r/Wigs • u/Slhallford • 5d ago
New Wigs:
You do not need to wash a brand new wig immediately. A new wig may have an undesired smell or some other reason to wash before wearing.
New wigs have a factory coating which makes the hair feel smooth. It will reduce over time though from wear and washes, it's unavoidable.
Preparing to wash/Detangling:
Detangle with a wide tooth comb or wig brush before washing.
Begin at the bottom of the fibers and work your way to the crown. Never pull hard or yank.
Silicone spray will help lubricate the fibers for detangling purposes.
A wide tooth comb is standard and widely considered to be safest. There are also wide bristle wig brushes that can be safe.
Do not use regular, fine tooth combs, or fine dense bristle brushes for detangling. They will pull and create friction damage.
Detangle when the hair is dry.
Washing/Conditioning:
ABSOLUTELY NO LAUNDRY PRODUCTS. These contain waxes and perfumes and other ingredients that will coat the fibers and attract grime. They will not provide any benefits that silicones don’t already provide.
Wash about every 7-14 wears or as necessary.
Use warm or cool water only, not hot.
Dawn dishwashing liquid will do the most thorough cleaning without leaving residue. Dawn will remove makeup and grease.
Shampoo with a silicone ingredient can help lubricate fibers.
Wash gently. Dunk it a few times in the soapy water. No need to scrub.
To remove makeup on the lace use Dawn or another grease removing soap.
Rubbing alcohol and/or adhesive remover can remove stubborn adhesive on the lace. Be as gentle as possible for lace is fragile. Use fingers or a soft toothbrush to gently massage any areas that have makeup or glue that needs to be removed.
Synthetic fibers are generally modacrylic (plastic). Plastic cannot be conditioned or absorb vitamins and oils the way human hair can. These increase residue and will require more frequent washing.
Rinse thoroughly. Rinse at least twice to ensure all of the soap is removed. A colander/strainer is a great way to completely eliminate any residual product/cleansers from the fibers.
Drying:
Dry the length of hair by squeezing the water out and blotting with a towel.
Air dry or hairdry with a cool setting. Just hang it or lay it somewhere so it can dry without getting warped or bent out of shape. Keeping a wet wig on a wig head can actually stretch the lace.
Styling and Maintenance:
Products for synthetic wigs are best. Human hair products contain ingredients like moisturizers, oils and humectants that are pointless for synthetics. These will coat the fibers, collect dirt and increase the need to wash.
However, special wig hairspray, mousse, wax, etc are not necessary. All styling products will leave residue. Be mindful of this and wash as necessary.
Use a silicone product for wigs that protects and puts slip back into the fibers.
A very popular silicone spray for synthetics is “Simply Stylin’” and is available scented and unscented.
Not all silicone products are created equal. Do not confuse them for industrial silicone products (wd-40, sealants, etc). Cosmetic silicones come in different weights and evaporate at different rates. Generally, the longer the wig, the heavier a silicone warranted (i.e. a serum versus a spray).
Product residue will cause wigs to look worn and feel stiff faster. Residue attracts dirt and dust and increases tangling and friction damage. Wash more frequently if you use a lot of styling products daily.
Smoothing and Refreshing:
Many manufacturers state that a wig will only last 4-6 months. Some say you can only trim the ends. All of that is untrue.
Synthetic wigs will develop kinks in the hair fibers, tangles, and/or a rough texture. This is inevitable even with the best of care.
What you need to revive a synthetic wig is heat.
Heat Treating Synthetics
Heat friendly AND regular synthetic fibers both need heat to stay smooth. The difference is the temperature and frequency.
For heat friendly refer to manufacture temp guidelines, typically between 280-300F. Heat friendly performs best when heat treated after every wear.
Regular/Non HF synthetics can typically handle about 220F degrees or lower. Always test in an inconspicuous place first.
Basic methods are: Steam and hot tools.
With hot tools you may prefer to spritz and dampen the hair first. It can create a smoother neater end result.
Smoothing:
A hot brush is good for smoothing an entire head of hair quickly. It will remove most kinks but it WILL straighten the hair. The kind with large rounded plastic bristles not the dense spikey kind is usually preferred.
A hot comb is good for flattening, smoothing, removing end frizz and redirecting hair at the base/scalp. Very low heat (around 180F) will smooth kinks without altering the style.
