How to Wear a Wig

Learning to wear a wig can be exciting and inspiring for some individuals while it can be anxiety producing for others. Or maybe a bit of both. If you will be wearing a wig due to hair loss from chemo, alopecia or other medical conditions, you may be feeling vulnerable or apprehensive. These feelings are normal. Fortunately, wearing a wig for the first time is a positive experience for most. 

You may be wondering if your friends or family will be able to tell that you have a wig on. Let us reassure you. No one will know. Typically what happens when you wear your wig for the first time is that you will receive tons of compliments on your new hairdo. Your wig can be a confidence booster at a time when you are feeling exposed. This guide will cover everything you need to know to wear your wig correctly after you have put it on. See our guide on How To Put On a Wig to learn how to put your wig on. 

The #1 Wig Wearing Mistake

For a wig to look natural, it must be put on correctly. It's very important that your wig aligns with your hairline. The number one mistake wig wearers make is failing to align the wig with their hairline. A poorly aligned wig screams "wig." Nothing will make your wig look more unnatural.

To align your wig with your natural hairline. put your wig on starting from front to back. You will start just above the eyebrows and slide the wig back until it hits the nape of the neck. Then pull the wig forward until it is sitting right at your natural hairline. 

How To Style a Wig

Once you have put on your wig your next step is to style it. All of our synthetic wigs come pre-styled, making our wigs very easy to wear. They may need a gentle shake or some slight adjustments with a pick or wig comb once they are removed from their shipping box but for the most part, they come ready to go. Styling your synthetic wig is easier than styling your own hair.

Many women choose to style their wig while they are wearing it. Wig styling straps can make this task easier. Here are a few basics:

Wearing Different Types of Hair

For individuals who want to wear their hair both curly and straight, we recommend selecting a human hair wig or a heat resistant synthetic wig. Hair can be curled or straighted using low heat. With regular synthetic wigs, the style is permanently set. This means that even when you wash the wig, the style will remain in place. Heat should never be applied to regular synthetic wigs  as it will permanently singe the fibers. 

Professionals sometimes use a hand steamer to gently reset the hairstyle on a synthetic wig. Once a steamer has been used, the wig has been permanently reset and it will no longer go back to the original style. Extreme caution must be used as a heavy hand will singe the hair fibers. This job should be left to professionals.

Wearing Different Types of Wig Caps

The type of wig you choose will influence how you can wear your wig. Here are a few key points:

• Standard cap wigs can be brushed in different ways but the style is basically set. The part cannot be changed.
• Lace front wigs allow you to brush the wig away from your face due to the natural looking hairline. This allows you to wear styles that expose the hairline. For updos, a lace front wig is stongly recommended.
• Monofilament wigs allow you to change your part, offering more styling versatility. You can wear your wig in many styles with a monofilament wig.

Cutting Your Wig

Can you cut your wig? Absolutely. Many clients take their wig to their local hair stylist to customize their look. A few simple adjustments can make a wig look even more natural. Wig with bangs often come with longer bangs that allow you to cut them shorter to fall on your forehead exactly where you want. Each of us come with different forehead lengths, face shapes and bone structure. A good hair stylist can make the most of your features by framing your wig around your face strategically. Adding layers or thinning a wig to customize it to your individual features can make a wig more flattering.

We don't recommend completely changing the hairstyle. But customizing the current cut is a great way to make a wig your own.

Your wig should be cut by a stylist who is familiar with wigs and it should only be cut while you are wearing it. 

Wearing a Wig When Your Head Sweats

Because sweat can cause build up on the interior of a wig cap, we recommend wearing a wig cap or a disposable wig liner called Headline It! underneath your wig to wick away moisture and reduce irritation from sweat. The microfiber material of the Headline It! liner works to keep moisture away from your head to keep you cool and dry. It's a great way to allow any wig to be comfortably worn if you perspire heavily. A bamboo wig cap is also a wonderful choice for wig wearers with sweaty scalps because of its natural moisture wicking properties. Wear one underneath your wig to not only protect your wig cap from sweat, but to also help your wig feel more comfortable.

Wearing Wig Liners & Accessories With Your Wig

There are many different types of wig liners and accessories available. Which one to choose all depends on personal preference and the fit of the wig. Some wearers even find that no liner is necessary. However, if a particular wig seems uncomfortable, or the fit is not right, there is often a solution to be found in the way of a wig accessory.

• Mesh wig caps are probably the most basic type of wig cap. They offer a barrier between the scalp and the wig, but are very thin. These are often used by women who still have some hair that simply want to keep it out of the way when wearing a wig.
• A bamboo wig cap or cotton wig cap is a very popular option for women who need more protection between their scalp and the inside of their wig. They're soft and comfortable and can also help absorb sweat and moisture under your wig. They are easily washed when needed.
• Cushion bands, also known as a comfy grips, are a therapeutic gel filled headband that can make wearing wigs more comfortable and secure. Comfy grips can be worn by individuals with varying degrees of hair loss, but work best for those with little or no hair. Cushion bands help relieve pressure that a wig may place on the scalp while you wear it. They also help keep the wig secure. They're lightweight, durable and clean easily with disinfectant.
• A wig gripper is a soft headband made of a velour fabric that helps grip your wig in place. If you are worried about your wig falling off or slipping while you are wearing it, this product has gotten rave reviews from our customers. Wig grippers give a bit of padding to secure looser wigs and provide a comfortable barrier between the scalp and the wig's interior.

