Sometimes in life, you have to wear a wig—Halloween, a comic convention, the day you play hooky from school and go to a baseball game where there are TV cameras—but wigs are pricey. And cheap wigs tend to look extremely fake. So what do you do? You buy a cheap wig and style it.

At least, that's what our studio photographer and wig enthusiast Dom does. Wigs aren't just a special-occasion thing for her, they're a part of her daily life. As such, she's become a master at zhuzhing up cheap wigs. She graciously agreed to pass on her knowledge so you can make your own synthetic wigs look snatched.

What do you need to consider when buying a wig?

"Length, curl pattern, texture, and luster"

According to Dom, the longer the wig, the faster the hair gets matted and becomes junk. "There are pros and cons of curly hair, as well," she adds. "Some curl patterns tend to look better with age. Others get more tangled and matted."

In general, tighter curls with a 4A, 4B, or 4C curl pattern tend to last longer than looser 3A, 3B, and 3C curls (more on curl patterns here).

Avoid too-shiny wigs

"It's important to avoid very shiny, fine hair textures," Dom says. "Those tend to look like you put doll hairs on your head."

Go for lace-front wigs

If you want a more natural-looking hairline, opt for synthetic lace-front wigs, which feature strands of hair tied to a nude-colored netting. Lace fronts are generally expensive; however, you can find some for around $50.

How do you style a cheap wig to make it look good?

Cut it.

Dom recommends cutting long wigs to a more realistic-looking length and adding some layers to give the fake hair more movement. So grab a pair of nice scissors. According to Dom, the scissors "don't have too be too nice because you'll be cutting synthetic hair, but it helps to find something that's better than regular crafting scissors."

She then explains that the best way to thin out a dense wig is to use a combo of the scissors and a razor comb, which "will help thin [the wig] out until you get the desired look you want."

Try this pro hair-cutting set ($34.99).

Seriously, cut it—even if you've never cut hair before.

It can be a little nerve-wracking to cut up something you spent money on, but you really should just go for it if you want to make your wig look better. "Cutting with small scissors is really helpful if you're nervous about trimming the hair," Dom says. "That way, you can work on little sections at a time."

Consider what hairstyles flatter you.

Dom believes it's important to know which styles look good on you. "For example, I wouldn't cut bangs on my wig because the style doesn't flatter me. But I will use a razor comb to frame my face by shortening the hair on the sides of my face and layering the rest of the wig," she explains.

Dull it with dry shampoo.

If your wig looks too shiny, spritz it with dry shampoo. That should make it look more realistic.

How much do cheap wigs typically cost?

In Dom's experience, they're around $15–$40. And of course, we have deals on wigs.

Consider wearing it with a hat.

Dom is all about "hat wigs" and is even wearing one in our video. A hat wig is a cheap wig that might look fake around the scalp area, but is cute otherwise "so you only wear it with hats or headbands," Dom says. "These are a good option for when you are on the go and don't have time to style your own hair."

Are there other ways to disguise a wig's not-greatness besides a hat or haircut?

Pick a wig that resembles your natural texture.

"The wigs that tend to look the best on me are the ones that match my hair type," Dom says, explaining that she buys either curly afro wigs to match her kinky texture or wigs that look like she straightens her natural hair (yaki-texture wigs).

"I have a go-to wig that people always assume is real because it looks exactly like my hair but longer and more refined. The wig doesn't necessarily have to be the length of your hair, but the texture or curl type should look somewhat believable," she says.

Leave some of your natural hair out around your scalp.

This helps your wig hair to blend in and look like it's growing from your scalp.

How do you style a wig that's not heat-resistant?

Cheap wigs are known for being made of synthetic fibers that can't be heat styled. However, there's a workaround: "The best way that I've learned to style synthetic wigs is to use hot water," Dom says.

"Some wigs say that you can use a curling or flat iron to a certain degree, but dipping the wig in hot water and setting it with flexi-rods or perm rods always gives it the look I want and the style lasts for a long time," Dom adds.

How to rod curl your wig:

This will give you a look similar to the one Dom has in our video.

1. Boil enough hot water to fully immerse your wig. While the water heats up, add rods to the wig.

2. Pour the boiling water into a large bowl, then dip your wig in the water for about 20 seconds. Lay your wig out on a towel to dry overnight.

3. In the morning, remove the rods and comb out the curls.

"If you just want the silky straight look," Dom says, "a flat iron set to 200–400 degrees F should work nicely."

RELATED READS:

Home Local A Quick Guide to Clip-In Hair Extensions A Quick Guide to Clip-In Hair Extensions

If wigs aren't your speed but you still want to change up your look, clip-in hair extensions are a great option.

Curly Hair Tips and Tricks

Discover if your curl-pattern type is a 2, 3, or 4.