Lace Front Wig

What Are Lace Front Wigs?

A lace front wig is a wig where the hair is attached to a cap that is made of a sheer material known as "lace" and then adhered to the scalp with glue or tape, according to Wealthy Hair. Lace frontals can be bonded or sewn. Some women have even opted for the new "glueless" method. The wig can also be placed behind or in front of the hairline.

In recent years, lace front wigs have taken the forefront over sew-ins and closure wigs for their natural appearance. Some stylists have mastered the skill of lace fronts and can make them appear to be growing from your scalp. They are a great style for creating fun looks that look like your real hair but without damage.

With lace front wigs, the days of using leave out to make your weave look real are in the past. This hairstyle has become much more than just a hairstyle; it has become a very lucrative, booming business for many stylists.

How to apply lace wig for beginners!

How to Achieve Lace Front Wigs?

Lace front wigs have become such a go-to hairstyle for many women, but achieving the scalp-like look isn't easy. It takes a lot of practice and patience to achieve realistic lace front wig installs.

1. Prep the wig

Before thinking about applying the wig, there are some steps you'll have to take to make sure the wig is looking as natural as possible. To prep your wig, you will want to bleach the knots of the lace front.

Take a bleach mixture and carefully apply it to the lace of the wig only. Leave it on until you see the knots beginning to lighten in color, and then rinse. This will make the lace appear less like lace and more like a natural scalp. Next, if your wig's hairline is too dense, consider plucking the hairline so that it is thinned out.

You can look at pictures of hairlines for inspiration or use your hairline as a guide. You'll need a sturdy pair of tweezers and a lot of patience for this step. Some wigs, however, will come pre-plucked and pre-bleached so, you may be able to skip these steps.

Lastly, to make the wig blend in with your skin, you can tint the lace with a lace tint close to your skin tone, or you can use a foundation in your skin tone and apply it to your lace. This will make the wig look very scalp-like.

2. Wash, condition, and moisturize your hair

To achieve a natural look, properly prepping your natural hair underneath the wig must be done correctly. This means you'll want to wash, condition, and moisturize your hair as you would with any other protective style. However, the key to a successful prep is the braid-down pattern.

To make your hair as flat as possible underneath your wigs, you'll want to achieve a very flat braid down. You can use any pattern, but the braids must be flat and not bulky. The flatter your braids are, the flatter your wig will appear. This adds to your wig looking natural. For shorter and finer hair, you may be able to get away with slicking your hair back with some gel.

3. Make the wig cap

After your real hair is prepped is when the wig application begins. Different stylists will apply wigs differently; however, for this process, we will go over the glue method for applying your lace front. For optimal protection, choosing to use a wig cap with this method can help save your edges from getting any of the glue on them. It is in this step that you can decide to use the bald cap method or simply just apply the wig cap.

The bald cap method has become a very common technique. The idea behind this is to make the wig cap look so seamlessly blended with your skin that it appears you have a bald cap on. Place the cap on your head but make sure it is stretched past your hairline and over your ears. Take either a strong holding hair spray or a strong holding glue and place it around the perimeter of where you'd like the bald cap to stop.

Cut small slits around your ears so that your ears are now protruding out of the cap, and generously apply product around the area. You can allow it to air dry or blow dry it for a faster application. When the product on the cap is dry, gently take a pair of scissors or a razor and cut the access cap off where the gel or spray ends.

Now, if the cap doesn't match your skin tone, take a lace tint or your liquid/powder foundation shade and cover the front of the cap. If done correctly, the cap should now look as if it is perfectly blended into your skin.

4. Apply the glue

Now, take your wig glue of choice and apply a thin layer around the perimeter of your hairline or your wig cap. Allow it to dry until clear and tacky, and then continue to apply as many layers as you'd like.

The more layers, the stronger the hold will be, and the longer the wig will stay put. You shouldn't need to exceed four layers. Allow your last layer to dry until clear and tacky, and now you can apply your wig. The Ghostbond lace glue is a great choice at an affordable price.

5. Place the lace front

Place the lace front of your wig over the glue very carefully and press down firmly until it is stuck. You'll want to cut your lace with either a razor or scissors and make sure you make jagged motions. Avoid cutting in a straight line as it can make the wig look unnatural. Now, your wig is applied. You can choose to add baby hairs if you'd like and style the wig as normal.

The glue method can be very scary for many as it can rip your edges out if applied directly on them, and the wig is removed improperly. Many women have chosen other "glueless" methods that can be natural but will not allow the wig to stay on as long. For this, you can use wig tape, wig grips, elastic bands, or a strong holding gel or hairspray. The glue application can take up to 2 hours to install, and the "glueless" may take less than that.

Lace front wigs come in many hair types, from curly to straight, ranging from synthetic to human hair. Lace front wig human hair is a more high-quality choice and will last you for a very long time as opposed to synthetic ones.

Human hair lace front wigs can range from $100 to $1,000, whereas synthetic ones can range from $20 to $60.

Lay your lace without any glue or gel & take it off easy

Are Lace Front Wigs Versatile?

Lace front wigs are extremely versatile. With the natural appearance this type of wig gives you, you can achieve many parts and hairstyles.

How Long Do Lace Front Wigs Last?

Using the glue method, your wig can stay on for up to 3 weeks before needing to apply again. With the glueless method, you may find yourself needing to reapply your wig daily. With proper care, your human hair lace front wigs can last anywhere from a year to 2 years before needing to replace them. Synthetic wigs may only last you a month or 2.

Who Are Lace Front Wigs Suitable For?

Lace front wigs are good for anyone. Many women will wear lace front wigs to switch up their hairstyles consistently without damaging their hair. However, even better use of lace front wigs is for women with hair diseases or hair loss. Lace front wigs can make any woman struggling with their hair feel beautiful.

When to Wear Lace Front Wigs?

Lace front wigs can and are worn year-round.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Lace front wigs give you a natural appearance. The best thing about lace fronts is how natural they look. If applied correctly, lace front wigs can give the appearance of growing directly from your scalp.
• Lace front wigs help disguise hair and scalp conditions. Many women struggle with hair loss and breakage due to many reasons. Lace front wigs can help boost your confidence and hide your hair troubles.
• Lace front wigs are a great way to protective style. Lace front wigs allow you as much time as you'd like away from manipulating your natural hair. Many women constantly apply their lace front wigs for several months and can achieve optimal growth.

Cons

• Lace front wigs can be expensive. Synthetic lace front wigs can be a cheaper approach to achieving the style, but you will compromise the quality of the hair. For the best quality and longevity in your wigs, going for a human hair lace front wig is best. Although, these wigs can range from $100 to $1,000. The more expensive the wig is, the better quality it is.
• Lace front wigs can cause damage to your real hair if installed improperly. If you are using the glue method, this can cause damage to your hairline if you neglect to protect it. Placing a wig cap or scalp protectant underneath the glue will help the harsh glue from penetrating your real hair. Also, being extremely careful and using a glue remover is imperative in properly removing the glued-on wig. If you are using glue, consider having your stylist apply and remove your wig to combat any breakage.