Gibson breaks down the five main features you want to check out when shopping for a natural-looking wig on Amazon:
1. Hairline density
For Gibson, density across the hairline is one of the most important aspects, especially for synthetic wigs that have very big and noticeable knots. While the density in the back is more about preference, Gibson recommends 115 to 120 percent density in the front (some sellers even have density charts that you can request) so that you don’t have to do as much to make it look natural. You can also customize the wig yourself with a pair of tweezers and pluck the wig in the front to make the hairline look less bulky.
2. Lace type
Gibson says there are three types of lace to look for and choose from based on your preference: HD, Swiss, and French. HD is the thinnest and most natural lace. Swiss lace is a little thicker than HD, but also more durable. And French lace is the thickest, the most noticeable, and the least realistic—but it also lasts a long time.
3. Hair type
Then, Gibson says you want to decide on human hair, synthetic hair, or blended (which means it has both). Human hair offers the most versatility (for instance, if you want to dye your wig), but it’s also your more expensive option. Synthetic hair is usually the cheapest, but because it’s plastic-based, it tangles easily and has styling limitations (heat + plastic = nope). And because blended hair contains synthetic hair, it limits the longevity of the wig. However, for those who don’t know how to style a wig, Gibson says synthetic wigs are a great option because they hold their original style quite well.
4. Sizing
If you want your wig to look natural, the most important step is measuring the circumference of your head before buying. “A lot of people purchase wigs without looking at the size, and they’ll go on to glue them and say their wig is sliding,” Gibson explains. “Then, I’ll investigate and find out the wig is just too small.” Make sure to take note of the size, because just like anything else you wear, no matter how good the product is, you won’t be happy if it doesn’t fit.
5. Reviews
And when all else fails, Gibson says to check the reviews. For every highly recommended wig on Amazon, there’s a not-so-great one right next to it, so don’t only rely on the beautiful photos, and be sure to check the ratings and read the comments. To make things easier for you, we’ve gathered the 21 highest-rated, best wigs on Amazon, according to happy shoppers. Keep the above advice in mind and get to shopping.