Wearing a Wig with Hats and Scarves

Wigs can be worn with hats and scarves to change up your look. Accessorizing is a great way to gain confidence as you learn how to wear a wig.

• Scarves can be tied in a vintage style (under your chin) to keep your wig on during a strong wind .
• Hats and scarves are fashionable and protect your wig from the elements.
• Cloche hats and beret hats are two of our favorite types of hats to wear with wigs.
• Sun hats shield your face and protect your wig from the sun's damaging rays.
• Rain hats protect your wig from precipitation.
• Hats with Hair Hairpieces can be worn underneath hats for women who do not want to wear a full wig under their hat.

Wearing a Wig in an Updo

Wigs can be worn in updos just as you would with your own hair. When the hair is pulled up or back, consideration must be made for how the weight is distributed on the head to ensure that it isn't pulling the wig in one direction or another. Some types of wigs are better than others for updos. Lace front wigs will offer the most styling versatility because hair can be pulled away from the face, creating a natural looking hairline. With monofilament wigs, the part can be changed, allowing more styling options. See our blog post on Wearing Your Wig in an Updo.

How to Wear a Wig with Hair Accessories

Take your wig to the next level with fashionable hair accessories such as clips, barrettes, headbands, hair elastics, flower crowns and bobby pins. Like natural hair, wearing hair accessories can completely change up your look. Hair accessories can be used just as you would in natural hair. Be careful that they are put on so they are not exposing the cap underneath. Remember to be gentle with the hair fibers on the wig when applying and removing them to avoid stretching or pulling out the hair on your wig.

How to Wear a Wig With Glasses

There are a few different ways to wear glasses with your wig. Experiment to see which is most comfortable for you. The way your wig is constructed will influence what works best.

1. Wear Your Glasses Under the Ear Tabs: Most wigs come with ear tabs on either side. (They sit just in front of your ears). The first way to wear glasses with wigs is to tuck the glasses underneath the tabs. This provides a secure fit. If your ear tabs have metal inside, you can push them up a bit to make more room for your glasses underneath. 
2. Wear Your Glasses Through The Ear Tabs: Some wigs have open ear tabs. If your wig does, you can try threading the arms of your glasses through the ear tabs. With this method, be careful not to damage the glasses by pushing too hard.
3. Wear Your Glasses Over the Ear Tabs. Some wig wearers find it more comfortable to wear their glasses over the ear tabs.
4. Open Weft Cap: Choose a wig with an open weft cap. Push the arms of your glasses through the open sections in the cap wherever it feels right to you.

Additional Tips:

• Measure your head to ensure that you have the right size wig. If your wig is too large, the ear tabs may come too far down, interfering with your glasses.
• You may wish to take your glasses to an optician for an adjustment if they are not fitting well with your wig.

What if My Wig is Too Big or Too Small?

How can you wear a wig that doesn't fit? We strongly recommend measuring your head and buying the correct wig size. Here are the signs that your wig is the wrong size:

Too Large: There is a hump at the top of the head that does not go away when the wig is put on properly. The wig slides around  when you wear it and does not stay put. If your wig is too small, you can try taking the wig in with a needle and thread, just as you would a pair of pants that are too large in the waist. You can also try purchasing a wig gripper, a cushion band or a wig cap to take up extra room in the cap. The best option is to purchase a petite cap wig for the proper fit.

Too Small: When you wear the wig it keeps riding up in the back or is giving you a headache. If your wig is too small, it's much more complicated to alter the hairpiece. We recommend consulting a local wig maker for assistance or donating the wig and buying a large sized cap instead.

When Is My Wig Worn Out?

Wigs will not last forever. Caring for your wig properly will lengthen its life significantly. But for a natural look, it's important to replace your wig once it wears out. Synthetic wigs last about 3-6 months with regular wear. Human hair wigs will last a year or more. What are signs that your wig is worn out?

• The ends have become frayed.
• Hair is frizzy or tangled.
• Your wig cap has stretched out.
• Hair on the wig has shed to a noticeable degree.
• The wig looks dull.
• The wig no longer holds its style.

More Pro Wig Wearing Tips

Ensuring that your wig looks as natural as possible is key to wearing a wig with confidence. Here are some final tips:

• Some wig wearers like to take down the shine on their wig.
• Choose the right wig hairstyle for your face shape.
• To make wig wearing comfortable, be sure that you have chosen the correct wig size.
• Buy a wig with quality construction.
• Know the pros and cons of human hair vs. synthetic wigs. Choose the fiber that best meets your lifestyle and needs.
• Care for your wig properly.
• Make sure you are putting on your wig correctly.
• Select the right wig color.
• Some women prefer wearing bangs, halo hair or hats with hair instead of full wigs.
• For partial hair loss, hair toppers may be an option.