16 Ways to Make a Wig Look Natural

One of the most common problems wig newbies encounter is how to make a wig look natural. When you observe your favorite celebrity change their hairstyle multiple times in a short period of time, don't worry whether a wig is essential. Why, therefore, do their wigs appear so lifelike?  In actuality, it's not really challenging or bothersome.  Try out the 16 methods I've compiled today to make your wig look real!

1. Try Human Hair Wig

Try human hair wigs if you haven't already; after a thorough conditioning procedure, they resemble your real hair. However, not every human hair wig is made equally. (P.S. I have a detailed analysis of Virgin vs. Remy vs. Human hair coming up; it will spare you the headaches of trial and error I experienced.)

✨  Natural Look: Human hair wigs are designed to look like genuine hair.  The strands merge in perfectly and move organically.

✨ Versatility in Styling: Human Hair Wigs can be styled with heat styling appliances.  Blow dryers, straighteners, and curling irons can produce a variety of styles.

 ✨ Durability: Human hair wigs can last one to three years if properly maintained.  They are an investment worth making because of their longevity.

 ✨ Comfort: Wigs made of human hair are cozy against the scalp.  Itching and irritation are lessened by the natural fibers.

 

2. Customize the Hairline

When I first tried lace wigs, I almost gave up since the straight-across lace looked like a headband! After buying a new wig, you can then modify the hairline to your liking. The wig's hairline can also be plucked. Since real hairlines aren't perfect, I pluck hairs in small sections using tweezers held at a 45-degree angle, being careful to create a slight unevenness at the temples. Obviously, the easiest solution is to get a wig with a pre-cut hairline.

3. Choose the Right Wig Type

 

After years of style, I've discovered that lace wigs look the most natural because of their airy lace base, which merges in perfectly with your scalp.  Since lace front wigs are lightweight and allow you to separate your hair wherever, exactly like real hair, I usually advise starting with one.  Today's market offers a vast array of lace front wigs, many of which may attain a natural look and satisfy a range of style requirements.

4. Melt the Wig Lace

Many people use concealer to make the wig lace match their skin tone. I hated using concealer on lace fronts before I learned about the layering approach. I would apply a lot of it at first, and the result would be an obvious chalky line! I start by gently applying a peach-toned color corrector (for my olive skin) over the black lace base. I then mix my exact foundation tone with a drop of serum for shine.

5. Bleach the Knots

The black knots at the wig's base are lightened by bleaching, which reduces their visibility and gives the appearance that hair is sprouting straight from the scalp.  This is a comprehensive, step-by-step guide for novices:  A Comprehensive Guide on Decoding Bleached Knots.          

6. Add Baby Hair

 

Trim small sections of hair from the front of the wig with scissors and place these baby hair naturally along the forehead. Baby hair softens the hairline and covers unnatural sideburns.

7. Create a Zig Zag Part

This is my go-to method: I make delicate zigzags at the part using the pointed end of a rattail comb. I discovered via trial and error that my initial attempt appeared to be lightning bolts! I now draw shallow "V" shapes that are no wider than a pencil. This method lessens the unnatural appearance of a straight parting by breaking it up.

8. Use Wig Adhesive

To help the lace edges fit the skin, regular wigs are worn with adhesive or gel; however, this technique is not appropriate for those with sensitive skin. Another alternative is to use tape. I tried the pre-everything wig, which uses creative ear tapes to make the wig lace fit and be undetectable while also making wearing the wig easier.

9. Get a Proper Fit

My initial "one-size-fits-all" wig would slide backward every time I laughed, until I finally grabbed for a soft tape measure. Now, when I buy a wig, I always take its size into account.   "Buy the right size of wig for your head and wear it as close as possible to your actual hairline." Professional hair stylist Patrick Evan wrote in How to Make a Wig Look Real.

Wigs are becoming easier to wear, though, thanks to new collections from Cheetahbeauty that combine combs, elastic bands, and non-slip silicone strips for several fixes (even a drawstring!) to make sure the wig is stable and comfy.

10. Use a Wig Cap

The wig cap mainly serves to hold the natural hair in place, creating a flat surface that prevents the wig from being uneven when worn. If you're not very good at it, try the bald cap method, which helps the wig look more natural when worn.

11. Style in Your Ways

Try various hairstyles to find the one that suits you best, such as ponytails, half up half down hair, hair buns, etc. However, these hairstyles should also be tried depending on the type of wig. With full lace wigs, I recreate my go-to messy bun using claw clips – the key is leaving face-framing strands slightly uneven, like I’ve been running errands. By changing the hairstyle, the wig will look more like natural hair.

12. Blend with Your Natural Hair

This method is best suited for leave-out wig types like v part wig and u part wig that will leak out of your natural hair. Early in my styling career, I learned the hard way that even a half-shade mismatch screams ‘wig.’ For clients, I suggest comparing swatches under natural light – bathroom lighting often distorts tones. If you’re buying online, Cheetahbeauty Virtual Try-On tool uses AI to match your skin’s undertones.

 

13. Consider a Wig with Bangs

Ironically, I've been a fan of fringe hairstyles for years, but I always chickened out until I threw on a "bang wig" on a whim!  I was fidgeting with it the first day, afraid the lace might show through.  until I noticed that my hairline was hidden by the layers that dropped precisely perfectly.  I no longer have to mess with glue or lace tint since I love how soft my forehead feels with wispy bangs!  My colleague exclaimed, "Did you get your bangs cut?  They make your eyes look beautiful.

 

14. Reduce Wig Shine

Excessive shine often makes synthetic wigs appear fake. Several methods can help achieve a matte finish.

◆ Use Dry Shampoo

◆ Apply Baby Powder

◆ Use Fabric Softener

◆ Apply Matte Finishing Spray

15. Do Regular Maintenance

Daily care is also an important step in keeping your wig natural. Just like natural hair, frizzy hair can lose its luster if not carefully cared for. Here's what you can do.

We hope that the above methods will be helpful to you. And we encourage our readers to share their experiences and tips in the comments section. If you have any questions or need further assistance, please leave a comment. Our team will be happy to help you find the perfect wig.

16. Use Hair Accessories

The appearance of a wig can be improved with common hair accessories like scarves, headbands, and hair clips. My wig's greatest friend was a silk scarf I found at a thrift store; knotted loosely at the crown, it covered up the awkward transition near my temples and gave my coffee runs a Parisian-chic appearance. You can further conceal any unnatural features of the wig and create a personalized look by experimenting with different combinations and matching accessories to outfits.