Nigerian wigmaker Helen Williams has entered the Guinness World Records by creating the world’s longest handmade wig, measuring an astonishing 351.28 meters (1,152 ft 5 in).
Helen, who spent 11 days and over two million naira on the project, shared her journey of crafting the record-breaking wig.
The elaborate process involved constructing an underlay with wig-cap netting and black fabric attached to a bicycle helmet.
Helen then meticulously completed the hairpiece using 1,000 bundles of hair, 12 cans of hair spray, 35 tubes of hair glue, and 6,250 hair clips.
“Finding the materials to make the longest wig was not an easy task,” said Helen. “My experience as a wigmaker helped a lot.”
With eight years of professional wigmaking under her belt, Helen has been a prolific creator, producing anywhere from 50 to 300 wigs per week. Her expertise, however, was put to the test with the ambitious endeavor of crafting the world’s longest wig.
“At some point, I felt exhausted,” Helen shared. “However, friends and family encouraged me. I did not want to let them down, so I maintained my focus. The outcome is the longest handmade wig in the world.”
The main challenge Helen encountered was finding a suitable space to lay out the wig in a straight line and accurately measure it.
Despite visiting several venues, including running tracks, none were long enough. Ultimately, she chose the Lagos–Abeokuta Expressway, a lengthy road connecting the cities of Lagos and Abeokuta.
The completed wig now resides in Helen’s office, where she welcomes anyone to come and admire it at their convenience. Reflecting on her achievement, Helen expressed her joy at becoming a Guinness World Record holder.
“It will take a while for me to digest,” she said. “This achievement is one of the best things that has ever happened to me. I still cannot believe it.”
Helen also shared words of encouragement, stating, “My advice to everyone out there is: dreams are attainable. However, the journey is a very rough one.”
