Many people love curly and wavy hair looks.
I mean, who doesn’t do a double-take when you see a big, voluminous head of hair? Curly and wavy human hair wigs are faves to enjoy these bold styles when you’re “curly challenged”.
But maintaining curly hair wigs can become hectic when you don’t know how to provide proper care. We consulted with a Pro hairdresser for some easy tips to help you maximize the life and wear of your curly wigs.
Let’s see what he recommends:
(This post may contain affiliate links. That means if you click and buy, I may receive a small commission (at no cost to you). Please see my full Disclosure Policy for details.)
Shampoo, Boo
Wash your curly or wavy wig with lukewarm water by submerging in a basin or sink. Do not use hot water as it will cause the wig to be dry by stripping the hair.
Use a sufficient amount of shampoo in the water and apply some to the wig. Soak for 5-10 minutes to fully remove any oil or product build up.
Lather the shampoo evenly and gently on the hair but do not rub or scrunch your wig when washing.
Doing this may cause the wig to tangle and mat. Sometimes, hair dyes are applied to wig hair to make the color more vibrant. You may see this in the water, which will appear dark after shampoo.
Just be sure to repeat the shampoo process as many times as needed until all dirt/product has been removed.
Rinse shampoo out thoroughly until the water rinses clear. Be sure the water spray flows in the same direction as the wig’s curl pattern. This will prevent tangling.
Mission: Condition
Apply conditioner to your wig, working all over from the root to the ends. Using a comb can ensure that all strands are coated with product.
Follow the product instructions and allow conditioner to sit on the hair as directed. Rinse the wig thoroughly.
Conditioning the hair is a crucial step in keeping your unit looking healthy and vibrant and will also increase the longevity of your wig.
Treating your curly wig like your own hair by using high quality products is recommended.
In her Insider article “The 12 best conditioners for curly hair, according to your hair type” author Andrea Bossi provides some options that come highly recommended.
Detangle, Detangle
Even with high quality human hair wigs, the method you use to detangle makes the difference between it being an easy process or fighting like Kung Fu on a matted, frizzy mess.
Start by sectioning the hair. With curly hair, tangling comes with the territory due to the coiling of the strands. This will occur whether the hair is a wig, extensions or growing out of your scalp.
Detangling your wig in sections is key to minimizing, if not eliminating, the pain of styling. The size of your curls will dictate whether to work in large or small sections.
If your wig has large or loose curls, you can get away with big sections. Try sectioning these in quadrants, or 4 equal parts, between the front, sides and back.
If your wig has small, tighter curls, smaller sections are recommended.
Once properly sectioned, mist hair lightly with conditioning spray. It is best to use products that are specifically made for human hair wigs.
Alternatively, you can use a spray mixture of a light leave-in conditioner and/or water. You can be generous with the spray as, the wetter the hair is, the easier it is to detangle.
Brush like a boss
Our Pro hairdresser highly recommends brushing curly and wavy wigs with a wide-tooth comb. Ordinary combs can disrupt the wig’s curl pattern and make it look frizzy.
A Denman brush is also a great tool for detangling really curly or kinky curly hair wigs. Start brushing from the ends first and work your way up to the roots. Patience is a virtue if the hair is really tangled.
If this is the case, you can finger detangle knots before brushing to avoid pulling the hair and increased shedding.
If you have particularly stubborn knots, you can put a little conditioner on your fingers and massage into the hair while finger detangling to help loosen them up.
Return of the curls
To bring those curls back to life, twist them around your fingers after brushing. This process can be time-consuming but works well to revive your curls.
If your wig has a loose curl pattern, take large sections of hair to twist around your finger. Allow the hair to fall back into its original coil.
If the curls do not bounce back, or are not retaining their form, try twisting in the opposite direction.
You can also use this method if your wig has tighter curls (think Kinky Curly) or ringlets, but work in smaller sections when twisting.
Style, Queen
Now that you have a detangled, perfectly combed, and frizz-free wig, you’re ready to style. Wring-dry the excess water out of the wig and place it flat onto a cotton towel.
Pat the wig dry with the towel to absorb any additional moisture. Add small amounts of your favorite styling product and allow to air dry by hanging on a wig stand or placing on a flat surface.
If you are in a rush, diffuse curls with a hand-held dryer.
Storing curly/wavy wigs
Between wears, storing wigs on mannequin heads or wig stands are best to maintain the shape and fit of the cap.
Our Pro hairdresser recommends covering with silk or satin bonnets to avoid frizzing, dust, and/or tangling.
Otherwise, wigs can be stored in a box after wrapping in a satin/silk bag. Placing wigs in plastic, sealed boxes also works.
Summing It Up
Knowing how to care for your curly and wavy human hair wigs is crucial for the longevity of your investment.
A consistent routine with proper steps and products can make wig styling less hectic. A high quality wig can provide years of use when properly cared for.
