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Revised 11/09/26
wig styling
Wig Updo Hairstyles: How to Put Your Wig in an Updo
Whether you have a special event coming up, need a professional hairstyle for the office, or just want a different look, fashioning your wig into an updo is a fun and easy way to change things up. You can create updos and fashionable hairstyles with any type of wig, from classic cap to hand-tied. Read on for tips and inspiration to create different updo styles with your wig. If you would rather not style it at all, a ready-made updo wig goes on over a small bun or ponytail.
creating wig updos: helpful tips
before you start
- Start with the right cap. Any wig can go into a low, loose updo. For styles swept off your face, a lace front gives you a natural-looking hairline, and a hand-tied cap lets the hair lift and fall in any direction without the wefts showing at the nape. On a classic cap, low buns and half updos work best, since they keep hair over the back of the cap.
- Create loose styles. Updos in wigs tend to work better with looser styles. This also prevents damage that can occur from pulling the hair too tightly.
- Use wig-safe products. Always secure your hairstyle with wig-safe hairspray. Additionally, make sure to use hair brushes and combs that are designed for wigs.
- Back-comb carefully. Use a comb designed for wigs to tease your wig and only tease very gently to avoid damaging the wig fibers. Use a light hand.
- Don’t use heat on standard synthetic hair. It is fine to style your human hair or heat friendly synthetic wig with heat, but avoid putting heat on synthetic wigs. This will melt the wig fibers. Instead, stick to styles that work with the texture of your wig.
- Use a wig styling chin strap. These specially designed chin straps clip on to your wig to hold it in place while styling. They come in handy when creating updos.
buns and chignons
wig hairstyles
classic chignon bun
A basic low chignon bun is the perfect updo for any occasion. To get this look, simply style the hair to the back of your head, twist it around itself, and secure with a ponytail holder and bobby pins. To add extra volume, lightly tease the hair at the crown of the wig with a wide-tooth comb before gathering your bun. You can create this classic style with any long wig.
baby braid bun
This cute style looks complicated but is surprisingly easy to achieve. Simply grab small sections of hair at the front of the wig and create a few basic 3-strand braids. Secure with clear ponytail holders. Create a simple bun at the back of the head and secure. Use bobby pins to attach the baby braids to the side of the head. Pull out some loose strands of hair around the face for a messy look. A lace front wig is recommended to create this look.
braids
wig hairstyles
side French braid
A French braid is a classic option that always looks sophisticated. To create this look, grab three strands of hair at the side of the head and braid, adding more hair as you continue to braid. You can create a French braid style with any type of wig.
French braid ponytail
This fashionable style gives an exquisite appearance that is well suited for both soirees and professional settings. Create this look by sectioning off three strands of hair on one side of the part and braiding, adding more hair as you go. Secure at the nape of the neck with a ponytail holder. Finish off the look by grabbing a section of hair from the ponytail, wrapping it around the ponytail holder, and securing with bobby pins.
loose fishtail braid
A casual yet classic updo, this fishtail braid style is created by plaiting the wig with two main sections of hair. This traditional braided style can be created with any type of wig.
half updos
wig hairstyles
messy pinned back
A slightly messy half pinned up look like the style shown above is easy to style on your wig and gives an understated, elegant look. To create this look, first use a wide tooth comb to lightly tease the crown of the wig to add volume. Then pull the front sections of the hair to the back of the head and secure with bobby pins or a hair clip. Make sure to leave out some strands of hair at the front to frame the face. This look can be accomplished with any type of wig.
sleek half updo
This lustrous half updo gives a polished appearance with cool 1960s vibes. Simply tease the crown of the wig with a wig comb, then pull the hair from the front of the wig away from the face and secure at the back of the head. This style works best on a straight wig with a lace front.
small braid half updo
Don’t be intimidated by the intricate look of this braided half up wig style; it’s actually pretty easy to create this style! All you need to do is take a small section of hair from the side of the head and create basic 3-strand plaits and simple 2-strand twists, securing with small elastic bands. Then, take the braids and twists and pin them strategically to the side of the head, sometimes crossing them over each other for a more complex look. This style works best on monofilament wigs.
