Wig Care Guide: How to Maintain, Style & Extend the Life of Your Wig

Whether you’re new to wigs or looking to improve how you maintain them, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know — from basic wig maintenance to advanced styling techniques like resetting and reshaping synthetic wigs.

Some of this advice will also be useful for those who have implanted synthetic hair (looking at all the Starpery and Top Cy customers out there who have taken advantage of the free implanted hair! 😀)

Wigs can be:

• A flexible styling option
• A way to experiment with colour and look
• Great for beginners who don’t know how to style implanted hair

But without proper care, even a high-quality wig can:

• Lose its shape
• Become frizzy
• Tangle easily
• Wear out faster than expected

👉 The better you care for your wig, the longer it lasts — and the better it looks.

Plus the more money you save! 🤑

Before getting into wig maintenance tips, it’s important to understand that not all wigs are created equal.

Wigs can vary in:

• Fibre quality (synthetic vs higher-grade fibres)
• Density and thickness
• Cap construction
• Heat resistance

This affects:

• How the wig behaves over time
• How easily it can be styled
• How well it holds its shape (thin threads = frizz!)

👉 Two wigs may look identical, but perform very differently.

Here is a little tidbit which is a bit of a mind blower: to make implanted synthetic hair they use a minimum of THREE wigs. So imagine the removable wig on your doll, and then add another two — that’s how densely they implant it. That density gives it a more premium feel and creates a longer-lasting product. Even if you lose a few hairs, you’ve still got many times more than the typical wig. No wonder it’s much more expensive!

Wigs we recommend

Lushdoll — these guys use only premium wigs with high-density fibres. Just take a look at some examples of Lushdoll wigs:

The higher density and thickness means the wigs last longer, look better for longer, and don’t frizz as much.

If you have a factory-provided wig from a TPE doll, your wig may be of a fairly average construction and not perform all that well. Every Lushdoll comes with a more premium wig, and the wigs can be purchased separately on our wig page.

We also recommend:

• Real Lady (and the Irontech wigs with the extra charge — these are more premium)
• Fanreal
• Sino
• Gynoid

You’ll notice these are mostly the higher-priced ones, and yes, sadly, as with a lot of things in this life — the more you pay, the better the quality. The trade-off when buying cheaper wigs is that they are more fiddly and don’t look as good for as long.

Lace wigs can also be found online and are often quite a step up in quality.

Lace wigs (including lace front styles) are popular for a reason — they can create a more natural-looking hairline and overall appearance.

We have always had great interest in Rosie’s wig — most people (including us!) thought it was implanted:

But after investigating with WM, they informed us that the one in the original photos is a lace wig and sadly not available for purchase anymore.

As you can see, though, the lace wig gives a much nicer appearance!

What is a lace wig?

Despite the name, lace wigs aren’t made from lace fibres.

The “lace” refers to a thin, breathable mesh material used at the base of the wig — usually along the hairline. Each hair is hand-tied into this lace, helping create a more natural-looking hairline and a realistic appearance when worn.

The fibres themselves are the same as other synthetic or fibre-based wigs — it’s just the base construction that’s different. But they do require a bit of extra care.

Key differences to keep in mind

The lace is delicate

• Avoid aggressive brushing near the hairline
• Don’t pull or stretch the lace
• Always handle gently when styling

Be careful when washing

• Don’t scrub the lace area
• Let water flow through it instead
• Pat dry rather than rubbing

Product use matters even more

• Keep products light
• Avoid buildup near the lace
• Always apply products off the doll

The main takeaway

The hair fibres behave similarly to other synthetic wigs — but the lace itself is the fragile part. Treat it gently, and it will hold up well over time.

Yes — in many cases, you can reset a wig and restore it closer to its original style.

If your wig becomes:

• Frizzy
• Flat
• Misshapen
• “Tired” looking

It doesn’t necessarily mean it’s ruined.

With the right techniques, you can often:

• Refresh the fibres
• Reduce frizz
• Restore shape
• Improve overall appearance

One of the most effective wig styling techniques is using heat control methods like steam or hot water.

Step 1: Detangle the wig

• Use a wide-tooth comb
• Start from the ends and work upward
• Be gentle to avoid damaging fibres

Step 2: Apply controlled heat

You can use:

• Steam
• Hot (not boiling) water

👉 This helps relax synthetic fibres without damaging them.