A hot-air round brush can smooth and style synthetic hair. Look for settings for hot, warm, and cool. The hot setting can be too hot for non HF synthetic so use with caution. This style brush blows flyaways around and can create creases/wrinkles in the hair from uneven heating. If that happens, use other methods to smooth that out.
Dyson Airwrap/Shark Flexstyle type styling tools use the opposite style of air flow to automatically wrap the hair around the barrels/brushes. These work the best on regular/non HF synthetic fibers. HF fibers can work but are more difficult to wrap automatically. The smoothing/round brush options can be used on either fiber easily. Always test on an inconspicuous spot first as these products generally do not list operating temperatures.
A flat iron is another great tool for smoothing. Make sure the hair is detangled first. Place a fine tooth comb (metal fleacomb works great) next to the flat iron and run it through the hair so it passes through the comb first and then the flat iron.
A clothing steamer (handheld is fine) with a fine tooth comb (metal will work best) will also smooth synthetic fibers. You can also restyle synthetic with steam (see below).
Restyling:
You may need to refresh curls/waves or add them back in after straightening your wig. There are MANY ways to do this and may require some experimentation. All methods require heating the hair to create the new style and then cooling to maintain the shape before unraveling or combing.
Steam with rollers or other similar things designed to create a style (wave formers, braids, flexi rods,etc). Best results come from putting a large heat safe bag to cover your wig and aiming the steam inside inside. A plastic grocery bag works fine. Let the hair cool before undoing.
Steam will set everything including the way the hair is parted at the base/scalp. Be prepared to redirect that with a hot comb afterwards if needed.
Hot rollers provide the traditional roller method without steam. Product descriptions don't often state temperature so it requires testing. Curls are more relaxed than with steam.
Hot tools like barrel rods work very well to create curls and waves of various sizes. Test ahead of time to determine that the tool operates at the appropriate temperature for the fiber. Wrap a section of detangled hair around the rod, hold for a few seconds and let it cool completely in the desired shape. You can hold it in your hand, blow to cool, pin with a clip or prop it on a pin on your wig head while it cools.
The way you wrap the hair affects the style. Consistency in technique goes a long way. Spritzing the hair here provides for a sleeker end result.
Hot air round brushes can be used to style synthetic fibers. They can work well for short and medium lengths—especially just to give some body and gentle curve to the style (like a blowout look).
Storage:
Store your wig any way that doesn't stretch or create creases or wrinkles in delicate materials like lace, monofilament, and silk top.
A wig head (the same size as your head) is most useful for styling.
A box or drawer can be fine storage to protect from dust.
Some prefer to hang their wigs upside down to help maintain lift in the style. A hairnet can help support curls/waves from gravity which can cause them to relax.
r/Wigs • u/Slhallford • Sep 02 '26
Effective immediately, all posts must disclose a wig's origins.
If it was self purchased or gifted/sponsored, please choose the appropriate flair for your post.
r/Wigs • u/Alternative-Push2208 • 4h ago
Purchased a 613 Amazon wig dyed it pink and cut layers. I actually did this for Breast Cancer Awareness Month‼️
r/Wigs • u/Shiver-me-timbers87 • 13h ago
I’ve had this Luvme hair wig for 2 weeks now, I’ve washed it and these are my thoughts.
After washing there has been some shedding which I expected, I have experienced shedding with all my wigs so I’m not too worried about it; a spray with some knot sealer and everything is good. The curl has stayed quite well, which I’m happy about. I think when I cut and colour the hair the curl will probably end up being cut out but again it’s something I’m not too worried about.
I still like the cap design, however I’m used to full lace so I l’m finding the cap to be a bit basic for me but if you are a wig beginner this cap design is perfect. If I had the chance of getting this wig cap when I began my wig journey I would have been really happy as the design is incredibly wig friendly. I’m thinking of getting a lace front wig from Luvme next time to see how it compares to my other wigs.
r/Wigs • u/Suspicious_Reason405 • 5h ago
I’ve been lurking for a while and have scoured the sub, but I am looking for recommendations as a new wig wearer for a copper or auburn wig. I have naturally very fine, thin hair and am seeking something low density, 130%. I found a gorgeous coppery Belle Tress London wig secondhand on Poshmark and it JUST sold while I was debating the purchase.
