Let’s talk wig care! You have been wearing your absolute favorite style… you know, the one you wear to the dentist, the doctors, your date night out, and pretty much everywhere! You start to notice it doesn’t have quite as much bounce and vibrancy as it did when you first took it out of the box. I’m guessing, and correct me if I am wrong, there is a chance you haven’t washed it in a while. No worries, this is bound to happen with the wig you love and don’t want to put down. But now the question now is, where do you start?

Thankfully, washing your wig is a pretty easy process that will leave it looking instantly refreshed and back in action in no time.  If you have never washed your wig before, the first couple times through the process might feel a little intimidating, but that is why we are here; to make the process as easy as possible. Your favorite wig is an investment, and one you want to not only take care of, but more importantly, not ruin. Fortunately, we have done our research and come up with our best tips for washing your wig.

To begin, gather the supplies you are going to need.

• An open and clean sink you can easily work around. 
• A wide tooth comb.
• Shampoo and conditioner specifically formulated for the specific hair fiber you are washing. 
• A soft, clean towel
• Wig stand

The essential basics of taking care of your wig

First let’s break down the basics. We suggest washing your wig around every six to ten wears depending on your lifestyle. Some people decide they can wait longer to wash their wig and others find they need to wash it sooner. Lifestyle plays a role because if you tend to use more product on your wig then it creates build-up after a while. If you are the active type, then workout routines may result in some sweat building up in the cap of your wig. For synthetic wigs, a good wash will not only clean the inside of the cap but, it will also refresh the built-in style or hair pattern. 

1. Prep Your Wig

Before you even start the washing process gently brush through your wig, removing any tangles or knots. A wide tooth comb just like this one (Jon Renau - Wide Tooth Comb) is a favorite of ours for brushing all different hair types and textures. Using the correct comb for your piece can be essential to keeping the fibers safe. A wide tooth comb is a great option for most styles!

2. Rinse Your Wig

Place your hand inside the cap, holding the wig at the top. Turn the temperature of the water to lukewarm or cool (make sure it is not too hot) and run it over the entire wig including the cap and all of the hair. You can use your favorite shampoo formulated for synthetic hair. If you do not have one, take a look at some of our customer-approved name brand favorites:

Jon Renau - Fiber Love Shampoo for Synthetic Hair

BeautiMark - Shampoo

Brandywine - Shampoo for Synthetic and Human Hair

3. Shampoo Your Wig

Once the hair is wet pour about a quarter size amount of shampoo in your hand to begin. Then slowly lather through the hair, only adding more shampoo as needed. Make sure the hair stays traveling in the same direction. You will also want to avoid excessive rubbing as this can be hard on the fiber and lead to tangling. Once the hair is well shampooed begin to rinse with lukewarm to cool water. As soon as the water runs clean and you are not seeing any suds or left-over soap residue in the hair you can begin the next step.

4. Condition Your Wig

While the wig is still wet you are going to want to apply conditioner. Conditioner is important because it will help protect your wig fiber. Here at Name Brand Wigs/Joshua24, there are two different types of conditioner that you could use. The first is a squeeze-bottle conditioner that you would apply to the wig just as you did with the shampoo. The other option would be a leave-in conditioner which many brands have started to provide.

If you choose the squeeze-bottle conditioner, take a small amount and gently run it through the hair, focusing on the bottom three-quarters of the wig. Make sure to keep the conditioner away from the roots and very top of the wig cap because it can loosen the knotting after a while. Rinse the conditioner out with lukewarm water.

If you choose the leave-in conditioner then you will want to first gently dry the hair with a towel so that it is still damp and not excessively dripping with water. Spritz the hair with a few pumps of conditioner and again, gently being the key word, use your fingertips to make sure it is well distributed. Even with this leave-in conditioner you want to focus on the ends of the hair to about halfway up the hair for longer styles. Remember to be especially careful not to get too much conditioner on the cap when it comes to lace or monofilament tops. Because the conditioner is meant to detangle, it will do just that and eventually loosen the hand tied knots on the cap causing strands to fall out. You do not have to worry about this as much with a traditional cap.

