Wigs 101

Everything you need to know before you buy your first wig — or your next one. We've been fitting wigs since 1996, and these are the questions we hear every day.

1. Hair Types

There are four main types of wig hair, each with its own strengths.

Synthetic Hair

Synthetic wigs are made from man-made fibers engineered to look and feel like real hair. They hold their style right out of the box — no blow-drying or styling needed — and spring back to the same look after every wash. They're also the most affordable option.

• Ready to wear right out of the box
• Holds its style in humidity
• Easy to care for — rinse, shake, air dry
• Budget-friendly — most styles $80–$350
• Cannot be exposed to high heat (curling irons, ovens, hot cars). However, heat up to the boiling temperature, 212 degrees Fahrenheit is okay. Steam can be used to tame any synthetic wig.

Best for: Everyday wear, first-time buyers, low-maintenance lifestyle.

Heat-Friendly Synthetic

A newer generation of synthetic fiber that tolerates low to medium heat — typically up to 350°F. You can use a flat iron or curling iron to change the style, giving you more flexibility than standard synthetic.

• Style with heat tools (up to 350°F — always check the tag)
• Slightly higher price than standard synthetic
• More styling options without the cost of human hair
• Colors vary a bit from non-heat friendly wigs with the same color numbers. Heat friendly wig colors are generally bolder, and more so on reds and blondes than dark browns.
• Best for: Shoppers who want to customize their look occasionally.

Human Hair

Human hair wigs are made from real hair and behave exactly like your own — you can wash, blow-dry, and style them. They look and feel incredibly natural and last much longer with proper care. But they need that care or they may not look like they do on the models you will see wearing them online.

• Style with any heat tool, just like your own hair
• Can be colored (but consult a stylist experienced with wigs). Adding natural lowlites is much safer than adding highlights. No peroxide should be used. You can ruin a human hair wig by coloring yourself.
• Lasts 1–3 years or longer with good care
• Higher price — most styles $500–$2,000+
• Best for: Daily wear, active lifestyle, maximum natural appearance.

Human Hair Blends

Envy Wigs and other wig makers offer select styles in blends of human hair and high-grade synthetic hair, usually Kanekalon. These are known to outlast even 100% human hair. They give you the ability to style at high heat and are less expensive than 100% human hair wigs.

• Style with high heat, just like human hair
• Outlasts both standard synthetic and often 100% human hair
• Lower cost than 100% human hair
• Best for: Shoppers who want human hair styling freedom at a more accessible price.

2. Cap Construction

3. How to Measure Your Head

Getting your head measurement right takes about 2 minutes and makes a real difference in fit.

What you need: A flexible measuring tape (the kind used for sewing). No tape? Use a piece of string and measure it against a ruler.

1. Circumference — Start at your natural hairline at the center of your forehead, go around the back of your head (at the nape), and return to where you started. This is your head circumference. For most people, this is the only measurement you need.

For some clients these other measurements may be needed, especially for human hair wigs and custom made wigs.

2. Front to Nape — Measure from the center of your hairline over the top of your head down to the nape of your neck.
3. Ear to Ear (over top) — Measure from the top of one ear over the crown to the top of the other ear.
4. Ear to Ear (across forehead) — Measure across your forehead from hairline above one ear to the other.
5. Temple to Temple (around back) — Measure from one temple around the back of the head to the other temple.
6. Nape of Neck — Measure across the nape, from the point where your hair begins on one side to the other.

4. Cap Sizes

Almost every wig has adjustable Velcro tabs inside the cap that let you fine-tune the fit by about a half inch.

5. Face Shape Guide

The key to finding the right style is highlighting the features you love and softening the ones you'd like to distract from. With a hairstyle, you have the power to create an illusion that leads the eye to where you want it to go.

Identifying Your Face Shape

• Oval: Balanced proportions, slightly narrower jawline than forehead. Easiest to shop for.
• Round: Full cheeks, rounded chin, width and length roughly equal.
• Square: Strong jawline with broad forehead and cheekbones.
• Heart: Wider forehead, narrow pointed chin.
• Long/Rectangular: Longer face, straight cheek line.
• Diamond: Narrow forehead and jawline, broad cheekbones.

Wig Styles for Each Face Shape

1. Oval

Oval faces can pull off almost any wig style due to their balanced proportions.

• Chin-Length Bob with Volume — highlights jawline while adding fullness
• Long Layers — volume and movement without overwhelming your face
• Waves and Curls — soft, romantic look

For an oval face shape, we recommend Skylar for her blunt, chin-length cut that adds fullness to the jawline.

