Are U-Part Wigs Better Than Other Wigs?
U-part wigs being better than other wigs depends on what you like! Like all things in life, U-part wigs have their drawbacks, but you can’t ignore their incredible benefits in comparison to other wig types. Let’s explore a few of the reasons why we love U-parts and what really makes them the better wig option:
- No Lace? No Worries! U-part wigs make it incredibly easy for beginner wig wearers because there is no lace closure or frontal to customize! If you’re not that great at plucking, bleaching, or tinting, don’t worry—you won’t have to do any of that here.
- Complete Look In Minutes. Because you don’t have to do too much customizing except for blending your leave-out, U-parts allow for you to have a fresh look in just a few minutes! Place it on, secure the combs or clips they come with, blend that leave-out, and voila! All done.
- Natural Blend. Hard lines and parts are usually super easy to clock when wearing wigs, so the fact that you’re able to leave your hair out is great because it keeps your hairline looking natural and realistic. Plus, U-parts typically lie pretty flat which means you can slick your hair with gel or edge control for updos and wet looks!
- Versatility. U-part wigs usually have wider openings than other half wigs which means you can play around with middle parts and side parts without much adjustment.
The biggest difference between a U-part wig and V-part wig is, of course, the shape! Obviously, one is shaped like a “U” and the other like a “V” but the key contrast in the units is about more than just shape—it’s in how the shape of the opening changes what you can and can’t do with your leave-out and hairline!
Let’s take the U-shaped wigs, for example. They’re shaped like an open oval which means the opening of the wig is the same width from start to finish. Even if you were to adjust the “U” from a larger opening to a smaller one, you’d still have to use a thicker section of hair to properly and adequately cover the tracks at the top. This also means that U-part wigs are not the best option for the invisible part method.
But this is where U-part wigs and V-part wigs differ! V-parts start slim and widen at the top, and only get thinner the more you close them in. This gives you the freedom to decide how much (or how little!) hair you’d like to leave out, if any at all!
Other than that, these two wig variations are very similar in construction. They both often come with elastic bands, clips, and/or combs to help keep them secure and work with all hair types and textures. One is truly better than the other if, and only if, your personal hair needs and preferences say so.
So again, let’s recap the difference between a U-part and V-part wig:
- One is shaped like a “V” and the other is shaped like a “U”
- U-part wigs are wider and require more leave-out to create a natural hairline.
- V-part wigs can be worn as an invisible part, while most U-parts cannot.
- U-part wigs are easier to shift into a side part because there’s more space to work with.
Sleeping with wigs on in general is risky business because you have to be extra careful not to sleep in a way that causes damage to both your real hair and wig. Of course, the appeal of sleeping in your wig is being able to preserve your style for days at a time. If you were to take your wig off, you’d have to reinstall it all over again which is super time-consuming.
While the inconvenience of reinstalling a wig everyday is completely understood, you must also keep in mind that sleeping in a wig creates a lot of tension on your hair and scalp which can lead to shedding, breakage, and even matting in some areas!
But in this case, you can actually have your cake and eat it, too. It’s possible to sleep in a U-part wig without causing any damage, you just have to finesse it a little bit! Here are a few tips:
- Secure it. If you plan on wearing your U-part wig for days or even weeks on end, why not sew it down? This will not only help you keep the wig secure while sleeping, but the fact that it won’t be sliding and shifting as you sleep will limit the amount of tension on your edges.
- Be mindful of clips and combs. Using the clips and combs attached to your wig cap is fine and dandy during the day, but going to sleep with your wig fastened to your head with clips and combs is a big no-no! Try securing your wig with rubber-tipped bobby pins or a thick elastic wig band, instead.
- Wrap it up. Whatever you do, don’t let your hair hang loose! Grab your bonnet or headscarf, and wrap your hair up! This will not only keep your wig secure on your head, but it’ll keep the hair from becoming frizzy, tangled, or damaged.
Are U-Part Wigs Good For Thin Hair?
The whole purpose of U-part wigs is to seamlessly blend your real hair into the wig to give you the most natural hairline possible. Whether you need to gel it down, straighten it, flexi-rod it—just make sure your leave-out blends! And no matter how thick or thin your hair is, you can absolutely do that—thin hair cannot and will not stop you from wearing a U-part.
However, one obstacle you may run into is being able to adequately cover the last track of the wig. Some wigs are constructed in a way where it closes out with a visible weft instead of hair covering the cap. Other wigs do have hair completely covering the cap and wefts, but it’s slightly bumped and needs to be adequately covered by your leave-out to be properly concealed.
If you’re concerned about your thin hair not being able to keep up with the thickness or volume of your U-part wig, simply purchase one with a lower density! Or if you decide to make your own, use 2 to 2.5 bundles instead of the standard 3 or 4 bundles.
Whatever you decide, know that U-part wigs are a great investment—for thin and thick hair, alike!
