Contrary to popular belief, there are many, many benefits to wearing a synthetic wig – and this goes beyond affordability. Synthetic wigs are often pre-styled to make them ready to wear from the very beginning, while their durability also means synthetic wigs cared for properly often outlive human hair wigs. If the synthetic wig you own, or have been eyeing up, also boasts a lace front, you’re in for yet more treats!
The lace front makes the synthetic style even more versatile thanks to its natural-looking hairline and breathable construction. When it comes down to it however, a synthetic wig may get pretty close to mimicking your natural hair but it will never be 100% realistic.
There are a few tips and tricks seasoned synthetic wig wearers rely on to give their favourite styles a more natural look at home, and we’re sharing them with you below…
One of the most common beginner mistakes is leaving too much lace at the front. With this in mind, a natural finish can be achieved rather simply with a quick trim. Use small, sharp scissors to cut your lace as close to the hairline as possible, leaving 1 to 2mm of lace to stop you cutting into the hairline itself.
Never trim your lace in one straight line, instead use tiny zig-zag cuts to make sure it doesn’t look too uniform. A perfectly straight, uniform cut can make the edge more noticeable. If possible, you can also leave your baby hairs out and blend in your side burns to make your hairline look even more realistic.
Excessive shine is a major giveaway for synthetic styles, but it can easily be tamed. In fact, you may already have your shiny wig remedies to hand at home! A spritz of dry shampoo, a comb through with a dryer sheet (yes, really!), or simply being patient and allowing shine to fade over time with wig washing all work.
If you’re opting for the latter and playing the waiting game, we’d always recommend using wig-friendly products. We’ll let Snuggy Mom explain more:
“Regular shampoos often contain ingredients that strip moisture or roughen up synthetic strands, leading to frizz and tangling. Look for shampoos labelled ‘for synthetic wigs’ as they have milder surfactants that clean without harsh effects. Similarly, conditioners designed for synthetics help keep strands smooth by coating them lightly rather than penetrating deeply like human hair conditioners do.”
Sulfate-free shampoos and conditioners are excellent options for synthetic wig washing. Be sure to avoid products containing alcohol, parabens or heavy oils too, and keep your wig in great condition for even longer.
Dense hairlines can also present an unnatural wig appearance, but again this is easily solved. Pluck dense hairlines carefully, removing just a few strands at a time before reviewing your work. With a little plucking, you can create a wig hairline that has a softer, more natural transition, slight irregularities (just like your natural hairline), and a more realistic wig density.
All this focus on the hairline means you might overlook the importance of a realistic parting. With most synthetic styles, the wig parting needs just as much work as the hairline and taking the time to create a natural-looking scalp appearance can make a huge difference.
For lace or monofilament partings, adding a little concealer or pressed powder that matches your skin tone can work wonders, blending the wig parting to resemble your scalp for a beautiful, natural finish overall.
Find natural looking, synthetic styles that are ready to wear and utterly beautiful right here at Wigs4u.
