How to Wear a Wig: Ultimate Guide for Beginners

Tired of your wig slipping or feeling too tight? Wearing a wig takes only 10-15 minutes when you do it right. The process is simple: flatten your hair, apply a wig cap, position it correctly, blend with your hairline, and use adhesive.

Yet, many still find it hard to get it right.

As wig stylists with 20+ years of experience, we’ll teach you how to wear a wig with clear, easy-to-follow steps to prep hair, get all the tools, and learn A+ hairline blending tricks. By the end, you’ll learn the dos and don’ts of putting on your wig.

Let’s get into it.

Before you start, get your tools ready. Here’s what you need and what each does:

• Bobby pins: Keep your wig tight
• Wig Cap: Flatten hair and stop the wig from slipping
• Wig Stand: Style and store your wig when not in use
• Wig Brush: Gently detangles the wig without causing frizz
• Adhesive: Attach lace front or full-lace wigs to secure your wig
• Scalp Protector: Protect your skin if you use adhesives 1x week or more

Before putting on your wig, take 10-15 minutes to prepare your natural hair and scalp.

Follow these step-by-step:

• Wash and dry your hair and scalp.
• Braid or pin your hair close to your head for a smooth, even surface.
• Put on a wig cap. Stretch the cap over your head and tuck in your hair for a neat base.
• Moisturize your scalp or edges to prevent dryness under the cap. Use a lightweight leave-in conditioner, hair oil, or scalp serum. Apply it with your fingers or a small brush, then gently massage it.

Go through each step slowly on your first try, then use this as your quick-reference guide going forward. Each step builds on the last, so skipping ahead will impact your final result.

Make your natural hair as flat as possible against your scalp before putting on your wig. The best way to do this is by creating cornrows (tight braids close to your head) or flat twists. If you have short hair, you can also use a type of wig cap that holds everything down smoothly.

Here’s how to do this real quick:

• Detangle your hair with a wide-tooth comb or brush to remove any knots.
• Part your hair down into sections that work best for your hair length and thickness.
• Braid long or medium hair into two French braids, cornrows, or flat twists, going straight back toward your neck.
• Pin shorter hair flat against your scalp using bobby pins or snaps around your head.
• Secure the ends of braids with small elastic bands. Tuck them flat against your head.
• Wrap everything with a wig cap (a thin, stretchy mesh) to hold all your hair in place.

French braids create a tight, flat braid that sits close to your scalp and hides your long hair under a wig tightly. Here’s how to do it:

• Part your hair down the middle and clip one side away. Use a rat-tail comb to make a clean, straight line from your forehead to your neck.
• Start with three strands at your hairline. Grab a small section (1-2 inches wide) and split it into 3 equal pieces. Cross the right piece over the middle, then the left piece over the middle to start your braid.
• Add hair as you braid down. Before each crossover, pick up a thin section of loose hair from that side and add it to the strand you're about to cross. Keep the braid tight against your scalp as you work toward your neck.
• Finish and secure the braid. Once you run out of loose hair to add, braid the rest normally. Tie the end with an elastic band, fold it up, and pin it flat against your head.
• Repeat on the other side. Unclip the second section and follow the same steps to create your second French braid.

Cornrows are tight, narrow braids that lie flat against your scalp in straight lines. You create them by adding hair to the braid as you work from your hairline to the back of your head.

Follow this detailed guide:

• Prep your hair and create sections. Apply leave-in conditioner to slightly damp hair.
• Use a rat-tail comb to part a straight line from your hairline to your neck (1-2 inches wide). Plan for 4-8 cornrows total across your head.
• Start braiding under, not over. Take a small piece of your hairline and split it into 3 strands. Cross the right strand under the middle, then the left strand under the middle. This makes the braid sit flat on your scalp.
• Add hair with each crossover. Before you cross each strand under the middle, pick up a thin section of loose hair from that side of your section and add it in. Keep pulling tight to maintain a flat, raised ridge.
• Find a way to secure your wig. When you reach your neck and run out of hair to add, braid the loose end normally. Tie it with an elastic band, tuck it flat, and pin it down.
• Complete the remaining rows. Move to the section right next to the first one and repeat until your entire head is cornrowed.

Flat twists look similar to cornrows but use only 2 strands instead of 3, which you twist together while adding new hair as you go. They create a rope-like pattern and are easier and faster to do than cornrows.

Here’s how:

• Moisturize and section your hair. Apply leave-in conditioner or hair cream to slightly damp hair. Use a rat-tail comb to part a straight line from your hairline to your neck (1-2 inches wide). Clip the rest away with bobby pins or wig clips.
• Start with two strands at your hairline. Grab a small piece and split it into 2 equal strands. Cross the right strand over the left strand once to start your twist. Keep it tight against your scalp.
• Add hair as you twist down. Before each crossover, pick up a thin section of loose hair from that side and add it to the strand you're about to twist. Always twist in the same direction (right over left, or left over right).
• Finish and secure the twist. When you reach your neck and run out of hair to add, keep twisting the loose end. Tie it with an elastic band, tuck it flat, and pin it down.
• Complete the remaining twists. Move to the next section beside the first one and repeat until your entire head is covered in flat twists.

