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How to Curl a Human Hair Wig?

A simple, under-10-minute routine to add curls that hold all week.

Curling a human hair wig is easy and can be done in less than 10 minutes. Here's a full step-by-step guide.

What You'll Need

  1. Petite rubber mannequin head — aka "home base." Petite enough that it won't stretch out your wig, with a rubber base for securing it with pins and a hairline outline to help you set the wig's natural dome shape.
  2. Curling iron
  • Beachy waves (loose & bouncy): 1.5"–2" barrel
  • Glamorous curls (wavy & curly): 1"–1.25" barrel
  • Tight curls: 3/8"–3/4" barrel
  1. Stable heavy tripod
  2. Wig pins — unlike T-pins, these won't pull the hair when you brush your wig.
  3. Argan oil — moisturizes and softens the hair without weighing it down.
  4. Blow dry heat protecting spray — repels water, protects against heat, and speeds up drying to help prevent breakage.
  5. Wig brush — flexible design for gentle detangling without pulling on hair or knots.
  6. Wig setting/teasing brush — for redirecting knots during styling.

Step-by-Step Guide

Be gentle — treat your wig like you're washing a baby. Excessive pulling can loosen knots and cause shedding.

Step 1 — Place the wig on the mannequin
Secure the wig to the mannequin head using sewing pins or T-pins, placed just above the stays in the ear tab section.

Step 2 — Brush your wig
Using your wig brush, brush the wig out starting at the bottom and working your way up.

Step 3 — Set your temperature
Set your curling iron or flat iron to 280–300°F.

Step 4 — Work from bottom to top
Starting at the bottom, grab a 1" section of hair and clip the rest out of the way.

Step 5 — Apply heat protector, then work in 1/2" sections
Spray the section with heat protector or blow dry spray to prevent drying out. Brush to distribute the product evenly, then take a 1/2" section and clip away the remainder.

Step 6 — Start curling
Beginning in the middle of the section, wrap the hair around the barrel, letting it just lightly touch the ends. The ends are delicate, so keep heat exposure to just a few seconds. Alternate curling left and right for a more natural look.

  • Beachy waves (loose & bouncy): 1.5"–2" barrel
  • Glamorous curls (wavy & curly): 1"–1.25" barrel
  • Tight curls: 3/8"–3/4" barrel

Step 7 — Evening routine
When you're not wearing your wig, place it back on the mannequin and cover the hair with a hairnet — this helps your curls last all week.