A bad wig is an easy target for online roasting: from compilation articles to literal spreadsheets, no on-screen hairline escapes unscathed. But the best wigs pass by with neither notice nor praise.
“I never want anyone coming up to me to say anything,” said Marcel Dagenais, hair department head for TV shows including “Russian Doll” and “Poker Face.” “That means that they’re noticing something. No news is good news.”
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But if a bad wig is so obvious, then why are there so many of them out there? Well, it turns out a good wig takes tons of time, money and a veritable encyclopedia of styling knowledge. These efforts are recognized at the Make-Up Artists & Hair Stylists Guild Awards and, of course, at the upcoming Academy Awards.
Here’s the step-by-step process behind how stylists and wigmakers create, apply and film a great wig.
Step 1: Building the base
Question 1 of 4
Can you spot the wig?
Enzo Vogrincic Society of the Snow
Lily Gladstone Killers of the Flower Moon
Natalie Portman May December
Ramy Youssef Poor Things
Step 2: Weaving in the hair
Question 2 of 4
Can you spot the wig?
Ryan Gosling Barbie
Sandra Hüller Anatomy of a Fall
Zac Efron The Iron Claw
Carey Mulligan Maestro
Step 3: Applying the wig
Question 3 of 4
Can you spot the wig?
Greta Lee Past Lives
Mark Ruffalo Poor Things
Robert Downey Jr. Oppenheimer
Fantasia Barrino The Color Purple
Step 4: Lighting and filming
Question 4 of 4
Once more, with feeling — ID the wig!
Margot Robbie Barbie
Cillian Murphy Oppenheimer
Leonardo DiCaprio Killers of the Flower Moon
Jeremy Allen White The Iron Claw
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