How to Wear a Wig and Why

With endless, ready-to-wear black hairstyles, you’ll never have another bad hair day!

African American wigs are a big deal right now. Not only are celebrities and fashionable women wearing them more and more, but wigs themselves just keep on getting better. Whether you’re completely new to wigs…or have a gorgeous collection in the double digits, we invite you to read along and get inspired.

To start with, we sat down with our fabulous Ashro hair and wig stylist, Kerre Berry, to get her seasoned perspective on how to wear a wig — and tips on how to feel absolutely fantastic in them.

Let’s DARE to be ourselves

When our hair doesn’t match what we feel like on the inside or when it gets in the way of what we’re trying to accomplish in the world, Ladies, it’s time to TRANSFORM! The fabulous YOU you’ve been becoming all this time might just be ready to be revealed, and that’s not the time to hold back. Why not open your mind and imagine something new? Sometimes this means tweaking our go-to style just a bit…and sometimes it means trying a completely new look altogether.

The possibilities are endless and pretty magical because wigs are TEMPORARY. They let us experiment and reinvent ourselves-without having to drastically cut or color our own hair. And that is what is called OPPORTUNITY.

Truth be told, wigs can save us from more than style ruts. They can turn around bad hair days, lazy hair days, and even, for some strong beautiful souls fighting hair loss or thinning, a wig can be our beautiful crown and our glory when we need it most.

Each of us should feel like we’re living our best, most beautiful version of ourselves.

Let’s take care of the hair God gave us (and the wig we just spent money on).

Proper Wig Care

If the lovely ladies above kept on wearing that wig without keeping it up, they would not look fierce anymore.

Just like our own hair, a wig needs washing. It accumulates sweat, dirt and hair products. After a while, any wig can start to get stiff and tangled and, well, nasty.

What to do? Wash your wig as needed in warm water with wig shampoo.

Once the wig is perfectly dry, use a wide-tooth comb or wig brush to detangle it.

Know why you want to get a wig, what you want from it and how much you want to spend. Then educate yourself. It’s really important to use a wig stand, even for the everyday storing of a wig. Don’t just throw it in a drawer. Using a wig stand protects the style and shape of your wig and helps to keep it looking beautiful. — Kerre Berry

Let’s choose the right wig type for us

1. Synthetic Wigs

This type of wig is made from manmade materials. It tends to be more affordable, so it’s a great option if you want to experiment with a new style that you aren’t sure about.

WARNING: Hot styling will ruin most synthetic wigs. Do not use curling irons, flat irons or hot blow dryers on them unless the manufacturer clearly states otherwise. Thankfully, some retailers are now making heat-tolerant synthetic wigs, but always follow the manufacturer’s temperature recommendations.

GOOD NEWS: you can cut a synthetic wig and even use hair products — sparingly. For the most part, synthetic wigs come pre-styled and hold that style as long as they receive basic care. They even stand up to wind, rain and humidity.

“Synthetic wigs can sometimes have more shine than is natural. If you want to minimize that just a bit, try using a small amount of dry shampoo. Not too much! Work it through the hair evenly, and you’ll have a beautiful, more natural-looking shine.” — Kerre Berry

2. Human Hair Wigs

This type of wig is made from real human hair. It tends to look “real” because it is real. A human hair wig is ideal for ladies who want a very natural look and for the true wig wearer — the woman who knows the style she wants and is confident that she’ll get her use out of it.

A human hair wig can handle just about everything you’d do to your own hair: you can cut, color, curl, straighten and blow it dry. For this reason, a human hair wig is perfect for the lady who wants to “play with” and customize her wig. Keep in mind that the gentler you are to your wig, the longer it will last. You’ll also need to condition it after washing because it can’t make its own oils anymore. And just like real hair, humidity and wind can affect it.

3. Human Hair Blend Wigs

This type of wig is a combination of human hair and synthetic fibers. It is typically mid-priced, giving you a more realistic look without having to spend as much as you would on a 100% human hair wig.

A blend tends to look fantastic and wear well. It’s a great middle-of-the-road option. See manufacturer details for heat and styling tolerances.

If your hair color matches the color of your wig, pulling out a little bit of your own hair at the hairline will make your wig look even more real. Once you’ve pulled them out, match the texture: curl those hairs if your wig is curly, straighten them if your wig is straight. Take it up a notch if you like by twirling and twisting your own hairs into the wig hair. This really does make a difference! Experiment and don’t be shy. — Kerre Berry

What’s a Lace-Front Wig and Why Would I Want One?

A lace-front wig is constructed with a sheer, almost invisible section of lace mesh at the hairline and usually along the part. This material is lightweight for comfort and a bit stretchy for a better fit. Human or synthetic hair is painstakingly knotted onto its tiny holes.

Because this sheer material sits right against your skin, it gives you a very realistic-looking hairline in front. And if you have a part, the mesh lets your scalp show through, so it looks like the wig is truly growing right out of your scalp.

If you like, you can also apply wig glue or styling gel to the lace in front to keep it very securely in place. You will need to take care when using a lace-front wig. It is delicate, so if you’re not careful, it can tear or lose its stretch. See the video (right) for tips on how to apply a lace-front wig.

How to wear a wig — the basics

1. Make your hair as flat as it can be. You want your wig to lie close to your scalp, so it looks natural. The easiest way to do this is to braid your hair into cornrows, and then put on a wig cap that’s as close to your scalp color as possible. Keep in mind that your scalp skin tone is usually lighter than the skin on your face. Wig caps can be bought inexpensively at your local drugstore.
2. When you put your new wig on, place it as close to your natural hairline as possible. If it’s too far down your forehead, it’s going to look “wiggy.” If it’s too far back, your own hair will be showing too much.
3. How do I make sure it stays on? First, get the right size. Measure your head as recommended by the manufacturer.

Many wigs also come with built-in combs — or a wig strap that can be tightened for a snug, comfortable fit. Add your own bobby pins for even more security. With a lace-front wig, you can use a few dots of wig glue along the hairline or for a gentler option, extra-sticky styling gel can do the trick.

Wig Sizing Chart

Before ordering your wig, please follow these tips to ensure a good fit.

Measure Your Head & Determine Your Wig Size: Measure your head using a flexible measuring tape. Flatten your hair back to get an accurate measurement. Starting in front at your natural hairline, follow along your hairline just above your ear. Continue around to the back at the bend in your neck and over your other ear, and around to the front where you started. (Fig. 1) Measure from the front of your natural hairline back over the crown to the bend where your head meets the top of your neck. (Fig. 2) Start in front of one ear, bringing your tape measure over the crown to the front of your other ear. (Fig. 3) Wigs come with an elastic adjustable strap for versatile sizing and comfort.

Want to make your wig your own? Take it to a trusted hairstylist to have it cut to suit YOU. It’ll take a little more money up front, but you’ll end up with a more custom wig that flatters your face AND your overall look. Now that’s a great investment! — Kerre Berry

This is only the beginning, Ladies! Check out these videos and more like them for tips on how to style wigs, how to cornrow your own hair, how to make your synthetic wig look more natural, and how to revive wigs that have served you well.

Originally published at https://www.ashro.com on August 22, 2022.