The Ultimate Guide to Costume Wig Care

From the best quality Kanekalon wigs, to the shiniest dollar-store cheapies, with a little care a wig can last through party after costume party. Simply follow this guide and you can’t go wrong!

In the world of costume wigs, prevention is the best cure. Wigs can be restyled, detangled, and smoothed-down to look like (almost) new: but only to an extent. The fibers of a wig will get stretched and crinkled if the tangles are too bad, not only ruining the look of your wig but also making it even more prone to tangles in the future! So take care of your fake lovely locks, from the time you pick it up until you store it away again safely.

The best way to store your wig is on a Styrofoam head, wrapped in plastic and put some place safe (most shops that sell wigs will be willing to sell you a head). This is not very practical for many people, but is desirable if you have an elaborate styled wig. If your wig is made of straight fibers, you can store it back in it’s bag, just the way you found it. If you have a curly wig, particularly if you spent a lot of time fluffing it out, a plastic grocery bag will do. If the curls are long, loosely tie one or two ribbons around the bulks of the hair to prevent tangles. Tie the bag and store it somewhere it will not be crushed.

How do you put on a wig? Most people find the easiest way is to flip the wig upside-down, exposing the cap, then put it on sort of upside-down. Don’t do this! This method will likely ruin the hairstyle and cause major tangles, especially with longer fibers, which are nearly impossible to remove. Instead, follow these four steps to put it on perfectly, with minimal mussing:

1. Grasp the front hairline of the wig with your right hand, and the center of the back with your left. You should be holding the wig upright, with one hand on top and one on the bottom.
2. Holding on with both hands the whole time, circle the wig around your head to the left, so that the wig is now being held behind and sort of above your head.
3. Looking in a mirror, place the wig on your head, arranging the front hairline to the position you want. Hold the front in place as you pull the back over your head
4. Voila! Make any final adjustments so that your entire hairline is covered, and secure in place with bobby pins if needed.

Once the wig is on and in place, you can run a soft-bristled hairbrush over the wig to smooth down any wayward strands (not recommended for curls). Any styling products you would use on your hair can be used on your wig to achieve different styles, as well as hair accessories. Keep in mind that you cannot use heat to style your wig, as the fibers will melt!

Basic maintenance of the wig is recommended both before and after use. Finger-comb the wig to remove any large tangles, starting at the tips and working up. Don’t pull too hard, or you may cause the fibers to stretch and fray, making even more tangles! The simplest product to keep your wig detangled and smooth is hand moisturizer. Rub a small amount between your hands, then run them over the wig. Don’t use too much, or your wig will look greasy. Always remove any loose hairs.

If your wig becomes dirty, or smelly, or is otherwise generally disgusting, you can wash it. That is, if your wig is of a reasonably decent quality you can. If your wig constantly sheds fibers, tangles very easily, or if you spent less than $5.00 full price for it, don’t bother washing it because it probably won’t survive! Dissolve a capful of shampoo in a basin of water, just warm enough to dissolve the soap. Soak your wig in the water, swirling it gently around the tub to clean. Pay particular attention to the hairline, using a soft cloth to clean to fibers is necessary. Rinse well and hang to dry.

Some useful wig care tips:

-You may need to trim your wig after the first wear or two. As the fibers settle, some may appear longer than other. To keep it looking neat, lay flat on a table or place on a styrofoam head and trim ends and bangs (if applicable) with sharp scissors.

-To remove any fiber kinks from storage, or when the wig is new, hang it in your bathroom during a shower. The steam will help loosen these kinks.
-For very long wigs, lay on a clean towel or cloth, and fold the wig using the towel as a wrap. Keeping a layer of material between the folds will prevent those tangles that occur so easily in longer wigs.

Happy costuming!