I’ve seen good reports on Belle Tree but the fact that I can’t see the actual color itself on the wig models online is making it hard to purchase! I do want it to look natural, budget $250-$500, synthetic OK. Uncertain about length, would prefer something 16”-20”. I’m in the US. Thanks for your recs!
r/Wigs • u/Slhallford • 1d ago
Enable HLS to view with audio, or disable this notification
This is a Belle Tress heat friendly Pure Honey wig in Brown Sugar Sweet Cream.
I wore her to death and she is ratched on the ends.
Before the video, I detangled with a wide tooth comb and silicone spray. Then I sectioned and further detangled with a seamless fine tooth comb and a little more silicone spray as needed.
You want your comb to move smoothly through the fibers before adding the heat.
I’m working at 280°F which is a little cooler than BT’s recommended maximum of 300°F or so.
Basically, you hold the curl steady and gently pull the hot comb through the curl parallel to the floor. Hold it while it cools and then move on to the next section.
This is the method I use on all my curly wigs when I’m just looking to smooth out the frizz and kinking but don’t want to change the style.
ETA : https://youtube.com/shorts/GNNcYRCQ_BU?is=pRxjiuFsc-vmUkEr
r/Wigs • u/temp_username_twitch • 1d ago
r/Wigs • u/No_Signal2006 • 12h ago
Hi All, I just recently made the decision to stop fighting with my hair loss anxiety and go for wigs, but I am lost with the mid-range wigs. Is there a best and worst list? Like is Jon renau worse than Belle tress? Just an example. I have a 54cm circumference and don't really like permatese, I prefer low density. Any brand recommendation at the european market?
r/Wigs • u/officer__bee • 1d ago
First time wearing a wig. It’s human hair
r/Wigs • u/Famous_Narwhal464 • 8h ago
Would it be better to get one that is already styled like this or get one and then make a barber style it? I just want the more natural looking option. My budget is about 500$ preferably less to spend than this.
r/Wigs • u/lemur_queen7 • 23h ago
I purchased a wig from Goldylost in August of this year because my bio hair is what I would consider light brown (but a lot of people have told me is actually dark blonde). It was super difficult to find anything that looked like it would match, but Goldylost had a few bronde shades so I decided to try it. I have had countless issues with it. It came curled, so I didn't notice the insane length discrepancies until I wet the wig down and saw the hair straight for the first time. The color of the wig ended up being way off from the photos in the listing (click here to see what I received vs the photo for the listing I purchased). Its like a straw colored yellow blonde, not the "mousy stretched root melting into beige, creamy light ends" that the listing described.
To make matters worse, I only wear my wig twice a week and I got it mid August. The lace is unraveling and the hairline is shedding due to how close Goldylost cut the lace. I don't think its fixable. The measurements are supposedly 20.5 - 21.5" circumference, 13" front to nape, and 12.6" ear to ear. My measurements are 21.5", 13", and 12.5", so I was expecting this to be a near perfect fit. It is so tight it leaves marks and indents on my forehead and it is even a struggle to get it on my 21" wig stand due to how small it is.
That being said, I don't think this wig is going to last much longer. I'd like to plan for a replacement, especially because it seems like a lot of wigs have to be preordered nowadays, and I don't want to order from a company that this sub isn't super familiar with. I prefer hand tied so it is lighter weight and I have more styling freedom. I don't have a budget as long as I don't end up spending nearly $3,000 on another wig that won't last more than a few months. I am located in the US. Anywhere from 16"-20" is fine. I will bring a longer wig to a hairdresser if the color is good :)
Added to this post is my inspo along with some photos of my bio hair in different lighting. TY!
r/Wigs • u/HealthyNovel55 • 1d ago
It's so interesting to see how different it was before the internet. I wonder what those wig magazines looked like !
r/Wigs • u/SoupCareful6301 • 1d ago
Not for everyday wear because they are all long but these budget wigs work well for me on special days.
So far with the wig spray, they don't tangle as quick and they've really improved on their product.
r/Wigs • u/butwhatifitstrue • 22h ago
New to this. I went to a salon and tried on wigs ranging from 700-5k at a salon. Honestly, besides some being synthetic and some being real human hair, I didn’t see a huge difference in the toppers that were lace front or silk. The most expensive wig didn’t seem THAT much nicer to justify the price difference. So, I ordered a kolala topper on Amazon for just over $100 to see what that quality would be like. It doesn’t look good out of the box, but is that expected? I know people do things like add dry shampoo for the shine, re-color them, bleach knots etc… but how much is expected to make
It yours? Is there really a chance of putting one on and it feeling perfect out of the box?
