18 Techniques to Make a Wig Appear 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.  So why do their wigs look so realistic?  Actually, it's not that difficult or annoying.  Try these 18 techniques I've put up today to make your wig appear authentic!

1. Choose the Right Wig Type

After years of fashion, I've come to the conclusion that lace wigs seem the most natural due to their airy lace base, which blends in seamlessly with your scalp.  I normally suggest starting with a lace front wig because they are lightweight and let you separate your hair wherever, much like real hair.  A wide variety of lace front wigs are available on the market today, many of which may achieve a natural appearance and meet a variety of style needs.

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. Try Human Hair Wig

If you never try human hair wigs, go for it, because it's almost like your own strands after a deep conditioning treatment. But not all human hair wigs are created equal. (P.S. I’ve got a whole breakdown coming on Virgin vs. Remy vs. Human hair—it’ll save you the trial-and-error headaches I went through!)

✨  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.

4. Melt the Wig Lace

To make the wig lace match their skin tone, many people may apply concealer.  Before I discovered the layering technique, I detested applying concealer to lace fronts.  I would slop it on thickly at the beginning and end up with a chalky line, which is a dead giveaway!  To counteract the black lace base, I first softly apply a peach-toned color corrector (for my olive skin) over the lace.  I then blend a drop of serum for sheen with my precise foundation tone.

5. Bleach the Knots

Bleaching lightens the black knots at the base of the wig, making them less noticeable and creating the illusion that hair is growing directly from the scalp.  For beginners, this is a thorough, step-by-step guide:  A Complete Guide to Interpreting 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

Here's my go-to trick: I use the pointed end of a rattail comb to draw subtle zigzags at the part. Learned through trial and error, that my first attempt looked like lightning bolts! Now I make shallow "V" shapes no wider than a pencil. This technique breaks up a straight parting and makes it look less artificial.

8. Use Wig Adhesive

Ordinary wigs will be worn with glue or gel to help the lace edges fit the skin, although this method is not suitable for people with sensitive skin. Another option is to use tape, I experienced pre-everything wig, which adds innovative ear tapes to make wearing easier and make the wig lace invisible and fit.

9. Get a Proper Fit

Every time I laughed, my first "one-size-fits-all" wig would slide backward until I eventually reached for a soft tape measure.  I now always consider the wig's size while making a purchase.  "Buy the right size of wig for your head and wear it as close as possible to your actual hairline." Patrick Evan, a professional hair stylist, stated in How to Make a Wig Look Real.

Wigs are becoming easier to wear, though, thanks to new collections from Sterlyhair 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, Sterlyhair Virtual Try-On tool uses AI to match your skin’s undertones.

13. Add Layers

Layers give hair movement and resemble its natural flow.  With thinning shears, you can create tiny layers that give a flat wig a voluminous appearance.  Naturally, layering pages can give the face the ideal contour by adding texture and volume.

14. 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.

15. DIY Hair Color Dye

This method is perfect for DIYers to dye their wigs in funky colors, and make some bright creations such as highlights, ombre, etc. to turn their wigs into a unique and individual look.

16. 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

17. Use Hair Accessories

Common hair accessories like headbands, hair clips, and scarves can enhance a wig's appearance. A silk scarf I thrifted became my wig’s best friend: tied loosely at the crown, it hid that awkward transition near my temples while making my coffee runs look Parisian-chic. Experimenting with different combinations and matching accessories to outfits can also create a personalized style and further disguise any unnatural aspects of the wig.

18. 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.