How To Make A Synthetic Wig Look Real

This cannot be overstated. If you do not place your wig on the head correctly, the eye will be immediately drawn to the catastrophe that is your hairline.

Its natural for the human eye to focus on anything that appears out of place, miss-matched or uneven so it's super important to ensure the wig hairline matches exactly to your own hairline. Go for the Goldilocks effect – not too far back (thus creating a ridge) and not too far forward (this just screams WIG).

Jasmin wears the Rose Gold Angel Lace Front Wig. Mira wears the Retro Lana Wig.

It’s really important to style your wig so as it suits your own unique face shape. Applying your new wig straight out of the box is unlikely to achieve the best look.

Get snipping with a decent pair of scissors to create layers around the face or even a full-blown fringe. Use low temperature heating tools to add volume, waves and curls or to create sleek straight hair lengths. Clip sections in place with a trending hair accessory and DO NOT repeat DO NOT forget your part line.

This is an oversight we see time and time again in many a photo. If your wig comes with a pre-set part, it does not mean that it should necessarily sit centrally. If in doubt, check the numerous images of the wig on its mannequin head.

Many wigs have been designed to have an off centre part or a deep side part. Wearing the parting line at the centre of your head will often force the hair to fall unnaturally around the hairline.

As for lace front wigs, be sure to place the part line in a position that is most flattering to your face. It takes an annoyingly special face shape to pull off a dead centre part!

Isabelle wears the Sugar Blush Lace Front Wig.

How many times have you been impressed with your hair styling skills in the mirror only to be aghast at all those dastardly flyaways that magically appear in your hastily snapped selfie? Those technologically advanced little cameras have the ability to pick up Every. Single. Strand. (Damn you Apple!)

Luckily, it’s pretty easy to combat any unattractive frizz or wispy wig ends. Spray a blusher brush or toothbrush with hairspray and smooth away the frizz. The difference this simple trick makes can be quite dramatic.

Morgan wears the Cosmic Dip Lace Front Wig.

The Goldilocks effect comes in to play again when it comes to volume (that greedy squatter is pretty useful when it comes to wigs). Too much volume applied to the hair and your eagle-eyed camera will see through and magnify the smallest of gaps. Too little volume and your wig can look flat and lacklustre.

Gently back-combing the layers underneath and smoothing with the flat side of a comb will most definitely help with adding volume. Dry shampoo also works wonders in adding both volume and texture without going overboard.

Iria wears the Cupcake Doll Wig.

So, you’ve got your wig sitting pretty, it's been styled to perfection and you’re done with adding volume. The temptation is to reach directly for the hairspray and plaster your wig to within an inch of its life with that extra hold holy grail of styling products. Nope. The camera no likey.

There is nothing worse than rigid, stiff hair when it comes to photos and your camera will amplify the effect by about 200%. Movement is key and flowing hair lengths look way better than over-styled locks. Restrain yourself and be stingy with your spritzes.

Isabelle wears the Copper Leaf Lace Front Wig.

You are more than likely to have fallen deeply in love with your new wig (of course) and are keen to show it off. That’s cool, we love that, but pulling all of the hair forward into a style that Sia would be proud of draws attention to all the wrong places.

Simply tucking one side of the wig behind your ear will open up the face and make the wig instantly appear more natural. The most beautiful selfies feature a well-balanced look with both a gorgeous face and enviable hair.

Elisa wears the Retro Betty Wig.

Wow! This is an important one - probably the most important tip to ensuring your wig looks great in photos.

Synthetic wigs always come with added shine. This is an undeniable fact, no matter how much you pay or which company you purchase from – any synthetic based hair will ALWAYS carry some added shine.

Some shades are more affected than others. Blondes, greys, silvers and block blue and red coloured wigs are usually more prone to shine. Fortunately, this is uber easy to resolve with some simple tweaks. Read How To Make A Wig Look Natural for our full guide.

Using unflattering lighting techniques when photographing your wig will magnify shine ridiculously (another crime we see committed way too much). This is usually the result of a flash or over exposure, particularly if the camera is very close.

Overhead light will dull the hair while heavy light from the rear will shadow the hair.The best results come from replicating the most naturally lit environment possible. Soft, full-surround light is ideal (expertly achieved with the use of a ring light) and definitely no wig-vandalising flash!!

Simone wears the Frosted Fancy Lace Front Wig.

Our final tip to making your synthetic wig look real in photos applies to every snapchat, Insta pic and phone selfie, wig or no wig.

Everyone has their preferred angle. One side of the face randomly seems to photograph much better than the other. A head tilt, eyes to the left, subtle pout or parting of the lips – whatever your preference, go with it, work it, own it. You’ll feel confident and relaxed - resulting in the most flattering of photos.

Billie wears the Ruby Moon Lace Front Wig.