How to Make a Wig Look Real

Co-authored by Patrick Evan

Last Updated: March 20, 2023 References

People wear wigs for many different reasons, like hair loss or a style change. Wigs are easy to find in a variety of styles, colors, and textures, but it can be difficult to make some wigs look like your natural hair. Luckily, with some time and effort, you can make your wig look more natural. Whether you have a synthetic or a real human hair wig, you can adjust the hair to fit your face shape and personal style.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Making a Synthetic Wig Look Real

1
Spray a dry shampoo over the hair to make synthetic strands more matte. Synthetic wigs are often made of plastic, which can have an unnatural shine. Put the wig on loosely and spray the dry shampoo all over like you would your natural hair. Avoid brushing or combing the wig to keep the tousled, matte look.^{[1]
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- It may be helpful to hold the wig upside-down and spray it with the dry shampoo before putting it on.
2
Apply a mixture of fabric softener and water to condition the hair. Mix equal parts liquid fabric softener and cold water in a spray bottle, and shake the bottle thoroughly. Then, spray the mixture onto the wig and let it air dry for 20-30 minutes. You can also wrap the wig loosely in a towel to make it dry more quickly.^{[2]
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- This will help make the strands look bouncy and maintain their shape.
Warning: Avoid using hot tools, such as straighteners and curling irons, or volumizing spray if your wig is made out of synthetic materials.

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3
Pluck a few hairs from the center part and hairline to make it look more natural. Place the wig on your head without securing it, and use a pair of tweezers to remove a few random hairs from the center part and the hairline. Pick out 10-15 hairs along your forehead in various spots, and pull 20-25 hairs from along the center part. Since many wigs are made by a machine, this section can end up looking too “perfect,” leaving you with fake-looking hair.^{[3]
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- Remember not to go overboard with the tweezing. Avoid removing too many hairs from a particular spot, since that can make the wig look bare.
4
Remove kinks in the hair by steaming the wig on low. If you want to style the wig, use a handheld steamer on a low setting, and comb or brush the hair as you run the steamer over the fibers. For curls, put the hair in curlers and then run the steamer over each curler for 5-10 seconds to set the hair.^{[4]
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- Make sure the wig is completely dry before you remove the curlers and put on the wig.
5
Style the wig into a ponytail or braid with accessories for a realistic look. Put the wig on your head and secure it in place, and then pull it into a low ponytail or braid. Look in the mirror to make sure you can't see any parts of the wig cap, and then use accessories, like a headband, to cover any imperfections or kinks in the hair.^{[5]
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- If the hairline on the wig looks unnatural, try tying a scarf around the wig hairline to cover the area.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Styling a Human Hair Wig

1
Color the hair to match your personal style. Ask a hairstylist to color your wig for you if it’s made of real human hair. Start with a lighter hair color, like blonde or light brown, and add dimension with dark shades around the hairline and part. ^{[6]
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- If you have a dark colored human hair wig, your hairstylist may be able to add highlights for dimension around your face.
2
Style a human hair wig with volumizing spray to prevent flatness. Before styling a real hair wig, spritz volumizing spray at the roots of the hair, and work the product through the hair with your fingers. Then, style the wig as desired and finish with a setting hairspray to keep the wig in place throughout the day.^{[7]
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Tip: If it’s safe to put water on your wig, spray some water on the strands before adding the volumizing spray and styling the hair. Keep in mind that some wigs should not get wet, so check your care instructions before wetting the hair.
3
Opt for a cut that is similar to your natural hair and compliments your face. Take the wig to a stylist who is experienced with cutting wigs. Try on the wig in front of them, and bring pictures of hairstyles that you like to give the stylist an idea of the look you want. Sticking with a style that you know looks good on you will help to make the wig look like your real hair.^{[8]
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- Keep in mind that, unlike real hair, your wig hair won’t grow back after a cut. Make sure to visit an experienced stylist!
4
Use hot tools to change the wig's texture. Put the wig on your head and separate the hair into sections with clips. Curl, straighten, or blow dry the hair into whatever style you'd like, just like you would with natural hair. Spray the hair with hairspray to set the style before wearing the wig out.^{[9]
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- If you're planning to style the hair with hot tools frequently, be sure to use a heat protecting spray to avoid frying or breaking the strands.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Achieving a Natural Look

1
Measure your head accurately to purchase the right wig size. Measure the circumference of your head around your hairline, along your center part from your forehead to the nape of your neck, and across the top of your head between your ears. Use these measurements to order the wig, or have a professional take your measurements for you to make sure they’re as precise as possible.^{[10]
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- This will ensure that the wig fits snugly along your hairline, but doesn’t squeeze or press on your skin.
2
Wear a wig cap to conceal your hair. Style your natural hair in a protective style, such as braids or pin curls, or slick your hair back with gel. Then, place a wig cap over your head.^{[11]
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Expert Source

Patrick Evan
Professional Hair Stylist
Expert Interview. 17 January 2019.} Choose one that’s a close match to your skin color to make it look like your scalp. This will prevent any stray hairs from popping through the wig liner.^{[12]
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Tip: Use bobby pins to hold the wig cap in place if you have longer hair or are worried that it’s too loose.
3
Use wig tape to secure the wig in place for short-term wear. If you’re going to be wearing the wig for less than 4 hours, apply small pieces of wig tape around your hairline and behind your ears. This will hold the wig in place so it doesn’t shift or fall off while you’re wearing it. Opt for shorter pieces rather than long ones, since longer strips can sometimes peel at the ends.^{[13]
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- You can find wig tape at most cosmetic supply stores, or you can order it online.
4
Apply wig glue along your hairline to position the wig for long-term wear. If you plan to wear your wig for longer than 4 hours, it’s best to use wig glue to hold it in place. Dab the glue along your hairline as you’re positioning the wig. Then, press down on the hairline to ensure that the glue bonds the wig to your scalp.^{[14]
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- Wig glue is a gentle adhesive that’s safe for use on your skin. When you want to remove it, simply use a cotton swab to dab rubbing alcohol along the hairline and pull the wig away from your head slowly.
- You can purchase wig glue at most cosmetic supply stores, or you can order it online.
5
Align the wig as close as possible to your hairline for a natural look. When you’re securing the wig in place, try to line it up with your natural hairline. Look in the mirror while you’re positioning your wig and check to make sure it’s not too high or low before you secure it. This will keep the wig looking natural and prevent your forehead from looking too small or large.^{[15]
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- If you have a receding hairline, you might opt for a wig that has bangs to cover up the area where your natural hairline would be.

Warnings

Never using a curling iron or straightener on a synthetic wig, since the plastic fibers that make up the “hair” can melt.

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