Buying a wig online without trying it on is a gamble, especially for your first one. Size, colour, cap construction and how a wig actually sits on your head are things you only understand once you have something on. That is why most Auckland women who end up happy with their wig started with an in-person consultation. This guide walks through what that first visit looks like, what to bring, and what actually happens during a fitting, so you can book with confidence.
The short version: A wig consultation takes about an hour. You try on three to six wigs across styles, bases and colours, the specialist adjusts the cap, and you leave either with a wig, a shortlist, or a clear custom order. Book a consultation at our Sylvia Park showroom and bring a photo of how you would like your hair to look.
Why an in-store visit matters
Photos and measurements only tell you part of the story. Until a wig is on your head, you cannot see:
- How the colour reads against your skin. A shade that looks perfect in a product photo can wash you out or clash with your undertone in real light.
- How the cap fits. Head circumference is only one variable. Crown height, forehead width, nape curve and ear position all affect whether a wig sits comfortably.
- How the hairline falls. Lace front placement against your own skin tells you immediately whether the wig will pass as your hair.
- How the weight feels. A dense, long human hair wig is heavier than you expect. That matters if you plan to wear it for 10 hours a day.
- How you feel in it. The emotional fit matters as much as the physical one, especially for a first wig.
Online browsing is useful for narrowing down the style you want. An in-person visit is where the actual decision gets made.
Before the visit: booking and preparing
Book ahead
Walk-ins are welcome at the Sylvia Park showroom, but booking ahead guarantees a specialist is set aside for you and lets us pull a selection of wigs in your likely size and colour before you arrive. Booking also means no wait time if the shop is busy. You can book through the contact page or call 021 060 3388 3388.
Bring reference photos
Two types of photo help:
- A photo of your own hair before thinning or loss, if you have one. This gives the specialist a clear sense of the colour, texture and length that already feels like you.
- A photo of a style you would like to try. It can be celebrity, Pinterest, a friend, anyone whose hair reads the right way to your eye. It does not have to be achievable exactly; it just gives us a visual target.
Come with clean, dry hair
If you have hair, wash and dry it the day before. Avoid heavy styling products. Wigs sit better over hair that is flat and clean, and colour matching is more accurate against freshly washed hair than against a day-three ponytail.
Skip heavy makeup
Heavy foundation, strong lipstick and bold eye colour all pull attention and make it harder to judge how a wig reads on your face. Light or no makeup is the best baseline. You can always add makeup after you pick the wig.
Think about your wear context
Before you arrive, spend five minutes thinking about:
- How often will you wear the wig? Daily, occasional, specific events only?
- Do you want to match your current hair exactly, or try a new look?
- Are you comfortable with heat styling and maintenance, or do you want pre-styled and low effort?
- What is your honest budget range?
- Is this a medical context (alopecia, chemotherapy), a lifestyle choice, or a mix?
The specialist will ask all of these in the first five minutes of the consultation. Having thought about them ahead of time keeps the session focused on finding the right wig, not working out what you want.
What happens during the consultation
1. A short conversation (5 to 10 minutes)
We start by sitting down and talking through the questions above. This is where you tell us what brought you in, what you have tried before if anything, and what would make this wig a success for you. No pressure, no sales pitch. The more honestly you describe your situation, the better the recommendations.
2. Head measurement (5 minutes)
We measure:
- Circumference around the head at the hairline.
- Front to nape across the centre of the crown.
- Ear to ear across the top.
- Temple to temple around the back.
- Nape width at the back hairline.
These five numbers map you to a cap size (Petite, Average, Large, or custom) and eliminate about two thirds of the wigs in the shop as the wrong fit. The rest are the ones we start with.
3. Colour match (10 minutes)
If you have your own hair, the specialist looks at the roots, mid-lengths and ends under daylight. If you have lost your hair, we work from a reference photo or pick a colour that suits your skin and eyes. We pull two or three colour options that all work, because the difference between a good and great match is easier to see when wigs are side by side on the shelf, in your hand.
4. Try on the first wig (10 to 15 minutes)
This is the part most clients are nervous about. It is also the part that changes everything. The specialist fits a wig cap, positions the wig, clips and adjusts the straps, and shows you how it sits in a mirror.
The first wig is almost never the one you leave with. It is the baseline. From there, we adjust up or down in:
- Density (more or less hair)
- Length (shorter, longer, a different cut shape)
- Colour (warmer, cooler, darker, lighter)
- Cap style (lace front, monofilament top, standard stretch, full lace)
- Hair type (synthetic, human hair, remy human hair)
Most clients try on three to six wigs. By the fourth, you start to feel what works and what does not, and the specialist narrows the selection with each round.
