Care that makes them last.

There are a few key items and products you will want to have on hand to keep your synthetic pieces looking great — it's as easy as gathering the basics before you ever need them.

A wig stand or canvas / styrofoam head form to hold and dry your piece; a Jon Renau Wide Tooth Comb (the only comb we use on HD synthetic fiber); and HD Smooth Detangling Spray for daily detangling.

For washing: Jon Renau Synthetic Shampoo and Conditioning Spray, plus a soft towel to gently pat — never rub. Add T-pins and small metal clips if you plan to heat-style, and Piece Out Contour Fiber Crème to add texture and definition.

Not sure what your specific piece needs? Ask Lisa at your pickup appointment and she'll set you up with exactly the right kit.

HD / Heat Defiant — also known as Heat Friendly — synthetic fibers actually NEED heat to maintain their longevity. HD wigs and toppers are made from synthetic fibers specially developed to resist damage from excessive heat.

You may notice your HD pieces starting to feel a bit dry or frizzy, especially longer pieces that constantly rub against your clothing. The moment you start to see that frizz, it's time to smooth it out with heat.

Correcting frizz early with a flat iron — before washing — keeps the fiber from tangling permanently. Using HD Smooth Detangling Spray with a wide tooth comb daily also goes a long way, particularly with mid-length to long styles.

Prepare your wig or topper first: always style it on a canvas or styrofoam head form, never while you're wearing it — the fibers get very hot. T-pins hold the piece securely, and a head form is also perfect for keeping the style overnight. Be sure your piece is clean and dry, with no synthetic styling products in it, before you heat-style.

Heat-friendly synthetic fiber can be curled, waved, or flat-ironed. Once styled with heat, the piece will keep the new style through washings.

Curling: heat the iron to a low-medium setting, up to 350°F / 180°C — the fiber will be damaged if the setting is too high. (A tool with a built-in cooling fan lets you skip holding the curl; keep those at 320° or below.) Start at the nape in ½" to 1½" sections — smaller for tighter curls, larger for looser. Spray a leave-in conditioner / heat protector on each section, wrap the hair around the iron, then let the curl slide off into your palm and secure it with a clip until it cools and sets (about five minutes).

Flat-ironing: keep the flat iron at a low-medium setting, not to exceed 350°F / 180°C, and move slowly and smoothly through to the ends.

If you feel you need a little extra security on your lace front wig or topper, an adhesive helps. There are water-soluble options ("IT STAYS" Body Adhesive) and water-resistant options (Ghost Bond Classic). Water-soluble is best when you know you won't be sweating; Ghost Bond Classic withstands higher temperatures and water, for a long, strong hold even at the gym.

IT STAYS Body Adhesive: (1) Make sure your forehead and anywhere the adhesive touches is clean and dry — no moisturizer. (2) Roll IT STAYS along your forehead where the lace will lie (you can roll into your hair too, it won't damage it) and let it get tacky for 10–20 seconds, or use a cool shot from your dryer. (3) Put your piece on and adjust the lace front. (4) Press the lace onto the adhesive and let it dry — use a bobby pin instead of your finger. (5) To remove, wet a Q-tip and roll it between your skin and the lace; it releases with just water.

Ghost Bond Classic (water-resistant): (1) Forehead clean and dry, no moisturizer. (2) Apply 4 thin coats to the scalp only — DO NOT apply to the lace base or into your hairline — adding each coat as the previous one turns clear (about 20 seconds). (3) After the 4th coat, wait 7 minutes, then press the piece into place; use a bobby pin rather than your fingers. (4) To remove, roll a Q-tip dipped in alcohol between your scalp and the lace, then clean any residue off the lace with a fresh alcohol Q-tip.

We recommend washing your alternative hair every 6–8 wears.

Before washing, gently remove any tangles with your Paddle Brush. Wet the hair completely under cool running water and comb through with your fingers a few times. (Tangling or matting after months of wear is a sign of improper care; sudden excessive matting can signal inversion — contact your retailer right away.)

Gently lather with a small amount of Argan Smooth Luxury Shampoo, keeping the hair traveling in the same direction — do NOT rub, as that causes tangling. Rinse thoroughly under cool running water until it runs clear.

Apply Argan Smooth Luxury Conditioner to the mid-lengths and ends, avoiding the base/cap (conditioner on the cap can weaken the knots). Work it through with your fingers for 3–5 minutes, then rinse under cool water until clear.

Wrap in a towel and gently pat out excess water, then detangle again with the Paddle Brush. Dampen, apply a small amount of Blown Away Blow Dry Balm evenly (away from the base), and blow-dry in 2" sections starting at the nape using a round boar-bristle brush on medium-high heat; finish with the cool-shot button to lock in the style.

Human hair must be dried and styled after washing — air-drying leaves it un-polished and can trap water, causing frizz.

We recommend washing your alternative hair every 6–8 wears.

Before washing, gently remove tangles using your Jon Renau Wide Tooth Comb ONLY. Wet completely under cool running water, then lather with a small amount of Jon Renau Synthetic Shampoo, keeping the hair moving in one direction — do NOT rub. Rinse under cool water until it runs clear.

Wrap in a towel and gently pat dry, detangle with the Wide Tooth Comb, and spray 3–5 pumps of Leave-In Conditioning Spray, keeping away from the base. Air dry naturally on a plastic or wire wig stand — do NOT blow dry — and be sure the cap is completely dry before wearing or storing.

Only the Jon Renau Wide Tooth Comb should touch HD fiber; other tools cause frizzing and tangling. Apply HD Smooth Detangling Spray (3–5 pumps) to the bottom half and comb through.

HD fiber can withstand heat up to 350°F, but Jon Renau recommends working at 270°–280°F with a digital-temperature tool. Comb free of tangles, then work in ½"–1.5" sections from the nape (smaller = tighter curls). Spray Heat Treat Thermal Spray (1–2 pumps per section), roll the iron up toward the base staying 1–2" away, hold 10–15 seconds, release the curl into your palm, and secure with a small metal clip. Let each curl cool completely (about 5 minutes) before releasing.

All synthetic fibers can frizz with wear — correct it early with your flat iron before washing to avoid permanent damage, and detangle daily with HD Smooth Detangling Spray, especially on longer pieces. A little Piece Out Contour Fiber Crème on the fingertips adds texture and definition.