How to Make Wigs Look Real?

Wig wearing, especially in the early stages, can be a storm of anxiety, stress and self consciousness. The burning question of “will they know?” We have all seen badly fitting wigs. Wig veterans have learned how to make their wigs look real and natural by developing tactics and tricks.  Here are our recommendations.

• Wig Care is Key

Almost all wigs arrive with clear and easy to follow instructions for ongoing care. Failure to adhere to these instructions can lead to fraying, frizzing, tangling and damage and ultimately an unnatural appearance. These instructions are based on years of research and experience that will teach you how to make your wig look natural and extend the life. Use only recommended hair products designed for your specific wig type. Leave in sprays and conditioners at night or during storage will work wonders on restoring the moisture and color in the fiber and prevent fading and drying out. Use wig combs and brushes to reduce cap damage from unnecessary tugging and pulling. Wig stands or mannequins will help the wig cap maintain its shape and keep your wig fitting correctly.

• Replacing wigs on time will ensure a natural look.

Wigs, like everything else, have a shelf life. Wearing them too long can make the natural appearance diminish. Synthetic wigs will generally last 3-6 months and Human Hair wigs from 6 to 12 months. Longevity is based on many factors like of how often the item is worn and the amount of care it receives. Inevitably at some point the colors begin to fade, the fiber loses its luster and bounce and the cap loses it’s stretch and shape. The fit becomes less secure and loses its out of the box appearance. It is always advisable to have a spare and a back up around the house because deterioration can happen quickly and at any time.

• Make synthetic wigs look real by dulling the shine
  

Synthetic wigs in particular tend to look too shiny. While technology has advanced in synthetic fiber construction, the plastic gleam is still a wig reality. These two simple hacks will teach you how to make synthetic wigs look real and natural.

1. Baby Power. Apply baby powder with a makeup brush or wig brush lightly and evenly over the wig starting at the crown. Brush downwards.  Shake out when complete. Start with less and build up to more as required but whatever you do ensure that the wig is absolutely dry before doing this.
2. Dry shampoo. Spritz some dry shampoo on each layer of your wig and the garish gleam will be gone.

• Trim your wig for a more natural look.

Sometimes wigs look unnatural because they are so perfect…. too perfect. Reality is often less than perfect. Taking your new wig to a stylist for a trim may help to soften the styling.  A trim here and a thin there may help to customize the piece to your face. Some additional layers or edges may give it a more imperfect look.  It goes without saying that all changes are permanent so be sure to style with care.