Three veteran sheitelmachers answer their most frequently asked questions, giving us a heads-up on upkeep, storage, and other solutions 

As soon as she marries, a girl enters into what might just be the most complicated relationship of her life. Custom or brand-name, curly or straight, long, short, highlighted, or ombre, the decisions she’s made in the weeks leading up to this all come together in one climactic moment as she dons her very first sheitel. Then come the questions, doubts, uncertainties; sheitelmacher appointments and urgent alterations; and then anxiety over how to handle this multi-thousand-dollar purchase that needs to faithfully serve the new kallah daily for, hopefully, a good few years.

It’s not just newlyweds with questions on how to get the bangs for our sheitel bucks. We all want our wigs to look beautiful, we want the style to hold, and of course, we’d love to stay ahead of the trend without blowing our budgets on a new piece every year. The experts offer their tips and tricks.

MEET THE EXPERTS

Yocheved Gross has been in the hair and sheitel business for 21 years, specializing in styling hair and wigs for weddings and other special occasions. She recently partnered with Cami Esses to launch hairandblush.com, an online hair and makeup academy with a range of in-depth classes for budding professionals.

Pnina Cohen has been working as a sheitelmacher in northwest London for 13 years. She trained under Elisheva Klein and Noami Hackenbroch, and strongly believes in the value of learning from experts. And of course, for those starting out in the field, to practice, practice, practice!

Bosmat Tzfira (Braitman) is the founder and owner of the well-known salon “Bosmat” in Har Nof, Jerusalem. She’s an experienced sheitel manufacturer and stylist who has trained dozens of sheitelmachers in all aspects of professional hairdressing, including sewing wigs, setting, and styling.

STARTING OUT

I’m getting married soon, and looking after my new sheitels seems incredibly daunting (I’m not even sure I can get them on right!). What’s something every newlywed should know about wearing and caring for a wig?

Pnina: Here’s what I’d love you and every kallah to know: brush your sheitel. Don’t be afraid, and don’t let the knots accumulate, because if it becomes a “nest” the sheitelmacher has to spend time combing out all these knots and that can pull out hair.

Also, go back to your sheitelmacher right away if something goes wrong — don’t wait for six months, at which point it may be too late to get a refund or have something fixed under your guarantee, such as re-coloring, or cutting.

And one last point that kallahs don’t like to hear, but that would save them a lot of frustration. Don’t buy all your sheitels at once! Kallahs frequently buy two or even three sheitels before they’re married, and this usually doesn’t work. They buy too fast, or without a solid knowledge of what they like, want, or need. I run a side business selling secondhand wigs, and it’s always full of sheitels that kallahs have given up after a very short time.

So I’d advise every kallah to start with buying one sheitel. Get used to it, see what you like and enjoy, because you’ll only really know these things after you start wearing it. Set aside the money, and buy a second or third wig after a few months, or even a year, when you’re confident in what you want.

Bosmat: Mazel tov on your upcoming wedding! Kallahs — and experienced sheitel-wearers — might not know this, but many sheitelmachers offer short courses on caring for and maintaining your sheitel in a safe, practical way. It’s often worth it to take the course even if you have no intention of doing sheitels professionally, just to have the confidence to handle your sheitel well.