how to wear a wig for beginners

How To Wear a Wig for Beginners Without Glue

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I have had an attraction to wigs, and fake hair, for as long as I can remember. In 2020 I discovered a company called Insert Name here that makes amazing wigs, ponytails, hair extensions, and more. My first wig was Kennedy, noted as the “gateway wig.” Boy, is that correct! I now have countless wigs, ponytails, and other items. Please note that I am not sponsored by them, I simply love their products and feel that you should know about them. They are a woman-owned company that makes quality pieces at a good price. I find that their hairs are easy to care for, do not tangle too much, and are not overly shiny. At this point I have plenty of experience wearing wigs for photography and special occasions, to the point where I have fooled my friends and family! I am doing this how to wear a wig for beginners tutorial to demystify these lovely hair options, and without glue. Allow me to break it down into long and short hair options.

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how to wear a wig for beginners
how to wear a wig for beginners

How to Wear a Wig For Beginners

I want to go over some basics when it comes to how do you wear a wig for the first time. Most wigs have some sort of metal combs, teeth, or forks, whatever you want to call them. These are used to secure the wig to your real hair and keep it in place. Also, wigs typically have adjustable bands to customize the fit to your own head.

This type of wig is lace, and in some ways lace-front, but the lace comes pre-cut. I find this to be a convenient option for a newbie, especially since you may not know how to cut lace yet. A negative here is that cutting the lace yourself allows you to customize it to your own hairline for a more natural look.

Wigs are an extraordinary way to temporarily change your style, and to express yourself! You can guarantee you will have a good hair day. Sometimes for me they are a way to hide the fact that my hair needs highlighted again. Take it from me, you should never feel shy or embarrassed to wear a wig in public or private. I used to be, but I find that strangers, family, and friends are very accepting, and many have no idea the hair is fake.

Short wigs are my favorite, and they are best-suited for beginners. They virtually never tangle, and you have less hair to deal with as you place the wig onto your head. Here are lovely short options from Insert Name Here that I own:

Also, here are some long options that I also own:

inside of lace wig with combs

How to Wear a Wig With Short Hair

1) Put Your Hair in a Bun

I am starting my how to wear a wig for beginners with options for those with short, and/or fine hair. My hair type is fine, and when I have it cut to my shoulders, I do not have to do much to prepare my hair for a wig cap. For how to wear a wig with short hair, I simply do a quick bun the same way that you make a ponytail. When I get to the last pull-through of the pony, I do not pull it all the way through. If your hair is short, but thicker, you can separate your hair into two smaller buns in the same fashion.

put hair in a bun to prep for a wig cap

2) Put a Wig Cap On and Adjust Bun

Next, I put the wig cap on. When it comes to how to wear a wig cap, it truly is not complicated and should not be overthought. A wig cap is basically like a piece of panty hose. Simply stretch it over your head, and make sure all of your hair is tucked inside. The point of a wig cap is to make your real hair lay flat while containing your hair, this way your wig looks as natural as possible.

When I put my hair in a bun, I grab the bun with my entire fist and do a massaging motion. This helps to flatten the bun against my head.

put wig cap on
with wig cap on adjust bun

3) Secure Wig Cap With Bobby Pins (Optional)

You can always use bobby pins to keep your wig cap in place, if you like. I do not use them in most cases.

securing wig cap with bobby pins
wearing a wig cap

4) Put Wig On, Brush, Straighten

At this point, you are ready to put your wig on! I hold the wig behind my head, secure the bottom around the bottom of my head, then I stretch the rest over the top of my head and secure the front combs. Now, you will want to brush the wig and ensure it is straight. Double-check that part and make sure it is in the center, or wherever it is designed to lay.

putting a wig on
putting a wig on
brushing a wig after putting it on
wearing a wig

How to Wear a Wig With Long Hair

1) Divide Hair Into Several Braids

My next option on how to wear a wig for beginners is best suited for those with long, and/or thick hair. I also show another way to get the wig onto your head that I find even easier than the short hair tutorial! Practice makes perfect. This is how to wear a wig with long hair.

