Buying a Wig Online? 12 Things to Check Before You Order

Before buying a wig online, always check three things: your correct size, the company's reputation and real client photos, and whether the brand's styling matches the way you want to look. Then go through the nine technical checks below, from construction to customer support.

At a glance

• Size first. Everything else depends on it.
• Look for real client photos, not only studio shots.
• A technically good wig is still the wrong wig if the styling is not you.
• Read the return policy before you pay, especially the part about cutting the lace.
• Make sure you can talk to a real person before and after you buy.

The three checks that matter most

Our Stylist Says: "Before buying a wig online, check three things: your correct size, the company's social proof and reputation, and whether the brand's styling actually matches what you like. A technically good wig is still not the right wig if the styling does not reflect the way you want to look."

The 12-point checklist

1. Your correct size

Measure your head before you shop: circumference, ear to ear and front to back. Then compare with the brand's own size chart, because caps vary from one company to another. Our wig size guide shows you how.

2. Reviews you can trust

Look for reviews with names, dates and details, ideally with photos. A wall of five-star reviews that all sound the same is a red flag. Read the three-star reviews too: they tell you what to expect.

3. Real client photos and videos

Studio photos show the wig at its best. Client photos and install videos show it on real heads, in real light. Check the brand's Instagram and TikTok, not just the website.

4. The brand's styling aesthetic

Every brand has a look. Scroll through its feed and ask yourself: would I wear these styles? If the answer is no, even great hair will not feel like you.

5. Construction: is it truly glueless?

If you want glueless, look for an adjustable band, an internal adjustment system and a choice of sizes. Watch an install video: if glue or spray appears, it is not truly glueless. Read What Is a Glueless Wig? to know what to look for.

6. Lace type and lace tint

Check which lace is used (HD, transparent, closure or frontal) and whether the brand helps you match the lace to your skin. Our guide to choosing your lace explains the options.

7. Density

Percentages mean different things from one brand to another. Look at photos of the exact unit and read how the density is described. Too much hair is one of the most common reasons a wig looks like a wig.

8. True length

Ask how length is measured. Some brands measure the hair stretched straight, so a curly or wavy unit can look shorter on your head. Look for a photo of the unit worn, not just laid flat.

9. Hair type and processing

Human hair, virgin, raw: these words are used loosely. A good brand explains what each one means and helps you choose based on how often you will wear the wig, not just on price.

10. The return and exchange policy

Read it before you pay. Look for what can be returned, in what condition, and whether you get a refund or store credit. Pay special attention to the lace: once a lace is cut, most brands, including us, consider the sale final.

11. Aftercare and maintenance

Ask what happens after the sale. Can the brand wash and restyle your wig? Replace the lace? Help you if the fit is not right? A wig is an investment, and good aftercare protects it.

12. Customer support: can you talk to a person?

Before you buy, send a question and see how fast, and how well, you get an answer. A brand that helps you before the sale is more likely to help you after.

Red flags when shopping online

• Only stock photos, or the same photo used for many different units.
• No size chart, or one cap size for everyone.
• "Glueless" in the title, but glue or spray in the install video.
• No clear return policy, or no way to reach a person.
• Prices that seem too good for the hair described.

How OPHAIR answers each point

What to check	At OPHAIR
Size	S, M and L ready to wear, XS and XL through Create your look, plus a three-step size guide
Photos	Never retouched or reused: what you see is what you get
Styling	Every unit is freshly styled before it ships, exactly as pictured
Construction	Glueless, with an adjustable band, ready to wear
Lace	Transparent HD lace, in closure and frontal
Help choosing	A video consultation, or a Fitting at our Montréal Showroom
Aftercare	Spa Day in studio or by mail: we wash, restyle and send your wig back
Support	A real team at hello@ophair.net

Every order arrives in the OPHAIR box with minis chosen by our team. Read our refund and exchange policy and our client reviews before you buy: that is exactly what we would tell you to do with any brand.

Frequently asked questions

Is it safe to buy a human hair wig online?

Yes, when you check the brand's size chart, reviews, real client photos and return policy first. The checklist above covers everything.

How do I know if wig reviews are real?

Look for detail, dates and client photos, and compare with what clients post on social media. Real reviews are rarely all identical.

What does "true length" mean?

It is the length of the hair as it actually falls when worn. Curly and wavy hair looks shorter than its stretched length.

What should a good wig return policy include?

What can be returned, in what condition, by when, and whether you get a refund or store credit. It should also say clearly what happens once the lace is cut.

Can I get help choosing a wig without visiting a store?

Yes. Book a video consultation and one of our stylists will help you choose your unit, your size and your lace from wherever you are.

Shop with confidence

Ready to choose? Start with Saraï, our First Wig Favorite, browse ready-to-wear units, or create your look. Not sure yet? Talk to a stylist by video.

Keep reading: Your First Wig and The Ultimate Guide to Glueless Wigs.