Taking care of your wig is one of the elementary aspects to ensure good looking fibres for the longest possible period of time. It seems like a daunting task, but with the guidelines provided it will quickly become part of your routine.
Let’s style your wig
The most important thing is to use products that have been specially formulated for use on synthetic or human hair wigs. Human Hair hairspray used on synthetic wigs is especially damaging and it can actually deteriorate the fibres.
It is also important to use combs and brushes that are designed for the purpose, or if using a regular hairbrush or comb, be sure it has the rubber “tips” at the end of each brush bristle or tooth of the comb. The wrong brush or comb can create excessive tension resulting in over-stretching the hair causing damage or the hair tips to split.
The best styling tool is the most inexpensive; a spray bottle of clean, cool water. Lightly spritz your wig with water to remove static electricity and return your wig to its original look.
To achieve style variations, liquid wig mousse is an essential styling tool. For curly or wavy styles, just mousse, hand scrunch, and pick the style into curls. On straight styles, mousse and brush lightly.
Your wig was designed with a basic style but the variations you can achieve through styling are limitless. This is especially true for human hair. With synthetic hair, options are limited.
Added height can be achieved by gently lifting with the wig comb. If you want added fullness as well, tease or back-comb and then smooth the surface hair over the teasing. Your wig can be returned to its basic style by washing it and allowing it to air dry. To completely restyle, we recommend taking your wig to a professional stylist.
The biggest mistake than can be made is to use any type of electric styling appliance on synthetic fibre – even on a cool setting it could cause your wig to fizz or melt.
Time for a wash!
All types of wigs can be sanitised by shampooing and conditioning. If you’ve bought a used wig or have worn your own 12 to 25 times, it’s time to give it a shampoo, to keep your wig looking and smelling its best.
Method
• Detangle the wig and loosen dirt by combing or brushing (unless the care tag advise otherwise for curly hair)
• Fill the sink 2 quarts cool water with 2 capfuls of shampoo for synthetic or remi hair wigs respectively.
• Submerge the wig into water and swish around. Do not rub the hair together. Allow the wig to soak for 15 minutes.
• Rinse in cold running water keeping the water following in the direction of the hair fibre. Again, do not scrub the wig; let the water carry the suds through the hair.
• Gently apply conditioner and leave it on to penetrate the hair.
• Rinse again.
• Squeeze the water gently out of the wig, without wringing or twisting. Blot the wig with a soft towel to remove any excess water
• Have it dried overnight in a towel or on a wig stand – never twist or ring it out.
• Conditioner can be sprayed on again to aid later combing – holding the can 12 inches from the wig and keeping it moving constantly. Apply the conditioner as you would hairspray.
• Only when your wig is 100% dry, you can restyle it as preferred.
Let’s dye our wigs and cut it shorter!
Both types of hair can be dyed and cut, but this needs to be done with care. We advise a professional to assist as it might permanently damage your wig.
SOURCES:
www.ehow.com/how_12282261_sanitize-wig.html
www.e-wigs.com/wig-cap-construction.html
www.indianremyhair.net/virgin-indian-remy-hair
www.amidbeauty.com – uiteensetting van kop
ilovewigsandhair.wordp…
www.turninheadzphilly.com/our-products/virgin-hair-101
Written by Lizelle Janse Van Rensburg