How to Put on a Wig: The Beginner’s Guide

How to Put on a Wig: The Beginner’s Guide

One thing we often hear from those who are new to wearing wigs is that they’re worried about how they should put on their wig to ensure it looks completely natural.

Putting on a wig is easy, even for beginners, so there’s no need to worry! There are a few different methods you can choose between, and in this post, we’ll explain the easiest ways to put on a wig for beginners with a variety of natural hair lengths, as well as whether or not a wig cap is for you.

If you’re not sure how to pick your first wig style, we can help – check out our Beginner’s Guide to Wearing a Wig for more info!


Not sure where to start? Before you read through our easy step-by-step instructions, check out our video below to see our lovely model demonstrate how easy it is to put a wig on!

How to Put on a Wig for Beginners

Step One: Preparing Your Scalp or Hair

Preparing to wear a wig will look different depending on what (if any) hair you currently have on your head, so we’ve broken this section down for those with short natural hair, long natural hair or little to no natural hair.

Short-hair

Short Hair

Before you can put on a wig, make sure to prepare by brushing your hair back, away from your face. To secure it, simply pin your hair in place and add a spritz of hairspray. Make sure you don’t accidentally spray your wig with hairspray too!

Long-hair

Longer Hair

When wearing a wig with long hair, it’s important to pin your hair up away from the face, keeping it as flat as possible. You can either pin your hair into pin curls or tie your hair into two French braids, crossing them over at the nape, clipping them to your head and securing them with grips.

Little/ No Hair

We typically recommend wearing a wig cap if you have little or no hair, as it will make the wig feel much more secure on your head, keeping it in place and looking fabulous all day long. A wig cap can also help protect sensitive scalps.

Securing Your Wig

If you’re worried about your wig slipping, there are plenty of ways to secure your wig safely! Some solutions include using wig tape, a wig grip headband, a silicon solution sheetwig clips or bobby pins to prevent your wig from slipping.

Step Two: Fitting Your Wig on Your Head

Now that you have prepared your hair or scalp, it’s time to get your wig out. Follow these steps for a smooth wig-wearing experience!

Is the Process the Same for Every Wig?

While the process of putting on a wig is very similar across the different types of wigs, there are some slight variations to take note of. This is particularly true of lace front wigs, as the lace is very delicate and requires a very gentle hand.

Lace front wigs are a popular choice due to their hairline being very subtle, allowing styles to be worn away from the face, creating a more natural look. The process of putting on a lace front wig only differs if the wig is uncut.

However, if you’re putting on a lace front wig for the first time, there are extra precautions to take so that you don’t damage the monofilament fabric at the front of the wig cap whilst you fit your wig. Try not to bend or fold the hairline and avoid stretching the monofilament lace at the front whilst you secure your wig, as this is very delicate.

If your wig is uncut, it will come with a large section of lace at the hairline. All you need to do is trim the excess lace found at the front of the wig so that it looks natural, taking care so that no fibres are unpicked when cutting. Please read our guide on how to put on lace front wigs for more detail.


We’ve all been wig-wearing beginners at one stage or another, but hopefully, now you know how you can put on a wig as a beginner and have the confidence to try one out for yourself. Putting on a wig takes practice, and even though it may take a while at first, we guarantee it’ll be second nature in no time!

Check out all the fabulous wigs we have in our collection, to find your perfect fit. Contact a member of our friendly team if you need any advice picking out your first wig.

Frequently Asked Questions About Putting on a Wig

Do you need a wig cap to wear a wig?

For beginners, knowing whether to wear a wig cap or not can be tricky, and this is an ongoing debate in the wig world. There a few circumstances when putting on a wig requires the use of a wig cap, usually when someone has very little to no hair, as this helps to secure the wig. We would also recommend wearing a wig cap if you have a sensitive scalp, as this adds an extra layer between your head and the wig to prevent irritation. If you find your wig uncomfortable in general, we would always recommend wearing a wig cap to see if that helps you feel more confident and secure.

However, the truth is that wig caps can be worn regardless of hair length or any other factors! Keep in mind that wearing a wig cap is all about personal preference and there’s no right or wrong, as long as it works for you. If you would like a tutorial on how to put on a wig cap, including how to put long hair in a wig cap, please check out our video above.

How do you keep a wig from slipping?

There are a number of different ways to keep your wig from slipping or moving when you’re out and about, from wig tape to bobby pins – check out our blog post on how to keep your wig from slipping to see our top seven methods!

How long does it take to get used to a wig?

Whether you’re wearing your first wig to try out a different style or if you’ve decided to buy a wig for medical reasons, the amount of time it will take to get used to wearing a wig differs for everyone.

If you’re feeling nervous or self-conscious, try wearing your wig at home first to get used to feeling it on your head. Then, either try heading out somewhere that you’re not likely to run into anyone you know or wearing it with a positive, supportive group of friends.

Find more advice on wearing a wig for the first time on our blog.

Learn more about ‘wig caps’

advice-with-wig-caps

WIG CAP VS NO WIG CAP

HOW TO SECURE A WIG

wig-cap-logo

DO I NEED A WIG CAP?


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