With the right wig size, a solid care routine, some careful DIY styling and a few small adjustments, wigs can look beautifully natural and completely your own. That being said, there is a long list of tell-tale signs that are dead giveaways when separating wigs from the real deal.
Here are some of the most common mistakes that can make a wig look fake or less natural and how to avoid them.
While a certain level of lustre can make the final finish of your wig look hydrated and healthy, too much shine is one of the biggest giveaways. Unnatural shine is common, especially in synthetic wigs, taking your look beyond the light-reflecting softness of real hair to an overly shiny, almost plastic-like appearance.
Remedying a super shiny wig is simple with the right guidance. Dry shampoo has a number of uses, including removing excess shine from a wig, as Sarah Scoop details:
“You needn’t put up with the excess shine on your wig. Dry shampoo, coupled with the right technique, can remove shine from a synthetic wig effectively. To make your shiny wig less shiny, generously apply the dry shampoo to the wig. Gently rub it in, ensuring it reaches every strand. Next, brush it out thoroughly, removing all excess product. This process dulls the shine of your wig, making it look more natural.”
Along with dry shampoo, many wig wearers rely on good, old-fashioned dryer sheets to remove excess shine. Others tout baby powder as a shine removal solution, but we would not recommend this or other options such as fabric softener or apple cider vinegar.
Wigs come in a selection of densities – namely light, medium and high. When choosing a wig density that works for you, it’s all about balance and reducing bulk. Too much bulk will not only make your wig heavier and uncomfortable to wear, it could appear unrealistic.
The solution? Try to replicate the thickness of your natural hair to ensure a finish that looks and feels natural for you.
Uniformity is another tell-tale sign of wig wear. Natural hair is after all far from perfect with irregular hairlines and partings unique to each and every individual.
For added realism, avoid styles that have harsh or perfectly straight hairlines. The same applies to the parting; make sure it isn’t too flat, opaque or narrow. A visible scalp effect or monofilament parting can also create the illusion of hair growth to throw onlookers off the scent.
A good fit means more than just comfortable wear. If your wig is too large or too small, it’ll appear unnatural. Your wig should fit like a glove, making space for the imperfect movement that real hair is known for.
The colours of your wig can also make it look fake. Try not to go too dark, too bright or overly solid with your chosen shade. Natural hair contains subtle highlights, lowlights and tonal variations, and so should your wig.
Wigs straight out of the box often need a little personalisation, and with trimming, thinning and adjustment, you can really make your new wig your own. After customisation, you should also tailor a wig care routine that puts quality first. Poor wig maintenance can cause tangling, matting, frizz and product build-up that can quickly make a wig look worn and unrealistic.
By shopping with us, you’re already on your way to a natural looking, beautiful wig. Browse our synthetic wigs and human hair styles today for all the inspiration you need.
