Essential Care Tips to Make Your Costume Wigs Last

A costume wig is the fastest way to become someone else, and the fastest thing to ruin if you toss it in a drawer. Most of the wigs we sell are synthetic fiber, which means they hold their style well but do not forgive heat, rough brushing, or being crushed under a box of ornaments for eleven months. A little care doubles their life. Here is what we do with ours.

Why wig care matters

Two reasons. First, synthetic wigs cannot be "fixed" the way hair can; once fibers frizz from heat or friction, they stay that way. Second, wigs are one of the few items we cannot take back. Under our refund policy, wigs, beards, and facial hair are not returnable, so the wig you buy is the wig you keep. Treating it well is the whole game.

Start with a wig cap

Several of our wig product pages say the same thing: "Remember a wig cap, sold separately, to hold in your own hair." The Adult Goof Ball Wig and the Teen Princess Straight Blue Wig both carry that note. A cap does more than hold hair; it keeps sweat, scalp oils, and hair products off the wig's inside, which is where most odor and residue build up. It also makes the wig sit more comfortably and slide less. Cheapest care tip there is.

Detangle gently, and only when dry

Use your fingers or a wide-tooth comb, starting at the ends and working up toward the cap. Never brush from the roots down on a tangled wig; you will pull fibers out of the weft. Long straight wigs like the blue princess wig tangle most at the nape, so pay attention there. Curly and big-volume wigs like the Goof Ball should be finger-fluffed rather than combed, or you will lose the shape.

Washing: check the product page first

Not every wig is meant to be washed, so start with the description. Our Professional Santa Wig and Beard Set is described as fully washable, and that is the exception rather than the rule. If your wig's page does not mention washing, keep it to spot cleaning and airing out. When washing is allowed, use cool water and a small amount of gentle shampoo, swish rather than scrub, rinse until clear, and press the water out with a towel. No wringing, no twisting.

Drying and styling

Air dry on a wig stand or over an upturned bottle so air reaches the inside of the cap. Keep it away from radiators, dryers, and direct sun. Heat is the enemy of synthetic fiber: hair dryers, curling irons, and flat irons will melt or permanently frizz most costume wigs. If a wig needs reshaping, a light mist of water and finger styling while it dries is as far as we would go.

Storing wigs between events

• Make sure it is completely dry before it goes away.
• Use the bag or box it came in, or a breathable bag, and store it flat or on a stand rather than crushed.
• Keep long wigs loosely braided so they do not tangle in storage.
• Store away from heat and sunlight. A closet shelf beats the attic.
• Keep accessories separate. Headbands, crowns, and hats can snag fibers.

Preventing the common problems

Frizz comes from friction: collars, backpacks, and rough brushing. Wear the wig over a smooth collar and put it on last. Shine on cheap wigs can be tamed with a tiny amount of dry shampoo or cornstarch brushed through. Slipping is a fit problem; the blue princess wig, for example, has an adjustable inside pull for a better fit, and a wig cap plus a couple of bobby pins through the cap holds most wigs in place for a full night.

Before you buy

Read the size note (most costume wigs are "one size fits most" with an adjustable strap), check whether the page says washable, and remember the no-return rule. Character wigs like the Princess Peach Wig and party wigs like the Black Dreadlocks Wig with Rasta Tam are in our Wigs, Hair and Hats collection, and Santa beards and wigs have their own Santa Beards and Wigs collection. Prices are accurate at time of writing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I wash a costume wig?

Only if the product page says so. Some of our sets, like the Professional Santa Wig and Beard Set, are described as fully washable. If washing is not mentioned, spot clean and air the wig out instead.

How do I detangle a synthetic costume wig?

Use your fingers or a wide-tooth comb on a dry wig, starting at the ends and working up toward the cap. Finger-fluff curly or high-volume wigs rather than combing them.

Can I use a hair dryer or curling iron on a costume wig?

No. Heat melts or permanently frizzes synthetic fibers. Air dry on a stand away from heat and sunlight, and reshape with a light mist of water and your fingers.

Are costume wigs returnable?

No. Under our refund policy, wigs, beards, and facial hair cannot be returned, so check the size and care notes on the product page before ordering.