Wigs in South Africa: types, prices and where to buy
A wig is a ready-made hairpiece, and in South Africa the price depends mostly on the lace, the length and the store. On 6 Oct 2026, 19 of the 27 SA hair stores we checked had wigs in stock. Taking one wig per store at 14 to 20 inch, the 14 lowest starting prices in the table below ran from R629 to R2,550 per wig. Specialist stores usually start higher: at 16 inch their median is R2,870.
Four things to decide before you buy a wig
Where the lace sits
The standard frontal: lace from ear to ear, 4 inches deep. Enough for a natural hairline and side or middle parts.
How long is 16 inches?
16 inches falls to about the armpit when straight. Curly and wavy hair hangs shorter.
180%. Fuller. A common choice for everyday glam.
Wig prices across SA stores
The cheapest 14 to 20 inch wig at each of the 14 stores with the lowest starting prices, cheapest first. Checked 6 Oct 2026. Prices change, so confirm on the store's page.
Fitting and care
- 1Fit before you cut
Keep the lace uncut and the packaging on until the cap fits. The Wig Factory takes back unworn units with uncut lace within 7 days. - 2Patch test glue
Test a little behind your ear for 24 to 48 hours first, as Walker Tape advises. Stop if you see redness, itching or swelling. - 3Wash on schedule
Wigs.co.za, passing on Jon Renau's advice, says every 6 to 8 wears in cool water. Synthetic wigs air dry on a stand, with no blow drying. - 4Rest your hairline
The AAD says pain or a headache means a style is too tight. Check wig lines and glue by the same rule.
Stylists who install wigs, by city
City pages go live once three stylists there are verified.
Wigs in South Africa, explained
The words you will see on a wig listing
Most of what a wig listing says is about the lace. Glamour South Africa explains that a closure is a lace section of 4x4, 5x5 or 6x6 inches at the crown, which is easier to install, needs little or no glue and suits beginners. A frontal is 13x4 or 13x6 inches of lace running from ear to ear across the hairline, which asks for more skill and maintenance. A 360 wig has lace all the way round, and Luvme says it suits ponytails and buns. Kes Wigs adds that a lace front has lace only along the hairline, from temple to temple, while a full lace wig has every hair tied to a lace cap.
In South African titles, the lace size is the commonest label. Of the 1,319 wigs we found at 16 stores on 6 Oct 2026 (not counting Wigs.co.za), 224 name 13x4 lace, 154 name 5x5, 150 name 4x4, 35 are headband wigs and 13 name 360 lace. A quarter, 340, say glueless, wear and go, ready to wear or pre-cut. HD lace is named by 98 and transparent lace by 11. Glamour says HD lace is thinner, blends in more invisibly, and is also more delicate and more expensive, while transparent lace is the more durable, cheaper everyday option.
What wigs cost in South Africa
Lace type, length and store all move the price. At the specialist stores (leaving out Takealot and Wigs.co.za), the middle of the starting prices, counting each wig at its lowest price, was R1,999 for a 4x4 closure wig (126 wigs), R3,190 for a 13x4 frontal (139 wigs), R3,299 for a 5x5 closure (133 wigs), R4,400 for a 360 wig (13 wigs) and R1,850 for a headband wig (35 wigs). Those are medians, so half of each group costs less.
Length matters as much. Across the main wig types at the same stores, the median for a 12 inch wig was R2,067 (200 wigs), for 16 inch R2,870 (172 wigs), for 20 inch R3,600 (170 wigs) and for 24 inch R4,692 (116 wigs). Takealot sits far below this: its 13x4 frontal wigs run from R379 to R1,399. We could not check who sells them or on what terms, so read the product page. Wigs.co.za is a different market. It sells brand-name wigs, toppers and hair replacement, and half of its 179 wigs start between R4,140 and R10,580.
Human hair, synthetic or blend
Glamour South Africa says human hair looks natural, can be washed, heat styled and coloured, and costs more. Synthetic wigs have improved a great deal, cost less, and last for a shorter time with less styling freedom. Wigs.co.za, which sells Jon Renau wigs, says a synthetic hair system can last up to six to nine months with proper care, and that its 9 to 12 month figure for human hair refers to the cap materials, with the hair meant to outlast the cap. Those are seller claims, not tests.
A blend mixes human hair with synthetic fibre. Simply Wigs, a UK seller, says some blends contain 70 to 80% Remy human hair and others far less. Read the description, because titles and descriptions do not always agree. The Wig Factory's product page for an item titled Human Hair Blend says every unit is 100% Remi or virgin human hair, nothing synthetic and nothing blended.
Density, length and cap size
Glamour calls 150% density the sweet spot for natural fullness, 180% fuller and more glamorous, and 200% and above dramatic but heavier, and says the longer the wig, the more density you will usually want. South African listings rarely say: only 7 of the 1,319 wigs give a density in the title or size options, so ask before you pay.
