A hairstylist weighs in on the best (aaaand worst) formulas.
Hot Tip: Don't Wash Your Wig Without One of These Shampoos
Here's the thing: Even though shampooing your wig might seem pretty intuitive, it's actually a super crucial part of maintaining your style (and, you know, making it last as long as possible). According to Brittany Johnson, Mayvenn Hair-certified stylist, finding the the best shampoo for your wig depends entirely on what type of hair you're working with: human or synthetic. So, to make things as easy as possible for you, we rounded up the 10 best shampoos for every type of wig, whether you're looking for something clarifying, shine-enhancing, or just straight-up hydrating. But first—a few v important answers to your questions...
Can you use regular shampoo to wash a wig?
K, remember when I said finding the right shampoo for your wig depends on whether you're working with synthetic or human hair? Yeah, Johnson says that's super important here. While regular shampoos are great (and usually preferred) for human-hair wigs, they're actually pretty damaging when used on synthetic wigs, leaving them dry, tangled, and full of buildup. "The hair can start to feel super slimy or tangled to the point that even when it dries, it's really too matted to comb through anymore," says Johnson.
Instead, you'll want to cleanse with a shampoo that's formulated specifically for synthetic fibers, like one of the excellent, gentle options below. And, adds Johnson, it's always a smart idea to take a peek at your wig manufacturer's care instructions before you do anything, since some synthetic fibers can't be shampooed at all. Better safe than sorry, right?
How often should you wash a wig?
In general, how often you shampoo your wig depends on the number of styling products you use and how frequently you wear it. "If you're doing a lot of curling and using styling products like hairspray, I'd suggest shampooing your wig as often as once every week—or week and a half—to avoid buildup," says Johnson. "But if you're only wearing your wig every so often and you aren't using any heavy gels or creams, you can get away with shampooing every 2-3 weeks." Remember: Washing your wig regularly is super important to keeping it looking (and feeling) as fresh as possible.
Got all that? Good—now proceed to some insights on how, exactly, to wash your wig (if it's your first time), along with the best shampoos, below.
Advertisement - Continue Reading BelowDon't have your wig-washing routine totally nailed down? No worries—this human hair tutorial from YouTuber MsPreciousMarie is a great place to start . Make sure you have shampoo (like one of the picks below), a detangling brush, conditioner, and any styling products your look requires (think: hair dryer, curling iron, leave-in serums, etc.) before you get started.
One important thing to note: Just like the hair on your head, you always want to follow up your wig shampoo with a super-hydrating conditioner (or, like in this tutorial, a deep-conditioning treatment for extra shine). Skipping this step means you're going to have a much harder time when it comes to detangling and styling—so don't do it!
The key to shampooing synthetic wigs? Start by soaking your wig in shampoo and water (in this tutorial, YouTuber Real Talk With Yanie washes her wig with a gentle laundry detergent—but we've got a few synthetic-safe shampoo recs, ahead, if you don't want to chance it) and gently rinse all the way out. There's no need to follow with conditioner when you're shampooing synthetic hair, but you can spray a synthetic-friendly leave-in once the hair is dry.
BTW: You don't need to do any detangling, combing, or brushing until your synthetic wig is 100 percent dry—just gently pat it with a towel to soak up excess water and then let it air-dry.
K, now what you really came here for. Keep reading for the very best wig shampoos of all time.
Best Clarifying Shampoo for Curly/Wavy Human-Hair Wigs
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$13.99
Johnson says you'll always want to keep texture in mind when looking for the right shampoo for your human-hair wig. She loves this clarifying pick from Pattern for wigs with waves or curls, since it gently removes product buildup and oil without any stripping (i.e. it won't leave your wig super dry).
Best Clarifying Shampoo for Human-Hair Wigs
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$26.00
For human-hair wigs with straighter hair textures, Johnson suggests this clarifying shampoo from Moroccanoil. It's spiked with argan and avocado oils for a nice dose of moisture, but it's still powerful enough to cut through buildup with ease. BTW: Johnson says you don't always need to use a clarifying shampoo when washing your wig—alternating between washes with a basic hydrating formula is ideal. Speaking of...
Best Hydrating Shampoo for Human-Hair Wigs
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$14.99
This hydrating shampoo is great for human-hair wigs of all textures, courtesy of the gentle, sulfate-free ingredients. Smooth a few pumps of the lightweight formula through your wig, lather, rinse, and follow up with deep conditioner to get the cleanest, shiniest finish ever.
Best Drugstore Shampoo for Human-Hair Wigs
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$11.49
Don't feel like spending a ton of money on your wig shampoo? Another favorite of Johnson's, this drugstore option from SheaMoisture helps to clean and strengthen human-hair wigs and it comes in at a very reasonable $11. Plus, it's got a little apple cider vinegar in the formula, which is great for gentle clarifying.
Best Shampoo and Treatment for Human-Hair Wigs
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$15.97
This top-rated shampoo and leave-in is a great option for human-hair wigs. While silicones might not be your first pick for washing your own hair, it's actually a great ingredient for adding softness and shine to your wigs.
Best Shampoo for Human- and Synthetic-Hair Wigs
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$9.99
The coolest thing about this pick is that it's safe for both human- and synthetic-hair wigs (remember: unless a shampoo explicitly says it's safe for synthetic, assume that it isn't). Start with a small, quarter-size dollop, only adding more if you need it, and it'll help wash away buildup fast.
Best Buildup-Reducing Shampoo for Synthetic Wigs
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$8.99
There's a reason this synthetic-wig shampoo has so many glowing reviews on Amazon: The coconut oil-spiked formula works to cleanse and hydrate simultaneously, so there's no need to worry about your wig drying out or matting up.
Best Shampoo for Reviving Synthetic-Hair Wigs
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$7.00
If your synthetic wig is in need of a major refresh, look towards this super-effective cleanser from Revlon. As your wig soaks, the formula will help to remove any buildup, oils, or greasy films, while also making the hair a lot softer and more manageable.
Best Shine-Enhancing Shampoo for Synthetic Wigs
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$13.99
This shampoo = an actual godsend for adding back moisture and shine to your synthetic wigs. One thing to keep in mind: A little goes a long way with this one, so make sure you're starting with a teeny amount to avoid any sticky residues coming out during the drying process.
Best Scented Shampoo for Synthetic Wigs
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$9.75
Not only does this shampoo effectively clean synthetic fibers, but it also leaves your wig smelling real good (think: not overbearing or perfume-y, just nice and clean). P.S. The brand also makes an excellent conditioning spray to use on your wig post-cleansing and drying.
This story originally appeared on: Cosmopolitan - Author:Ruby Buddemeyer
