Tips, Tricks, and Advice for Wig Lovers
(Wig shown above: AMY DELUXE WIG BY ELLEN WILLE)
Yes, as much as we love our wigs, they can be a source of angst. We don’t want them to age, and ever look anything but perfect. But we live in the real world, and we know that everything ages and our wigs are no exception.
As most of us know, and all of us will learn in time, the popular synthetic wigs do suffer more from friction, or those horrible frizzy ends that show up one day. The longer wigs especially are frizzy victims as they are in constant contact with our clothing and every movement causes friction—wear and tear. The Tip: Spray those ends with products made for synthetic hair. Spray, brush, and dry. A hand-held steamer will do wonders to smooth out those ends. There are many great videos on this site about wig care.
Wig Security is another issue a lot of new wearers ask about. The Tip: Do what feels right for you. Every person has an opinion about this, but that opinion is based (of course) on their wig experience. How your wig/cap fits is a very individual thing. Every head is at least a little different in size and shape. There are combs, glue, grips, tape, and all manner of things to try to find what you are most comfortable with; and know that this can vary from wig to wig. Wig cap size/fit also varies a bit from brand to brand. You will soon learn which brand works best for you. Help can be found on the WigStudio1 Facebook group website or by calling customer service. You can benefit from the trial and error, and overall experiences of many wig wearers on the Facebook group ongoing as well.
Making your wigs more “you” can start with tweaking the bangs or more drastic steps like trimming and thinning them. The Tip: Don’t try this at home unless you are sure of your skills. Seeking help from a trained stylist can help you make the wig look less wiggy and more like you were born with it. They have an eye for style, face shape, and what cut works best for you. It is well worth the money.
How often do I wash my synthetic wig? This is a question I see almost daily. The Tip: There is no one rule for everyone! A lot depends on how long each day you wear it. Does your head sweat? Do you use a lot of products? Are you out in hot weather a lot? Do you wear a wig cap? All of these things can make a huge difference in how often you should wash your wig. Remember it is not only your wig fibers that need to be kept clean and in good shape, but also the wig cap. But there is a rule about how to wash wigs:
1. Make sure your wig is tangle-free.
2. Make sure you have cleaning and conditioner made for wigs.
3. Look at your manufacturer’s instructions, but most will say, use cool to very slightly warm water, soak for five minutes, and rinse in tepid water. Do a good job on this step as shampoo buildup is not a pretty thing.
4. Use a conditioner and follow the instructions. Some are rinse out, some are leave on.
5. Place wet wig on a towel and pat out excess water with the towel, no rubbing or twisting, please.
6. Run your fingers through it to straighten any kinks and clumps, but don’t use a brush or comb until totally dry. For human hair, please see your brand’s instructions but it is basically the same as for synthetic.
Until next time, happy wig shopping and wig wearing. Here is the next one on my list! Love it! And don’t forget to join us on the WigStudio1 Facebook group. I love going there just to see how great everyone is looking in their new styles and colors, but it is truly a fantastic place to learn more about wigs as well.
Until next week,
Vickie Lynn
