A Nigerian lady named Helen Williams has achieved a remarkable feat by setting a new Guinness World Record for creating the longest handmade wig. The wig measures an incredible 351.28 meters (1,152 ft 5 in) in length, making it a truly impressive achievement.
Helen Williams dedicated 11 days and over two million naira (£2,031; $2,493) to craft this extraordinary wig. The meticulous process involved constructing the underlay using wig-cap netting and black fabric attached to a bicycle helmet. To complete the hairpiece, Helen used 1,000 bundles of hair, 12 cans of hair spray, 35 tubes of hair glue, and 6,250 hair clips. Finding the materials for such a long wig was not an easy task, but Helen’s experience as a wigmaker greatly helped her in achieving this record-breaking feat.
Creating the longest handmade wig presented its own set of challenges for Helen. At some point, she felt exhausted, but with the encouragement of her friends and family, she persevered and maintained her focus. One of the biggest hurdles she faced was finding a suitable space to lay out the wig in a straight line for accurate measurement. Eventually, she chose the Lagos–Abeokuta Expressway, a long road connecting the cities of Lagos and Abeokuta, to accomplish this.
The Guinness World Records acknowledged Helen’s achievement by posting about it on their official social media account. The wig now resides in Helen’s office, where she invites anyone interested to come and admire it “whenever they want to”. This record-breaking wig serves as a testament to Helen’s skill and dedication as a wigmaker.
Having grown up reading the annual Guinness World Records book, Helen expressed her joy at now being a record holder herself. She considers this achievement as one of the best things that has ever happened to her and still finds it hard to believe. Helen’s advice to everyone is that dreams are attainable, but the journey to achieving them can be rough. Her success serves as an inspiration to others who aspire to pursue their dreams and break records.