3 tips to keep your wig in great condition

Struggling to maintain your wig? Here is everything you need to know on how to keep your precious inches looking fresh and new. By Grace Mantjiu

Image: Pexels

Celebrities such as DJ Zinhle, Taraji P. Henson and Bonang Matheba have made wigs their everyday accessories. Most women prefer to have more than one wig; for a change of style and enough time to treat their own hair. The bottom line is that a wig is an investment. To ensure that it looks new and lasts longer, you need to know how to care for it properly. Here are a few must-have wig maintenance tips.

1. Tangle-free. A tangled weave looks ugly and untidy. Save it by detangling it. But, don’t use a brush when doing so. Brushes are harsh on the hair, and can cause it to shed. Rather use a wide-tooth comb to undo the knots; you can even use your fingers for longer wigs.

2. Avoid exposure to heat. The same way you protect your hair against heat applies to wigs. Avoid blow-drying or using heat to style them. Rather leave to air-dry and use bendy rollers. For soft waves, braid into three sections.

3. Use the right products. Although you can use regular shampoo on virgin human hair, it can damage synthetic wigs. Choose sulphate-free shampoos for synthetic wigs as they are gentler on the hair. You won’t experience the bubbles or foam you are familiar with. But, that doesn’t mean they won’t clean as well, if not better! Wash your wig after 10 uses; spray it with lukewarm water mixed with some shampoo before washing. Follow up with conditioner, and rinse. Do not rub; rather spray then dip in water to rinse or brush it while wet.

Tip: Apply argan oil to wet hair with the conditioner to make it soft and shiny.

What causes shedding?

Combing with a brush pulls the hair out of the cap.
Not applying enough conditioner makes it dry, therefore breaking it.
Products with harsh chemicals, such as alcohol.

Michelle Sande, founder of HairVarleySA, shares tips to help you effortlessly pull off a natural-looking wig; yes wigs can look natural!

Customise it – Take it to a wig maker or hairdresser to cut and shape to suit your face.
The magic blend trick – Blend your natural hair with the wig. Do this by leaving out a few inches of your hair in front to create the illusion that you aren’t wearing a wig. This works if the textures are similar. Because there are a variety of wigs in the market, different textures are available to suit your hair type.
The right size – You don’t your wig falling off, moving out of place or leaving your hairline exposed.

Products