Alright, so you wanna know how those Black female wrestlers keep their wigs on during those crazy matches, huh? It’s a legit question! I’ve been experimenting with this for cosplay, and let me tell you, it’s a JOURNEY.
First off, forget regular wig glue. I started there, wasted like, three different kinds. They all failed the “jumping around and sweating” test miserably. My wig was sliding all over the place – not a good look.
Then, I did some digging online. Found a bunch of stuff about wig tape. Specifically, the super strong, double-sided kind. This was step one in the right direction. I cleaned my forehead really good with alcohol (to get rid of any oils), cut the tape into strips, and lined my hairline. Pressed the wig down HARD. Seemed promising.
But…nope. Still slippage. Better, but not wrestler-level secure. This is where things got interesting.
Someone in a forum mentioned wig caps – not just the regular kind, but the mesh dome caps. So, I grabbed a couple. The key is to braid your hair down as flat as possible (I’m talking cornrows if you can swing it). Then, put on the mesh dome cap. This creates a smoother surface for the tape to stick to, and helps distribute the pressure more evenly.
BIG difference!
Okay, so now we’ve got braids, a mesh dome cap, and wig tape. But we’re not done yet. Next, I used a strong-hold gel on my edges (the baby hairs around my forehead). I laid those babies DOWN. This creates a barrier between your skin and the wig, and helps prevent sweat from loosening the adhesive.
Then, I took a wide elastic band (like the kind you use for exercise) and wrapped it around my forehead, over the wig hairline. This is like a temporary clamp. I left it on for a good hour, letting the tape really bond with the cap.
Finally, hairspray. Lots of it. Specifically, a strong-hold aerosol hairspray. I sprayed it along the hairline, focusing on the areas where the wig meets my skin.
- Pro-tip: Test the hairspray on a small section of your wig first to make sure it doesn’t damage the fibers.
Now, for the real test: the headbanging test. I cranked up the music and went to town. Jumping, shaking my head, even tried some amateur wrestling moves on my couch (don’t judge me!).
It WORKED! The wig stayed put. Not a single budge. I even went for a light jog outside – still solid.
The Breakdown:
- Braids (as flat as possible)
- Mesh dome cap
- Clean forehead with alcohol
- Super strong wig tape
- Edge control gel
- Elastic band “clamp” (for an hour)
- Strong-hold hairspray
It’s a lot, I know. But trust me, if you wanna keep your wig secure through ANYTHING, this method is the closest I’ve come to wrestling-level security. Remember to be gentle when removing the wig to avoid damaging your hair and skin. And don’t forget to give your scalp a break between wears. Good luck!
