How to Make a Wig Look Natural in 3 Steps

Wearing a wig that looks natural is crucial for many, especially for those experiencing hair loss due to medical conditions or as a fashion choice. A natural-looking wig can boost confidence, ensure comfort, and maintain one’s personal style seamlessly. This guide is designed for individuals who seek to enhance their appearance with a wig that doesn’t just fit well but also appears as authentic as their natural hair. Whether you're dealing with hair loss or simply love the versatility of wigs, you'll find valuable tips here on choosing and styling your wig for the most natural look possible.

Step 1: Choose a wig that is perfect for you

Before selecting a suitable wig for yourself, it’s necessary to understand different types of wigs and their main features. In this section, we’ll explain the differences between synthetic and human hair wigs, and introduce lace front wigs for you to make an informed choice. We also cover some tips on how to selecting the right color and texture of wigs. Let’s dive in.

Synthetic vs. Human hair wigs

• Synthetic Wigsare made from man-made fibers, offering affordability and ease of maintenance. They hold pre-styled shapes well, which can be advantageous in variable weather conditions. However, they tend to look less natural and offer limited styling options because they cannot withstand high heat.
• Human Hair Wigsprovide the most natural appearance and feel. They can be styled, dyed, and treated just like real hair, allowing for greater versatility and a more authentic look. The downside is their higher cost and need for more intensive maintenance, similar to natural hair.

Lace front wigs

• Lace front wigshave a transparent lace panel at the front that, once trimmed to match your hairline, offers a virtually invisible edge. This feature allows for versatile styling away from the face, enhancing the wig's natural look. Additionally, their lightweight and breathable design increases comfort.

Selecting the right color and texture of wigs

• Matching the wig’s color to your natural hair or desired shade is crucial. It's best to compare hair swatches in natural lighting to find a perfect match. Consulting with a stylist can also help in choosing a color that complements your skin tone and enhances natural features.
• The texture of the wig should closely resemble your natural hair to ensure the wig integrates seamlessly. Wigs come in various textures, such as straight, wavy, curly, and kinky. If your natural hair is curly, opt for a curly wig to maintain consistency in appearance. This attention to detail in texture is key to achieving a realistic and natural look.

By focusing on these detailed aspects when choosing a wig, you can significantly enhance its natural appearance and ensure it complements your overall style and look.

Step 2: Customize your wig

Customizing your wig ensures it fits perfectly and blends seamlessly with your natural hair, enhancing comfort and boosting confidence by creating a look that is uniquely yours.

Fitting the hairline

• Trimming the Lace: Start by placing the wig on your head. Pin back the hair and carefully trim the excess lace around the front and sides of the wig using sharp scissors. It's important to leave a little bit of lace to tuck behind your ears for a more natural blend.
• Test and Adjust: Once the excess lace is trimmed, test the fit again, ensuring the lace front aligns naturally with your own hairline. Adjust as necessary.
• Mimicking Natural Growth: To create a more natural-looking hairline, use tweezers to pluck out strands along the front and sides of the wig. This should be done sporadically to avoid over-plucking. The goal is to thin out the hairline, which mimics the natural uneven hair growth and density.
• Create Baby Hairs: Plucking shorter strands near the forehead can create 'baby hairs', which soften the hairline and help in blending the wig with your natural hair.

Styling and cutting

• Consulting a Stylist: A professional stylist can tailor your wig to fit your face shape and personal style. They can also style the wig with techniques that might be more complex for beginners, such as layering or creating specific cuts that enhance the wig's naturalism.
• Using the Right Tools: Equip yourself with sharp hair-cutting scissors, a comb, and clips. Begin by cutting in small sections, and always cut less than you think you need.
• Styling at Home: Utilize heat tools if you have a human hair wig, or specific wig styling products for synthetic wigs. Remember to set any style with a low heat setting and wig-friendly products.
• Watch Online Tutorials: Many hairstylists offer tutorials on how to cut and style wigs. These can be invaluable for learning techniques tailored specifically for wig styling.

