Thanks, It’s a Wiglet
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When Margaret Josephs of Bravo’s The Real Housewives of New Jersey showed up at makeup artist Erica Taylor’s book launch party with a sleek, platinum bob, senior editor Crystal Martin and I immediately took note. “I love your hair,” Martin told her. “Thanks, it’s actually a wiglet,” Josephs, who has just been announced to the cast of Amazon’s Reality Retreat replied. Martin and I locked eyes. We had to know more.
What’s a wiglet, you ask? Sometimes called a topper, it’s not a full wig, not extensions, but one of those partial hair pieces that makes hair look fuller and more finished without anyone noticing. After the party, I reached out to Josephs for more information on her wiglet. Not only has she been wearing it for years, but she’s a big fan of hair pieces in general. “They’re life-changing,” she says. “They make doing my hair so easy. I look put together and it takes me like five minutes.”
Meet Kiki
Kiki is the name of Joseph’s wiglet. Yes, she has a name. I wasn’t surprised to learn this. I find most women name their wigs and hairpieces as if they’re an alter ego. “She’s six years old,” she says. “I take very good care of my hair.” The topper, made from human hair, was sourced by her hairstylist Julius Michael from a now defunct company called Hidden Crown.
The piece originally came long, reaching the middle of Josephs’ back. Michael cut it to work in a blunt bob and colored it to match Josephs’ platinum blonde haircolor.
Why wiglets are suddenly everywhere
Josephs and her wiglet are part of a growing trend of women wearing hair pieces. According to Grand View Research, a data analyst firm, the global wigs and extensions market was valued at over $15 billion in 2025 and is expected to reach $31.13 billion by 2033. The firm speculates that some they’re popularity may be fueled by thinning hair, with up with 50 percent of women experiencing hair loss or some thinning at some point in their life.
For Josephs’, the biggest appeal is how easy the wiglet makes getting ready. Her natural hair is currently more of a shagged bob, but the topper lets her switch into a sleeker shape whenever she wants. “It’s the cunty little bob from White Lotus that became very popular,” she says. “But I’ve had it for a long time and I love it.” Plus, it saves her real hair from damage. “Hair extensions can ruin your hair,” she says. “They’re very high-maintainance.”
Putting the wiglet into place is simple. “You keep your bangs out and the front of your hair,” she says. “And literally just pop it on your head.” For maintenance she takes it to her hairstylist for washes (with purple shampoo to keep the blonde color cool) and styling. “He blows it out and flat irons it.” Kiki travels in style — on a mannequin head wrapped in an Hermès silk scarf inside Josephs’ carry-on luggage. “I think people in hotels think I’m insane because she’s sitting out on the bureau,” she says.
Because it’s real hair, Josephs can style it at home like she does her actual hair. She just avoids loading it up with hairspray or other styling products, so she can go longer in between washes. “I can go two months before washing,” she says. “It’s not from your scalp, so it doesn’t get dirty in the same way your hair does.”
Beyond the wiglet
Josephs also plays around with other pieces, mostly her clip-in bun, a synthetic hairpiece from INH that takes less than five minutes to put in place. “I just pull my hair back in a tiny ponytail, and wrap the bun over it.” She loves that it gives her a polished look in minutes.
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In the past, Josephs has worn a long ponytail, too, but she says she is ready to retire the look. “My husband says I look like an aging stripper,” she jokes. The wiglet, however, gives her a sophisticated look and no one would suspect it’s not her natural hair.
Toppers to try
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