15 Easy Wig Styling Tutorials
Updated on March 16, 2017
Wig styling might sound like the kind of skill that you’ll only really use around Halloween, but if you’re ever been to a drag show or Comicon, then you already know that there are plenty of people out there who style wigs for all kinds of reasons all year round! We’ve been quite interested in learning how to work with synthetic hair lately, and although our knowledge of regular hair styling on ourselves and our friends is a helpful start, working with plastic fibers is actually quite a specific process. That’s why we began scouring the Internet for different wig styling tutorials that will help us build our skills and create all different kinds of looks for the next time we get the chance to wear a fun wig!
Check out these 15 tutorials that will guide you through the process of curling, straightening, brushing, and teasing synthetic hair to make your favourite wigs do all kinds of fancy things.
1. Anime pigtail tutorial
Have you always been a huge anime fan and dreamed of transforming yourself into one of the stunning characters you’ve been watching for years? Well, colouring your actual hair to match theirs is a pretty big commitment in real life, so it might be a better idea to style a wig to really get their look. Check out how Heza Chan built these adorable little buns on top of perky high pigtails and then created delicate curls on either side of the bangs.
2. Yarn wigs
Are you actually more intrigued by the idea of making your own costume hair from scratch rather than working with a pre-exisitng wig, but you’re not sure you’re ready to tackle extensions or sewing tracks of hair to a lace cap? Then check out these super fun novelty yarn wigs instead! Made Everyday shows you how to make them in a few different styles that are absolutely perfect for costuming and playing dress up, even if they’re not the most realistic looking option around. Who cares as long as you’re having fun?
3. Short spiked wig tutorial
Were you intrigued by the idea of creating anime style hair but you’re not sure super girly styles like little pigtails are quite the look you were going for? Then check out this short, spiky style instead! Helping the synthetic hair keeps its shape like this takes several very particular steps and requires more than just a bit of hairspray, so make sure you follow the steps on Instructables carefully! It’s not hard once you’re familiar with the techniques.
4. Short, spiky foam wig
Do you love the idea of a short, spiky anime inspired wig but you don’t currently have one that will really work for what you have in mind? Then check out this awesome foam strip alternative made by Schmemy Cosplay instead! This design takes some careful layering and therefore some patience but the final product will hold its shape well and look unique and awesome.
5. Megara from Hercules
Have you always dreamed of turning yourself into the sassiest of female Disney characters, Meg from the movie Hercules? Then this tutorial from Cosplay Amino is the one for you! They guide you through the process of stacking ponytails, curling bangs, and creating decorative hair cuffs to really make the look accurate to the character.
6. Flowered Rapunzel braid
Have you always loved the concept of Rapunzel’s long braid, but you’ve been even more enamoured with the idea of the style since Tangled was released and you saw her long hair full of flowers and colourful blossoms of all kinds? Then you’ll definitely love browsing and following this tutorial from J2P7 Cosplay! They show you how to building length and body using packs of extensions and hair tracks before adding braids and flowers to your heart’s content.
7. Flower embellished Marie Antoinette wig
Perhaps you already know a little bit about wig basic wig styling, so you’re up for a bit more of a challenge than the average beginner cosplay enthusiast? Then check out this breathtakingly lovely tutorial for Marie Antoinette inspired hair from Ambien Chaser! You’ll learn how to build height and volume, create ringlets, and pin flowers to the style in ways that will actually stay solid as you wear the wig.
8. Building volume with ponytails
Perhaps you’re more interested in creating a wig in a more natural, wearable style, but one that still has a lot more body and volume than your natural hair is capable of holding? Then check out how Skarlet Starlet added ponytails to a simple wig and back brushed them in layers to really make the style stand high!
9. Sailor Moon wig
We’ve talked a lot about cosplay wigs in general, but what if you’re looking to recreate a specific iconic look so you can embody your favourite female cartoon character for a night? Then this Sailor Moon hair tutorial from Ohi Cosplay is the one for you! Besides showing you how they did it, this tutorial also outlines the supplies you’ll need beforehand so you can really be prepared to recreate the look accurately.
10. Straighten and de-tangle
Do you already have a wig that you wear quite often but it’s starting to look a little worse for wear from all the times you’ve completed looks with it and worn it out on special occasions? Then perhaps the wig styling techniques you need to learn most are the ones that will help you maintain the quality of your wigs, before you’ve even styled them in any particular way! Check out how Cosplay Amino restored this wig by straightening and detangling it using techniques that are specifically meant for synthetic hair.
11. Wig stacking for more hair
Do you have a few of the same wig because you love how that colour looks on you, but you’ve decided that they look a little bit flat or thin when you simply pop them on individually as they are? Then we think it’s time you learn how to stack your wigs! We promise it’s a much easier process than it sounds like. Skarlet Starlet is here again to show you how it’s done, without having one wig separate from the other and slide back on your head!
12. French braided wig
Have you been hoping to do an Else from Frozen cosplay or make that costume for your daughter for Halloween or dress up time, but you can’t find a French braided wig that doesn’t cost an arm and a leg? Then it’s time to learn how to French braid your own plain wig that you got for a better price! The Frock Chick shows you how to do it using a little bit of extra extension hair so that the lace cap underneath doesn’t show when you pull the wig’s hair back for braiding. We like this look so much that we’d wear it for things other than an Elsa cosplay too!
13. Wig teasing techniques
Do you have a wig that you love the colour and texture of, but it sits a little flat on you and you only have one so it can’t be stacked without looking strange? Then teasing is definitely the answer for you! Teasing synthetic hair effectively, however, is a little bit different than teasing the hair that grows out of your head. Check out how Jaymes Mansfield builds great volume in her synthetic wigs using techniques that won’t fall out easily!
14. Synthetic wig crimping
Do you have a straight wig that you really like the colour of, but you wish you had that same wig in a more textured style that had a little more personality to it? Well, all is not lost! There are plenty of ways to add volume, curl, and texture to synthetic hair so that you can do all kinds of neat styles with it from there. Check out how Skarlet Starlet crimped this cute red wig to give it some more pizzazz!
15. High stacked ponytail
Do you love wearing wigs with more everyday style looks than ones like the Marie Antoinette look we showed you above, but you get tired of just putting them on and wearing them down in the way the came from the package? Then maybe it’s time to try a very simple updo that still looks quite every-day and natural! Jaymes Mansfield guides you through the process of using two wigs in the same colour to build yourself an adorable high ponytail.
Do you know someone who loves cosplay, drag, costuming, and other wig-based activities? Share this post with them for a little bit of synthetic styling inspiration!