6 Tips for Caring for a Human Hair Wig
Is the thought of caring for a human hair wig, especially an expensive human hair wig, causing you some anxiety? Do you want to know how to ensure your human hair wig looks as natural as possible, lasts a long time, and withstands the styling and wear of daily use?
At Daniel Alain, we’re passionate about educating our customers on how to get the most out of their purchase for many years to come. Our human hair wigs are among the best in the industry and we know a thing or two (or three!) about caring for them.
Whether you own one of our Follea wigs or a piece from a different brand, these tips will guide you through some of the best practices in caring for your human hair wig. We want you to feel as confident about caring for your human hair wig as you feel wearing it.
Tip #1: Washing and Conditioning Your Human Hair Wig
There’s a reason some wig salons offer washing and styling services - customers are often intimidated by the wig-washing process and are scared in case they do something wrong or cause damage to their piece. Let’s clear up some of the mystery and empower you to care for your hair yourself.
We recommend washing your human hair wig every 7 - 10 wears, but always check with individual manufacturers for their specific recommendations.
You can wash your human hair wig in a bowl or basin. The key is to use a cleansing shampoo (to get rid of product build-up, sweat etc) and a hydrating conditioner. Some companies make specific products for washing a human hair wig, and, as Daniel Alain customer Trish, advises, “quality hair requires quality products.”
Pinning your wig to a mannequin head or using a silicone washing insert will give you better handling control when washing your wig and protect the hair from inversions.
Thoroughly rinse your wig under fresh water after shampooing and conditioning. Though it won’t harm your wig if you use too much product or if you don’t rinse it thoroughly, your wig may feel heavier and not as bouncy as usual if it’s not thoroughly rinsed.
As with washing any head of hair, you’ll get used to how much product to use or how the hair feels when the conditioner is completely rinsed out, over time and through trial and error.
Tip #2: Drying Your Human Hair Wig
When you remove your soaking wet human hair wig from the wash basin, lay it gently on a clean towel and blot it dry. Avoid wringing it out as this could damage the hair or twist the cap out of shape.
To air dry, place the damp human hair wig on a wig drying stand that allows the air to circulate around it. Our Follea wigs are made from high-quality European hair and if left to air dry, will be smooth and beautiful and ready to wear after air drying. Lower-quality human hair wigs are made from cheaper, heavily-processed human hair and may dry frizzy if left to air dry.
If you choose to blowdry your human hair wig use the hairdryer on a cool setting. Some people prefer to pin the wig to a mannequin head clamped to a countertop, while others prefer to wear the wig and blow dry it when on. Experiment with different methods and find out what works best for you.
Tip #3: Styling Your Human Hair Wig
One of the many benefits of a human hair wig over a synthetic piece is that it can be styled in the same way as a real head of hair. Being able to style your wig in a way that feels natural to you will make it feel like a true part of you. Even if you’ve never spent much time styling bio hair, with practice, we know you can be styling a human hair wig like a professional!
"I never had enough hair to style before, so I didn't have much experience with styling tools,” explains Trish. “My Daniel Alain consultant helped me choose the best tools for my human hair wig and even gave me a lesson on how to use them. Now, I can blow dry my wig straight, add curls or waves, and really create any style I want."
Again, experiment with styling your human hair wig on a mannequin head or on yourself and find what method suits you best. The advantage of styling your wig on a mannequin head is that you have a 360° view of your piece, much like a hair stylist when you’re sitting in their salon chair.
If you choose to heat style your wig using a curling wand or straightening iron, always be sure to use a high-heat protectant and keep the temperature on medium or below 350°. Heat styling creates some beautiful looks but it can be damaging to the hair if it’s not adequately protected.
Tip #4: Storing Your Human Hair Wig
When you’re not wearing your wig, storing it correctly will help preserve its beauty. Many of our customers end up purchasing multiple pieces (our wigs are seriously that irresistible - find out what people are saying about Follea!) and that means proper storage is crucial when you have more than one wig in circulation.
