How should I present myself to my ex-boyfriend?

Who knows, family?! Last week, I got a message from my ex, Mike, saying he wanted to meet me for dinner at Soul Food, our old Brooklyn restaurant. I stared at my phone for three minutes—not that I still had any thoughts about him, but mainly because I'd been so busy with projects over the past two months that my hair had become a complete mess: my naturally 4C curls were neglected, split ends looked like they'd been scratched by a cat, and my forehead was so flat it could hold an airplane, so I had to rely on a baseball cap to hide it.

"Hey, sis? With your hair like that, your ex-boyfriend's gonna die laughing when he sees you!" my bestie Layla rolled her eyes in a video and casually sent me a wig link. "Try this half-wig made just for Black girls. I wore it to a music festival last month, and the rapper from the next block was all over my Instagram!"

1. Why are these half-wigs so perfect for Black girls?

I clicked on the half wig collection in the glueless wigs series and was immediately captivated—it's not those shiny synthetic strands, but virgin human hair. It has the Burmese curly curls we Black girls love, and it hits just below the shoulders, perfectly covering my pesky split ends. Even better, the base is designed with natural-looking "baby hair" edges, eliminating the need to bother trimming your hairline. It's perfect for those of us with clumsy hands!

I've bought other half-wigs before, but either the brim was too narrow, making my scalp tingle, or the curls didn't fit naturally with my natural hair texture, revealing it in the wind. But this one is different. It has an elastic mesh base, making it easy for someone with a larger head like me. It also has removable combs, an anti-slip elastic band, and an invisible drawstring, which keeps it secure. I even did a TikTok dance while trying it on, and it didn't budge.

What surprised me most was the color—it's not a stark, stark black, but a natural black with a hint of brown. It has a subtle sheen in the sun and matches my natural hair color perfectly. Layla is right: for Black girls, the biggest taboo when choosing a wig is a "fake white" or "fake shine." This one perfectly hits the mark, being understated yet sophisticated.

2. the whole awkward experience of wearing it to meet my ex? Absolutely not!

The night before my date, I pondered how to put it on in the mirror. It was surprisingly simple: First, comb my hair straight and wrap the back of my hair in a hairnet, leaving the front with loose hair and bangs. Then, I unpinned the half-wig and fastened it behind my ears and on top of my head, adjusting the curvature of the baby hairs. Finally, I used a comb to slightly tuck my bangs and the curls of the wig together—done! The whole process took less than five minutes, much quicker than my usual dreadlocks.

The next day, before going out, I sprayed the wig with hair oil and smoothed the curls with my hands. It instantly had that "just-from-the-salon" volume. Wearing a caramel-colored slip dress and high heels, I looked completely different in the mirror than the rough-hewn baseball cap-wearing me from yesterday. Even my mom, passing by, asked, "When did you get your hair done? It looks great!"

At the restaurant, Mike's eyes widened as soon as he saw me. He was speechless for a long time before finally mumbling, "You look... different. In a good way." I secretly smiled, but on the surface, I pretended to be nonchalant: "It's just a new hairstyle. What? Don't you recognize me?"

During dinner, he couldn't help but stare at my hair and asked if I had changed hairstylists recently. I teased him, "It's a secret!" But I was thinking, if it weren't for this half-wig, I'd probably still be too embarrassed to look up! And I wore it for almost three hours, and my scalp didn't feel stuffy or tight at all. It was just as comfortable as my own hair.

3. Besides meeting my ex, what other situations can it handle?

Since that date, this half-wig has become my "styling lifesaver." Last week, I wore this wig with a denim jacket on a company team-building camping trip. My colleagues raved about the photos I took. Over the weekend, I went to a flea market with Layla, and a vendor asked me where I got my hair done, saying her daughter wanted the same curly hairstyle.

I used to think wigs were just for emergencies, but it wasn't until I used this one that I realized a good wig isn't just fake. It's a confidence-boosting "secret weapon" for Black girls. It doesn't damage your hair like extensions, and you don't have to spend an hour or two managing it every day. You can just grab it in the morning and you're out the door. For busy, beauty-conscious women like us, it's a real blessing.

Final Thoughts

Actually, when I first started wearing a wig, I was a little uneasy, worried that others would notice. But then I realized that people who truly care about you don't judge you differently just because you wear a wig, and the opinions of those who don't matter to you are simply not worth considering. Black girls deserve to live freely and beautifully. Whether it's our own hair or a wig, as long as it makes us feel more confident, it's the best choice.

My half-wig has become my "old friend" now. Every time I wear it, I feel like I'm walking with style. If you're like me and occasionally struggle with your hair, try this half-wig—who knows, next time you see your ex, he'll be the one impressed!