Synthetic or Real: The Ultimate Guide for the Perfect Crossdresser Wig

Wigs are the first thing people see when they glance at our crossdressing looks.

 

As crossdressers, we know how having the perfect hairstyle can complement our look, making us feel more confident and beautiful!

 

 

There is a wide selection of wigs to choose from, and determining which is right for us can be overwhelming.

 

Let me share the best materials to make several wigs and compare them according to their cost, performance, and more!

 

 

 

Discover the ideal wig material to match your crossdressing outfit by continuing to read this blog!

 

 

 

1. How Do Our Hair and Hair Care Differ from Women’s?

 

Before understanding wigs, we first need to understand the differences between male and female hair quality and why we crossdressers need wigs.

 

○ Hair Differences

 

 

Generally, our hair is shorter than women’s.

 

Growing them as long as we desire them can be challenging for us crossdressers, especially those who are still not comfortable letting the world know how they’re fond of dressing as women.

 

○ Hair Care Differences

 

While all hair care products contain the same ingredients for men and women, the difference in hair care lies in how many more products women use to maintain their hair.

 

We are content with using shampoo and a conditioner, and we like it straightforwardly.

 

 

On the other hand, you would often see your girlfriends talking about several products to keep their hair shiny and smooth.

 

Women definitely love using anything that will keep the bounciness of their hair!

 

It’s certainly fascinating to hear our female friends sharing their hair care routines.

 

2. Using Wig Caps

 

To imitate the women’s hairstyles, it’s important to use wig caps that serve as a great foundation for our wigs!

 

Generally, you can choose from a wide selection of wig cap styles – from lace front, capless, monofilament, and hand-tied.

 

 

I would definitely recommend the lace front and monofilament caps!

 

They look very natural and allow different kinds of styling.

 

Plus, they can also allow natural movement and partition of your wigs!

 

 

 

When I first started crossdressing, I was confused about choosing the best material for wigs.

 

Generally, they are made from a wide selection of materials.

 

I have also tried the three most common materials: traditional synthetic, heat-friendly synthetic, and real human hair.

 

Let me share each of their characteristics, pros, and cons.

 

3. Traditional Synthetic Hair

 

With the continuous innovation of technology, manufacturers have created synthetic wigs from man-made fibers.

 

I swear, when I touched synthetic wigs, they felt like real hair, and you could not tell the difference simply by looking!

 

○ Gauging Its Performance

 

One of the best qualities synthetic wigs have, and probably my favorite is how it’s so easy to style them.

 

Sometimes, I don’t spend time styling them anymore because of their volume and bounciness.

 

The man-made fibers in synthetic hairs have a memory for curls, waves, and volume, which give the hair minimal effort to bounce back into its original place.

 

 

 

If you fear that your wig might get damaged when drenched in heavy rains, then you’re completely wrong.

 

This synthetic product can remain beautiful and in place even in bad weather without frizzing or drooping!

 

 

 

Synthetic wigs have several benefits that can help convince you why this material might be the one you need for your crossdressing wigs.

 

 

The Pros

 

◆ Easy Care and Style Memory

 

As I mentioned earlier, synthetic wigs don’t need professional styling.

 

Because of their style retention, it will be easy for you to wash, dry, and shake the wig out.

 

Shaking it out helps it return to its previous style.

 

This benefit is especially ideal for busy crossdressers who don’t have the luxury of time to restyle their hair after each crossdressing session.

 

◆ Versatile

 

Synthetic wigs come in different colors and styles, and you won’t need an expert hairstylist with this material.

 

They can also match most crossdressing outfits. You would often see wigs in out-of-the-world colors, as well as in natural colors.

 

◆ Low Cost and Low Maintenance

 

With synthetic wigs, expect you won’t ever go over your budget.

 

They are relatively inexpensive and require even little maintenance.

 

Synthetic hairs are also ideal if you have several health issues that may prohibit you from using materials with special technology.

 

◆ Natural Looking

 

I know I have mentioned this before. Another favorite benefit of mine is how natural synthetic wigs look!

 

Almost no one would be able to differentiate your wig from real human hair!

 

The Con

 

The pros come with a disadvantage, too. Look out for this when looking for a good-quality synthetic wig.

 

◆ Short Longevity

 

One minor problem I encountered with synthetic hairs is their short longevity.

 

Generally, they can only last around four to six months when you wear them every day.

 

However, this isn’t really a problem when you’re like me, who loves switching wigs to match my crossdressing outfits.

 

○ Proper Care and Maintenance

 

To guide you on washing synthetic wigs properly without damaging them, follow the simple step-by-step guide below:

 

 

• Always practice gentle handling of your wig.

 

• Before washing, remember to brush the wig using the right one, removing any tangles or spray build-up.

 

• To prolong the longevity and durability of your wig, regularly wash it about every four to six weeks. There are also wig shampoos and conditioners which can improve and maintain its smoothness.

 

• After washing, air-dry the wig and let it hang loosely on your wig stand. Ensure that it’s completely dry before placing it on a styrofoam head to avoid ruining the wig cap. Never attempt to use heat tools like the hairdryer to dry the wig because these traditional ones cannot be heated.

 

4. Heat-Friendly Synthetic Wigs

 

 

The more advanced types of synthetic wigs are heat-friendly ones, and the difference this material has over traditional man-made hair fibers is its capability to withstand heat-styling tools.

 

Roanyer offers high-quality, heat-friendly synthetic wigs that you can style using your favorite curling iron!

 

 

 

Let’s check out what heat-friendly synthetic wigs are most known for and why they are preferred over traditional synthetic hairs.

