Spooky season is right around the corner, y’all. You don’t want to have the scariest costume on the block because your Halloween wig is a frightening sight! There are ways to style a Halloween wig and still look fantastic for that themed costume party.
Let me tell you who I am. My name’s Katy and I’m the kind of person that launches into all things fall and Halloween the minute I flip the calendar to September 1st.
I’m also someone who loves a good Halloween wig. Oftentimes there are some hidden gems in the form of good quality wigs floating around these pop-up Halloween stores.
I’ve bought, styled, and worn some Halloween wigs and this year is no different. Allow me to let you in on the tips and tricks that make these seasonal hairpieces a little less scream-worthy and a little more glam.
Keep reading to learn more, witches!
5 Best Ways to Style a Halloween Wig
Here are some great methods to style your Halloween wig.
Powder the Part
By applying dry shampoo or baby powder to the part and hair of a costume wig, you’ll be able to take out that super shiny look that all Halloween wigs seem to have. This will create a more natural look and keep the hair from looking too plastic-y.
If you took it a little too far with the powdering, you can give your wig some of its shine back by using a hair oil like argan oil or Moroccan oil to put some sheen back in your wigs’ hair. Just go sparingly so your wig doesn’t end up like an oil slick.
Use a Styrofoam Head
Along with your purchase of a Halloween wig, splurge an extra few dollars and get a styrofoam mannequin head to place it on. This will make storing it much safer because your new wig won’t live in a plastic bag or a matted mess in your bathroom drawer.
By keeping it on a styrofoam head, you can also style the wig to your liking and not risk missing any spots you can’t see while it’s on your head. Having a full scope of the wig gives you an idea of how it’s going to look on your head and allows you to get it looking just the way you want before you put it on.
The less you have to fuss with it on your head, the better!
Cut It
I know it’s Halloween, but don’t be afraid here. You can cut the wig to better fit your face shape and desired look. Just remember, start with small snips. You can take hair off but you can’t put it back on so tread carefully when it comes time to use scissors. Doing this on the styrofoam head will make the trimming process easier.
If you get a wig that has bangs that are just too long for your face, this is when you’ll want to style the wig on your head. Having the wig on and being able to see exactly where bangs need to fall will be easier to trim on your head rather than off.
Pluck the Part
When you think about what a natural hairline looks like, it’s a little bit wide. You can probably see your scalp. The same thought applies to the hairline around your face. I’m talking about baby hairs here. Love them or hate them, they make hair look natural and real.
Take a pair of trusty tweezers and pluck the hairline and part to make it wider, a bit thinner, and more natural. Use your own part and hairline as a guide and reference for how much hair to pluck and thin. This is best done on a styrofoam head so you can see the entirety of the wig while you’re pluckin’ out those hairs!
Color Match the Scalp
Similar to plucking the part to make it look more natural, think again about what your own scalp looks like. It’s probably not a ghostly white mesh, no pun intended. Take the concealer you would use for your own skin and dab it lightly on the part of the costume wig.
Again, this is best done on a styrofoam head where you can get a top-down view of the wig and be able to apply, dab, and blend concealer into the part to give it that desired natural look. No one will be able to tell your bright red, Little Mermaid hair isn’t really yours.
FAQs
Here are some of the most frequently asked questions relating to styling a Halloween wig.
Can I Brush or Heat Style a Halloween Wig?
Yes and no. It depends on the material of the wig and if it’s been treated to be straight or curly. Brushing through a costume wig that’s been treated in a way to give it a lot of bounce and curl, may lead to a tangled, frizzy mess. You run the risk of losing the manufactured curl and may not be able to heat style it to bring it back.
Brush through wigs lightly with fingertips and you should be able to steer clear of any major hair mishaps. As for heat styling, try to avoid it with Halloween wigs but if you must tame some stray hairs, do so on a low temp setting.
Since most Halloween wigs are made of synthetic material and are not designed for long-term wear, they may not be able to hold up to high heat tools. Check the label on the package for language that may indicate that the wig you want can handle some heat. Keywords like, ‘heat safe’ and ‘human hair’ can be a good sign that the wig you’re choosing can take some styling.
How Can I Detangle a Halloween Wig?
Say you bought a wig that was a tangled mess, to begin with, or maybe you caused this problem yourself by tossing your Halloween wig to the side in a drawer or bin. Now you’re ready to wear it and it’s scarier than Frankenstein’s bride!
Have no fear! Hold hair by the roots and start brushing gently, with a detangling brush, from the bottom up. Placing the wig on a styrofoam head will be mega helpful here so you can get every inch of the wig detangled and not fuss with it pulling and sliding around your head as your brush.
Wrapping Up
No matter how you decide to style your Halloween wig, the fun of the spooky season is dressing up, having a good time, and eating way too much chocolate. It’ll just make the day so much better if your wig looks as great as the rest of your costume!