Here are some well loved synthetic fiber conditioners:

Jon Renau - Fiber Love Conditioning Spray

BeautiMark - Leave In Conditioner 

Brandywine - Conditioner

5. Dry Your Wig

After washing and conditioning your wig (I bet she is smelling pretty fresh right now!) wrap the hair in a towel to pat off any excess water (do not rub the hair). Now place it on a wig stand and allow it to naturally air dry. If you have a very curly style, you can prop a book up underneath the curls to keep them from stretching and losing their form. This will take some of the tension off the curls as they dry.

6. The Finishing Touch

You are almost there, but we have one more helpful tip for you! Once the hair is dry you can apply some HD Smooth Detangling Spray to your wig and this will give it some extra protection along with keeping those fibers tame. This is highly recommended for heat friendly and mid to longer styles. When spraying it on, focus on the bottom of half of the hairpiece. We suggest using your fingertips or a wide tooth comb to evenly distribute it throughout your style. And there you go, you have made it! Your piece is fresh, vibrant, and ready for days of wear!

Final Thoughts

Let’s re-cap a couple of our most helpful tips:

• Keep in mind when conditioning, avoid the very top of your monofilament or lace front wigs. Conditioner is meant to detangle, and will loosen the hand knotting, which can cause strands to eventually shed from your lace front or monofilament.
• Another thing to avoid is brushing the hairpiece when it is still wet. This will stretch the fiber when it is in a compromised state. 
• Always use shampoo and conditioner made specifically for synthetic wigs. This will keep your hairpiece looking its best. Regular shampoos and conditioners have added sulfates, chemicals, and dyes that can damage synthetic and processed human hair. If you want to ensure that you are getting the intended lifespan out of your style, make sure to use the correct products for that hair type.
• Lastly, no setting is necessary after you wash the piece; curls will snap back into position when the hairpiece is completely dry. Make sure to store hair similar to the way it will be worn.

Thanks for joining us on our wig-washing journey! We hope these tips bring your hair all the love it needs and keeps you feeling amazing! Feel free to share this article with a friend in need 💝 Contact us with any questions.

Phone: 320-685-7100
Text: 320-685-7104
Email: support@namebrandwigs.com

Good Day! Welcome back to Name Brand Wigs and our “How To” Articles.

What Is A Human Hair Wig?

Human Hair Wigs are definitely specialty items worth the investment. They are made from real human hair and are known for giving that beautiful natural look.

Behind the Scenes:  Typically, the hair is going to be collected from Indonesia or China and then it goes through an extensive process of being constructed and sewn into the wig you will eventually wear and adore. The process and love that goes into making a human hair wig ensures in the quality of the piece that you receive. This also means that a human hair wig will have a higher price-point, but many would say it is well worth it due to the longevity and natural quality of the hair.

The Benefits of Human Hair?

Quality and versatility are the first two aspects you can count on with a human hair wig. With human hair you have the ability to cut, have professionally colored, or even style with heat, and all while enjoying the longevity human hair provides. For instance, a typical synthetic wig is going to typically last anywhere from 2-4 months. Human Hair wigs can last anywhere from 4-6+ months depending on the care process and natural environment you are in.

The look and feel of human hair is undeniably very natural and gorgeous! Human hair has a grace and natural flow to it that makes you feel like you are on top of the world.

Let’s Get Started

Part of the durability of your human hair wig comes down to how you care for your wig and the washing method used. We want to help you love your hair for as long as possible, so take a look at these 7 easy steps you will need for washing your Human Hair Wig.

 1. Detangle Your Wig

The first step is to prep your wig by detangling any knots that may have built up through everyday wear. The best type of comb to use for this process is a Wide Tooth comb to ensure gentleness with the fibers. Start combing from the tip of the wig and move up to the top carefully removing all of the knots.