Skylar FS6/30/27 | Toffee Truffle

2. Round

The goal for round faces is to add length and create the illusion of a more defined structure.

• Long and Layered — elongates the face
• Side Parts — asymmetry breaks up the roundness
• Volume on Top — height at crown adds length and balance

For a round face shape, we recommend Harper for her straight, shoulder-length layers which elongate the chin and face.

Harper 12FS8 | Shaded Praline

3. Square

Soften your strong jawline and add length to your face.

• Soft Curls and Waves — add softness and roundness to angular features
• Layered Cuts — wispy ends help soften the jawline
• Side-Swept Bangs — break up forehead width and add softness

For a square face shape, we recommend Aria for her long layers.

Aria 12FS8 | Shaded Praline

4. Heart

Balance a wider forehead and narrow chin by adding volume around the jawline.

• Chin-Length Bobs — add fullness around the jaw, balancing your face
• Side Parts and Bangs — soft side-swept bangs reduce forehead width
• Wavy or Curly Styles — add width to the lower part of your face

For a heart face shape, we recommend January for her chin-length waves.

January 1B/60 | Peppercorn

5. Long / Rectangular

Add width and volume to balance the length of your face.

• Curls and Waves — add width and soften the face's length
• Bangs — straight across or side-swept bangs shorten the perceived face length
• Layered Cuts — add volume and reduce the appearance of length

For a rectangular face shape, we recommend Betty for her bangs and wavy layers.

Betty FS17/101S18 | Palm Springs Blonde

6. Diamond

Soften the cheekbones and balance the narrow forehead and jawline.

• Chin-Length Bobs — add width to the jawline
• Layered Cuts — soften the sharpness of your cheekbones
• Side Parts — add softness and reduce the width at the cheeks

For a diamond face shape, we recommend Rachel for her soft, wavy layers and long, side-swept bangs.

Rachel 4/33 | Chocolate Raspberry Truffle

6. Understanding Wig Colors

Wig color codes can look like a foreign language at first. Here's how to read them.

Basic Numbers

Most brands use a number to indicate the base color. Lower numbers are darker, higher numbers are lighter — though this isn't perfectly consistent across all brands.

• 1 is black and as numbers get larger the browns get lighter with 12–13 being the lightest brown.
• 14 starts blondes up until 26.
• 27–33 are reds with 27 being the lightest and 33 being dark wine red.
• From 34 to 61 are grays with 34 being darkest and 60 being white.

Common Color Code Prefixes & Suffixes

7. Care & Maintenance

Synthetic Wigs

• Wash every 6–8 wears, or sooner if there's product buildup or odor
• Use cool water and wig-specific shampoo — regular shampoo can damage synthetic fibers
• Gently swish; never scrub or wring
• Rinse thoroughly, apply a small amount of wig conditioner, rinse again
• Pat dry with a towel — never rub
• Place on a wig stand and let air-dry completely before wearing or storing
• Never use a hair dryer, flat iron, or curling iron on standard synthetic
• Store on a wig stand or in a net bag — avoid crushing

This video can be very helpful for shampoo education:

Human Hair Wigs

• Wash every 10–15 wears, or as needed
• Use sulfate-free shampoo and a moisturizing conditioner
• Detangle gently before washing — work from ends up to roots
• Rinse thoroughly with cool or lukewarm water
• Use heat protectant before any heat styling
• Store on a wig stand away from sunlight

This video is very helpful for shampoo and conditioning education:

8. First-Timer Tips

• Start with synthetic. Lower investment, easier care, and you'll learn your preferences faster.
• Order your natural hair color first. It's the easiest to wear confidently while you get used to the feel of a wig.
• Wear it around the house first. Get comfortable before wearing out. Some people feel self-conscious for the first hour and fine after that.
• The fit should be snug but not tight. You should be able to fit one finger under the edge. If it's sliding or lifting, use the interior Velcro adjusters.
• Wig grips and caps help. A wig grip headband or thin wig cap underneath adds comfort and security, especially if you have little or no natural hair.
• Trim and customize. Almost every wig looks better after a quick trim by a stylist who works with wigs. Even half an inch off the ends makes a difference.
• It's normal to need two tries. Many customers find their true favorite on the second purchase. Don't be discouraged — email us at info@wigsalon.com and we'll help narrow it down.

Page last updated April 2026 · WigSalon.com