How to Put on a Wig: The Beginner's Guide
- Posted on 02 November, 2021
- Hair Knowledge
- By Emma & Stuart
When it comes to knowing how to put a wig on, there are a few different routes you can take to prep your head beforehand. However, it can be hard to know which method is best for you. In this post, we break down the best methods of how to put on a wig for a variety of hair lengths, so that you can choose which is best suited to you! We also address wig caps and whether they are an essential or a preference for putting on a wig.
If you haven’t ever worn a wig before and require some extra guidance choosing and discussing the styling process before you put on your wig; then please read our beginners guide to wearing a wig. After reading our guide, you’ll be wondering ‘how do you put on a wig as a beginner?’ – simply jump back to this post and we will talk you through it. Just remember, the majority of our blogs here at Simply Wigs are beginner friendly!
So, How Do You Put on a Wig?
First Step: Prep your scalp or hair
For beginners, knowing whether to wear a wig cap or not can be tricky, and this is an ongoing debate in the wig world. There a few circumstances when putting on a wig requires the use of a wig cap, usually when someone has very little to no hair, as this helps to secure the wig. We would also recommend wearing a wig cap if you have a sensitive scalp, as this adds an extra layer between your head and the wig to prevent irritation. If you find your wig uncomfortable in general, we would always recommend wearing a wig cap to see if that helps you feel more confident and secure.
However, the truth is that wig caps can be worn regardless of hair length or any other factors! Keep in mind that wearing a wig cap is all about personal preference and there’s no right or wrong, as long as it works for you. If you would like a tutorial on how to put on a wig cap, including how to put long hair in a wig cap, please check out our video below.
Short Hair
If you’re wondering how to put a wig on short hair, the key is in the preparation. Prep before putting on your wig by brushing your hair back, away from your face. To secure it, simply pin it in place and add a spritz of hair spray. Make sure you don’t spray your wig with any hairspray though!
Longer Hair
When it comes to long hair, it’s important to pin it up away from the face, keeping it as flat as possible. You can either pin your hair into pin curls or tie your hair into two French braids, crossing them over at the nape, clipping them to your head and securing them with grips.
Little/ No Hair
As previously mentioned, using a wig cap is always recommended when you have little or no hair, as it will make the wig feel a lot more secure on your head, keeping it in place and looking fabulous all day long.
Putting on a Wig for Beginners
Now you’ve prepped your head or hair, it’s time to run through how to put a wig on:
One
Hold your wig at the nape (where the label is) with both hands.
Two
With your head tilted forward slightly, position the wig above your eyebrows and slip the wig on to your head, starting from front to back in a forwards-backwards motion.
Three
Now, push the front of the wig toward the back, until it's placed slightly below your natural hairline.
Four
Using the ear tabs found on both sides of the wig, centre the wig by placing the tabs in front of the ears, but be sure not to cover them!
Five
Adjust the wig according to the kind of part you want to achieve – some wigs have pre-made partings that you can't change, so you will have to play around with it until you get to your desired style.
Six
Secure your wig using wig tape, a wig grip headband, a silicon solution sheet, wig clips or bobby pins to prevent your wig from slipping.
Seven
Once you feel comfortable with your wig's position, you can tidy the look by tucking in stray hairs and voila! If the wig feels tight or too loose, use the adjustable tabs at the back of the wig to fit the wig to your head.
Putting on a Lace Front Wig for Beginners
Lace front wigs are a popular choice due to their hairline being very subtle, allowing styles to be worn away from the face, creating a more natural look. The process of putting on a lace front wig only differs if the wig is uncut.
However, if you're putting on a lace front wig for the first time, there are extra precautions to take so that you don't damage the monofilament fabric at the front of the wig cap whilst you fit your wig. Try not to bend or fold the hairline and avoid stretching the monofilament lace at the front whilst you secure your wig, as this is very delicate.
If your wig is uncut, all you need to do is trim the excess lace found at the front of the wig, taking care so that no fibres are unpicked when cutting. Please read our guide on how to put on lace front wigs for more detail.
We’ve all been wig-wearing beginners at one stage or another, but hopefully, now you know how to put on a wig as a beginner and have the confidence to try one out for yourself. Putting on a wig takes practice, and even though it may take a while at first, we guarantee it’ll be second nature in no time! Check out all the fabulous wigs we have in our collection, to find your perfect fit. Contact a member of our friendly team if you need any advice picking out your first wig.
Learn more about ‘wig caps'
WIG CAP VS NO WIG CAP
HOW TO SECURE A WIG
