How to Style a Wig

Wigs are a great addition to have when it comes to changing your look. However, what we see in the pictures that make us want to buy a wig is really the styling. When you finally get your package and you’re ready to wear your wig, you can guess that it won’t look the same way it did in the picture.

Styling your wig is so important because it gives you a definitive look as opposed to just wearing a flat and unstyled wig. The style variations don’t have to be so complex and could be as easy as curling or straightening your hair.

My name is Lauren, and I have worked as a hairstylist for over ten years and have given my clients easy step-by-step instructions to style their hair. When it comes to wearing wigs, the guidance is the same and also the outcome.

If you’re like me, I prefer to have a wig styled in a way where I can wear it like that for a few days at a time. This sometimes involves the use of styling products like hair sprays and gels. In this article, I will explain some simple styles that you can do to give your wig some flair.

These hairstyles can be used for everyday wear or customized to fit a special occasion with a few hair accessories of your choice. Keep reading to learn more!

Here are my top methods for styling a wig.

Wand curls are a great style for wigs because they last and look better the more the hair falls. You can use this method with a curling iron too. Just make sure to wrap your hair around the entire rod over the tongs. Here are the tools you will need:

• Comb
• Curl wand
• Holding hairspray
• Clips
• Elastic hair ties
• Wig stand (optional)
• T-Pins

Step 1: Place your wig on the wig stand and pin it down with the T pins. If you prefer to style the wig on your head, proceed to step 2.

Step 2: Divide your wig into four sections and establish where you want your part before tying the two front sections and the one in the back with an elastic hair tie.

Step 3: Comb out a section of your loose hair and clip the remaining hair out of the way. 

Step 4: Take your wand, set at the desired temperature, and hold it upside down while you wrap the hair around the wand in the direction towards you, or away from you. 

Step 5: Finish wanding the hair in that section before moving to the next. Make sure that you are keeping the curls in the same direction you started in.

Step 6: Move to the next section and continue at step 3 until you have completed the entire wig.

Step 7: Once you’ve added wand curls to the whole wig, spray the wig with the holding hairspray.

Step 8: You can lay your edges with your baby hairs here and finish with any additional styling that you want to complete this look.

This completes the wand curl method. You can get long wear from this style and continue to wear the style as the curls naturally fall.

Sleek ponytails are very popular and a great styling method for wigs because they are edgy and elegant. Here are the tools you will need:

• Comb
• Flat Iron
• Holding hairspray
• Hair pin 
• Blow dryer
• Gel
• Brush
• Edge brush
• Elastic hair ties
• Wig stand (optional)
• T-Pins

Step 1: Place your wig on the wig stand and pin it down with the T pins. If you prefer to style the wig on your head, proceed to step 2.

Step 2: Create a side or middle parting on your wig. Divide the hair into sections and begin to flat iron small pieces of your wig from root to tip. This step will ensure the wig is straight if it is not before styling.

Step 3: After you have straightened the entire wig, you can now begin to spray your holding hairspray on the wig.

Step 4: Start from your part and begin to brush your wig into a smooth and low ponytail. You can add gel to your brush here to keep the hair intact.

Step 5: Secure the ponytail with an elastic hair tie.

Step 6: Take a small section of the hair from the ponytail and wrap it around the elastic hair tie and pin it with a hair pin.

Step 7: Use your blow dryer to dry the hair on any parts that are still wet.

Step 8: Take your edge brush and lay your baby hairs to complete the look.

You can add hair clips or bedazzled hair pins to give your ponytail some style. You can leave the ponytail straight or curl it if you like. This completes the sleek ponytail method.

Straight hair will always be in when it comes to wearing wigs. Here are the tools you will need:

• Clips
• Rat tail comb
• Oil-sheen
• Flat Iron
• Elastic hair ties
• Wig stand (optional)
• T-Pins

Step 1: Place your wig on the wig stand and pin it down with the T pins. If you prefer to style the wig on your head, proceed to step 2.

Step 2: Divide your wig into four sections and secure each section with an elastic hair tie. Once you have done this, start at one of the back sections of the wig.

Step 3: Take the first section and staring at the bottom, part about half an inch of hair from that section. Use the clips to hold the hair above out of the way.

Step 4: Comb through the hair in the newly parted section to make sure that it is not tangled. Starting from the roots, use the rat tail comb again in one hand and follow with the flat iron in the other hand behind it, moving both hands in a downward direction at the same time.

Step 5: Start at the roots again and go over the same section, with just the flat iron this time. Continue until you get beautiful silky straight hair.

Step 6: Part out another piece of hair from the clips and start the process again. Keep moving in this way until you have finished the entire section.

Step 7: Move to the next section and start at step 3, continuing until you have completed the whole wig.

Step 8: Now that you have finished, use oil sheen or a gloss serum to top off your look. 

You can part your hair in the middle or side and see what looks best on you. This completes the bone straight method.

Here are some common questions that you should know when it comes to styling a wig into any hairstyle.

This is a question that flusters many people because there are now synthetic wigs on the market that can be heat styled. Traditionally, the method to curl a synthetic wig was to use rollers or buy one that comes curled. However, most synthetic wigs will allow you to do the styling even if it requires the use of heat styling tools.

I would suggest curling or straightening a synthetic wig that allows for high heat temperatures so that you can have the best results.

If you want to wear your styled wig every day, then I would recommend washing it every 1-2 weeks at the latest. This will ensure that any product build up does not cause any damage to your wig.

Using gels and hair sprays can cause your wig to collect dirt and become matted or tangled easily. I would recommend washing your wig weekly if you insist on using hair products.

Styling your wigs can make them stand out and give you a beautiful look instantly. Having two or three styles that you can do can make all the difference when you are learning to style a wig. Most styles are buildable and can be used with one another to create a whole new style.

Switch up the look of your wigs by styling them with hairstyles that you are able to maintain and do. If you have any suggestions for additional styles, share them below!