We had the chance to wig out with daytime Emmy-award winner and television personality Sherri Shepherd to hear about her 12-piece hair collection with LUXHAIR Now. From long cascading curls to sleek pixie cuts, Shepherd has something for every woman all priced under $99. Read on for a few good laughs, her passion for hair, and the key to truly keeping your wig on!
EBONY: Why did you decide to create your own line with LUXHAIR?
Sherri Shepherd: Wigs are something that I grew up with in my family, my first memories being my grandmother. She had a wig when she was going to fall out in church, a wig when she was visiting the sick… she was always a production. I love the variety that wigs give you. Women are leading much busier lifestyles than their parents, so this offers more mobility.
EBONY: How does your line differ from others on the market?
SS: I love my line because it offers a lot of different styles, from long to short to chic to sophisticated to romantic and more. I have pieces that the young girls can wear, but there are still pieces my auntie will be comfortable wearing. Even though they are synthetic, you can use light heat styling on them. I wear these daily on The View, so they manage the wear and tear well.
EBONY: Have you ever had a wig-tastrophe? What’s the secret to keeping your wig in place?
SS: Girl, when I first started wearing wigs, I didn’t know you had to anchor them down with bobby pins. I walked out during a windy day and my wig blew off and got stuck to a branch. I was walking while my wig was hanging! If that’s not the most embarrassing thing… but you have to use bobby pins. Place them in the opposite direction so it’s held down. It also helps to have your hair braided so your wig isn’t sliding around.
EBONY: How do you care for your own hair underneath your wig?
SS: I go for regular treatments at the salon. I don’t want people to think that if they get a wig it’s a reason not to care for your own hair. My NOW Collection is actually very lightweight and allows your hair to breathe. The only time you’ll catch me with my wig off is on the plane!
EBONY: What’s your advice for buying a wig for the first time?
SS: Go to a wig store with your girlfriends, never by yourself. You need someone to say, “Girl that looks good!” You need someone to encourage you to try pieces on. Try to purchase a wig close to your natural hair color as possible, don’t come in with brown hair and try to leave as a redhead unless you are fine with that! Wear it around your house for the weekend and put on a little makeup so you can be comfortable before your big debut. You have to like it so if people ask, “girl, is that a wig?” you are okay with that. Remember this is an accessory!
EBONY: How many wigs do you own?
SS: I have so much hair; I have a separate wig closet in my house. My husband [Lamar Sally] even knows not to go in there. I probably have over 100 because I’ve worn them over the years. I have hair that I audition with, my sitcom hair which is a curly wig. I have my long chic hair that I wear to my son’s school so they know I’m not playing around. I always tell people that my husband gets a different woman every night when I come home from The View. Hair makes you feel a certain way, like putting a power suit on.
EBONY: Which wigs are your favorites? What other beauty products do you love?
SS: My signature look is called the Curl Intense ($89; luxhair.com), which is my homage to my Latina sisters. I have another one I wear all the time called the Sleek Angle ($69; luxhair.com), and I’ll tuck the bangs behind my ears. I also love the Textured Pixie ($69;luxhair.com). I’m really into short hair now! As far as products, I really love Origins Ginger line, they have everything from bath gels to lotions to soaps. Their Ginger Essence Sensuous Skin Scent ($54) is very clean. I also love Vie Luxe candles (starting at $30, vieluxenyc.com); I’ll put them around the bathtub and get some “me time” in at home.
EBONY: What can we look forward to from you in 2013?
SS: My LUXHAIR NOW collection is available on wigs.com and will be available in most beauty supply stores. I also have a book coming out [Plan D: How to Lose Weight and Beat Diabetes (Even if You Don’t Have It)] with Harper Collins that I am excited about. It’s about how to beat type two diabetes, which I have, and how to lose and maintain weight loss. When I started The View I was 197 pounds, and pretty much over the last five years I’ve maintained that weight in a sensible way. I’ve been off my medication for five years. They took my cholesterol and said it’s like a 10-year-old’s. I hope this book shows people that diabetes is not a death sentence, but there is a certain way you need to live if you don’t want to die.
Janell Hickman is the Associate Beauty & Grooming Editor for EBONY magazine. Follow her on Twitter @jmargaretbeauty.
