Hairstylist Tokyo Stylez Breaks Down How to Style a Wig at a Music Festival

Welcome to Lace Frontier, a monthly column in which we dive into the dynamic, ever-changing world of wigs, its relevance in our culture, and, of course, tips on how to get all your pieces looking right. This time around, hairstylist Tokyo Stylez schools us on festival wig tips in time for Coachella, including how to wear them in the heat, what to pack in your fanny pack, and the hottest trends.

Even if you don't know Tokyo Stylez by name, you know his work. He's the reason celebrities, including Cardi B, Kylie Jenner, and Nicki Minaj always have such good wigs. Cardi's piecey pixie at the 2018 MTV Video Music Awards? That was Stylez. Kylie's red hair in her Valentine's Day collection campaign? Yep, all Stylez. And if you're one of his more than 1.1 million followers on Instagram, you know he's become a star in his own right. He even has his own line of trendy wigs and extensions for sale on his website.

Because Stylez is pretty much a wig expert, we had to ask him about the upcoming festival season, including dealing with the heat and even how to avoid, um, peeing on your hair in a tiny Coachella bathroom. It's amazing he even had time for us considering he has his own TV show in the works, another show with a yet-to-be-released celebrity, and an upcoming Touched by Tokyo wig boutique opening in Los Angeles. Before you book your ticket and head to the desert, read his top festival tips for wigs, below.

1. Choose a laid-back style

While there really aren't specific wigs that go out of style, Stylez says he's loving that folks are gravitating towards more natural looks this year. "I'm seeing more textured looks," he says. "I see a lot of girls just rocking either their naturally curly hair, or they get curly [or wavy] extensions. It's more just effortless, 'get-up-and-go'-type hair." He explains that it goes with the laid-back vibe of the summer when you really just want to get out and enjoy the sun — not be in your bathroom for hours getting ready. Stylez himself has been wearing wavy wigs a lot lately, too.

2. Fill your fanny pack with essentials

There's nothing worse than getting out into the desert, miles from your Airbnb, and dealing with a wig malfunction. Plan ahead of time and fill your fanny pack with a few key essentials. "If you're going to Coachella and you're wearing a wig, depending on if it's glued on or not, you might want to keep your glue in your fanny pack, 'cause it gets really hot at Coachella," explains Stylez of the 90-plus degree heat that can cause your glue to fail. "Then, you also might want to keep your brush or a comb because it's very dusty out there, so there's like a lot of dust and stuff that blows around."

He also loves a bandana moment to keep your hair secure and out of the desert elements. We've seen some cute, affordable options on Amazon, so you can stock up and throw one in your bag.

3. Keep a long wig out of your face

Stylez lives for a long wig, but he has one rule for wearing one: It has to stay out of his face and not be a distraction. "I always wear my hair pushed behind my shoulders, and that allows me to still have fun," he says. "And because the hair is so long, it's going to stay back there. Keeping it behind your shoulders alleviates a lot of hair getting in your face when you're trying to eat, have fun, and drink."

Of course, if there's a picture moment for Instagram, you can just throw your hair to the front to show it off.

4. But don't forget it's there

Stylez tells us a hilarious but scary, story of when his long hair got stuck in between sliding glass doors. "I walked through [the doors], and my hair was so long and it was blowing, and it got stuck and I got yanked in the door," he says. "So, always be aware. You just have to watch it."

Then there's the tricky moment you have to use the bathroom — especially in a festival Porta Potty — and you want to make sure that pricey wig is all secure and completely toilet water-free. "You have to move it all to the front, put it in your lap, and make sure it's not in the toilet or something," says Stylez. "Wrap it up around your arm if you have to, whatever you've gotta to do to make sure you're aware that it's not in the water." Didn't we tell you he was full of clutch tips?

5. Add extra security if you're dancing

When you want to really get down, whether that's literally performing on a stage or just with your friends in the crowd, there are things you can do to keep your wig secure. Stylez explains that sometimes he'll just sew the wig on, and other times he'll put an elastic band on it and glue the front and back on. Plus, he'll add hairpins throughout the wig, even in the middle, to make sure it's not moving. That's really the most important thing, he says. "If she's swinging, you know ain't nothing coming off."

More wig stories to check out:

• Tessa Thompson's Thor: Ragnarok Wig Came With a Jaw-Dropping Price Tag

• Lace Frontier: A Beginner's Guide to the World of Wigs

• This Guy's Flawless Lace-Front Wigs Are Going Viral

Now, watch Angela Bassett try nine things she's never done before:

Additional reporting by Jihan Forbes.