How Chrissy Bales' wigs became a benchmark for luxury Black hair
I’ll never forget the thrill of buying my first wig back in 2012. Fresh from receiving my first-ever paycheck from my retail job - plus a weekly £30 government grant that made me feel downright wealthy - I finally took the plunge. Previously, wigs had always been a thing for the 'aunties', but times were changing. Thanks to the rise of Aliexpress - a global marketplace delivering wigs and bundles directly from manufacturers at super-affordable prices - young Black women like me were diving into the wig world. Suddenly, the same styles we once teased older women about became the ultimate beauty hack of the early 2010s.
The sheer convenience of wearing wigs quickly convinced many of us to start investing in virgin hair bundles [virgin hair is usually unbleached and unprocessed]. Inspired by our glam US counterparts and driven by the growing frustration of trying to make our sew-ins blend seamlessly with budget-friendly options like Premium Now. Plus, the versatility was unmatched - they were bundles that could be bleached, dyed, styled with heat, and still look decent-ish.
However, as I aged (and got a bigger budget), the shine wore off and I started to notice the shortcomings of those cheaper wigs that once felt like treasures and began delving into the world of actual good quality one name kept cropping up – Chrissy Bales. And now, 21 wigs later, I still feel like my collection is incomplete - because, deep down, I know it won’t be truly perfect until I own a Chrissy Bales wig.
The rise and rise of Chrissy Bales
Handcrafted from her studio in London, among my friends and peers, Chrissy Bales is the undisputed G.O.A.T. of wigs - a true icon in the game. But how has she become the epitome of Black girl luxury for wigs? “I could never find a wig that actually fit me. Either they didn’t look natural and sat awkwardly on my head, or they generally weren’t a great reflection of my individual style,” the founder tells Cosmopolitan UK. “That frustration sparked an innovative solution: to start constructing incredibly beautiful and functional wigs that I could wear.”
Chrissy’s realistic look of her wigs has seen Black women from across the world fly in to sit in the experts chair and purchase wigs. Born in Nigeria, raised in London, Chrissy started her business in 2016 after her YouTube tutorial 'How To Make A Lace Frontal Wig' went viral, with over two million views. Astonished by the overwhelming demand for high quality custom wigs and education around it, Chrissy started designing e-learning classes teaching people the art of wig making. Thus, Chrissy Bales Limited was Born. Chrissy is completely self-taught using her learnings from her Software Engineering degree (black women in stem winning!) she applied her learnings into wig construction. Bales says, “It taught me how to formulate a structural foundation and the importance of refining processes, which became the basis of my unique approach to creating tailored wig units.”
Skin doctor Dr. Ewoma shares, “With Chrissy, you know you’re getting quality - raw, full hair that’s unmatched. She’s one of the best in the game when it comes to colour. I’m always complimented on the quality and shade of my hair, and it’s clear you’re making a real investment when you buy from her.” Chrissy’s Chocolate Brown wig is a customer favourite, often black women are scared to try new hair colours but Chrissy tells us: “The truth is, Black women can wear any hair colour - it just needs to be fully conceptualised and tailored to suit their unique complexions.”
Chrissy Bales wigs have become a rite of passage for Black women seeking quality and luxury. With her HD Lace Wigs starting from £947, it’s fair to say her wigs are a BIG investment or gift in the case of The Receipts podcast stars Audrey Indome and Tolani Shoneye when the former surprised her co-host with a Chrissy Bales Signature Experience appointment for her 35th birthday.
“Chrissy has always been the Holy Grail," Shoneye says. "I saved every single one of her wigs on Instagram and I was like 'one day I’m going to treat myself to a Chrissy Bales Wig'. I’ve always seen the worth in a Chrissy wig but as I changed my hair so often I didn’t know if it made sense to spend so much money on one wig when I could do two or three. Chrissy’s wigs speak for themselves and it’s a luxury that they carry that I don't think many wig makers have. It says a lot about the kind of woman that you are if you have a Chrissy Bales wig.”
But with such a huge price tag, it’s easy to see why many Black millennial women still turn to platforms like Aliexpress or even Shein, where you can secure a HD lace wig for as little as £33. But what sets Chrissy’s wigs apart from the mass-market alternatives?
Bales tells us, “In a space flooded with mass-produced and seemingly generic alternatives, we stand out through our unwavering commitment to attention to detail; only utilising the thinnest HD lace, superior raw hair, and the finest knots in our wig units. At Chrissy Bales, no two looks are ever the same because no two women are the same, and our 90% retention rate is a testament to the trust we’ve built over the years.”
“I used to wear synthetic wigs that didn’t last long, and I’d spend a lot replacing them monthly. Investing in Chrissy’s wigs made so much sense because her wigs not only look stunning but also last for years.” Pro makeup artist Adeola Gboyega says. “ I have also invested in her wig subscription service which means my wigs are sent off to her regularly for a refresh so they come back to me looking as good as new!” adding to the luxury service.
Digital Creator and Chrissy Bales muse Bella Sabo says: “Chrissy has been my wig stylist for about seven years now. From the very first time I sat in her chair, excellence is always something I’ve seen her strive for and it shows in the quality of her wigs. There’s no one that understands hair as a science like she does. ”
At a time where navigating the ever-changing world of Afro hairdressing can be endlessly frustrating (infinite T&Cs and paying salon prices for wig install appointments in childhood bedrooms are all too common), Chrissy Bales’ approach feels like a breath of fresh air. Her luxurious St John’s Wood salon is a game-changer. “She positioned herself so beautifully, creating a perfect space - before her, there wasn’t anyone doing what she does,” says Dr. Ewoma.
“The vision was simple,” Chrissy shares. “To create a studio that delivered exceptional results, redefined the transformative wig experience, and served as a sanctuary for women- a place where they could feel truly seen and valued.” Something that can be hard to find in a beauty space that can tend to make Black women feel othered.
While more affordable mass-market options remain popular for their price point, it’s good to know if you’re ready to invest in luxury and long-lasting quality, Chrissy’s salon and her work far exceed the hype and have become the pinnacle for the luxury that Black women deserve. Chrissy has built an invaluable wealth of knowledge, cultivated a loyal community, and created a tailored, luxury salon experience that Black women often don’t find with service providers. For that reason, I’ll be continuing to add to my Chrissy Bale’s wig fund - because luxury this good is worth the wait.
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