Step 3: Shape the wig

While the fibres are warm:

• Gently style or reshape the wig
• Encourage curls, waves, or direction

Step 4: Let it set

• Allow the wig to cool completely in its new shape
• This helps “lock in” the style

Step 5: Finish with light grooming

• Light brushing (if needed)
• Adjust and refine the final look

To keep your wig in the best condition, follow these essential tips.

Avoid high heat

Synthetic wigs are not designed for:

• Curling irons
• Straighteners
• High-temperature tools

👉 Too much heat can permanently damage the fibres.

Don’t over-brush

Excessive brushing can:

• Cause frizz
• Reduce lifespan

Instead:

• Use a wide-tooth comb
• Work gently from ends to roots

Store your wig properly

Improper storage can ruin the shape. It is tempting to yeet the spare into the back of a drawer, but…

Best options:

• Wig stand
• Original packaging
• Clean, dry storage space

Wash your wig correctly

Washing too often or too aggressively can damage fibres.

When washing:

• Use cool or lukewarm water
• Use gentle products
• Avoid scrubbing

One of the biggest advantages of wigs is versatility.

You can:

• Change styles
• Adjust shape
• Create completely different looks

Not just by exchanging for a different wig, but by messing around with the one you have!

Example: restyling a wig

In the past this was one of the more popularly requested wigs. WM used it over and over in shoots. It is an absolute beauty — however, they could never reproduce it.

We got in touch with Cubik, WM’s photographer, to ask what the deal was and he explained. This wig actually started life as this one:

Incredible, right? The original, with tight curls and short-looking hair, has been totally transformed into a longer wig with a soft distressed look that says “I just stepped out of the surf”.

What changed?

• Steam
• Light brushing
• Careful reshaping

👉 This shows how much a wig can transform with the right technique.

If you have a curly wig that’s starting to go — don’t throw it! Just a change of mindset and a bit of styling can give you a totally different look!

Once you understand the basics, you can start to train your wig.

This means:

• Encouraging fibres into a desired shape over time
• Building consistency in style
• Improving long-term appearance

With regular care and shaping, your wig can:

• Hold styles better
• Look more natural
• Last significantly longer

Frizzy wig

Cause:

• Dry fibres
• Friction or brushing

Fix:

• Steam or hot water reset
• Light smoothing

Tangled wig

Cause:

• Poor storage
• Lack of maintenance

Fix:

• Gentle detangling
• Proper storage going forward

Wig losing shape

Cause:

• Wear and movement

Fix:

• Re-shaping using heat control methods
• Restyling and resetting

Short answer: yes — but only the right ones, and only in moderation.

Synthetic wigs aren’t like real hair. They don’t absorb oils, and they don’t respond well to heavy products.

In fact, using the wrong thing can make them:

• Greasy
• Clumpy
• More prone to tangling

…and in some cases, transfer residue onto the doll itself. This is not ideal, as some oils do not interact well with TPE and silicone products.

👉 Always remove the wig before applying any product.

✔️ What can help

1. Synthetic wig shampoo (occasional use)
Designed specifically for synthetic fibres. Use it to:

• Clean buildup
• Refresh the wig
• Maintain overall condition

👉 You don’t need to wash often — only when the wig actually needs it.

2. Lightweight conditioning or detangling spray (for synthetic hair!)
This is the most useful day-to-day product. Helps with:

• Reducing frizz
• Making brushing easier
• Improving manageability

👉 Use a light mist only — more is not better.

❌ What to avoid

Oils of any kind

• Synthetic fibres don’t absorb them
• They sit on the surface and attract dust
• Can transfer onto the doll

Regular hair shampoo or conditioner

• Made for human hair, not synthetic fibres
• Can damage or dry out the wig

Heavy styling products (gel, wax, etc.)

• Cause buildup
• Hard to remove
• Can ruin the texture over time

The real secret: technique over products

Here’s what most people don’t realise:

👉 Products play a small role. Technique does the heavy lifting.

Things like:

• Gentle detangling
• Proper storage
• Steam or heat-controlled reshaping

…will do far more for your wig than loading it up with products.

Simple rule to follow

If you’re ever unsure:

👉 Use less product, not more
👉 Keep everything light and controlled
👉 Always apply off the doll

Do that, and your wig will last longer, look better, and be much easier to manage over time.

Wig lifespan depends on:

• Quality
• Frequency of use
• Care routine

With proper maintenance:
👉 A wig can last significantly longer than expected.

Without care:
👉 It can degrade quickly, even if it started as a high-quality piece.