Wearing a wig 101: for the complete beginner

First, open it up. Take it out of the box or bag and removed netting covering it up. Look over everything to make sure it’s what you expected and that there’s no damage. If it’s a brand new lace front human hair wig, it will probably have some extra lace on the front (we’ll deal with that later). Synthetic wigs, previously worn wigs, and a few new human hair wigs won’t have the extra lace. If your wig has clips or combs, make sure these are secured to the wig. Make sure any lace is intact and the wefts of hair are even and well attached. 

Now it’s time to try it on! Start by putting on a wig cap if you’re not sure that you’re going to keep the wig. Many sellers that offer returns ask you to do this and some wigs will even include them in the package. You can can also get inexpensive ones (I’d start with the hosiery style) from a wig shop or online. This acts as a hygienic barrier if you decide not to keep the wig and keeps your bio hair out of the way if you have any. (You may decide later that wig caps aren’t for you, and that’s ok too.) 

Now the fun part! To put the wig on you’ll hold the it by the ear tabs or temple area and turn it so that the cap is like a bowl with the front of the wig near you, nape away from you, and the hair hanging down. This keeps the hair out of your way while you’re putting it on. Then lean your head down into the wig so that the hairline of the wig lines up with your forehead (this is just a starting point, we’ll adjust it later) and while keeping the front snug against your forehead, pull the nape of the wig over your head and line it up with your nape. Now flip your head right side up. If the wig seems to have swallowed your forehead you’re on the right track. Grab the ear tabs or sides of the wig and check to make sure they’re even on your head, or adjust it if it’s off. While looking in a mirror, grab some hair in front (do not pull it by the lace!), gently lift up and pull the wig back off your forehead until the hairline of the wig sits just in front of your own hairline. This part may take a few tries to get it right. If you have a lace-front wig and you can see your own hairline through the lace, try pulling the wig forward a little more until your bio hairline is more obscured. If you’re still having trouble, you may want to try changing the part, using scar tape on the part, or consider a wig grip with a lace part (more on these techniques later).

Now that the wig is on your head and in the right place, check the fit. It should be comfortably snug around the circumference of your head. If it has lace, the lace should lay flat against your forehead. The nape of the wig should rest at your own nape. The ear tabs (if you have them) should sit just above your ears and it should  rest comfortably behind your ears. Check the list below for potential problems you may encounter and what to do about it. 

If the lace front doesn’t lay flat or buckles: The wig may be too big. Try making it tighter by bringing in the adjustable straps at the nape (most wigs have them). Try adjusting the back of the wig (probably moving it up a bit) to sit on the 2 bumps in the back of your head just above your neck. If it still won’t sit right, but it seems to fit otherwise, consider using glue or tape to tack it down

If it slides in the front: The wig may be too big if it slides and feels loose. It may be too small if it slides and feels tight on the back of your head or just behind your hairline. Both problems may cause the wig to slide back over the course of the day. Try adjusting the straps and recheck the look and fit.

If it digs in to the back of your ears: You may be able to just push it back off your ears. If it stays there, great, that’s your answer. If it creeps back after adjusting, it may be too big. 

If it rides up in the back: it may be too small. You may be able to get away with installing a comb a the nape to help (if your wig doesn’t’t already have one), but it’s probably best to consider a larger size