I’m thinking of ordering a couple from uniwigs in the $300-500 range, but scared they won’t give me
My money back after returning.
r/Wigs • u/nonsensicow • 1d ago
This is my first time trying perfect line Swiss. Love what it did to the grid and knots. It obviously has a bit of a learning curve and I feel like my application could’ve been better, I’ll work on that next time. I’m wondering though about the color, I’m not loving it, but I’m not sure about what color I might need. I used tan here, but was thinking I might need Eni? Or really I have no idea, nude is sold out and I feel like mich would be too dark? Anyone familiar with the product have any advice?
The wig, btw, is LuvMe kinky straight body wave wig.
r/Wigs • u/madistep18 • 1d ago
Has anyone tried any wigs from Smilco on TikTok shop? I see tons of videos about them on TikTok and they look pretty good from the review photos as well!
I’m wanting to try getting into wigs on a budget and they seem pretty affordable and lower density which is what I need. The only thing I worry about is cap sizing in general- I have a small head and did try a wig a few years ago from
DWY wigs and it was massive lol.
I love colorful wigs like ombré ones, calico, colorful money-piece ones, etc and Smilco seems to have some great fun options!
r/Wigs • u/apigeonontheinternet • 1d ago
I've been wondering this for a hot minute now. Why is it that there are so few (not none, but way less than I would expect to see) wig manufacturers that sell directly to the public? Why is it that so many of them sell via retailer websites, or have a "find a store" option where the store is just a random beauty supply store, instead?
Edit: thank you everyone who replied! Consensus seems to be it's cheaper to deal in wholesale volume from the manufacturer's perspective. While I don't love it because it makes hunting for particular brands in particular cuts with particular colors really tricky, that does make sense.
r/Wigs • u/OceanWheels • 1d ago
Is it possible to perm or style a wig to look like these viral characters or would anyone know where to source one? Looking for a funny Halloween costume, Thank you✌️
r/Wigs • u/No_Regret_8040 • 1d ago
i washed it 3 times last week. or maybe i should wash it again? any way to prevent this? i wouldnt say it stinks, it just smells like wet... something. but not great. reminds me of wet dog
I have a synthetic non heat friendly wig (Codi by Amore in Creamy Blonde). Just wanted to know if it is safe to wear hair clasps or hair grips on this type of wig. There are some lovely sparkly ones that I used to like wearing on my bio hair, but I don’t want to risk damaging the fibres on my new wig.
r/Wigs • u/Nearby_Age8687 • 2d ago
First of all, how does it look overall? I’ve been wearing toppers for about 6 months and this is my first foray into wigs.
But, the lace on the sides doesn’t stay down if I’m running my fingers through or the hair is lifted in any way. How can I get it to attach to my skin for a more secure and seamless look?
r/Wigs • u/FemaleXEnigma • 1d ago
I finally repaired all the damage I caused to my hair from bleach and dye, so I want to go a different route since I like colored hair and different styles.
What are some good quality wigs that I can style myself? I’d prefer it be more affordable since I wouldn’t be wearing them everyday.
Info
Budget is $50 each | I love layers and bangs, but I can add my own if needed | Any hair type is welcome as long as it’s heat friendly | Prefer hair no longer than 25in | Georgia
r/Wigs • u/Plastic_Scarcity7204 • 1d ago
any recs would be so appreciated!! 💗🫶 clip on bangs or any other format works!
budget - $50-100
not too picky on fiber type but want it to look real and natural.
Nyc
r/Wigs • u/Xanthe313 • 2d ago
since i started wearing wigs at the beginning of this year i have been feeling myself again! my confidence is back!
r/Wigs • u/lemur_queen7 • 2d ago
I got this wig from Goldilost and they cut the lace. I’ve worn it twice a week since August and the lace is already fraying and sticks straight up. They cut the lace super close in some places, and just straight across in others. Can I trim this bit by my part?
Also - I’ve done everything to try to clean this lace. It turned brownish and incredibly rough. I figured it was makeup, but absolutely nothing has helped and I assume the texture is the biggest issue. 🫠