Pro Tip: Make sure your braids or twists are not too thick. They must lie flat and cover your whole head evenly to avoid visible bumps.

Hold your wig with both hands and position it on your head so the front edge lines up with where your natural hair starts growing. Most wigs have a small label inside that says “front,” which should face your forehead.

The wig should sit about a finger's width from your eyebrows, which is where most people's hairlines naturally are. Here's how to get it right:

• Hold the wig by the ear tabs on both sides (the small flaps near the temples).
• Tilt your head forward slightly and position the front of the wig at your natural hairline or about one finger-width behind it.
• Pull the wig onto your head from front to back, sliding it over your flattened hair.
• Adjust the wig so the ear tabs sit right in front of your ears on both sides.
• Check in a mirror that the hairline looks natural and the wig is not too far or back.
• Smooth down any edges or bumps by gently pressing the wig against your head.

Pro Tip: Use a light makeup pencil to mark your natural hairline as a guide when applying your wig, especially for lace front wigs. You can pluck a few hairs from the hairline to make it look less dense and more natural.

Inside your wig, you will find adjustable straps (similar to bra straps), small clips, or comb-like attachments. Tighten or loosen these straps using hooks or Velcro. You can also use the clips and combs to grip onto your natural hair or wig cap and hold it better.

Once everything's clipped in, give your head a gentle shake. Does it move? Add more clips along the sides of the wig, so it won’t shift or tilt when you wear it.

Pro Tip: Adjust your straps while looking at the back of your head with a handheld mirror. The wig should hug your head in an oval shape, not pull too tightly.

Use wig tape, glue, or styling spray to create a better grip between your skin and the wig’s lace or base. They secure the wig in place and prevent it from slipping, lifting, or shifting

To do this, here are the steps:

• Choose between wig glue (liquid adhesive), wig tape (pre-cut strips), or Got2b Glued spray.
• Clean your hairline with rubbing alcohol on a cotton pad to remove oils to help the adhesive stick better.
• Apply a thin layer of glue along your hairline or place tape strips around your head.
• Wait 30-60 seconds for the glue or spray to become tacky (slightly sticky but not wet).
• Press the wig edges against the adhesive. Hold each section for 10-15 seconds.
• Avoid getting adhesive on the wig hair itself. Apply it where the wig base touches your skin.

Pro Tip: If you are afraid of using rubbing alcohol, try Got2b Glued spray (the yellow can) as a gentler alternative that removes oils and helps the glue or tape stick longer.

Once your wig is attached, do your own wig style now. Use a wide-tooth comb or a brush to gently smooth out tangles. Opt for heat styling tools like curling irons or straighteners to create the look you want.

However, check your wig's label first. Synthetic hair wigs often cannot handle high heat, while human glueless hair wigs can be styled just like natural hair.

Each option takes 5-10 minutes and completely changes your look.

Pro Tip: For synthetic wigs that cannot handle heat, try the “hot water method.” Dip sections in hot (not boiling) water to set curls or straighten the hair safely. Always style your wig on a wig stand or mannequin head when not wearing it to keep its shape.

New to wearing wigs? Review these common mistakes when wearing wigs and list the key ideas to avoid them.

1.  Skipping the wig cap. Always wear your wig cap to keep your natural hair back flat and prevent it from peeking through the wig.
2.  Placing the wig too far forward. Don't position the wig past your natural hairline, or it will look fake and obvious. Leave a small amount of space (about one finger-width) to create the most natural look.
3.  Choosing the wrong wig cap size. Measure your head circumference before buying and adjust the straps properly. A too-tight wig causes headaches, while a too-loose wig slides around often.
4.  Clipping in the same spots every day. This causes bald patches in those exact areas. Move your combs and clips around every 2-3 wears to spread out the pressure.
5.  Brushing from the roots down. Never start combing at the top of the wig, or you'll create tangles and shed fibers. Brush gently from the ends upward to detangle without hair loss.
6.  Sleeping in a glueless wig. Either remove it at night or wrap it in a silk or satin scarf to avoid it tangling and losing its shape.
7.  Over-washing your wig. Avoid washing your wig after every wear like you would natural hair. Wigs only need washing every 8-10 wears or when product builds up.
8.  Ignoring the hairline. Do not leave a harsh, visible line where the wig meets your forehead. Always customize the hairline with these: pluck a few hairs, add baby hairs, or use concealer to blend the edge.
9.  Using standard hair products on synthetic wigs. Never use regular shampoos or heat tools on your human hair wigs (unless labeled as heat-resistant). Use only wig-specific products to avoid melting or damaging its fibers.

Wearing your wig for the first time does not have to be stressful. With the right hair prep and technique, you can do it in less than 15 minutes. Flatten your natural hair, secure a wig cap, position your wig correctly, and blend your hairline for a natural finish.

Looking for a 1x1 consultation on which tools or techniques suit your wig type? Keswigs is happy to help. Reach out to our expert stylists for personalized styling guides to make your wig-wearing experience effortless and beautiful.