The first wig consultation: how wig makers can run it
Privacy, measurements, hair type, style and making time: how wig and hairpiece makers can prepare a first consultation that puts clients at ease.
6 min read
A first wig consultation should happen in a private room, with enough time that nobody feels rushed: an hour is a sound base. Start by listening — why the client wants a wig or hairpiece, how they'll wear it, what they liked about their own hair — then take head measurements, look at hair type and cap construction together, and discuss colour, length and style with samples in hand. End with a clear next step: what you'll make or order, how long it takes, and when the fitting will be. Clients should leave knowing what happens next and feeling they were heard.
Why the first meeting matters
Clients come to a wig maker for very different reasons: hair loss, thinning, a medical treatment, a change of look, religious practice, a stage role, or simply convenience. For some, the appointment is a practical step; for others, it's an emotional one. The first consultation sets the tone for everything that follows. A client who feels comfortable will tell you what really matters to them, and that information is what makes a wig look like their own hair.
Setting up the room
- Privacy: a closed room or a screened area, away from the shop floor and other clients.
- A mirror the client controls: some want to watch every step, others prefer not to look until the end.
- Good light: daylight or a neutral lamp, to judge colour accurately.
- Samples within reach: hair swatches, cap types and a few finished pieces to try on.
- Time without interruption: no phone calls, no one walking in.
What to cover
Listening first
Ask how and when the client will wear the piece — every day, for work, for evenings, for sport — and whether they want it to look like their previous hair or like something new. Ask about their scalp: sensitivity, heat, whether they'll wear it all day. Let them bring photos of the hair they had or the style they want.
Measurements and fit
Take the head measurements you need for the cap: circumference, front to nape, ear to ear, temple to temple. For a made-to-measure piece, take a template of the head. Explain each step as you go, especially if the client is nervous about being touched.
Hair and cap choices
Compare the options in plain terms: human or synthetic hair, how each looks, how it behaves with heat and washing, how long it lasts and how much care it needs. Show different cap constructions and what they mean for comfort and parting. Let the client touch and try samples.
Making time and next steps
Be clear about how long the piece will take to make or order, and book the fitting before the client leaves if the date is known. If they need something sooner, discuss a ready-made piece to wear in the meantime.
After the consultation
Send a short written summary: the options chosen, the quote, the expected making time and the fitting date. Clients who were emotional during the appointment may not remember every detail, and a written record lets them think it over at home or share it with someone close. Keep your measurements and notes on file: they save time at the fitting and for any future piece.
Leave the door open for questions by message before the fitting. Some clients will want to change a colour or length after thinking it over; it's easier to adjust before the piece is made than after.
Booking consultations with Book
On Book, each service has a name, a price and an optional description shown on your public page. Open slots for each service at the length it takes, one place per slot, so only one client is in the room. Repeat them each week on chosen weekdays until a date. Clients book online without an account and receive a confirmation email.
| Service | Example slot | Example price |
|---|---|---|
| First wig consultation | 1 h | Free |
| Fitting of a made-to-measure wig | 1 h 30 | €60 |
| Hairpiece or topper consultation | 45 min | Free |
Durations and prices are examples: set your own. In the service description, say that the consultation takes place in a private room, whether a companion is welcome, and what to bring, such as photos of their hair. The public form includes an optional note: clients can write what they're looking for, or nothing at all — you'll talk in person. Clients can't move bookings online: they contact you, you reschedule or cancel from your bookings list and let them know yourself, since Book doesn't email clients about changes. Book costs €5/month, everything included: unlimited services and bookings, no commission, no contract.