Wigs, Weaves

How to Make Synthetic Hair Look Real

Published By: Dasia

Last Updated: August 12, 2022

Finding quality wigs takes time and money. If you’re an avid wig wearer, you may look into different alternatives to human hair over time.

Investing in synthetic hair can help you save money. While this is the case, there are some things to keep in mind such as how real you want the hair to look.

This article will discuss how you can make synthetic hair appear real and some other areas associated with it.

How to Make Synthetic Hair Look Real

One main reason synthetic hair tends to look fake is that it can appear excessively shiny. This is easily fixable through the use of a few products. 

You will need some sort of powder to help dull down the shine. You can also try washing the hair with a bit of fabric remover to help remove the excess shine.

After the hair itself is taken care of, you can do a few further customizations to help. Plucking the hairline is one necessary customization as it will aid in creating a seamless blend. Synthetic hair is known to be a bit bulkier and plucking helps to blend.

At the end of the day, it’s important you take time to do regular maintenance on the hair. This will help keep the hair in its best shape and create a real-looking style.

Pros and Cons of Synthetic Hair

What are some areas to consider prior to purchase?

Pros

  • Affordable – Synthetic hair is a fraction of the cost of human hair. You’re able to save hundreds of dollars at times if you opt for synthetic hair.
  • Easy to maintain – Synthetic hair generally comes in a specific texture and it tends to hold. Certain brands do offer heat-safe hair that aids in the maintenance process.
  • Color that lasts – You can generally get synthetic hair in fun colors. They can range from pastels to vibrant deep colors, all of which you don’t have to worry about the longevity of the hairpiece.

Cons

  • Low quality – SInce it isn’t human hair, you can’t expect to get high-quality hair. The hair is fibers that just don’t quite make the high-quality cut.
  • Not as durable – After just a few wears, synthetic hair starts to get unwearable. The hair will start to tangle in a way that it can’t be saved.
  • Can’t be altered – Whatever texture or style you get the hair in, you’re generally stuck with it. There isn’t much customization that can be done on synthetic hair.

Common Misconceptions 

One of the most common misconceptions is that all synthetic hair looks fake. While this may seem like the case, all that’s needed is a bit of styling.

By styling the hair, you are able to manipulate the strands in a way that makes the hair appear real. This can be done through the use of products as well. You can use certain products, such as hairspray, to tame down the shine.

Another misconception is that all synthetic hair comes in a capless wig. Over the years even synthetic hair has adopted the lace front style achieving the most universal natural look.

Synthetic Hair vs Human Hair

Synthetic Hair

Synthetic hair is an affordable option that can easily be found. Generally, you can find synthetic units at your local beauty supply ready to go. 

Synthetic hair is not only easy to find but it is also quite easy to maintain. You can find a synthetic wig style you like and it will generally stay the same for the entire life of the wig.

Another area to keep in mind when considering a synthetic wig is the lack of customization. The hair you purchase will be what you’re stuck with. There isn’t much room to alter the hair.  

Human Hair

Human hair is a bit more expensive but it is of higher quality. You can treat this hair just like your natural hair. You have to be worried about long-term damage but not much more.

Human hair is also on the more expensive side. You can easily expect to pay around double what a synthetic unit would cost.

Another area to consider with human hair is that it’s extremely durable. You can easily get a  year’s worth of wear out of the hair.

Read: Synthetic vs. Human Hair

How do you fix a frizzy synthetic wig?

One of the first things you should do to remove frizz from synthetic hair is brush out any tangles that are present. You can also steam the hair to help remove any static that causes frizz.  Another hack that is commonly used is using a dryer sheet. This is known to cut down frizz as well.

How can I make synthetic hair look good again?

One of the best ways to keep synthetic hair looking good is by having regular maintenance. This will allow the hair to get a “reset” every time you wear it. Washing and styling the hair after every few wears will also aid in providing great-looking hair. 

Can you wet synthetic hair?

Yes, you can wet synthetic hair. This is especially helpful when you decide to wash your hair. It’s best to use lukewarm water. This won’t damage the texture of the hair and still allows the hair to get clean.

The Bottomline

Synthetic hair does have a few downsides but there are plenty of ways to make it ideal for you. For the affordable price, there are a few ways you can make this type of hair look real.

Ensure that you regularly maintain synthetic hair so that it stays in its best shape. This will give the appearance of real human hair as long as you’re aware of the upkeep needed.

It may take some time to find the ideal way to style synthetic hair. Yet without a doubt, you’ll be pleased with the way it looks and the steps you took to make it look natural.

Dasia

A lover of all things beauty related whose been in the industry for about 5 years. While I'd love to say I'm a self-taught prodigy, I'm actually a licensed cosmetologist who has spent countless hours studying hair. I quickly learned sharing valuable information with like-minded individuals allows everyone to make the right choices when dealing with their hair. As a curly girl myself I love to experiment with different styles on a regular basis. While I do have a busy schedule between work, freelancing, and school; I always seem to find time for my hair.

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