How to Style a Synthetic Wig

Synthetic wigs can be used to create so many different looks, whether you are using one for daily wear, using a wig for cosplay or you are trying to fill out an area that seems a little thin. You can find synthetic wig options that are inexpensive by comparison, especially if it’s the kind with a wig cap, giving you plenty of options without spending too much.

The fibers of a synthetic wig act very differently compared to human hair, and if you follow the steps below, you should be able to style your wig easily in an hour or two. You may have ordered a synthetic wig from Amazon or Aliexpress and pulled it from the box only to find it isn’t pre-styled to your liking; the steps below will help you get it there.

You might be a cosplayer who wants to pull off the look of a favorite character. While there are options for pre-styled wigs for cosplayers to look like some popular characters out of the box, we all know how satisfying it is to put together the look of that one character you love from the deep lore of your fandom that only two people will recognize, but hey, they’re an awesome underappreciated characters (you know who you are). I’ve tried to keep the steps general enough to accomplish either one.

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What You Will Need to Style a Synthetic Wig

Here is a list of items you will need:

A wide tooth comb; a wig comb is best, but any wide tooth comb will do. Alternatively, a wire wig brush can be used.
A wig stand; it’s so much easier to work on the wig if you can set it on one of these. For styling, a Styrofoam wig head allows you to pin the wig in place. They are also usually very inexpensive.
Metal pins; If you’re using a Styrofoam head as your wig stand, these can be used to pin the wig in place, which is especially useful while brushing it
(optional) Curlers; if you want to add curls to a wig, these can be helpful. Wire mesh curlers are best for synthetic wigs.
A garment steamer; a cheap one from Walmart or Amazon will do. This is to set the curls on your synthetic wig. I found mine at walmart for around $15.
(optional) A Kettle or Pot to Boil Water; If you are straightening your synthetic wig, you will need to heat up water
(optional) Tripod; mounting a wig head or wig stand to a tripod makes it that much easier to work with. If you are straightening your synthetic wig with the hot water method below, this will be needed.

Once you’ve gathered these items, you’re ready to get styling.

Prepare the Wig for Styling

If you haven’t brushed and cleaned your wig, it’s better to do that before you style it. We’ve written a short guide with pointers on how to do that here. The wig should also be allowed to dry before going any further. If it has been some time since you’ve done so, comb through your wig with a wig comb, or any other wide-toothed comb you have on hand.

How to Curl Synthetic Wigs

After you have brushed out your wig, you can roll the hair into curlers. Wire mesh curlers will transfer their heat to the synthetic fibers, which can help get better looking curls

Once the curls are the way you want them, use the garment steamer on the wig to set the curls in place. For best results, you can cover the wig with a bag (a plastic shopping bag will do, as long as the print doesn’t come off when it gets hot), and fill the bag with steam. Be careful when handling it, as the steam will make the bag hot enough to burn your fingers.

Now you can remove the bag, and allow a couple of hours for the wig to completely dry.

After the wig is completely dry, remove the curlers. Upon removing them, you will have tight curls. If you comb out the wig, it can give it a more natural wavy look.

Cutting a Synthetic Wig

The key to cutting a synthetic wig is to stay away from straight cuts for a more natural look. Instead, take your hair scissors and bob them up and down as you slowly perform the cut so that the strands of hair have varying ends, resulting in a soft hairline. It’s best to comb the hair every now and then as you cut to see if any areas need evening out.

Note that it’s best to use haircutting scissors if you have them. Regular scissors may not be sharp enough for a good look.

Straightening a Synthetic Wig

One of the simplest ways to straighten a wig is to use hot water. This is easiest done by securing a foam wig head to a tripod. Soak the wig and gently brush it out to remove any tangles. Next, heat up some water. It should not be boiling, but it should be hot enough to make tea with it. Gently pour this hot water over the wig, wait a moment, then gently comb the wig again to straighten it. Be careful not to burn your hands while you do this.

You may need to do this several times before all the curls are gone. Again, this is so much easier if you have pinned your wig to the foam wig head. You may also need to pin up some of the outer, top layers of the wig to reach the hair inside to straighten it. Once the entire wig is straightened to your satisfaction, let it dry completely before doing anything else with it.

Other Tips for Wig Styling

Remember when curling or straightening your synthetic wig that the fibers will retain their shape as they cool down, not as they are heated up.

Hairspray can be used to help keep a shape that you want. The same hairspray normally used on human hair should work on synthetic wigs, too.
You can test to see if a wig is heat-resistant by experimenting with a small portion of the hair that will not be seen normally when the wig is worn.
It can help to remove the wig from your wig stand and put it on your head now and then, since it can look different on an actual human head versus a stand or a wig head.

The wonderful thing about synthetic wigs is that they are very forgiving. If you try something and it isn’t what you were hoping for, it’s relatively easy to reverse just using the tips in this article. Styling a synthetic wig takes time, yet it is pretty easy with these basics.