There are many different types of braids you can create. The most popular are the classic 3-strand braid, French braids, and Dutch braids.
When buying a wig to braid, you must ensure it is very thick so that the base is not exposed. Try to find a wig that has lots of wefts at the back, and has many densely woven layers of hair all over.
Try to avoid layered wigs. This is because all of the hairs are different lengths and this could result in short sections of hair poking out of the braids.
You should only braid lace or monofilament wigs. This means that your scalp will appear more natural when the wig hairs are in braids.
We would recommend securing the wig to a mannequin or styrofoam head while attempting to braid. This will keep it still and ensure your braids will lie well when the wig is on your head.
How to do a classic braid
Section the hair into 3 thick and even segments. Brush each section with a wig brush and spray them with hairspray. All hairs should be lying flat and smooth. The more effort you put into this step, the cleaner your finished braid will look.
Cross the left segment of hair across the center. Take the right and cross over the new middle section.
Repeat these sections along the length of the hair. Try to keep a good tension but without pulling the braid too tight. Keep your hands on either side of the braid and do not let go of any of the strands.
Take regular breaks to smooth down any flyaway hairs to ensure the braid looks neat and uniform. If you need both hands to do this, clip the bottom of the braid to secure while you brush through the ends.
Using a hair elastic or whatever you prefer, tie up the end of the braid to hold it together.
You should then brush the loose end of the braid and cut diagonally in both directions to create a diamond shape. This will make the braid appear tapered and natural. If you like, you could also thin out the end of the braid slightly.
How to do a pair of French braids
You must first part the hair down the center of the wig. You will be focusing on one half of the head.
Section off 3 strands of hair close to the wig’s hairline. Add some hairspray to each section and smooth the strands down between your fingers.
Cross the left strand of hair across the middle one, and then the right over the middle. This is the same method as creating a classic braid.
Cross the left strand over the center, incorporating a little loose hair from the left side of the braid.
Cross the right strand over the center. This time, incorporate a little loose hair from the right hand side of the braid.
Continue to repeat these last 2 steps, adding a small section of loose hanging hair to the braid each time you move a strand.
Ensure you are spraying the incorporated hair with hairspray regularly and smoothing with a comb before adding to the braid.
If you struggle to keep the braid intact while doing this, secure the braided section with a clip. This allows you to have both hands free to spray and brush the wig.
Continue to repeat this process until all of the hair on one side of the wig has been incorporated into the braid. Tie off with a hair elastic or whatever you are choosing to use.
French braid tips
When sectioning off hair to incorporate into the braid, try to take it from an area on the wig that is slightly lower than the previous section.
There should be a small area of loose hair at the top of the braid to cover up any gaps that are made. This ensures that the wig cap is not exposed.
Do not part the hair in a straight line down the back of the wig, as this will expose the wig cap. Instead, try to part it in a slight zig zag.
This will allow the hair to lie and cover the wefts on the underside of the wig, creating a more aesthetically pleasing finished result. If you find this difficult to do, use a tail comb to adjust the positioning of the hair strands.
How to do a pair of Dutch braids
Similarly to the French braiding process, you will need to start with your wig being parted down the center. Brush your wig well and spray on hairspray to ensure the hairs are lying flat.
Section off 3 strands of hair close to the wig’s hairline. Add some hairspray to each section and smooth the strands down between your fingers.
Cross the right strands underneath the central one - essentially the opposite of a French braid. Cross the section on the left under the center section.
Repeat these steps, adding a little hair to each section each time. Again, follow the basic premise of a French braid. Be sure to pull the hair tightly to keep a lot of tension in the braid.
When you have braided the hair all the way down the cap and to the base, switch braiding styles. As there is no more scalp, you should switch to a classic 3-strand braid.
Continue to braid as you would for a classic braid until you reach the ends of the hair. Tie it off with a hair elastic to secure.
Repeat this entire process on the opposite side of your head to create 2 matching braids.
If you prefer a messier look, pull on the braid loops to soften them and give them a more feathery appearance.
How to wash a braided wig
You should dip the lengths of the hair into a bowl of very hot water once a fortnight.
Add a few drops of hair oil if you like and air dry.