Short-term storage really just requires a mannequin head for easy access. Store your human hair wig away from a window as direct sunlight will cause the color to fade, just like real human hair. If you prefer to store it out of sight, you can place a clean, dry human hair wig in a velvet pouch that will help prevent tangles. One of our customers, Kelly, has a whole cabinet dedicated to her Follea wigs, so they’re always ready to go as she gets ready for the day ahead.
Trish stores her wig on a wig stand overnight and explains, “My wig doesn't seem to tangle much, but I always brush it out before putting it on the wig stand at the end of the night. I use my brush to gently brush the underside. This way, I ensure there are no tangles left before I store it."
Long-term storage of a human hair wig is just as easy. If you’re putting your wig away for a while, start by washing it then making sure it’s clean and completely dry. Brush through the wig to get rid of any tangles and place it in a velvet pouch. Place the pouch in a box and store it in a closet where it won’t be crushed by other objects. Avoid storing your wig in areas with high humidity or extreme temperatures as this could damage your wig.
Tip #5: Regular Wig Maintenance and Care
Every good human hair wig company will have their own recommendations you should follow for the proper maintenance of your piece.
Generally speaking, however, an at-home, deep conditioning treatment every now and then will add some hydration back into the strands of hair. Regular brushing will keep on top of tangles and we recommend using a brush that gently detangles wet or dry hair. Some customers like to keep a little travel brush in their purse or car so that they can smooth out their wig throughout the day.
You might want to take your wig to a wig salon now and then for an expert to look over your piece, especially if you have any concerns about how it’s holding up. Issues like tangling, matting, or inversions should be addressed promptly.
Tip #6: Enjoy Wearing Your Human Hair Wig
We don’t say this often enough, but for many people, embracing wig-wearing really does offer opportunities for having fun and enjoying life.
If you’ve been concerned about hair loss, chances are it has affected your confidence levels at one point or another. Many of our customers tell us that hair loss or hair thinning has controlled many aspects of their lives; avoiding being in family photos, not wanting to socialize, not wanting to participate in activities they enjoy, or not being content with the image they see reflected in the mirror. Hair loss can be an inconvenience at the best of times, and brutal at the worst.
Wearing a wig can often be a step towards releasing yourself from the pressure and control of hair loss. When you know you have found the perfect wig for you, you’re free to completely stop thinking about your hair at all. No more worrying whether your scalp is reflecting off bright lights, or whether your hairstyle has shifted and your bald spot is on show. Just a beautiful head of hair - an instant and guaranteed fix.
As Trish puts it, “Nothing compares to a human hair wig. It's a small investment to go with human hair [over synthetic], but it's so worth it. I can't imagine my life without my wig. I get to have the hair I've always dreamed of."
Wig wearing can be fun! For some people that may mean they have the perfect wig that matches the shade, length, and texture of their natural hair and that nobody knows is there. Others may choose to seize the opportunity to create a whole new look and experiment with a new style. Some of our customers like to switch looks on the daily and swing from being a short, sassy blonde one day to a long, sleek brunette the next.
Once you start feeling comfortable in your wig, and by extension, in your own skin, the last thing you’ll be thinking about is your hair.
Does My Human Hair Wig Fill Me With Confidence?
Hopefully you’ve already found the perfect human hair wig for you and these tips will help relieve some of the anxiety you may be feeling about caring for your piece. We recommend giving them a try - human hair wigs are pricey, but high-quality human hair is strong and durable. With a proper care routine, your human hair wig should bring you years of self-confidence.
If you’re new to human hair wigs, it’s normal to have some questions about wig care and maintenance. These tips for washing, drying, storing, and protecting your human hair wig are the best practices any wig-wearer should follow. Check out our wig-wearing FAQs if you still have questions not covered here.
If you’re still on the hunt for that perfect wig that truly makes you feel like the best version of yourself, we may be able to help.
We offer virtual consultations over zoom or facetime, or in-person consultations here in our Newport Beach showroom. Our consultations are completely free and you’re under no obligation to make a purchase. Sometimes having the advice and expertise of a professional consultant is just the thing you need to help you find a human hair wig that makes you feel like yourself again.
