How to Make a Realistic Looking Wig

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One of the biggest reasons people choose to not invest in a wig, is that it could potentially look “unrealistic” or “unnatural.” This is true at times; however, with the right practices you can make any wig look completely natural. Rather than being questioned if your hair is real, you’ll be receiving compliments on your gorgeous hair style in no time with a realistic looking wig!

Size Correctly

If your wig is not sized properly, it can look both distasteful, and unrealistic. One of the key practices of maintaining realistic looking wigs is choosing the correct size. Take a look at this basic sizing chart for reference:

Circumference Wig Size
20.75 inchesPetite
21.25 inchesSmall
22 inchesAverage
22.5 inchesAverage to Large
23 inchesLarge
24 inchesExtra Large

A basic tape measure can be used to accurately measure your head circumference. Measure to and from the front of your hairline, making sure the tape is flat and level. If you are between sizes, it is recommended that you purchase the larger wig and try it out. Most wig stores allow returns for resizing!

Rooted Colors

Natural hair is rarely one mere color. The only exception is extremely dark hair. It is a common thing for people to have shaded and gradient streaks in their hair. These gradients are referred to as “dimension” by hair specialists. Wigs lacking dimension can look fake on occasion, as they don’t have natural color differentiations. This is where rooted colors come in. Rooted colors blend a few colors together in order to create a natural-looking gradient. Nowadays in the modern wig industry, most wigs have rooted color options.

Lace Fronts and Monofilament Tops

Lace front wigs specialize in making it appear as if your hairline is 100% natural. It creates an illusion that your hair is growing straight out of your scalp. Monofilament tops are not machine-binded. Hairs are individually sewn to the wig in order to give your wig more natural freedom. Wig hair moves more freely, and parts much easier as well. We suggest messing up the part a bit to make your wig look more realistic. Try tweezing and cutting a few hair strands to create a sense of imperfection. Removing density in wigs helps to create a more natural look. Don’t pluck towards the sides; use your tweezers to pluck strands away from the face in the direction of wig hairs. Be careful you are not plucking the lace, as it can potentially rip.

Blend

If you are fortunate enough that not all of your hair has fallen out, consider blending your natural hairline with the lace front wig line. It is tough for wigs to compete with natural hair in terms of realistic-looking hairlines, so blending could improve your look drastically. Flip your wig inside out and bleach the knots for the sake of blending. A 20-volume bleach left on for 20 minutes should be adequate. After 20 minutes, shampoo your wig—you’re good to go!

Braiding

Full braids are not always necessary, but they can help create a more realistic looking wig. Compare different braid parting directions in the mirror and choose which looks best. Make sure the braids are not flat, as this can make your wig look unnatural.

Strut Hair Solutions Can Help You Choose a Realistic Looking Wig

As you search for your wig of preference, we recommend that you stick to a style you are comfortable with for your first investment. The wig to buy is a style that compliments the shape of your face and fits your lifestyle. If you are comfortable with your wig, and you try a few of the practices we’ve recommended, then it will likely look very realistic. You can search our various lengths, colors and styles for both synthetic and human hair on our wig shopping website.  Strut Hair Solutions is proud to offer private one-on-one free consultations.