How To Make Your Cheap Wig Look Amazing

In New York City, Aura Friedman is known as something of a hair-color whisperer. She's helped dye the strands of celebrities like Lady Gaga, Sky Ferreira, and Anna Paquin. Her chair at Sally Hershberger Downtown is a constant rotation of editors, rising stars, and everyone in-between. Aura has an eye for the strange, and she somehow ends up making it look beautiful. That's why she was the perfect person to consult just ahead of Halloween — if anyone could make a costume look chic, it's her.

You've undoubtedly worn a wig or two in Halloweens past — and if you haven't, then we suggest you try it out. (They totally transform you!) Well, Aura's been in the business of painting old wigs all sorts of ridiculous things instead of tossing them, and then loaning them to stylist and model friends for photo shoots — and priceless Instagram opportunities.

In the video above, you'll see her take a typical platinum-blond hairpiece — this one's from Wigs and Plus in Union Square — into My Little Pony territory. And, just to show you that it doesn't take a pro to pull this off, I assisted her. If you don't have a mannequin head at home for this DIY, you can lay yours down on top of newspaper while you paint, Aura suggests. Just make sure to mix the Manic Panic with conditioner for the pastel effect, and to choose a wig that's a blend of human and artificial hair.

The best part of the fancy, new wig is that it glows in the dark. So, if you find yourself at a random warehouse party in Brooklyn (no shame in your game), you'll be the coolest girl there. And, hopefully you'll love your 'do so much that you'll want to break it out well after All Hallows' Eve. (Perhaps, for a bachelorette party, or even a birthday?) Wigs help take the edge off and give you license to do whatever you please. Because, hair — like life — is a whole lot more fun when we're not too busy taking it seriously.

Manic Panic "Classic" High Voltage Cream Formula Hair Color, $13.99, available at Manic Panic.