 2. Wet Your Wig Down

One of our best tips is to always keep the water lukewarm, edging on cold, because this will help preserve the fibers. Run the wig under the faucet to wet it down. Make sure to run the water with the direction of the hair, from crown to tip. Again, the purpose is to be as gentle with the fiber as possible and to run the water with the direction of the hair, in order to create less friction in the fibers.

 3. Shampoo Your Wig 

Choose a shampoo made for Human Hair Wigs. Take a quarter size amount of shampoo and work it through the hair in a downward motion. Gently massage shampoo into the cap and ear tabs. (Note: if this is a handtied cap then you will want to be extra gentle.) 

 4. Rinse Out Shampoo 

Rinse the shampoo out with lukewarm/cool water, running the water with the direction of the hair, from crown to tip. Squeeze out the excess water, but do not wring the hair out.

 5. Condition Your Wig 

Choose a conditioner made for human hair wigs. Take a small amount and work through the hair. Focus mostly on the tips and mid-section of the wig

Pro Tip: It is best to keep the conditioner away from the top of the cap, especially with any knotting in a lace-front, monofilament top, or hand-tied cap. The conditioner can easily loosen the knotting and cause the hair to fall out.

Deep condition your style every 3-5 washes. This means you will leave the conditioner on the style for about 20 minutes. If you really want to treat the hair you can leave the conditioner in overnight.

 6. Rinse Conditioner Out

Thoroughly rinse your wig with cool water. Running the water with the direction of the hair.

 7. Towel Dry Your Wig

Gently squeeze water out of the wig and then lay wig in a towel. Fold the towel over the wig and pat dry any excess water out. (Never wring the hair out.)

 8. Blow Dry Your Human Hair Wig

It is always recommended that you blow dry your human hair wig. Why? It is going to help preserve the fiber and keep the frizz down.

Pro Tip: Gently pin your wig to a canvas block head to help with the blow-drying process. You will find it is a lot easier to work with the hair!

First you will want to take a wide tooth comb and gently remove the knots from your damp human hair wig. Then we suggest using a type of heat treatment spray or blow dry balm. We typically use the Jon Renau Blown Away Blow Dry Balm for human hair.

To use the Jon Renau Blow Dry Balm you will want to take a small amount and run it through the ends and mid-section of the hair. Again, be careful to not get any balm near the knotting of the cap.

When blow-drying, use medium to medium-high heat. Starting at the nape, section hair off in 2-inch pieces and using a round boar bristly brush, start to blow-dry your wig. Using a bristle brush at this point will help you to get volume in your style and also mold how you want the hair to fall.

Why can’t I use regular products on my Human Hair Wig?

This is a question we get all the time and it is a great one. Human Wig Fiber is slightly different from bio hair due to the process the hair goes through in manufacturing. Part of this process consists of collecting the hair and then coloring or stripping color from the human hair before it is made into a wig. This is why you will want to take special care of your human hair wig and make sure to only use products specifically for human hair wigs. 

Love your hair and ensure its’ longevity!

Other Considerations

Do I Have to Re-Style My Human Hair Wig After Every Wash?

Human hair is great because of the durability and natural look it provides, but the answer to this question is: “Yes.” One aspect you will want to keep in mind when switching from your synthetic heat-friendly wig to your human hair wig, is that a human hair piece is going to need to be re-styled after every wash. Just like bio hair, the curl will not stay in a human hair style after you wash it.

Want to Style Your Human Hair Further?

To protect the fiber of your human hair wig, use a heat treat spray before using a flat iron or curling iron on your wig. We use the Jon Renau Heat Treat Thermal Spray made for human hair wigs on our styles. Spritz a little on your wig and you are ready to style away!

What Temperature of Heat Can I Use When Styling My Human Hair Wig?

It is human hair, so it is able to handle a fair amount of heat, but just like bio hair, using a really high level of heat is going to be harder on the fiber. We recommend keeping the heat around 280 degrees.

