Hi beautiful! If you’ve been thinking of how to reduce shine on your wig, then this is the article for you. Here’s a guide to hold you by the hands and show you practical steps to make your wig less shiny.
My name is Tee and I’m a wig enthusiast. With my years of experience, you could make me your go-to person for all wig DIYs and tips.
Generally, when we talk about how to make a wig less shiny, we are talking about Synthetic wigs. Due to the nature of the hair fiber and the conditioning agents used when these wigs are made. They are shiny and do not look real.
This shine wears off with time. But if you’re looking for an instant fix, the methods below would make your wigs less glossy and more natural, without damaging your wig.
You don’t want to miss out on this one. Come along!
Materials Needed
Below are the necessary materials you need to make your wig less shiny.
- Hair shampoo
- Hair conditioner
- Baby or talcum powder
- Wide-tooth comb/ hairbrush
- Styling tools (flat iron, curling iron, rollers)
- Fabric softener
- Wig stand
4 Best Methods to Make a Wig Less Shiny
These methods apply to both synthetic and human hair wigs. They include:
- Wash and dry
- Powder/ Dry shampoo
- Fabric Softener
- Styling the hair
Wash and Dry – Detailed Steps
The wash and dry method is pretty much like washing any wig. It helps to wash off most of the shine on a new wig.
Step 1: Gently brush your wig with a wig brush or wide-tooth comb so as to remove any tangles. Then add some shampoo into a sink or basin filled with cold water.
The type of shampoo depends on if the wig is synthetic or human hair. Only make use of shampoo that is compatible with the type of wig.
Step 2: Submerge the wig into the soap mixture and swirl gently. Don’t scrub, just carefully run your fingers over the inside of the cap so as to remove oils or sebum. After, rinse out the shampoo in cold water until it’s thoroughly rinsed and there’s no trace of shampoo anymore.
Step 3: After you’ve washed and rinsed your wig, apply some conditioner onto the wig. Carefully massage the conditioner into the body of the wig.
Make sure you avoid the wig cap during this process, especially the closure side because the conditioner can untie the knots on the lace and lead to shedding.
Step 4: Fill a basin or sink with cold water and put the wig inside. Make sure you thoroughly rinse out the conditioner from the hair. Don’t squeeze, just shake the hair to remove some water, then blot any remaining water with a towel.
Also, do not try to comb your hair when it’s wet. You will only pull out the hair fibers and damage the wig.
Step 5: Dry your wig on a wig stand to allow air to circulate the roots and the body of the wig. After the wig is dry, you can style as you wish.
Powder/ Dry Shampoo – Detailed Steps
If you don’t want to wash, and you’re seeking a straight-out-of-the-box method, the powder method is a quick and easy method to make your wig less shiny and more natural.
Pro Tips:
- You can choose a variety of powders from baby powder, talc powder, styling powder, or dry shampoo
- Dry powder is preferable for bright colors like grey, pink, blonde, and brown wigs. On the other hand, dry shampoo is best for dark colors and black wigs generally. However, use a dry shampoo product that is meant specifically for dark colors, or one that doesn’t leave a white residue
- Ensure your wig is dry before using the powder method. Don’t ever try this on a wet wig. Else, your wig will be ruined
Step 1: Place your wig on a wig stand. Briefly comb through the hair to remove existing tangles. After, sprinkle the powder in small amounts from the crown of the wig. Sprinkle until you’re satisfied with the outcome. And if it’s a dry shampoo, just spray it all over in moderation.
Step 2: Once you’re done pouring the powder, use a wide-tooth comb to evenly distribute the powder all over. Then shake off the wig to remove excess powder. Phew! Your wig is ready to wear.
Fabric Softener – Detailed Steps
Fabric softeners are a bit similar to dry shampoo. However, they require more care and precision. You must ensure that you only use the fabric softener in a moderate quantity. Don’t overdo it. Else, the chemicals could destroy your wig.
Step 1: Put a small quantity of fabric softener (preferably 1 to 2 tablespoons) into a spray bottle or a sink or basin of water. Shake the mixture together.
Step 2: You can decide to spray the mixture with the aid of your spray bottle, or just soak the wig inside the basin with the mixture.
After it must’ve soaked for some time, or the mixture must’ve settled a bit into the hair (if you’re using a spray bottle), shake off the remaining water and let the wig dry.
After drying, the shine should’ve reduced significantly.
Styling the Hair – Detailed Steps
A basic, yet simple way of reducing shine on a new wig is to switch up the style. Asides from curly hair, most new wigs come in a sleek straight style. When you style the wig in a ‘hot mess’ kind of style with curls all over, it tends to deflect the shine.
If your wig is synthetic, you may want to use bendy rollers instead of direct heat. Bendy rollers are great to create tight or messy curls. They come in a variety of sizes, so you can style and define them as you desire.
Step 1: Before you apply the rollers, dampen your wig with some water or moisturizing spray. After, section the hair into small or large parts, depending on how defined you want your curl to be.
Step 2: Then take a roller and wrap the sectioned hair around the middle of the roller. Roll down towards the root of the wig, then fold the ends of the roller over the other end, so it’s well secured. Repeat this process until the rolling is even all over.
Step 3: After step 2, let the curls dry. When the wig is totally dry, carefully unroll the rollers from the bottom to top, and unwrap the hair.
Wrapping Up
That brings us to the end of this informative article. I hope you’ve been able to learn one or two hacks from these methods. If you have any questions, feel free to ask in the comment section below. I’ll be happy to respond!
Happy wigging!