 

 

The Pros

 

◆ Cost-efficient

 

These heat-friendly wigs stand on the middle ground between real human hair and traditional synthetic ones.

 

They are more expensive than the normal synthetic wigs but are cheaper than wigs made of real human hair.

 

 

 

I have purchased good quality heat-friendly synthetic wigs, which were pretty affordable and worth your money!

 

The ones I have bought and used were certainly durable and felt like real human hair. If you love lace front wigs like me, check out the wide range of selections you would find in Roanyer.

 

◆ Style Retention

 

These wigs can retain the previous styles you did! Even when you wash them, they can bounce back to the most recent look you just did to match your outfit.

 

◆ Weather Resistant

 

Similar to synthetic wigs, these heat-friendly hairs can withstand extreme weather conditions.

 

They can bounce back to their original styles even if they get wet due to heavy rains or blown by strong winds.

 

The Con

 

One small problem you will probably experience with heat-friendly synthetic wigs is their longevity.

 

This wears out the fastest among the three, which can only last you around one to two months if you wear it daily.

 

 

 

However, it’s actually not that big of a deal, especially when you have a collection of wigs to choose from when you dress up.

 

5. Real Human Hair

 

The other famous material used in creating wigs is human hair.

 

There are at least four types of human hair used: Indonesian, Chinese, Indian, and European or Caucasian.

 

Most of my real human wigs are made from Asian hair.

 

 

One of those that can affect human hair’s finish and texture is the chemicals infused in the processing technique.

 

These chemicals can affect the wig’s original color, patterns, and overall integrity.

 

○ Knowing How It Costs

 

Because human hair wigs are from real people’s hair, they are relatively expensive.

 

I have purchased human wigs ranging from $700 to $3500, but I did not regret buying them.

 

The hair fibers are so durable that I am guaranteed these wigs will last long!

 

○ Gauging Its Performance

 

You certainly get what you paid for with human hair wigs.

 

You will love how natural they will feel when you wear them.

 

Real hair wigs are very versatile, allowing you to style them according to your preference.

 

My hairstylist is responsible for ensuring that my wigs are styled appropriately and complement my entire look.

 

The Pros

 

From all the benefits of human hair wigs, I certainly love styling them easily and naturally. These pros include the following:

 

◆ Styling Versatility

 

I have probably mentioned this repeatedly before, but real human hair wigs are definitely the easiest to style!

 

You can even dye it with a different color if you want.

 

 

 

However, remember that it’s always better to consult your hairstylist first to change your wig color and style to maintain its performance and longevity.

 

◆ Texture and Natural Look

 

If you want a wig that will definitely feel natural and real, you have to get this.

 

Its texture will never let anyone know that you are wearing a wig!

 

Apart from that, these wigs come in different textures, so it’s easy for you to choose the one you like.

 

◆ Longevity

 

I can guarantee that real human hair wigs can last you a year with care and proper maintenance!

 

If you worry that longevity is affected when you wear them daily, you’re wrong.

 

They can still last long, even when you need to wear one every single day.

 

The Con

 

Let’s also look at the minor issues you may encounter with real human hair wigs.

 

◆ Expensive

 

Yes, human hair wigs can be expensive, especially when compared to synthetic hairs.

 

However, as I said, you get what you pay for.

 

Even when they’re priced higher, the quality and the longevity are definitely superb, so you’re not wasting any money!

 

○ Proper Care and Maintenance

 

 

I have also listed a simple step-by-step guide to properly washing and maintaining human hair wigs;

 

• Before washing, remove all tangles using a wide-tooth comb or your fingers. Gently do this, starting from the ends toward the hair roots. Avoid brushing.

 

• Start rinsing by holding the wig under cool running water. The water should run from the roots down to the hair tips.

 

• If your wig is color-treated, rinse it with a pea-sized amount of shampoo. Stroke the hair downwards, starting from the roots to the tips.

 

• Rinse the wig until all shampoo is washed away. Gently squeeze to remove excess water, and avoid twisting or wringing the hair.

 

• If you wish to use a conditioner, apply and massage it on the wig and wait for about one to two minutes, depending on the manufacturer’s instructions.

 

• Rinse the conditioner and let the wig completely dry on the wig stand.

 

6. Factors to Consider in Choosing the Best Wig

 

In my opinion, the best wig has something to do with the relationship of several factors.

 

I would always look at the budget, frequency, and purpose of wearing the wig and preferred styling before I pick one.

 

○ Your Budget

 

 

Believe it or not, your budget plays a major role in considering which wig to purchase.

 

You must choose the product that fits your budget so that you still have some left to buy any accessories or outfits you might need in crossdressing.

 

○ Frequency of Wearing Your Wig

 

 

How often you wear your wig can also help you decide which type of material to look for in wigs.

 

If you desire to wear your wig every single day, ensure that what you buy can last long, even with daily use.

 

However, you can also buy cheaper alternatives when collecting several wigs for your multiple looks.

 

○ Your Preferred Styling

 

 

Personally, I love to use heat styling tools on my wigs, so I would usually buy human hair wigs or heat-friendly synthetic ones.

 

This may not be true for you. If you want simple looks with minimal styling, the traditional synthetic wigs will definitely work for you.

 

Let Your Look Shine with The Best Wig

 

I love real human hair wigs because they look really natural and smooth.

 

However, since there are no significant differences between real human hair and synthetic wigs, I recommend buying synthetic ones!

 

They’re cheaper and are within your budget, so you don’t have to worry about overspending.

 

They have excellent quality at appearing natural, too!

 

 

 

What are your thoughts on these materials? Are you team synthetic or team real human hair? Let me know in the comments below!

 

 

 

Learn More：

 

Pros & Cons of Synthetic Wigs for Crossdressers