Whether you’ve bought a human hair wig for daily wear or just for special occasions

Whether you’ve bought a human hair wig for daily wear or just for special occasions, you should plan on styling it (even minimally) before each wear. With proper care, a human hair wig can last for up to a year with everyday wear. The picks on our list range from $60 for a ponytail extension to over $300 for a full set designed to blend seamlessly with curly hair, The price you can expect to pay will depend on the quality (synthetic hair is much cheaper than extensions made from real human hair), length, thickness, and number of pieces in the set. Wigs need to be taken care of just as much as the hair that comes from our scalps. As Johnson says, “We tend to forget that our wigs are made of human hair, too. They need shampooing, conditioning, detangling, and protection from heat styling – just like our natural strands.

Make sure to thoroughly cleanse both the lace on your wig and the hair in general to ensure maximum longevity. The timeline for shampooing and conditioning your wig can vary on the amount of styling product and type of adhesive you use, but never going longer than every couple of weeks is ideal.” You should not use heat styling tools on your wig while you are wearing it because you could injure yourself. To make styling your wig easier and safer, use T-pins to pin your wig to a foam or canvas block head. Using this type of wig stand keeps the wig secure during styling and also allows you to have a 360-degree view of the style. The flexibility of full lace wigs also allows you to create parts anywhere and style your hair in braids, updos, or ponytails. While there are plenty of upsides to full lace wigs, Gibson says there are a few caveats. “One of the drawbacks of this type of wig is the maintenance,” she says. “Depending on the adhesive you use and your daily activities, the lace can lift and create an unrealistic hairline. Regular maintenance appointments are needed to keep these lace hairlines looking natural.” Gibson also notes full lace wigs are among the more expensive wig options. One of our real-life customers, Mirna Wilson, wears both human hair and synthetic wigs. We’ve asked her to share her experience of wearing both, how they hold up over time, and how they fit in with her daily life as a busy mom of two small boys.

We hope that in reading about her experience, you’ll have a better idea about which wig might be best for you. Those with natural hair will love this Ponytail Fro from Kurly Klips. It’s 18 inches long curly (so 24 inches long straight) and is made from 100% human hair. It’s available in a soft black color but can be dyed to match the hue of your hair. As for the attachment process, it couldn’t have been easier. The extensions felt very secure all day long—even during a long commute. It is on the pricier side, so if you’re a first-timer or trying to save some money, this might not be for you. However, if you’re dedicated to your hair game and are looking for a high-quality clip-in to seamlessly blend into your natural hair, this is it. The extensions you choose will come down to your hair type and desired look, but when it comes to best in show, we like the Hidden Crown Hair Extensions Crown Clip-Ins. Not only are they stylist-approved, but they look (and feel) incredibly natural thanks to the comfortable clips and great shade range. Another special mention goes to Luxy Hair Clip-In Extensions for its incredible 60+ strong shade range.

For clip-in ponytails, we love the easy-to-install LBarely Extensions Ponytail, which features quality wefts and is made from vegan (synthetic) hair. If you struggle to find the perfect match, you might have success with a set from Luxy Hair. With 37 shades to choose from (including dark browns and warm caramels to bright blondes and cool reds), there’s bound to be one that suits you. We found the color match to be absolutely perfect, even on bleached hair, and loved that there was a shade that paired well with a not-so-natural hair color. A lace wig’s base is made entirely of lace. With the help of hair colorists and stylists, these wigs can look incredibly natural. “For this wig to look natural, it requires professional customization, including bleaching of knots, plucking, cutting the lace to mimic the original hairline, and coloring the lace with spray or makeup,” Gibson says. She also says it’s critical to use high-quality glue—like the Bold Hold Active Reloaded Wig Glue ($27)—to adhere the lace. Synthetic extensions (like the hair in the Insert Name Here Shayla Clip-In Ponytail Extension) tend to look a little more obvious, but they are significantly cheaper, so worth considering if you just want to test it out before committing. There are two types of hair extensions—synthetic clip-ins and those made from human hair. Although synthetic clip-ins are cheaper, they have limitations. They can’t withstand heat styling and tend to look less realistic than human hair options. If you do opt for a human hair clip-in, look for 100 percent Remy human hair, which means that the cuticle is intact and runs in the same direction for a natural, cascading effect.1 Human hair wigs are made from 100% human hair, so there are many advantages to choosing them over synthetic options. For starters, they last significantly longer and offer the most natural look and feel. While knowing how to wear a lace front wig can you feel glamorous and make daily styling a breeze, don’t become overly reliant on them. After all, wigs are an accessory; your hair is uniquely yours. Give your tresses the time and attention they deserve, and a wig will continue to be an enhancement, not a replacement, for the real thing. The lace front wig, while gorgeous when applied correctly, is not for beginners, Sands says.