voluminous half updo
This fluffy style is the picture of smart sophistication. It’s perfect for formal events, and it’s oh-so-easy to create. First, separate two sections of hair at the front of the wig. Then, take your wide tooth wig comb and lightly tease the entirety of both sections. Finally, pin the teased sections at the back of the head. Voila! We recommend a lace front, monofilament wig to create the style shown.
subtle bouffant
We love this style because it works perfectly on both long and short wigs. Style by lightly back-combing the crown of the wig with your wig comb. Then, take a section of hair from either side of the front of the wig and secure at the back of the head with bobby pins or a hair clip. This bouffant hairdo looks great on all types of wigs.
pinned back fringe
Simple and sassy, the only thing you need to do to create this style is sweep the hair from the front of the wig over the top of the head and secure with hair clips. A lace front wig is recommended for this style, but it looks great on all hair lengths.
elegant swept back
This sweet style couldn’t be simpler to create. Just take a strand of hair from either side of the face and pin to the side of the head. Hide the bobby pin under another strand of hair for a truly elegant look.
skip the styling: updo wigs and hair pieces
wig updos without the pins
If you’d rather not style your wig at all, an updo wig does it for you. It’s a ready-made bun, chignon or twist that clips over a small ponytail or bun, and it works on a wig the same way it works on your own hair. Bun hair pieces, hair wraps and braided headbands give you a finished updo with no pinning. Our own Natural Hair Wrap Scrunchie by Cardani is the messy-bun kind: slip it over a small bun of your wig’s hair for an easy messy bun.
The same goes for the rest of the look. A clip-on ponytail gives a wig ponytail more length and fullness, and clip-in bangs add a fringe to a wig that doesn’t have one. If you wear a hair topper rather than a wig, it can go up too: the loose fishtail braid, sleek half updo and elegant swept back styles are all shown on toppers. Our hair pieces collection has them all.
Not sure which piece you need? Our guide to the types of hair pieces walks through every one.
Playful Hair Wrap by Jon Renau
A ring of short curls that twists on like an elastic. Under an ounce.shop →Natural Hair Wrap Scrunchie by Cardani
A tousled bun on an elastic. Slip it over your bun and go.shop →Fun Bun Hair Wrap by Jon Renau
A curly scrunchie bun that wraps around your own bun.shop →Headband Braid by Cardani
A synthetic braid on a band, with an adjustable elastic at the back.shop →shop updo wigs → | shop buns & hair wraps → | shop clip-on ponytails → | shop clip-in bangs →
using hair accessories with wigs
the quickest change of all
Another easy way to dress up your wig is by adding hair accessories like headbands, scarves, and hair clips. The simple addition of an accessory gives a put together look in an instant.
questions about wig updos
open the one you need
can you put any wig in an updo?
Most wigs can go into a low, loose updo. For high styles or hair swept off your face, the cap matters: a lace front gives you a natural-looking hairline, and a hand-tied cap lets the hair move in any direction without the wefts showing at the nape. On a classic cap, low buns and half updos work best.
can you put a lace front wig in an updo?
Yes, and it is one of the best caps for it, because the lace gives you a natural-looking hairline when the hair is swept back. Pin into the hair, not through the lace, and keep the style loose so the front isn’t pulled tight.
are there wigs that come already in an updo?
Yes. An updo wig is a ready-made bun, chignon or twist that clips or wraps over a small ponytail or bun, on your own hair or on a wig. Our updo wigs and bun hair pieces collections have them, and the Playful Hair Wrap by Jon Renau is the one our customers buy most.
how do I put my own hair up under a wig?
Keep it as flat as you can. Braid long hair into one or two low braids and pin them flat against your head, or pin shorter hair in flat curls, then put on a wig cap before the wig. A flat base helps the wig sit snugly.
As you can see, there are so many great options for styling your wig in updos, half-up styles, and braids. Adding accessories is also a great option to create a different style with your wig. Which style will you be trying next?
Want help choosing a wig for an updo?
Call 1-800-264-4287 and a person will talk the options through with you, or browse all our wigs.
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