There seems to be no shortage of beautiful wigs available these days. With the rise of YouTube and Instagram, browsing wig styles has never been easier. However, with the increase in options also comes an increase in fakes. It can be easy to get dazzled by a stunning photo and glossy description, only to receive a wig that looks far from realistic. As wig-wearing becomes more mainstream, it’s important to know what distinguishes an authentic-looking piece from one that screams “fake!” Here are the key things to watch out for that could give a wig away.
Density and Thickness
One of the biggest factors that can make a wig appear phony is an unnatural density or thickness. Pay close attention to how fulsome the hair appears in photos before purchasing. A wise shopper considers their individual features and hair type when selecting density. Someone with a small face and petite build likely couldn’t pull off a 200+ density unit without it looking overly thick. Wigs intended to look natural should match a wearer’s expected hair volume. Style influencer Stephanie Hudson cautions that very full wigs, while fun occasionally, overwhelm her petite frame most of the time. She prefers 130-150 density units for a believable look. Larger or fuller-featured individuals have more leeway in this area. It’s important to realistically evaluate one’s own hair capacity and choose a density accordingly.
Another density-related flaw is poor grading. A wig’s hair thickness should gradually decrease from the crown to the nape with a smooth transition. If the roots are ultra thick but end feathers are spindly, it signals an unnatural grade. Good wigs have consistent densities all over for a cohesive hairline-to-endpoints appearance. Oversights like these disrupt trompe l’oeil. As with other hair extensions, natural density and grading are key for achieving a realistic hair illusion with wigs.
Fiber Type and Quality
The type and grade of fibers used also influence realism tremendously. Most discerning customers prefer virgin human hair wigs due to their versatility, maintenance ease and life-like attributes. High-quality virgin strands hold styles longer and last through multiple washes without tangling. However, lower-priced human hair blends can disappoint in both movement and wearability compared to their advertised allure. 100% Remy human hair wigs fare best, holding curls tightly and maintaining softness through countless washes.
Poorly processed human hair loses luster fast and mattes easily from minor friction. Inconsistent strand thickness within a wig reflects inferior processing too. Frequent brushing only worsens poor quality wigs by fraying cuticles further. Such signs indicate fibers that won’t age gracefully on one’s head. Synthetic wigs have more hit-or-miss potential due to the wide range of quality between polyester, monofilament tops and heat-friendly synthetics. Savvy shoppers inspect wefts, cuticles and vendor reviews before committing to any fiber type. Materials determine longevity, style retention and verisimilitude more than any other factor.
Cap Construction
The quality of a wig’s understructure hugely impacts its perceived authenticity as well. Lace front caps allow hairlines to seamlessly blend with a wearer’s natural hair or wig cap. They permit parting hair anywhere across the front hairline like real tresses. The most realistic lace fronts nearly disappear against skin, appearing as hair sprouting directly from the scalp. Tight, high-stretch lace also avoids flip-ups around edges to further the illusion. Hard-fronted caps hold hairlines in a stiff curve rather than growing hair angles, necessitating bangs or scarves to conceal this telltale seam. Monofilament tops take realism a step further by using sheer mesh to mimic translucent scalp visibility underneath parted areas. When combined with proper knot screening or hand-tying, they offer a highly authentic look. Poorer top caps with wide-set, sealed wefts at hairlines fall quite short on verisimilitude. Ventilated napes allow comfortable airflow too.
Another vital cap element is knotting or interweaving. Densely-packed knots visible through hair at the hairline give the game away fast, resembling oversized freckles on the “scalp.” Wigs with properly bleached or hand-tied knots pass for natural growth far better. Some vendors skip this step for cost savings unfortunately. Unless concealed expertly with foundation, conspicuous knots undermine realness drastically. Thinly knotted, tightly-woven caps hold hair securely while maintaining a transparent look too. Loose, visible knots or widely-spaced wefts quickly shatter any vestige of authenticity regardless of other specs.
Hairline Realism
Beyond caps, real human hairlines appear gradually rather than bluntly terminating. The hairline shape must form a soft, gentle curve or subtle widow’s peak, not end bluntly. A wig cut with a crisp edge across the front looks suspicious right away. Some customers handle this herself by having custom hairlines cut into lace fronts for ultimate precision. Sideswept bangs disguise any telltale clipping as well. Slight variations along the hairline with slightly thicker or finer areas resembling natural variations go a long way too. Hairlines with uniform density from root to tip miss those subtle imperfections we all possess. Part fluctuations over the hairline using baby hairs, clip-ins or toppers provide more dimension than rigidly-parted hair fronts too. Believable hairlines almost imperceptibly blend into surrounding hair rather than standing out.
Strand Texture, Luster & Color Variety
Hair color should never appear uniformly dyed from root to tip if realness matters most. Dimensional hues with subtle variances create more depth than solid-colored locks. Roots 1-2 shades darker than ends mimic how hair lightens with sun exposure. Wisps of copper, gold or ash disrupt uniform pigment too. Highlighted or balayage styles currently trend as sophisticated options. Wigs with a single, monotonous tone resemble well-coifed wigs more than all-natural manes.
Fiber texture plays into this as well. Most human hair varies slightly across strands from waves to straight sections. Uniformly curled or pin-straight wigs lack that nuanced dimension. Hybrid synthetics with both smooth and yaki textures copy diverse natural follicles better. Conditioned hair shows off natural shimmer, but dry wigs lack that glow. Attention tostrand variance and luster aids convincing deception. Detailed multidimensional styling throughout also mimics how hair naturally accumulates variations over time from individual care.
Construction Flaws Visible?
Perhaps most telling flaws include visible construction errors like uneven knots or cuticle directions. Monofilament partings must appear hairline-thin rather than thick and synthetic looking. Knot screening should fully conceal tied areas rather than allowany lacings or stitching to peek through. Lace fronts exhibiting stitching around perimeters give the game up too. Minor imperfections happen, but oversight of major construction mistakes jeopardizes realistic façades. Experienced vendors take pains to eliminate such exposing blunders through careful quality control routines before shipping wigs meant to mimic true tresses.
Movement & Wearability
Last but not least, a hairpiece needs to move, style and wear convincingly like natural growth for overall credibility. Lackluster caps stunt styling options unfortunately. Wigs capable of many looks ranging from updos to beach waves appear far more authentic than pieces prohibiting versatility. Fiber characteristics determine styling ease as well. Remy human hair styles beautifully while holding curls for days. Lower quality synthetics crimp and flatten quickly from humidity or friction. Frequent restyling exposes them as wigs. Denser, higher quality materials maintain styles effortlessly through weather and activities just as human hair would. Motion also contributes greatly to realism. Wigs swaying, flipping and blowing naturally in the breeze outperform stiff, wig-like coifs. Overall behavior impacts passing ability tremendously.
Care & Longevity
A bonus when making investment purchases, high-end wigs tend to age beautifully with care. Lower-cost pieces visibly lose condition faster. Regular professional cleaning restores natural luster and revive fibers. Higher grade materials last through many maintenance cycles before requiring repair or replacement. Storing wigs properly away from light, dust and pets extends lifespan too. Long-wearing, low-maintenance wigs prove their value over time versus rapidly deteriorating options. How cap construction and materials perform longevity-wise factors into whether a wig passes as real hair short-term or remains a plausible façade for months or years to come with stewardship.