One of the most annoying drawbacks to a synthetic wig is the ‘collar rub’ which generally occurs at the underside and ends of the fibre and is something that affects long or shoulder length wig styles as a result of constantly being in contact with your clothing. The fibres rub together which creates a static charge causing the ends to become frizzy and tangled. And sometimes it doesn’t take long for this to happen.

Adapting to Wearing a Wig

When I first started wearing wigs, I chose longer styles. I once had a wig which I loved, in a style very similar to the Jackson wig by Noriko. I hadn’t had it longer than a week before I noticed the ends were looking ‘ratty and matted’. I was constantly touching the affected area and spent a lot of time with a large toothed comb separating the ends. I became very self- conscious and thought that other people noticed and were thinking that I didn’t look after my ‘hair’. I didn’t know at the time what it was and thought it was a fault of the wig itself. I spoke to the supplier who said that this is not a fault and that it occurs naturally in synthetic wigs. And the bad news: it increases with wear! Needless to say, I was very disappointed!

I started using products recommended for synthetic fibre – such as fibre oil and conditioning sprays. One of the best products that I got recommended was the Ellen Wille Hair Tip Liquid which did regenerates the hair tips. One thing I did do which I do not recommend was that I sometimes overdid the oil which only made the ends look greasy so I ended up washing it too much which in turn lessened the life of the wig.

Another useful tip I have discovered, is to use a hand held steamer to smooth out the ends. You put the wig on a poly head and secure with pins. With a wide-toothed comb, run through the ends and hold the steamer above and glide down until you see the hair smooth out. I found that this helps to extend the life of the wig

I am now aware of the pitfalls of longer styles and tend to wear them for special occasions rather than as my go-to wigs on a daily basis, but that is just my choice! Two of my favourites are Miley Mono and Code Mono from the Ellen Wille range. I will wear one of these for my upcoming vow renewal ceremony in October. I have come to the realization that if I want my wigs to look newer for longer, I need to opt for shorter styles. I now mostly wear bobs, such as the Codi, by Rene of Paris. These typically last me up to 12 months and are washed once a week using a synthetic shampoo and then conditioner.