How to Put On a Wig

Three things to take care of before you put the wig on. None of them take long.

Out of the Box

Your wig will arrive compressed and flat, often in a protective net. It will not look like the product photo yet. That is completely normal.

• 1
  Keep the tags and packaging in good shape

  Keep the tags, net, box, and packaging until you're sure the wig is right for you. Try it on, take your time. If something isn't right, you'll still have options. Once tags are removed and packaging is gone, your return options diminish significantly.

• 2
  Remove the net carefully

  The wig ships in a protective hairnet to hold the style in place during transit. Slide it off gently from the front, working toward the back. Do not pull or yank; the net can catch on the hair.

• 3
  Shake it gently to restore volume

  Hold the wig by the cap and give it a gentle shake. For most styles, this is enough to bring the shape back. For curly styles, use your fingers to gently loosen and separate the curls.

Prepare Your Hair

How you prepare your hair underneath makes a real difference in comfort and how the wig sits. The goal is a flat, smooth surface for the cap to lie against. No hair? Skip ahead to the wig cap section.

Long Hair

1. Lightly dampen hair with a spray bottle. This tames flyaways and makes braiding easier.
2. Choose one of three approaches: a low ponytail flipped up over the crown, two or more braids wrapped flat and pinned, or cornrows for thicker or Afro-textured hair.
3. The goal is even, flat coverage. Use bobby pins or toupee clips to secure everything flush to the scalp.
4. Put on your wig cap, then your wig.

Short Hair

1. Lightly dampen hair. Short hair is easier to manage damp.
2. Pull a nylon or mesh cap over your head, starting at the forehead and pulling back toward the nape.
3. Tuck each side behind the ears, pulling short hair back with it.
4. Use toupee clips around the perimeter to catch any strands that escape. Those short pieces poking through are what causes itching.
5. Put on your wig.

No Hair

This is the easiest starting point. You don't need to secure or pin anything.

A wig cap is optional but recommended. It creates a barrier between your scalp and the wig, reduces friction on sensitive skin, absorbs oils, and helps the wig last longer.

If your scalp is sensitive from chemotherapy, a soft cotton or bamboo cap is especially comfortable.

Do You Need a Wig Cap?

A wig cap isn't required, but most women find it makes a real difference. Here's what it does:

In 31 years we've found that if a wig feels itchy or uncomfortable, the right cap is almost always the fix. We carry mesh, organic cotton, bamboo, aloe vera, and our original No-Slip Grip Cap, each designed for a different scalp and situation. Cotton or bamboo if you have no hair. Mesh if you have hair underneath. When in doubt, try more than one. They're inexpensive and the difference in feel is real.

Placement is the difference between a wig that looks completely natural and one that draws a second glance. A wig that sits too far forward, or isn't centered, gives itself away immediately. Follow these steps in order and you'll get it right. After the first few times it becomes automatic.

• 1
  Shake the wig and set the fit tabs before you put it on

  Give the wig a gentle shake to restore the style. For curly styles, use your fingers to loosen and separate the curls. Then check the adjustable tabs inside the cap and set them now. It's much harder to reach them once the wig is on your head.

• 2
  Find the front

  The label is always at the nape. That's the back. Hold the wig by the ear tabs (the fabric tabs at either side) with the label away from you. You're looking at the inside of the wig, and the front is closest to you.

• 3
  Tilt your head forward and slide it on front-first

  Lower your chin slightly. Place the front edge of the wig at your natural hairline and slide the wig back over your head in one smooth motion. This is the correct way. Not back-to-front.

• 4
  Position the front exactly at your hairline (the most important step)

  The front edge should sit right where your natural hairline was, roughly four finger-widths above your eyebrows. Too far forward is the most common giveaway. It creates an unnaturally low hairline that draws attention immediately. Too far back exposes the cap edge. Gently rock the wig side to side until it settles correctly, then check in the mirror straight-on before moving on.

• 5
  Check the ear tabs: your symmetry check

  Reach up and feel for the ear tabs at your temples. They should sit at the same height on both sides. That's how you confirm the wig is centered and not pulled to one side. If one tab is higher than the other, the wig is off. Adjust until they match, then press them flat against your face. Any metal or plastic hardware should be tucked in, not sticking out.

• 6
  Handle gently, especially hand-tied areas

  Always handle the wig by the cap, not by the hair. For hand-tied areas especially, pulling on the hair strands can loosen the knots over time. If the fit still feels off after following these steps, take the wig off, readjust the tabs, and put it back on. Don't try to force an adjustment while it's on your head.

• ✦
  Wearing glasses? Put the wig on first

  Remove your glasses before putting on the wig, then put them back on after. This prevents the temples from catching on the hair or disrupting placement. Once the wig is on, slide the arms of your glasses under the hair at the ear tabs. Don't rest them on top of the wig. If your glasses tend to lift the hair near your temples, a small bobby pin tucked underneath keeps everything in place.

Is the Fit Right?

Give your head a gentle nod and a shake. The wig should move with you, not on a delay.

A well-fitted wig stays put on its own. But if you want extra security for an active day, a windy day, or just peace of mind, there are several options.

The same care that goes into putting the wig on applies when you take it off.

• 1
  Tilt your head slightly forward

  The same starting position as putting it on. This releases the wig from the nape and prevents any tugging at the hairline.

• 2
  Slide from front to back

  Grip the ear tabs and slide the wig off from front to back, the reverse of how it went on. Never pull from the top or yank by the hair. For hand-tied areas especially, pulling on strands can loosen the knots over time.

• 3
  Place it on a wig stand

  A wig stand holds the shape and lets the cap breathe. Don't compress it in a drawer or leave it lying flat. If the wig got damp from sweat or humidity, let it air dry on the stand before storing.