Wigs are fun and sometimes necessary accessories. If you need a wig or just want to spice up your style, wearing fake hair can be difficult and complicated - here are some simple steps to follow to give your wig the most natural and realistic look possible.
Steps
Part 1 of 2: Prepare the Head and Hair
Step 1. Choose a type of wig
There are three main types of wigs: full lace (worked entirely with lace, also called "tulle cinema", a light and breathable material generally used to make the hairline as natural as possible), front lace (with front attachment) and not -lace (without the use of lace). In addition, there are three main materials they can be made from: real hair, animal hair and synthetic hair. Each type of wig has its pros and cons, so make sure you buy the one that best suits your needs.
- The full lace wig is equipped with a tulle protection in the cap on which the hair is sewn directly. It gives a natural look to the hair and very often it is made up of real hair or animal hair. It is easier to comb because it can be divided into any part. It also gives greater comfort when wearing it, because it is very breathable. The disadvantage is that this type of wig is usually much more expensive than the others. It also risks being damaged more easily, because it is not made of a strong fabric.
- The lace front wig is made with a layer of tulle in the front, rather than across the cap. It gives a natural look on the forehead, but is made of more resistant materials in the main part of the head. These wigs can be made of any material and are less expensive than full lace wigs. The downside is that they don't look as natural as the previous ones, and they can be more difficult to style due to the way they are made.
- The non-lace wig is made from nylon-like materials. Therefore, it is manufactured with any type of material used for the production of synthetic hair, it is more resistant and far less expensive than other types of wigs. The downside is that it doesn't look natural and doesn't get confused with the hairline, unlike lace-worked wigs.
Step 2. Prepare your hair
It is necessary to fix the hair so that it does not create bumps or irregularities once the wig is worn. Whether you have long or short hair, you need to pull it back from the front hairline so that it is not visible under the wig.
- If they are long, you can separate them into two strands and twist them, crossing them behind your head. Secure them at the top and bottom with clothespins.
- If you have long, double hair, you can make small twists of a couple of centimeters and attach them to the hair. Grab a large piece of hair just over 2 cm wide and twist it, wrapping the end around your index finger. Twist it around your head, making a spiral just over 2 cm wide. Once you have collected all the hair inside, secure it with two X-shaped barrettes above the spiral. Repeat this all over your head. This will give you an even surface on which to apply the wig.
- If you have short hair, you can style it and pin it away from the hairline. Also try using an elastic band - or something similar - to push the hair away from the hairline.
Step 3. Prepare the skin
Clean the skin around the hairline with a cotton swab dipped in an alcohol solution. It will remove any residue of grease and impurities from the skin, helping the glue or duct tape to adhere to the skin. Next, apply a scalp protector, which can be a spray, gel, or cream, to the scalp. It will protect sensitive skin from any irritation and damage caused by glue or tape.
Make sure you prepare your skin even if you don't have hair and skipped the previous step
Step 4. Put on elastic protection before the wig
You can choose between a skin-colored nylon net and a cap. The former is a little more breathable, while the latter reproduces the color of the scalp under the wig. To apply the protection, gently spread it over your head and align it perfectly with the hairline, making sure it fits all the hair. Secure it with a couple of clothespins along the outer edges.
Whether you have long or short hair, you need to use a cap under the wig. If you don't have hair, this step is optional. The net may prevent the wig from slipping, but it is not essential to even the head
Step 5. Apply glue or tape
If you intend to use wig glue, dip a small makeup brush and apply a thin layer around the hairline, then let it dry (this may take a few minutes; you will know it is ready when it is no longer thin and moist, but sticky). If you prefer duct tape, gently put a few double-sided adhesive strips along the hairline, fixing it on the skin. Leave some space between each strip. This way, when you sweat, your scalp will be able to perspire without compromising the adhesion of the adhesive tape. It is not necessary to dry the adhesive strips.
- To make sure the wig and the cap underneath don't slip, apply some glue or tape along the edge of the cap. It will adhere to the wig, elastic protection and skin at the same time, making it more stable.
- You can use a combination of these two methods. It depends on you.
- There is no need to apply glue or tape all along the hairline. However, be sure to use any sticky substance on the front of the forehead and temples, as applied to these spots will allow you to have a more natural look. Afterwards, you can choose all the other areas where you feel it is necessary to put it.
Part 2 of 2: Put on the Wig
Step 1. Prepare the wig
Before putting it on, make sure that the hair it is made of does not stick to glue or tape. Therefore, collect them in a ponytail. Alternatively, if they are short, pin them back near the edges.
- If you want to wear a full lace or half lace wig, cut some of the inner fabric so that it fits snugly around your hairline. Try not to shorten it excessively or ruin the outline of the wig. Leave some inner fabric on the edges so that you can glue it to the head and thus give the wear a natural look.
- Don't worry about combing the wig for now. It will fall apart while you wear it. You will be able to fix it once worn.
Step 2. Put on the wig
Place a finger on the area of the wig which will be in the center of the forehead. Place the wig on your head and gently spread it over your scalp, centering your finger on your forehead. Then carefully pull the rest of the wig over your head. Make sure, as much as possible, to keep the edges away from the sticky substance, so they don't stick together before you're ready.
- Don't lean upside down. This way, you won't be able to balance the wig on your head and some strands of hair may stick to the adhesive material before you're ready.
- If this is your first time wearing a wig, allow enough time to fix the wig before you leave the house. It will take some practice to wear it perfectly.
Step 3. Secure the wig
Regardless of the type of adhesive you use, it is necessary to secure the wig on your head. Once you've positioned it the way you want it, use a fine-toothed comb to gently press the front edges. If you use a lace wig, make sure that the areas worked with this fabric adhere perfectly to the head and form a natural hairline. Once you have fixed the front, wait 15 minutes for it to stick well; follow the same steps for the back section. Wait another 15 minutes before combing the wig to make sure the glue has set.
- You can also use clothespins to feel safer wearing. Place them along the top of the wig, grabbing the cap and your underlying hair. Apply them more towards the center so that they are not visible.
- Once it's in place, check for any glue residue visible under the wig. If you find it, remove it by gently scrubbing the area with a cotton swab dipped in alcohol solution.
- If you are unable to position the wig correctly on the first attempt, gently swipe a cotton swab dipped in alcohol solution around the area to detach the wig from the skin. Put it back and fix it again.
Step 4. Comb and use accessories
Once you have fixed the wig well, you are free to create the hairstyle you want - you can be witty and daring as you want. You have the opportunity to make braids, curls and use the accessories you like best. If the wig is synthetic, avoid using heat as it may melt or be damaged.
- Before putting on the wig, you can cut it to the most appropriate style for your face shape. By doing so, you will feel more confident and look more natural.
- Remember not to overdo it. Whether it's made up of real hair, animal hair or synthetic materials, don't use too many styling products or they will leave residue on the wig.
