The Ultimate Guide To Wig Styling

The Ultimate Guide To Wig Styling

Wig styling is important to keep your wig looking at its best and wig styles require as much care and attention as your natural hair. How to style wigs comes down to personal preference and what makes you look great and feel comfortable. When you are styling your wig, you don’t need to obsess about keeping every flyaway hair firmly in place as an imperfect style is what makes natural hair so beautiful. From wig styling products to the types of wigs to style, learn how to style a synthetic wig and how to style a human hair wig in our blog post!

the SYNTHETIC guide

How to Style a Synthetic Wig

Generally, synthetic wigs require more careful wig styling as the fibres are fragile and therefore more susceptible to damage. If you’re wondering how to style a synthetic wig, it’s worth noting that they only require a gentle shake as they are usually set into their ready-made style. For minor adjustments, running your fingers through the fibres will help you fine-tune your personal styling preference. See our top tips on how to style a synthetic wig day-to-day:

Use products specifically designed for synthetic wigs

Always use products designed for synthetic wigs so that the fibres don’t get destroyed and your piece will remain in good condition.

Wig styling products and accessories are important as they are specifically designed for wig upkeep and the style’s fragile requirements.  Avoid human hair products, particularly hair sprays and hair gels, as these will make your wig harder to style over time. Instead, use wig shampoo or wig sprays. Wig care repair products such as wig masks and intensive repair products can be used on synthetic wigs to maintain softness and shine when you wear your wig daily.

ALWAYS STYLE WHEN DRY

Whether you’ve just washed your wig or applied some wet styling products, always wait for your wig to dry before you go in with your styling tools. This is because the weight of the water in your wig can stretch the wig fibres or ruin your wig style, particularly noticeable with curly wigs, where curls may straighten as a result. Use your wig comb or brush to reposition curls once dry.

FRESHEN UP YOUR STYLE WITH A SPRAY BOTTLE

A spray bottle filled with clean water is a great way to freshen up your look. Spritz your wig with some water and use your fingers to smooth any frizz or add a bit of volume where you need it. Using a spray bottle works a treat with long, short, curly and straight wigs!

HOW TO BRUSH YOUR WIG

When trying new wig styles, always use wig brushes and wig combs instead of regular brushes designed for natural hair. Wig brushes and wig combs are designed with softer ’rounded’ bristles and prongs to ensure that the fibres are not dragged when detangling your wig.

If you wear a wig with tight curls, soft curls, or waves, use short lifting strokes with your fingertips to maintain the curl. It’s important to note that synthetic wigs with a wavy or curly style should avoid combs and brushes as these could permanently disrupt the curls and cause a ‘frizzy‘ look. These wig styles also require a gentle shake and a careful separation of the curls with your fingers.

If you wear a straight wig, create long, even strokes with your wig brush to keep your wig in place. Find advice on the best wig brush in our blog post.

ADD SOME VOLUME TO YOUR LOOK

You can add some volume to synthetic wigs by teasing with a comb at the roots and being careful to avoid the wig cap’s mesh. Always lift upwards gently to create a bit of height. You can set your volume with specially designed wig sprays, such as the Wig Flexible Spray Gel by Jon Renau for a long-lasting style you can wear all day.

Style your wig on your head

Styling your wig whilst on your head allows you to perfect your style and lets you see how the wig frames your face as you style. This is a useful tip if you wish to cut your wig, too, so that it can be tailored to your face shape.

Personalise your wig with accessories

For a quick and easy personal touch, a hair accessory is a great way to add a creative twist to your wig style. Adding a headband, hair clip, or scarf to your wig will transform your style, and you can mix and match accessories for a different look every day.

Try out a new look

If your wig styling requires cutting, we recommend visiting a hairdresser to have your wig shaped, styled and cut to your personal preference. Wigs can be shortened, layered and thinned, and a customised cut can make a world of difference. Learn more about keeping your wig in tip-top condition here.

Tips for Washing Synthetic Wigs

1. Use a wide-toothed comb, a wig brush, or your fingers to detangle your wig working from the tip to the root in a downward motion before you start washing.

2. Always wash your wig with clean water and change the water between the shampoo and conditioner phase of washing.

3. Soak your wig in a mixture of tepid water and specially designed wig shampoo for the specified amount of time on your shampoo product.

4. Do not rub shampoo into your wig, instead, swish the wig back and forth gently before leaving it to soak.

5. Rinse your wig with tepid water to remove all the shampoo, making sure the water runs from root to tip in the same direction as your hair flows.

6. Condition your wig by soaking it in tepid water with special synthetic wig conditioner for the time specified by your product or wig provider.

7. Swish your wig back and forth and use your fingertips to coat your wig from root to tip in the product. Do not use a comb or brush, and do not pull or squeeze the hair.

8. Check your product to see if the conditioner solution needs to be rinsed or if it’s a leave-in formula.

9. Towel dry your wig to remove excess water. Take care to comb the wig into shape from root to tip, and then air dry on a wig stand.

Learn how to wash your synthetic wig in 5 easy steps.

Can you style a synthetic wig with heat?

