Has your wig seen better days or maybe you ordered one that got shipped in poor condition? That’s nothing to cry over. If you need to know how to fix a wig, you’ve come to the right place. Detangling, removing visible hair spray and taming the frizz is easier than you may realize. Try these cosplay wig troubleshooting tips to help you get it looking like new or ready to be styled into something else.
How to Detangle a Wig
Is your wig looking more like a tangled mess than a styled piece? Detangling has a few easy fixes to try.
- Detangling sprays – There is an abundance of detangling sprays you can apply to your wig. A commonly used option is Mane ‘n Tail Detangler: The Tangles and Knots Solution which is safe for wigs. You can spray this and then brush it out with a flat comb, working in small sections from the bottom up.
- Fabric softener soak – Mix a solution of fabric softener and water to soak your wig in. After some time of soaking, you can wring the wig out and brush it while it’s still wet. Use the same brushing technique as you do for detangling sprays.
- Low heat flat iron – For heat-resistant wigs, a flat iron set to low heat can be utilized. This will smooth out the fibers so then you can brush it out and remove the tangles.
- Steamer – Garment or other hand held steamers can work as well. Steam the fibers and brush it out to help smooth out the fibers.
- Brushing – Use a flat comb and work in small sections while brushing out the wig. Start from the bottom and work your way up. It can help to first use any of the above methods before you begin brushing or applying wig conditioner. Otherwise this option is better for small tangles. Be sure to use your hands for the bigger knots instead of the comb.
Wig Doesn’t Fit
Whether your wig is too small or big, these solutions can help you get it to fit just right.
- Too Small – If your wig is riding up, find the adjustable straps to loosen it until it properly fits you.
- Too Big – While you might be able to tighten the adjustable straps to make it fit, it is also possible the wig is just too big and you need to purchase a smaller size. You can also try wearing a wig cap as well if you aren’t already.
Frizz & Flyaway Fixes
Notice the wig has gotten very frizzy? Try these cosplay wig troubleshooting tips:
- Blow dryer – For flyaways and other loose hairs, mist the wig lightly with your preferred hairspray. Then blow dry it on a low heat setting to set them in place.
- Low heat flat iron – For frizzy tips, use a flat iron on low heat to smooth them out. This is better for heat resistant wigs.
- Detangling sprays – There is an abundance of detangling sprays you can apply to your wig even for frizz. A commonly used option is Mane ‘n Tail Detangler: The Tangles and Knots Solution which is safe for wigs. You can spray this and then brush it out with a flat comb.
- Fabric softener soak – Mix a solution of fabric softener and water to soak your wig in. After some time of soaking, you can wring the wig out and brush it while it’s still wet. Use the same brushing technique as you do for detangling sprays.
- Steamer – Garment or other hand held steamers can work as well. Steam the fibers and brush it out to help smooth out the fibers.
Style Ruined
Did the spikes or up-do get ruined? These fixes can help you save your styled wigs.
- Completely ruined – If the entire thing is ruined beyond repair, try washing the wig and restarting the styling.
- Loosing curls – If curls are getting droopy or loose, Put curlers back in and use your garment steamer to heat and shape. Curls are easy to add back and retighten.
- Spikes peeling – Is your anime spikes starting to peel or have flyaways? Smooth it back down and hit it with additional hairsprays or gels to hold it in place.
- Gravity defying shape loosing hold – Try apply additional hairsprays or gel to get everything to hold again. It’s also possible you might need to restart.
More Cosplay Wig Troubleshooting
Here are other common cosplay wig issues and their fixes to help you repair it.
- Dried styling product build up – If you notice product present on your wig that you want to hide, there’s an easy way to make them go away. Put rubbing alcohol in a spray bottle and mist the spot with it. Once it dries, you should notice the product is no longer showing.
- Bald spots – Unless the character you’re cosplaying is actually balding, you don’t want any bald spots. These are tricky to fix in comparison to other issues we’ve discussed. Hair extensions with similar color or shade can potentially be glued on or you can try ventilating a wig to add in additional wefts if you can find an exact color match.
- Broken fibers – Cut off some of the fibers with proper scissors. You’ll want to avoid overdoing this or it’ll leave the wig looking uneven or patchy. At some point it may be time to just buy a new wig.
How to Prevent Wigs from Tangling, Frizzing or Other Damage
Simple preventative maintenance for your wig can help avoid it from getting tangled or ruined. Consider the following tips for keeping your wig in better condition:
- Proper storage – Using either wig hangers, wig heads, or other proper storage methods can ensure your wig isn’t damaged. This helps maintain it’s style and avoid tangling. Putting wigs in bags can help save on space but does subject your wig to tangling.
- Cleaning – Regularly washing your wig with specialized shampoo and conditioner helps to remove dirt and other debris.
- Avoid heat and harsh chemicals – Putting your wigs in high heat areas or using harsh chemicals on them can cause damage to the fibers. Try to verify that your wig supplies are safe to use and store it out of the heat.
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