Putting on a lace frontal wig may not be something you are familiar with, but no worries, we have plenty of information about it in this article.
How to put on a lace frontal wig
1. Lay the Hair Flat
The first thing you want to do before you put on a lace front wig is make sure that your natural hair is flat. The flatter your natural hair is, the better your wig will look when it is on, because bulkiness underneath makes the wig look unnatural.
One way to lay the hair flat is by cornrowing it. However, make sure that the hair is not braided too tightly because that could lead to irritation on the scalp – which can lead to breakage. Another way to flatten the hair – especially if your hair is short – is to use gel.
Combing the hair down flat and laying, applying gel on it, and letting it dry flat can have a similar effect to braiding. You could also pull your hair into a low ponytail if you are really in a hurry.
2. Customize the frontal
You will need to customize your frontal to make it look natural on you. One way to customize is to bleach the knots – which are the tiny dark knots you see on the lace at the roots of the hair. Those knots will be visible when you install your frontal if not concealed – which is not what a natural scalp looks like. The better you can make the hair look like it is coming out of your scalp, the better it will look.
Some frontals already come with the knots bleached, and you can certainly seek out those specific ones. However, if you see knots on your frontal, you can easily bleach them to make them lighter and hard to see against the lace.
Plucking the hairline is also important. Many frontals have an unrealistic amount of hair along the hairline, which can cause it to look bulky on your head. Check out our Plucking Guide to create natural-looking hairlines.
Your lace frontal may also not match the color of your skin. There are many ways to customize your lace frontal, one of which is to tint the lace to make it blend with your skin better before installation. Using a tinting spray or foundation is some of the quickest ways to tint.
3. Apply a wig cap
A wig cap is good for creating a flat surface on top of your natural hair, especially if it is braided. Wig caps provide an extra layer under the wig and keep it more sturdy if the wig is too big. That extra layer is also good for protecting the natural hair from pulling and product buildup. Some wigs – such as glueless wigs – don’t need a bunch of work done to it in the front – so wearing a wig cap underneath can be enough to make sure the wig is secure.
Some people glue their wig cap on in order to create a “bald cap” to melt the lace. Gluing the wig cap in this way gets rid of the visible cut-off of the cap underneath the lace and makes for an even more natural look in the hairline area.[1]
4. Secure the wig
The last thing you want is for your wig to slip off. Securing the wig can be done by wig combs, which are usually clipped into the natural hair or a wig cap, and holds the wig in place. Wig clips are an easy way to secure a wig, and the clips in the front also lay the wig flatter which can be a replacement for glue.
You could also use a wig grip to secure the wig. A wig grip is similar to a headband that is worn under your wig to prevent it from slipping backward. A wig grip can protect your edges by limiting the amount of friction a wig can cause when it slides back and forth as a result of not being secure.
A wig grip is especially helpful if your wig has stiff lace and you don’t want it rubbing against your hairline. It can also be a replacement for glue.[2]
5. Apply adhesive
Before putting on your wig, you can apply wig glue on your forehead in order to keep it sturdy and make the lace blend better on the skin. You don’t only have to use hair glue, you can also use maximum hold gel or hairspray instead. You’ll need to apply the adhesive onto the forehead and let it dry until it gets tacky before gluing the lace.
6. Let it dry
After you have put the wig on and secured it, you will need to let it dry. The best way to ensure the wig glue dries correctly is to tie a scarf over the lace area. You can also tie a scarf over the wig after hair spraying it to flatten any flyaways.
Do you cut all the lace off a lace front wig?
You do not cut all the lace off when customizing a lace front wig. You only cut the excess lace in the front of the hairline. You may need to leave a little extra lace on in order to glue the wig better, but it is all about what you feel comfortable with. You could also cut the lace around your ears so they are not covered – which can become uncomfortable.
Do you have to glue lace front wigs?
Wig glue can be damaging to the hairline because it is so strong and can stick to the hairs as you are trying to remove your wig. You can use a gel or hair spray instead, which dissolves a lot faster than glue and is easier to remove. You can also use an elastic band inside of your wig to help it lay flatter. Some wigs come with elastic bands and wig combs, but if not, they are easy to attach yourself. There are many alternatives to using wig glue such as using a wig grip.
The Final Word
Putting on a lace front wig yourself is very doable if the right steps are taken. Trust yourself, and have fun with it!
