How to: Managing Synthetic Hair

Hi guys,

So as promised in this post, I will be talking about synthetic hair and how you can manage it best. I am a huge fan of ‘wigging it’ (as I call it). Over the past year, I’ve found that I’ve been able to be more experimental with my hair (and it’s all down to wigs).

As a WoC, I am aware of what goes into looking for a perfect hairstyle. I think that the brand is one of the most important things as well as price, durability and also what other people say about the particular style of hair that you are interested in.

My wigs are all from Spell Beauty. I actually came across Spell Beauty by chance. I was looking for X-Pression’s Senegalese Twists in a smaller size and I messaged Outre, asking them where I could find the style in the U.K. They directed me to Spell Beauty and since then, I’ve been hooked. There’s something for everyone, no matter what you’re budget is, and all of the brands whose hair I’ve used, Sensationnel Empress Custom Lace Wigs are definitely my personal favourite.

I buy synthetic wigs because I think that, if looked after properly, you can definitely get your money’s worth. I’ve experimented with possibly every type of hair colour (black, dark brown, brown and most recently, red). With synthetic wigs, it’s all about how you care for them. With all wigs, you should treat them like they are your own hair.

So I’m going to share some tips with you on how I care for my synthetic wigs…

1. Don’t be afraid to wash your wig – With most hair brands, there are washing instructions on the back of the package. They are there for a reason so don’t be afraid to follow them. Do not put your synthetic hair/wig on the heater to dry as this will ruin the hair instantly and you won’t be able to use it. What I like to do is swish my wig in some cool water with a small amount of ACV (apple cider vinegar) in it and then I hang it to dry.
2. Embrace heat (to a minimum) – I think the biggest con as far as synthetic hair is concerned is that you can’t apply too much heat (because this will ruin the hair) but some brands have hair that is heat friendly (180 degrees and below). So you can curl or straighten your hair to keep it looking fresher for longer. When I tong or straighten my wigs, I will always use a bit of spray afterwards just so the hair doesn’t have that sticky ‘just been straightened or curled’ look.
3. Maintenance is key – When you aren’t wearing your wigs, keep them in a safe place. Make sure they are covered in a pouch or a net. Try not to throw your wigs left, right and centre, especially if you’re wearing synthetic hair. They won’t last.
4. Research – I think it’s so important to do your research because ideally you want your wig to last as long as possible. I used wigs from a brand called Trendsetter and after three weeks, the hair started to shed and the quality just took a bad hit so I had to buy another one (and the wig was £35!). I’m actually glad that I found the Sensationnel Empress range because the wigs are reasonably priced and the quality is amazing. The only thing I have to do on receipt of the wig is remove hair from the part and add a bit of concealer to give it that natural look.
5. Don’t be afraid of oil – you can use a leave in conditioner and a bit of spray on your hair. I like to use Mazuri’s Leave In Conditioner on my synthetic wigs when they need to be refreshed. I use a spray from the same brand to give the hair a bit of shine.
6. Don’t judge by price – You can buy a synthetic wig for £50 and after you’ve worn it once, you can have issues with it. You could later buy one for £25 and it can be the most amazing wig you’ve ever owned. Don’t discriminate when it comes to price.

The reason why I wanted to do this post is because there is a bit of stigma surrounding synthetic hair and I don’t really think it should exist. Some women keep their wigs for 3 months while others can keep theirs for a year and a half. I would say that it’s nice to also alternate between styles because if you wear the same wig day in, day out you will need to probably wash it every week just to ensure the quality of the hair remains good.

I’m going to share details of the wigs I am wearing in the picture below:

Picture 3 (top right hand corner) Empress Custom Lace Wig (Straight) – £29.99

Picture 4 (top left hand corner) Empress Custom Lace Wig (Bohemian) – £29.99

Picture 5 (middle picture, second row) Instant Fashion Wig (Couture Maylene, colour: DRBG) – £20.99

Picture 6 (last picture, right hand side, second row) Instant Fashion Wig (Couture Elena, colour: F1B/30) – £19.99 

The lovely team at Spell Beauty are offering It’s Kelle’s Space readers 10% off their first order – Use code WELCOME 10.

Have you worn a synthetic hair wig? What did you think? Are there any brands that you prefer? How do you make sure your synthetic hair wigs last? I’d love to hear some of your thoughts.

Kel xo