As the seasons change, it's time to consider protective styles that serve their purpose and can switch up your look. While some ladies opt for braids or twists, you can also choose a lace wig as a stylish alternative. Wigs are a great way to try different styles, colors, and lengths of hair temporarily.
What’s with All the Lace?
If you are like us, you have probably spent many hours in your local beauty supply shop or browsing online, trying to figure out what all the terms and styles mean and how to convey what you want to your stylist. Sometimes, it is difficult to find the answers to your simple questions about hair, let alone lace wigs.
So, what is a full lace wig or lace front wig, how does it work, and how do you choose the right look for you? The first thing to note is there are a few types of lace wigs. Lace wigs come in options like closure, lace front, and 360 or full lace wigs. With so many choices, how do you know what is best for you?
Let's start with a general break down. What is the difference between a full lace, lace front and 360 lace wig?
What is a Full Lace Wig?
So, what exactly is a full lace wig? A full lace wig’s base is made entirely of lace and has hair looped in individual pieces onto the lace material shaped to fit your head. The lace mimics the look of your scalp and can be adjusted in color to match your skin tone.
Because of this, full lace wigs provide the most versatile option of parting your hair anywhere you like and the ability to put your hair in a ponytail. Since the full lace wig is not made with tracks of hair, you can choose to wear half up/half down styles or scalp braids. And yes, you read that correctly, you can wear scalp braids or cornrows.
What is a Lace Front Wig?
Now that you know what a full lace wig is, we’ll dive a little deeper into other hair options. What is a lace front wig? The biggest difference between a full lace, or 360 lace wig, and a lace front wig is that the lace base material only appears in the front area of the wig, with the rest of the area made up of the wig cap. This lace front piece makes it possible for you to create a part where the lace has been attached to the wig cap.
Typically, in a lace front wig, parts can be created along the front of the wig or specifically in closure wigs, the middle of the wig, creating a middle part. Some lace front wigs come with adjustable straps or bands that allow you to adjust the wig to your head size, keeping the part you create where you want it. One of the biggest benefits of this style is that you can choose how to wear your lace front wig.
What is a 360 Lace Wig?
A 360 lace wig is similar to a lace front wig, although it has a perimeter of lace around the entire crown area of the wig and the cap only appearing in the middle section of the wig. 360 lace wigs are slightly more expensive and heavier than lace front wigs but can be styled into a braid or a high or low ponytail due to the “halo” of lace that will blend in to look like your scalp.
How to Choose the Right Lace Wig
Knowing the basics of wearing a wig is step one but choosing the wig that best fits your lifestyle is a whole other step. Things to consider when shopping for a lace front or full lace wig are hair density, lace color, length, virgin hair vs. dyed virgin hair, and investment.
Density
Density is more than likely what you think it is, but is typically defined as how thick or thin the hair on your wig will be. For lace wigs, knowing the density of the wig allows you to choose how full the wig will be. Density for lace front and full lace wigs is measured in increments.
The measures of density are as follows: 130, 150, 180, and 200%. The fullest you can get in a lace front or full lace wig is 200%. Keep in mind density isn't the end all be all, other factors should go into your decision. Before you select a density percentage, think about the way you plan to style your hair. Will a thinner or thicker density help you achieve your look?
Lace Color
The illusion of the lace can be lost if the wrong color of lace backing is selected. Lace typically comes in two options: translucent and brown.
If you have lighter skin, the translucent may be best as the color can be adjusted slightly with makeup or foundation. If your skin color is deeper, the brown option is best and will require less manipulation to match your scalp.
Like a Virgin?
The great thing about lace front or full lace wigs is that you can customize them to fit your style. One of the most popular customization is the wig color. Keep in mind that not all wigs can be dyed.
If you want to dye your wig, you should make sure you order a wig with virgin hair. Virgin hair has not been manipulated and can be dyed. If you want a lighter color, you should purchase a blonde or platinum wig and then have it dyed to the color of your choosing. If you want to keep it simple, you can purchase a pre-dyed wig.
Investment
When purchasing a lace front or full lace wig, consider it an investment. These wigs can be reused if properly cared for. All lace wigs that we offer at Mayvenn range in price from $135 - $290, depending on the length and style you choose. Synthetic lace wigs may have a lower price range, but you won’t get the same look, feel or lifespan that you get with virgin hair.
At Mayvenn, we’re here to help you from start to finish. We only use the highest quality hair and offer guidelines on how to properly care for your wig. We’ll even help you find the right stylist to install your lace wig. After all, proper care starts with a great application.
How to Put on a Lace Front Wig
As lace front wigs can sometimes be the trickiest to apply, we’ll mostly be touching upon installing a lace front wig, but lace front, full lace, and 360 lace wigs can be installed in two different ways. You can have the wig glued down, or you can have a stylist sew the wig into place. For some ladies, sewing the wig replaces the traditional weave sew-in. The lace is lightweight and breathable, which can be more comfortable for the wearer than the traditional sew-in weave.
Having a stylist put on your wig is a great way to ensure proper installation; however, you may choose to apply your wig at home. To help relieve some stress about wig installation, let's talk about the scary part of putting on a lace front wig.
How to Cut a Lace Front Wig
Lace front wigs are made to accommodate many shapes and sizes of heads, and let's face it, foreheads. What is a lace front wig if not versatile? Because of this, lace front wigs come with a large piece of lace that needs to be cut and shaped to fit your preferred hairline.
The old saying, 'Measure twice, cut once' certainly applies here. Ensuring a proper cut is difficult but is possible if you follow the correct steps:
1. Place your wig on your head, finding the center part, and outline your desired hairline with a lip pencil or eyeliner to mark the best position of the wig for your face. The line can be washed or wiped off after you cut the lace to frame your face perfectly.
2. Secure any excess hair back to prevent accidentally cutting any hairs from the lace wig.
3. Take a small pair of scissors, like sewing scissors, pull the wig taught across your head to ensure smooth edges, and cut small sections of the excess lace from the rest of the wig.
4. Keep in mind the amount of lace needed is determined by how you plan to apply the wig. We suggest keeping the lace 1 ½-2 inches from the wig’s hair line. Because cutting the lace of your wig can be the trickiest part, it is highly recommended to use a professional hairstylist.
5. Use the proper wig glue to apply the wig to the scalp and keep drying time in mind.
Caring for Your Wig
Aside from ensuring the wig is properly installed, here are some additional tips for keeping your wig looking beautiful no matter how often you wear it:
· Comb gently - Start from the ends of the hair and work your way to the top without getting too close to the base of the wig.
· Avoid extreme heat - Regular blow drying, styling tools, heat vents, and fire should be avoided to ensure the wig doesn't become damaged or dried out.
· Wash carefully - A mixture of a tablespoon of shampoo and lukewarm water in a spray bottle to gently apply to your wig will do the trick. Just rinse in cool water.
Feeling confident in your wig is the best and that starts with choosing a wig that fits your lifestyle. Whether you’re ready to take on the lace front and full lace wig world on your own or not, we’re here to help with any additional guidance you may need.
