Wig Wearing 101 - a Beginner's Guide

A wise woman once said, “Switch my wig, make him feel like he’s cheating.” Whether you took the Hip Hop star Meg the Stallion's song lyrics as pure entertainment or real-world relationship advice, one must admit that she’s on to something here. In earlier years, wearing a wig was seen as something to be ashamed of, but that’s a topic for another day. Luckily, the stigma of wigs have since been lifted and they are now seen as spontaneous and fun; especially with the evolution of lace wigs. Today, wigs are worn to change up a person’s style when they want a change. In order to really pull off a “lewk” *in my chic voice*, you must make sure your wig is on securely and properly. This is a step-by-step guide for newbies; but pros are welcome to stick around for a refresher.

A beginner’s note, wigs are sometimes packaged inside out, tucked, folded or placed upside down in order to preserve the style. Now that that’s out of the way, go ahead and take your wig out of the package. Cup your hands inside the wig and shake it until all of the loose fibers have fallen out. If you have a curly wig, use your fingers or a pic comb instead. For straight style wigs, use a wig brush to gently brush your piece. Never, I repeat, NEVER use a regular brush on your wig unless you want to cause damage. And why would you want to do that to her? Side note – popular culture has collectively decided that it’s appropriate to refer to wigs by the pronouns “her” and “she” and even give them individual names. *Shrugs* Let’s move on.

Always remember to fluff your wig with your fingers, a wig brush or pic comb. Using styling tools will help your wig look full and take on the style of the wig as pictured on the box. You’ll need a wig liner and pins to pin your hair up and keep the wig secure for longer. Shorter hair can get away with simply being brushed back. Now that we've prepped the wig, let's put it on.

STEP 1

Use both of your hands to hold the wig by the nape where the label is located. Put the wig on in a front to back motion while slightly tilting forward.

STEP 2

Place the front of the wig above your eyebrows and slip it on like you would a swim cap. Continue to adjust until the wig is placed comfortably.

STEP 3

Push the front of the wig back until it is resting naturally below your hairline. Position the ear tabs on both sides, in front of your ears, and center the wig without covering them. Don’t forget to tuck in the stray hairs.

If the wig feels too tight or too loose, use the Velcro tabs in the back of the wig to fit your head. The circumference of the wig can typically be adjusted up to one-half inch on each side.

Beauty Bar & Supply has a wide selection of different wig styles and products to choose from to get you started with your collection or simply to add a new wig to the family!