How to Make a Synthetic Wig Look Natural

A synthetic wig rarely looks fake because of the fibre. It looks fake because of four small things: too much shine, a hairline that's too perfect, a part that's too clean, and ends that frizz over time. Each one has a simple fix, mostly with things you already own.

If your wig has only just arrived, start with Why Your Wig Doesn't Look Like the Photo. It covers shaking it out, fitting it, and the first round of finishing. This guide picks up from there.

1. Tone down the shine

New synthetic fibre is glossier than real hair, and shine is the first thing people's eyes notice under bright light.

• Dry shampoo or translucent powder. Hold the wig on a stand, spray or dust lightly from about a foot away, then brush through with your fingers. Go light: you can add more, but too much leaves a white cast.
• Wash it once. Many wigs lose some of their factory shine after the first gentle wash in cool water.
• Change the lighting you judge it in. A bathroom mirror under an overhead bulb exaggerates shine. Check it by a window in daylight before deciding it's too glossy.

2. Soften the hairline

Real hairlines are slightly uneven, with finer, shorter hairs at the front. A wig hairline is usually one sharp, dense edge.

• Wear it at your natural hairline, not pushed back. A gap of forehead between the wig and your brows is the most common giveaway.
• Pull a few wisps forward. Use the tail of a comb to tease out a few fine strands at the temples so the edge isn't a straight line.
• On a lace front, tint the lace with a dab of foundation or concealer that matches your scalp, applied to the inside. Our Cap Construction guide explains what lace is and which wigs have it.
• No lace? Let something else cover the edge. A fringe, a headband, or a soft scarf hides the front edge completely. That's why bangs and headband wigs are so easy to wear well.

3. Make the part look like scalp

On a lot of wigs the part shows the wefts or the cap material, which reads as fabric rather than skin.

• Dab concealer or foundation that matches your scalp along the part line with a small brush.
• Move the part slightly off-centre, or comb it into a loose, less defined part. A ruler-straight centre part on a synthetic wig is hard to make look natural.
• Add a darker root if your wig is a light shade. A little brown eyeshadow brushed along the part makes it look like grown-out colour, which is how real coloured hair looks.

4. Look after the ends

Synthetic ends frizz over time, especially at the back where they rub against collars, seatbelts and pillows. This is the most common reason a wig that looked great in month one looks tired in month three.

• Detangle from the ends up, with your fingers or a wide-tooth comb. Never brush from the root down through a tangle.
• Avoid friction where you can: a smooth scarf instead of a wool collar, and never sleep in a wig.
• Trim frizzed ends. A small trim at the back removes the worst of it. Take off a little at a time.
• No heat unless the product page says the fibre is heat-friendly. Standard synthetic fibre melts, and singed ends can't be fixed. If yours is heat-friendly, use a low setting and a heat protectant spray.

Care habits that keep it looking natural

• Wash it gently, and not too often. Cool water, a mild shampoo, no rubbing. Squeeze out water with a towel; don't wring it. Every couple of weeks of regular wear is plenty for most people.
• Dry it on a stand, not on a towel or the radiator, so it keeps its shape. A mannequin head or any tall stand works.
• Store it properly. Folded in a drawer, it gets crushed and tangled. On a stand or in a wig storage bag, it stays ready to wear.
• Wear a cap underneath. It keeps the inside of the wig cleaner, so you can wash it less, and that means less wear on the fibre. Our Stretch Mesh Wig Cap is the breathable option.

The finishing touches that aren't about the wig

• Brows. Defined brows frame the face and make any hairline look more natural. If treatment has thinned yours, a brow pencil helps a lot.
• Colour against your skin. If a wig looks harsh on you, it may be the shade, not the fibre. Very dark black is the hardest colour to make look natural on lighter skin; a soft off-black or brown is more forgiving.
• Confidence. People notice someone touching or adjusting their hair far more than they notice the hair. Once it's fitted, leave it alone.

The short version

1. Shine: a light dusting of dry shampoo or powder.
2. Hairline: wear it low, pull a few wisps loose, tint lace or cover the edge.
3. Part: concealer along the line, and a darker root on light shades.
4. Ends: detangle from the bottom, avoid friction, trim the frizz, no heat.

Want a wig that needs less of this? Start with our synthetic styles with bangs or a headband, or the Start Here collection. Questions? Ask us anything.