If you’re the owner of a synthetic wig, we’re sure you already know that they require a different type of care than regular, human hair does.
If you’re the proud owner of a curly-haired wig, it’s only to be expected that after some time, it will begin to develop some static or frizz around the top of the wig, the roots, and the lengths.
Whether due to rising body heat or a particularly hot day, there’s not a whole lot you can do to stop this. However, there are some ways that you can keep your curly wig looking just as good as it did the first time you purchased it. Keep reading to learn how!
1. Use a Tame-frizzing Spray
One of the easiest ways to help tame a curly wig in need of a de-frizz is by purchasing a conditioning spray designed to slick tame strands down. Believe it or not, many people tend to overlook how effective a tame-frizzing spray or serum can be, however, it is one of the easiest (and most affordable) ways to keep curls defined and bouncy.
If you fancy giving a tame-frizzing spray or serum a go, we recommend being sure to use only a pea-sized amount, as you’ll find that a little certainly goes a long way. Rub between your fingers and then gently run your fingers over the frizzy areas of the wig, being sure to not use too much, as this could cause the curls to appear greasy and ‘heavy’.
2. Regularly Wash Your Wig
By far the most affordable way to defrizz your synthetic wig is by making sure that you regularly give it a wash! Not only will it help to get rid of any frizz, but it will also get rid of any buildup from conditioning products and dirt, as well as giving the wig some moisture and shine.
When washing your synthetic curly wig, it’s important to note that you’ll have to follow a different process than if you were to wash a straight-haired wig. Follow the steps below to make sure that you do not get rid of any curls:
- Wet the strands of your wig's hair without rubbing the hair like you would if you were washing your own hair, as this will only make the frizz worse.
- After you have carefully added the water and the wig is damp, you can then go ahead and begin to apply the shampoo, gently using the same downward motion you did when you were wetting it.
- After you have worked up a lather, you can then go ahead and completely rinse the water and shampoo out of the wig.
- Then, pat the wig dry with a towel and leave it to dry.
Top tip: when washing your curly synthetic wig, be sure to not brush out the wig, as this will only get rid of the curls.
3. Use a Wide-toothed Comb
Curly-haired wigs are particularly difficult to de-frizz because brushing them out can lead to the curls dropping. This is where a wide-toothed comb comes into play! Unlike fine-toothed combs or standard hair brushes, a wide-toothed comb is able to brush away frizz and get rid of any tangles without causing any breakage or causing the curls to get brushed out. Follow these steps to make sure you brush your curly-haired wig out correctly:
- Place your wig onto a wig stand.
- Position one hand gently onto the top of the wig.
- With your wide-toothed comb, gently begin to brush out the hair until the frizz has gone.
Top tip: When brushing out the hair, be mindful to not brush the curls with too much pressure, as this will cause the curls to get brushed out. In addition, if you want to be extra careful, you can use your fingertips to gently run your hands through the hair until the frizz has been tamed.
4. Rub the Wig Down with a Fabric Softener Dryer Sheet
We know what you might be thinking: “How can a fabric softener sheet help to de-frizz my wig?” Interestingly, many professional hairstylists like to use a fabric softener dryer sheet to help calm down ruly frizz without ruining the curls, and it couldn’t be easier! All you will need to do is carefully rub a sheet over your wig in a downward motion (so that you don’t pull any hair upwards and create more frizz) and it will gently smooth down any flyaways without causing any damage to the hair or making the curls fall out.
5. Try a Portable Steamer
If you regularly wear curly synthetic wigs, one way to help make sure that frizz is kept at bay is by keeping a portable steamer at hand. They’re usually very affordable and are made to last, as well as being super easy to use. All you’ll need to do is gently hover the portable steamer all over your hair to help ‘relax’ the frizz and smooth it down to the rest of the wig head. What’s more, as they’re portable, you can keep one in your handbag throughout the day for touch-ups whenever you need to!
6. Use a Leave-in Conditioner
A leave-in conditioner is another way that you can help to control a frizzy synthetic wig. Much like a frizz-taming spray or serum, you will only need to apply a small amount to help control frizz and reveal shiny, bouncy curls. A leave-in conditioner will also help to keep the synthetic hair moisturized, so the hair will also feel super soft and healthy. It’s a win-win!
7. Trim the Frizz Off
We’ve saved this method for last because we only recommend doing this if all other methods have failed. Though we don’t suggest cutting strands of your wig off (as it cannot grow back) if you are dealing with a particularly unruly wig, a quick fix method is to carefully snip away frizzy areas that just won’t stay smooth and slicked down. Many people like to carefully use a blade to shave away frizz that has accumulated around the perimeter of the wig, as well as the roots. This will help to tame frizz, however, it does mean that you will be making the wig thinner, which will lead to it needing to be replaced quicker.
I recently found a super cool wide toothed comb made for curly hair specifically.
It has wavy tines on it & they have different degrees of wavyness depending on how curly your hair is. I think it’s a Conair. It’s all I use on my curly wigs now.