Final Thoughts

We hope this article was helpful and inspires you to love your human hair wig! Human hair wigs are downright gorgeous and the versatility they offer is un-matched. Love your hair and ensure its’ longevity!

 Shop Human Hair Wigs

Let us know if you have any questions, comments, or just want to share the love with us. We are always here to help and support you in your hair journey! -NBW Family

Phone: 320-685-7100
Text: 320.685.7104
Email: support@namebrandwigs.com

How to Care for your Heat Friendly Hair

1. What is a Lace Front Wig?

The lace front is a nearly invisible mesh-like material that lays across your hairline. Lace fronts provide a very natural and seamless look because each hair is sewn into the mesh and thus provides a skin-like appearance at the hairline. This feature is well loved and many manufacturers now provide a lace front on their wigs.

2. Benefits of a Lace Front Wig?

Lace front wigs give the most natural hairline and help you to confidently wear your style off-the-face or with face framing layers. Many of our wigs have ready-to-wear lace fronts. This simply means that the lace is measured and already cut to the perfect length so you don’t have to cut it yourself!

Whether you suffer from hair loss due to chemo-therapy, premature balding, alopecia, hair thinning, or if you are just looking to switch up your hair style, a lace front can help you feel comfortable in your wig.

How to Care for a Lace Front Wig

Taking care of your lace front will help the longevity of your wig and maintain its’ natural look. Lace fronts are made out of a gentle lace mesh that you will want to treat delicately.

3. Helpful Don'ts:

Never pull on your lace front. If you pull on the lace front it is going to stretch the lace out and create gapping at your forehead. Pulling at the lace front could also begin to wear away at the lace mesh to the point of fraying. A better option when adjusting your wig would be to use the ear tabs to move the wig for a more comfortable fit.

Never get conditioner on the lace front (or on any knotting in a wig cap). Conditioner is meant to de-tangle and will loosen the hand knotting. This can eventually cause strands to shed from your lace front and you will notice hair loss.

When brushing and washing your hair remember to keep it gently around the lace front. It is OK if you get some soap on the lace front, especially if you are trying to wash off some makeup!

4. Finding Some Lace Front Discomfort?

There are a couple things that you can do to make sure your lace front is working for you. The first is to always make sure you have the right wig cap size. A wig cap that is too large or too small can cause discomfort because it then rubs against your forehead. Check out our video on how to properly measure for the right cap fit: 

5. Secure Your Lace Front Down

Sometimes you may want a little extra security with your lace front. There are several great ways to make sure your lace front is staying put! A couple of tricks of the trade are to use either glue or tape to fasten it down. This can also help with lace front discomfort and prevent that friction on your forehead.

Lace Front Tape: Very easy to use, this double sided sticky tape comes in a roll that you are able to easily cut to the desired length. When using tape you are able to stick it directly onto your forehead or the lace front itself. 

Adhesive: “It Stays” by Jon Renau is a gentle roll-on adhesive that washes off with water. This product provides a nice secure hold while being easily removed.

Brandywine also has an adhesive product that is more like a glue stick that you are able to dab onto your lace front. With this product you will also need Brandywine’s Lace Front Adhesive Remover.

Shop All Lace Front Products

6. Other Considerations

Pro Tip:  Applying a little baby powder or dry shampoo to your forehead, underneath the lace front, can help with preventing irritation from the lace.

Makeup such as foundation or powder can really help the lace front blend with your skin tone. This also gives your front hairline a softer finish.

If you would like to cut your lace front further, or if you would like to cut a section that has started to fray you should always use a Pinking Shear to do so.

The lace front keeps advancing but if you are still finding that you don’t prefer this feature then we would suggest taking a look at monofilament or hand tied wigs without a lace front.

Final Thoughts

There you have some of the best tips and information on lace fronts! Consider yourself a pro, but even pro’s have questions. If you need a little extra help reach out to our customer service team. We are always ready and willing to help!  - NBW Family

Shop our Lace Front Wig Collection (If you need to narrow your search options, use the selection menu on the left to choose style specifics!)