We recommend complete avoidance of hair dryers, curling or straightening irons when styling your synthetic wig. The heat from these appliances will damage your wig’s synthetic fibres and lessen its condition and quality. If you would like to set your wig style and ensure it will stay in place all day then using a wig gel spray is a great way to achieve this without creating stickiness or heaviness. The special formula of a gel spray revitalises the wig’s fibres whilst adding that all-important body and shine. You can use this handy accessory to set, scrunch or spike your style for a variety of looks. For more help with choosing the right styling products for synthetic wigs, please read our blog post.



the HUMAN HAIR guide

How to Style Human Hair Wigs

Human hair wigs are fabulously versatile when it comes to styling. In fact, many human hair wigs can be styled, permed and coloured just like your own hair. Find our top tips on how to style human hair wigs:

Use products designed for human hair wigs

As human hair wigs don’t contain the same natural oils and vitamins as natural human hair, you must use hair care products specifically designed for human hair wigs to keep your wig fibres in top condition. Use a setting spray to keep your wig style confidently in place all day, no matter what you get up to. For the ultimate protection against wig damage, the Hair Power Hair Tip Liquid is a fantastic choice.

Never style a wet human hair wig

Never style your human hair wig whilst its wet, as this can damage the wig construction and ruin your wig. Once your wig is washed and left to dry, comb the wig with a wig detangling comb whilst your wig is placed on a wig stand. Alternatively, make an upright fist with your hand and place your wig on the fist as you comb the wig with your other hand. You may wish to speed up the drying process using a hairdryer at a low or medium heat and use heat styling spray to avoid damage.

How to brush your human hair wig

Don’t comb the mesh at the wig base as this could cause damage to the wig construction. Use a wig brush or comb and brush gently through the wig from the base to the ends of the hair. Remove tangles first, starting at the bottom and working your way up to prevent breakage. We recommend using a wide-tooth comb on your human hair wig, as this allows for gentle brush strokes that don’t disturb the cap or the fibres, while keeping the static at bay.

Tease some volume into your look

Tease your wig from the root to add some height to your human hair wig, using gentle motions moving upwards and away from your wig cap. Use some wig spray to hold the style in place for longer. Or, you could use a three-quarter wig or a hair topper to add some extra ‘oomph’.

Keep your wig on while styling

Wearing your wig or using a styling head helps fix the wig exactly as it will be worn, so it’s ready to go when you are. If you’re styling on your head, use a chin strap to allow you the freedom to style with both hands without the wig moving around. Alternatively, a styling head or wig stand are useful accessories if you have trouble reaching up or styling the back of your wig. Use this method if you wish to customise your wig with a professional cut, making sure that your new style frames your face perfectly.

Take care of your human hair wig with wig care repair sets

Purchasing a wig care set designed specifically for human hair wigs is a great place to start with styling your human hair wig. By caring for your wig and keeping it in quality condition, it’s ready for various wig styles. Using a set offers optimal care for your wig as the deeppenetrating, and intensive care shampoo and balsam will make the hair smooth, soft and give it a silky gloss. Follow this care routine with a wig conditioner to protect and repair any stressed hair.

Try new styles and hairdos

Like natural hair, you can create different wig styles with the use of hair bobbles, wig clips or other accessories like hair pieces and ponytails. If your wig length is shoulder length or longer, a half-up, half-down style will look great and flatter your face especially in the summer if you want to pull your hair back but maintain some coverage. For longer length wigs, try a messy updo or a loose ponytail for on-trend style. To make these looks appear as natural as possible, keep it messy and let strands of your wig fall naturally around the face.

Tips for Washing a Human Hair Wig

1. Do not wash a human hair wig as often as you would your hair, only wash it when dirty or if there is a build-up of product.

2. Wash your wig at the end of the day to allow time for styling.

3. Always wash your wig with clean water and change the water between the shampoo and conditioner phase of washing.

4. Before you begin washing your human hair wig, detangle using your wig brush, comb or your fingers.

5. Soak your wig in lukewarm water, with the tap water running in the same direction as your wig hair flows.

6. Use specially designed human hair wig shampoo to clean your wig, making sure to shampoo from the roots to the tips. Keep your wig in the shampoo for as long as the product says on the bottle.

7. Do not rub shampoo into your wig, rather, gently swish the wig back and forth in the water and leave to soak.

8. Rinse the shampoo from your wig, again taking care to ensure that the water flows in the same direction as your wig falls.

9. Use wig conditioner on your wig, making sure to spread the product evenly throughout the strands gently with your fingertips.

10. Rinse your conditioner out gently, or leave it in if the product requires.

11. Dry your wig – this comes in two parts. First, towel dry your wig so that it’s not dripping wet. Secondly, hang your wig on your wig stand.

12. Take care not to squeeze your wig tightly to remove excess water and do not tug at the strands.

For more detailed steps, learn how to wash a human hair wig here.

Can you style a human hair wig with heat?

You may use heat appliances such as hair dryers, rollers, curling or straightening irons to give your human hair wig a personal style; however, try not to use these regularly when creating new wig styles. Always use heat-protecting spray before using heat on your hair.


With our wig styling tips, whatever wig style you choose, wearing it with confidence is the key to pull off any look. Walk tall and own your wig style, and we can guarantee you will look and feel fabulous! Read our blog for more wig wisdom!


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