bag make sure to bring the necessary hair-care products and tools to style and care for it — as well as for your natural hair underneath — while you’re away. Vmir is a fan of lightweight holding sprays like Tigi Bed Head Hard Head Hairspray for maintaining different styles, especially in humid weather, as well as shine sprays, but make sure not to overdo it or you can weigh the hair down.
“I like Garnier Fructis Style Brilliantine Shine Glossing Spray. You don't want anything that’s too oily or heavy because your wig will look greasy,” he says. While you're at the beauty supply shop, Vmir suggests also picking up a small rat-tail comb and paddle brush for combing out any tangles in the hair and also for parting it. And don't forget to add a silk scarf or silk pillowcase to your luggage so you can protect and retain the moisture in your hair while you’re sleeping.
3. The biggest don't if you're traveling with wigs
Once you get to your destination, Vmir recommends keeping your wig in the silk bag when you're not wearing it rather than hanging it up on a door or spreading it across a chair or couch to avoid mistakenly ripping it. “I wouldn't really recommend hanging it up on something because it can rip the lace. Anything could happen,” he explains. Of course, you can travel with all kinds of wigs, but Vmir finds curly wigs are the easiest to maintain on the road since, in general, they’re more low-maintenance than straight hair. (“All you have to do is spray it down and go.”)
No matter where you’re headed next or which wig you decide to take, as long as you pack it with care you’ll be ready to slay.
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