First, divide your hair in half and braid each side. Depending on how long or thick your hair is, you may want to do several braids on each side.

braiding hair to prepare for wearing a wig and cap

2) Bobby Pin Braids Across The Back of Your Head

Second, use bobby pins to pins the braids across the back of your head. I typically use two bobby pins per braid. I find they hold better when I put them in angled toward the top of my head. When I say across, I mean take a braid from the left and pull it to the right side of your head.

bobby pinning braids across the back of the head
bobby pinning braids across the back of the head
bobby pinning braids across the back of the head

3) Put Wig Cap On

Once your braids are pinned up, you are ready to put your wig cap on and get your hair all tucked inside.

putting on a wig cap tucking your hair in
wearing a wig cap

You can see how well the wig cap flattens those braids out for a nice, natural look!

wearing a wig cap

4) Turn Wig Inside Out, Secure Bottom, Then The Top

Get ready for my alternative way to get the wig onto your head! Start by turning the wig inside out. Next, hold it behind your head. Then, secure the bottom around the bottom of your head. Then, stretch it over the top of your head and secure the combs in the front.

turning a wig inside out in order to put it on
putting a wig on

Again, you can see how flat and natural it looks, besides the fact the wig needs brushed.

wearing a wig

5) Brush and Straighten The Wig

The final step is always to brush the wig out and make sure it is straight. At this point, do not hesitate to accessorize it!

The point of this how to wear a wig for beginners tutorial is to be as simple as possible for newbies. Hence, everything here covers how to wear a wig without glue. Glue is a great option for extended wear, perhaps for several days or all day, and it also makes the hairline look more realistic. Below I have what I consider to be the best and easiest gluing tutorial. The products are also highly accessible:

A wig can also be made to look more natural by using powder makeup along the hairline. You can also apply the makeup up through the part of the wig. Again, I do not do that in effort to be as simple as possible.

brushing a wig after putting it on
wearing a wig

How to Wear a Wig For Beginners Frequently Asked Questions – FAQs

Do wigs fall off easily?

Wigs do not fall off easily when they are put on correctly. Most wigs feature adjustable elastic bands so that you can customize the size of the wig to your head. Further, they usually have metal combs to securely grasp your real hair. Some people choose to glue their wigs down for longer and/or more realistic wear.

How do you wear a wig and make it look natural?

You can wear a wig and make it look natural by making sure your real hair lays flat under the wig. This is achieved by putting your hair up into braids or a bun. Wearing a wig cap is essential in keeping your real hair flat and tucked in so that it cannot pop out of the wig. Some choose to glue their wigs down for a more natural hairline.

What kind of wig is best for beginners?

A short wig is the best for beginners. You will not have to worry about it tangling or getting in your way too much. Short wigs are so easy to apply without having all of that long, thick hair to work with. Also, aim for a lace-front wig that comes pre-cut so you do not have to jump in with cutting it yourself right off the bat.

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Conclusion

To conclude how to wear a wig for beginners, anyone can jump right into experimenting with wigs without any prior knowledge or experience. You should start with a quality wig that will not break the bank to ensure success. Your hair type and length will dictate how you should prep for a wig cap, but never skip the cap! Once you get comfortable with my easy tutorial, you can try more advanced measures, such as gluing and using makeup to conceal your hairline. Wearing wigs is just like picking out an outfit or doing makeup – it is all about expressing who you are and having a blast while doing it. Go out and be your most confident self, and until next time, continue to let your true beauty shine.

Will you, or have you, ever worn a wig in public?

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Amanda
Amanda
Hi, I am Amanda Vitale, the owner of The Aesthetic Edge. I am a beauty and style expert who has been writing reviews and advice for 10 years. I have had the pleasure of testing hundreds of products, and I have published countless lookbooks. You can see my expertise quoted in top authoritative publications such as Bustle and Real Simple. I have also worked with your favorite brands, such as CurrentBody and AXIS-Y.
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One Response

  1. Thanks for pointing out that keeping our real hair flat under the wig will make it look natural when wearing one. I will keep that in mind so that I know what to do when I buy natural hair wigs for myself this month. It’s because I plan to buy those kinds of accessories to make it easier for me to look better for the event I’m going to attend in December.

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