First of all, have you ever tried a synthetic wig on and thought, ‘this would look great with a fringe’ or ‘I just wish it had some extra layers in’? We all love our synthetics wigs for keeping their style in place all day long and the fact they are very low maintenance. Which is why when it comes to deciding how to cut synthetic hair the best way, the answer is simple, using a professional. When it comes to DIY vs the salon, we always recommend going to the salon, especially if you have a synthetic wig, we explain why in this post.
How to cut synthetic wig hair
Many of our lovely wig wearing community members often find that they love the style of their synthetic wig but could just do with losing a bit of length on the fringe, or making the ends blunter to give it a freshen up. The main reason we recommend going to the salon is that once your wig hair is cut, then there’s no way it can grow back. Your wig is precious, and we would hate for you to not feel comfortable or confident in it after cutting it yourself incorrectly at home.
When contacting a professional about cutting your synthetic wig, be sure to try and do some research beforehand, as cutting a synthetic wig is slightly different from cutting natural hair and human hair wigs. As synthetic hair keeps its style and isn’t as flexible or as easily manipulated as human hair, it needs to be cut in-line with the style so that it looks and feels right when wearing it. For stylists who are not used to working with synthetic hair, it’s easy to treat it as you would human hair with the latest synthetic hair being more realistic than ever before. That’s why it’s a good idea just to check their previous experience.
Top Tip: Sharing your own experience with other wig wearers is so important for our community. With anything wig related query, from cutting a synthetic wig to which is the best tape to use to secure your wig, the best way to find out is by reaching out and asking for recommendations from those who know best!
Our Salon at Simply Wigs
If in doubt, at Simply Wigs we offer a wig cutting service, for all types of wigs including synthetic. If you fancy a trip to see our wig cutting professionals, then all you need to do is book an appointment. Our wig experts are always on hand to help with any questions you may have regarding all things wigs, so please just contact us for any advice on cutting synthetic wigs.
Be kind to your synthetic wig, and look after it as you would your natural hair by leaving it in professional hands if you require a tidy up or restyle. You may be tempted to get out the kitchen scissors but just remember how important your wig is to you and how great it will look and make you feel if you just book an appointment with a professional and let them work their magic!
If your synthetic wig is damaged and you are looking for an alternative to getting it cut, then head over to our blog post on how to fix a wig with wig damage, to read our expert guide on restoring your wig back to full health.
Hi Liz,
Thank you for your question 🙂 We would recommend using a set of hairdressing scissors to cut a wig as this will help with creating a nice result.
I wear synthetic hair toppers. I often cut a fringe and sometimes the length. I would really like to know if there are special or a particular type of scissors I should be using?
Crikey, I’ve always worn mine straight out of the box, and trimmed fringe and/or layered it myself. I wouldn’t have the confidence to approach an unknown hairdresser in a salon .
I disagree. I’ve learned to modify my wigs through trial and error and am very happy now that I can make them look so much better. I’ve made mistakes-many. But now, I can add face-framing layers, trim the length and add a wispy bang. I find synthetic much easier than cutting my hair, as I never mastered that!
I can’t find a petite beachy wave wig that has a fringe, and isn’t a long wig. Ellen Wille “Night” wig is good, but not actually petite size. I wear a headband to hold the hair down, or it would look too bushy on my petite head. (Had a fringe cut in).
I found one or two of mine have not laid flat after trimming the fringe. There’s nothing you can do to stop it. Even gels etc don’t work.
My hairdresser taught hairdressing in university for 25 years, but had not trimmed wigs.
She does a good job as a rule.
I even went to a hairdresser trained in T Sorbie wig cutting and she said she only cuts wigs made of real hair. I have a small head, so the style doesn’t look as short as in the wig website photograph.
A word of warning – not all skilled hairdressers are skilled in cutting wigs!! I have had the fringe cut on 3 of my wigs previously. On the first occasion I took it to a skilled hairdresser who unfortunately had no experience of trimming wigs and she spoiled the fringe which would not lie down after that no matter what i did to it. After that I made sure I took my wigs to a hairdresser was skilled in cutting wigs and she did a great job.
Yes a hairdreeser told me that but i just went to ano one wasnt a problem. Try somwere else.
I have had all my wigs cut. It’s amazing the difference it makes. I have them cut where I buy them and the lady is trained in cutting wigs. She says if you cut them like normal hair they could like a wig so they should be cut in a special way – whatever that is, but it does make them look natural.
Hope that helps!
I have had a couple of wigs that definetely needed shaping more. Same style of wig but they all differ slightly. The last wig I had, was a lot longer on top than I liked, so my hairdresser put more layers into it. It turned out amazing! As it’s a synthetic one, as long as it isn’t blunt cut, it turns out lovely. I have no worries, if it has to be cut.
The hairdresser i asked to cut my wig refused because I was told it blunted their scissors. So I haven’t tried anyone else, I assumed they all would have the same reply.
Yes, I often have to my wigs trimmed, as the fringe is often far too long. I cannot v ope with the strands getting into my eyes are they are very sensitive and synthetic hair is more painful than real hair when it’s blown onto your eyes.
Having said that the wigs are often too short at the nape and at the sides, and I like to keep the hair I’ve got longish there so it can add length to the sideburns
I would certainly consider having some changes made to some of my wigs if I could get it done locally
I usually take new wigs to my hairdresser and have a fringe or some layers chopped in. It makes a style I like really special.
Mine are synthetic wigs an I have had no problem getting them cut to shape.
I’ve had a couple of wigs trimmed to ‘make them my own’. It usually includes having the fringe cuts shorter and thinned out, making the bottom even (sometimes even with the best of them, there are longer areas), and thinning out the crown and or sides to get rid of some heaviness.
But having moved from our previous location, I now am having trouble finding someone who can customize my wig. There are some fabulous tutorials out showing how to do this, and I am seriously thinking about getting an inexpensive ‘throw-away’ wig to practice on. .
A long time ago I read advice from a professional wig maker who stated wigs should never be worn ‘out of the box’. They almost all need some sort of tweaking to make it the wearer’s own.
I have done it for a long time and it works out marvelous. For sure you need a hairdresser that know what she is doing, otherwise….
I wear something similar to the Lacey and I have never worn them straight out of the box. Whatever happened to the once essential part of hair enhancement – having a new wig ‘cut in’ ? Wouldn’t dream of not doing this and I am fortunate to have a local hairdresser who is happy to do this for me and skilled at trimming what’s left of my own hair to blend in well with my hairpiece.
My belief is that most hairdressers are schooled in cutting a wig in as part of their training. If this were my profession, I would be glad of the opportunity to do something left field. My hairdresser knows to be careful and err on the side of caution…after all, ‘my’ hair won’t grow back if she cuts it too short!
Talking of shortening the piece, this can extend its longevity; if it gets a bit ratty at the ends, go for a shorter look. I typically have two pieces on the go at once and can swop between longer and shorter just like I would if it was bio hair.
Every time i get a wig i get it it cut and styled i use same hair dresser hes a we gem.styles it it to perfection.