Customizing your wig not only involves making it look natural but also ensuring it fits comfortably and complements your overall look. By carefully adjusting the hairline and applying professional or DIY styling techniques, you can achieve a stunningly natural and personalized appearance with your wig.

Step 3: Blend the wig with your hair

Blending your wig with your natural hair is crucial for a realistic appearance. Proper integration hides the wig’s edges and matches the hairline, creating a seamless look that enhances confidence and ensures the wig looks like your own hair.

Blending with Natural Hair

• Leave Out Some Natural Hair: If possible, leave out a small amount of your natural hair around the front and sides to blend over the wig’s edges. This helps in creating a seamless transition.
• Use of Edge Control: Apply a small amount of edge control to smooth down and style your natural edges to match the texture of the wig.
• Color Matching: Ensure that the wig's color closely matches your natural hair. If there’s a slight color variation, you can use temporary root touch-up powders or sprays to adjust the color of your natural hair or wig edges.

Making and defining a part on a wig

• Choosing the Part Location: Decide where you want the part to be - side, middle, or any off-center position. Parts that mimic your usual hairstyle tend to look more natural.
• Creating the Part: Use a rat-tail comb to gently create a part in the wig. For more stubborn wigs, you might need to wet the area slightly or use a blow dryer on a low setting to help set the part in place.

Using makeup to enhance the part and edges

• Concealing the Lace: After parting, use a small brush to apply concealer or foundation that matches your scalp to the parting on the lace. This helps in camouflaging the base of the wig and makes the part look like it’s naturally coming from your scalp.
• Refining Edges: For a more polished look, use a tiny angled brush to apply foundation or concealer around the hairline and part edges. This blends the lace further into your skin, enhancing the overall natural appearance of the wig.

Blending techniques and part creation are essential for making your wig look as natural and indistinguishable from your real hair as possible. These steps not only improve the aesthetic appearance of the wig but also boost your confidence in wearing it.

Tips on how to care for your wigs

Proper maintenance is key to keeping your wig looking natural and extending its lifespan. This section will guide you through both daily care and long-term upkeep, and provide advice on rejuvenating an older wig.

• Daily Care: Gently brush your wig at the end of each wear to remove tangles and restore style. Use a wide-tooth comb for curly wigs to prevent frizz. Store your wig on a wig stand to keep its shape and prevent tangling.
• Washing: Wash your wig regularly, but not too frequently—every 10 to 12 wears is a good standard for daily wearers, less often if worn infrequently. Use products specifically designed for wigs to keep them looking their best.
• Deep Conditioning: Occasionally apply a deep conditioning treatment, especially for human hair wigs, to replenish moisture and maintain the softness of the hair.
• Avoid Heat Damage: When styling human hair wigs, use heat protectant sprays and keep heat settings low. Avoid using high heat on synthetic wigs unless they are specifically designed to handle it.

How to refresh and extend the life of your wig

• Detangling: For tangled wigs, use a detangling spray or a fabric softener diluted with water as a conditioning agent. Comb through gently, starting from the tips and gradually working towards the roots to minimize damage.
• Restoring Shine: For human hair wigs, a light serum can help restore shine and reduce frizz. For synthetic wigs, a light spritz of wig conditioner or a vinegar-water solution can help add luster without weighing the fibers down.
• Reshaping and Restyling: Use steam or a hot water method to reshape and restyle synthetic wigs that have lost their curl pattern or shape. This can bring a limp wig back to life and make it look fresh.
• Professional Services: Consider taking your wig to a professional wig stylist if home remedies do not work. They can offer services like deep cleaning, deep conditioning, and restyling, which can drastically improve the appearance of an old wig.

Wrapping up

To sum up, getting a natural look with a wig is all about the details and customization. Experiment with the tips in this guide to find what works best for you. Choosing the right wig, fitting it properly, and keeping it in top shape are key to looking and feeling great. Aim for a wig that not only looks natural but also feels comfortable.