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Written by Kaelie Piscitello
Styling wigs is surprisingly easy and fun once one gets the hang of it! You can style it on the mannequin head or on your own, whatever makes the most sense! (However, being able to do it on a mannequin head provides a convenience most people do not have when styling hair. It’s like doing someone else’s!)
Styling wigs can be really fun once you get the hang of it, and it’s possible to do many favorite styles with them! With the correct protective equipment, styling wigs can also make them last longer too. Remember, wig hair doesn’t grow back, so prioritize protective styles over fashionable ones! You will thank yourself later.
1. Ditch Heating Products
Lots of people love to style their hair with blow dryers, straighteners, and curling irons. Wig companies know this and make wigs that users can apply heat to. However, can does not mean should. All heat products damage all wigs and will shorten their lifespan.
When styling, find heat alternatives that work well for you, including sock curls or braids and heat-free straightening methods, such as Dyson air straighteners. Wash wigs at night so they can air dry for the next day. Don’t worry, air drying still allows wigs to look natural and fresh. If you do decide to use heat, always apply heat protectant spray like one would to real hair.
2. Keep Up-dos Loose
Slick backs have made a comeback, but let’s be realistic. They make it pretty obvious when someone is wearing a wig. Tight ponytails and buns accentuate wig lines, and can make the sides and back flap up, sometimes without the wearer realizing it.
Instead, keep your up-dos lower to the base of your neck. Master a class low pony and low bun with lots of fly aways and intentional hairs pulled out. This will create a much more natural look than severe hair dos, and no one will know if you’re wearing a wig or not.
3. Ask for Temporary Dye Touch-Ups
All wig colors fade, but it’s important to use temporary dyes to protect the hair from damage! Some wig salons offer a gloss that touches up the original colors. It looks great and has much cheaper costs than permanent dyes too.
4. Use Hair Elastics that Do Not Pull
Wigs shed easily, so find hair ties that pull less! Avoid the little clear rubber ones because they pull the most. Instead, find gentle, plastic alternatives. I love the coily plastic ones because they barely bother my hair and come in fun colors!
Claw clips also provide a fun alternative for hair elastics, and are super trendy at the moment. Other options include scrunchies, gentle barettes, and bobby pins to pull hair out of one’s face.
5. Wash Every 2-3 Weeks
Most people should wash their hair every few days. However, wigs are a completely different story. if someone washed their wig every few days, it would shed like crazy and never fully air dry.
This might sound gross but wig hair does not get oily like natural hair does, making a shampoo and condition last much longer. Washing too often pulls hair out. So, if your cap feels gross, cleanse it with alcohol wipes.
That said, wigs do get hot and sweaty easily in the summer. So, you can wash it a little more frequently in those months than you might choose to do in the fall or winter.
