The Fun of Wigs

Wigs are so much fun! I like to think of them as being a hat that looks like hair. You can change colors really fast, go from short to long and back again and still have your own head of hair at the end of the day. They are great for costumes, cosplay, or those days where you just feel like you really need to shake yourself out of a rut. Wigs don't have to be expensive and you can collect them in every color of the rainbow!

This hub is about synthetic wigs. Here you will find information on the history of wigs, get tips for how to take care of your wigs for many years of fun, advice on how to wear wigs so they stay put and check out some of the most fun wigs around!

All the wigs shown on this Hub are synthetic wigs. This means they are made primarily from nylon, a type of plastic. With just a little bit of regular care, your wig can last for many years and still look great.

Avoid extreme heat and open flames - One drawback to synthetic wigs is that they are flammable. Nylon filaments will either burn or melt if they come into contact with flame. Do NOT try and curl a synthetic wig with a curling iron, you will ruin both the wig and the iron.

Store on a wig head/form - Keeping your wig on a wig form not only makes it much easier to style and care for, but it also helps the hair keep its shape. If a synthetic wig is stored bunched up or folded, sometimes the hair fibers get kinks or crimps in them.

Detangle/brush/comb before storing - Make sure to brush or comb your wig before you put it away. Any knots or snarls in the hair just seem to get even worse if allowed to stay that way over time. Use a soft bristle brush or wide-toothed comb on straight-hair wigs. Use a pick or your fingers on curly wigs. And be gentle, as any hair torn out won't grow back!

Dealing with Static - Synthetic wigs can build up static electricity and the hairs will start to float up and stick out.  Just wet your hands a little bit and run them over the wig hairs.  This will release the static charge and get your wig back into shape.

What's that on your head?
A wig
Wig. Wig. Wig

Sally's gotta wig
Ricky's gotta wig
Baby's gotta wig
Kate's gotta wig
Fred's gotta cheap toupee
Keith's gotta big bouffant on
We all got wigs, so... Let's go!

On the neon, neon side of town
On the neon, neon side of town

- from "Wig" by the B-52's

There's just a little bit more to wearing a wig than just pulling it onto your head.  For the best appearance and fit, you'll want to pin up your own hair and then anchor the wig to your hair using hair or bobby pins.  Here's how to do that for various hair lengths.

Super short hair - If you have super short hair, you may not be able to pin the wig to your hair at all.  Wearing a wig cap can help as it will cling to your head tightly and you can pin the wig to that.

Short to medium hair - If your hair is long enough, you'll want to make what are called "pin curls."  This is when you take small sections of hair and twist them until they curl up on themselves.  Pin that twist in place and repeat in small sections all over your head.  Then put on a wig cap to cover the pin curls.  You're now ready to put on your wig and pin it in place.  If you can make pin curls, you may want to wet or gel your hair flat to your head before putting on a wig cap.  This can help give the hairpins more grip when you fasten the wig.

Long to really long hair - For almost long hair, you may be able to put most of your hair up on a bun or ponytail that can then be wrapped flat to your head.  Make pin curls with your bangs and around your ears.  Then put on a wig cap.  If a bun or pony tail makes a huge bulge that shows through the wig shape, your hair may have to be wrapped or braided around your head so that it lies more flatly, then put on a wig cap to help hold all of that in place before pinning your wig.