For cap size, Headcovers puts petite at 20 to 21.5 inches around the head, average at 21.5 to 22.5 and large above 22.5. Trace your hairline with a soft tape, from the middle of the forehead behind the ears and round the nape, snug but not tight. Most caps have adjustable straps, giving up to half an inch either way. Hair Majesty says all its wigs come with adjustable straps, elastic bands and built-in combs.
Where to buy, and what the terms say
Nineteen of the 27 stores we checked list wigs. The Wig Factory (397 wigs), Hair City (178) and Takealot (139) have the most listings, followed by Remore Hair, Shara Hair, Dolce Looks, Hair Majesty and The San Hair. Wigs.co.za says it has physical locations in Cape Town and Johannesburg, Hair Majesty offers in-person customisation at its Mall of Africa branch, and Hair City advertises salon services in Johannesburg.
Terms differ more than prices. The Wig Factory delivers in 3 to 5 business days and takes back unworn units with uncut lace within 7 days. Hair Majesty allows 14 days for unused, unworn wigs and does not take back customised ones. Shara Hair sells some units as clearance with no exchange and no refund. Wigs.co.za says deliveries take 14 to 21 days because some colours and styles come from US suppliers. Hair City says its exchanges and returns are free.
What a wig install and wig lines cost
Salon listings on Fresha, read on 6 Oct 2026, show how wide the range is. Johannesburg's wig install page listed five venues, with basic installs at R150, R300, R500 and R550 and a double frontal install at R1,250. In Cape Town, 15 venues listed installs from R50 to R870, most between R250 and R550. In Pretoria, 16 venues listed basic installs mostly from R350 to R580, including R350 at Rosalba, Kee-dee-oh and Beauty Lounge by Thando, R500 at Sphiwe Beauty Studio and R580 at GC Salon. In Durban, Luxux Hair Studio listed installs at R250 and R300. KendriQ in Fourways charges R700 for a glue install and R500 for a spray install.
Wig lines are the braids or lines laid under the wig, and LaAsha Hair and Beauty Salon describes them as seamless lines that blend with your natural hairline, done with cornrow braiding and adhesive bonding. They are often priced separately: R100 at Mimi Beauty Studio in Cape Town, R150 for 6 to 12 lines at Ck BeautySpace in Durban, and R100 more than a basic install at Rosalba in Pretoria. Trendy Wigs Gallery in Pretoria lists a home installation at R299, reduced from R499.
Wigs: questions
How much does a wig cost in South Africa?
It depends on lace, length and store. On 6 Oct 2026, the median starting price at specialist stores was R1,999 for a 4x4 closure wig, R3,190 for a 13x4 frontal and R3,299 for a 5x5 closure, and it rose with length from R2,067 at 12 inch to R4,692 at 24 inch. Takealot listings start far lower, and Wigs.co.za wigs start higher.
What is the difference between a closure wig and a frontal wig?
A closure wig has a small square of lace at the crown, usually 4x4, 5x5 or 6x6 inches, so the part is limited to that square. A frontal wig has lace from ear to ear, 13x4 or 13x6 inches, so you can part it anywhere across the front. Glamour South Africa says closures are easier and need little or no glue.
Is human hair or synthetic better?
Human hair can be heat styled, coloured and washed, looks the most natural and costs more. Synthetic wigs cost less and hold a set style, but they last for a shorter time, have less styling freedom and need a heat-friendly fibre if you want hot tools. Glamour South Africa says synthetic wigs have improved a great deal, so look at both.
What density should I choose?
Glamour South Africa calls 150% the sweet spot for natural fullness and 180% a fuller, more glamorous look. At 200% and above a wig looks dramatic but can feel heavier. It also says longer wigs usually need more density. Most South African listings do not state density, so ask the store before you buy.
How do I find my wig cap size?
Measure around your head with a soft tape, starting at the middle of your forehead, behind your ears and round the nape, snug but not tight. Headcovers lists petite as 20 to 21.5 inches, average as 21.5 to 22.5 and large as above 22.5. Most caps have adjustable straps with about half an inch of give.
How much does it cost to have a wig installed?
Fresha listings read on 6 Oct 2026 show Johannesburg basic installs from R150, with a double frontal install at R1,250, Cape Town installs from R50 to R870, Pretoria basic installs mostly from R350 to R580 and Durban installs at R250 and R300 at one salon. Frontal, styled and glue installs cost more than basic ones, so ask what the price covers. Each salon sets its own prices.
What are wig lines?
Wig lines are lines of braiding laid under the wig. LaAsha Hair and Beauty Salon describes them as seamless lines that blend with your natural hairline, done with cornrow braiding and adhesive bonding. Salons often charge for them separately, at around R100 to R150 in the listings we read, and removal is a separate service too.
Where can I buy wigs near me?
Every store in our check sells online, and Wigs.co.za says it delivers nationwide. It also has locations in Cape Town and Johannesburg. Hair Majesty has a branch at Mall of Africa, and Hair City advertises salon services in Johannesburg. Check the store's own page for addresses and hours, and read its returns terms before you buy.