5. Styling and adjustment (10 minutes)
Once you find a wig you like, the specialist demonstrates how to put it on yourself, how to secure it, how to brush and style it, and how to take it off without stressing the cap. If the cap needs taking in at the nape or the fringe needs a light trim, we do that while you are in the chair.
6. Care and next steps (5 minutes)
Before you leave, we cover:
- How often to wash and how to store the wig between wears.
- What products to use (wig shampoo, leave-in conditioner, no heavy silicones).
- When to come back for a restyle or cap adjustment if needed.
- How long the wig should last with your planned wear pattern.
You leave either with the wig, a deposit down on a custom order, or a shortlist to think on. No one is pushed to buy on the day.
What you will see in the showroom
Our Sylvia Park showroom stocks:
- Human hair wigs across short, medium and long cuts, from our real human hair wig collection.
- Lace front wigs for the most natural hairline, including the full lace front range.
- Hair toppers and partial pieces for thinning crowns and parting areas. Our hair topper guide covers this category in depth.
- Fashion colour wigs including pink, blonde and black synthetic options for event and styling use.
- Medical-grade wigs designed for sensitive or fully bald scalps, with soft inner linings and adjustable straps.
You will also see a lot of wigs we do not have on display. Specific styles, lengths and base types are often stocked in the back or ordered in. If you have something particular in mind, flag it when you book so we can have it ready.
Pricing, subsidy and timeline
Pricing
Wigs in the showroom range from around $100 for short synthetic styles to $2,500+ for long, full-density human hair wigs with custom lace fronts. A typical mid-range human hair wig, which is what most clients end up buying, falls between $700 and $1,400.
Medical subsidy
If you have a medical cause of hair loss (alopecia, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, thyroid condition, trichotillomania), you may be eligible for the Whaikaha (Ministry of Disabled People) wig subsidy. We are a registered supplier and can process the subsidy directly, so you pay only the gap between the subsidy and the wig price. Eligibility and how to apply are explained on our medical subsidy page. Bring any correspondence you have had with Whaikaha or your GP, and we can start the claim during the consultation.
Timeline
Off-the-shelf wigs go home with you on the day. Custom orders (specific length, colour, cap size, or a one-of-a-kind piece) typically take 6 to 10 weeks depending on complexity. For chemotherapy clients, we prioritise fast turnaround and can usually have a medical wig ready within 2 weeks if starting treatment is imminent.
After your visit
Most clients come back within the first month for one or both of:
- A styling tweak. Once you have worn the wig in real life for a few weeks, you will know if the fringe needs shortening, the length is off, or the cap can sit a little tighter. Small adjustments are part of the fitting process and included in the purchase.
- Technique follow-up. Some clients get the wig on but want a second session on styling, heat tools, or how to transition between wigs if they buy two. Book a 30 minute follow-up any time.
For medical clients, we also check in during treatment to adjust fit as scalp sensitivity changes. If your head shape changes during chemotherapy, the cap can be re-sized without charge.
About the CNG Wigs showroom
We are located at 286 Mount Wellington Highway, Mt Wellington, Auckland, inside the Sylvia Park Shopping Centre, above Life Pharmacy. Shop hours are Thursday to Saturday, 10:30am to 4:00pm. Outside these hours we run private consultations by appointment, which are particularly popular with medical clients who prefer to come in when the mall is quiet.
Our specialists have worked with hundreds of NZ women through everyday thinning, alopecia, chemotherapy, postpartum loss and lifestyle colour changes. More about who we are and how we work is on the about us page, and practical medical hair-loss information sits on the hair loss solutions page.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a wig consultation take?
About 60 minutes for a first visit. Follow-up and styling appointments run 20 to 30 minutes.
Is the consultation free?
Yes. A first consultation carries no fee whether or not you decide to buy on the day.
Can I bring someone with me?
Absolutely. Most clients bring a partner, friend, sister or mother, and a second opinion often helps. We have seating for a companion.
What if I do not live in Auckland?
Out-of-town clients often come in for a single longer consultation, leave with their wig on the day, and follow up by video call for styling questions. If you cannot travel at all, we can ship to your GP or wig-fitting partner elsewhere in NZ after a full remote consultation.
I am not sure a wig is the right answer. Can I still come in?
Yes. Many first visits end with a hair topper, a partial piece, or advice about hair care and scalp treatment rather than a wig. If a wig is not the right answer for you yet, we will tell you.
Will the wig look obvious?
A properly fitted human hair wig with a lace front does not look like a wig. The point of an in-person consultation is to rule out the ones that do, and leave with the ones that do not.
Next step
If you have been thinking about it for a while, the easiest thing to do is book. Book a wig consultation at our Sylvia Park showroom, and bring a photo of the hair you would love to wake up with. An hour later, you will know exactly which wig gets you there.
