Wigs, Weaves

What is a 13×4 Lace Frontal?

Published By: Kennedy

Fact Checked By: Dasia

Last Updated: June 20, 2022

There are different sizes for lace frontals, but a 13×4 is currently the most popular. This article will all you need to know about a 13×4 frontal and more!

What is a 13×4 lace frontal?

A lace frontal is a hairpiece made with lace or silk that completes a wig or weave on the top part of the head. Its function is to blend the hairline and natural skin, to give the illusion of the scalp.  It extends from ear to ear and goes about at least 4 inches to the back of the head. 

A lace frontal wig is ideal for those who want their wig to look as natural as possible, and can even help those who have a receding hairline.  A frontal gives the wig more styling options and provides full coverage of scalp imitation along the hairline.  It is the most popular type of lace wig. 

Features of a 13×4 Lace Frontal 

Size

Frontals also come in different sizes, however, they are a lot longer in length than closures. The general size of a frontal is 13 inches in length and 4 inches in width (13×4). 

Frontals are supposed to extend from ear to ear so that the hairline of the wig looks natural along the entirety of the front of the head. Frontals are even made with baby hairs across the entire front of the lace to mimic a natural hairline.

Price

Frontals tend to be pricier than closures, due to the amount of hair that is included and their width. A typical lace closure price can range from $150 to over $400 dollars. 

Frontals are also made with different kinds of lace – such as 3D lace and transparent lace which blend better with any color of skin –  and contribute to the price being higher. 360 degree lace frontals are going to be more expensive than a 13×4, and the cost of adhesive adds to that price. 

Versatility 

Due to its larger size, the frontal is more versatile in the amount of styles you can achieve with it.

The lace or silk on the bottom enables you to part the hair wherever one would like while still giving the illusion of a scalp on the bottom. 

Due to the amount of lace in the front, lace frontals are very versatile in the number of styles you can achieve with it. Depending on how far back the lace goes for a lace front, you can part the hair in any direction and in any place you would like.[1]

Frontals also have lace around the front edges, so similar to lace front wigs, one can style the baby hair look to make the hairpiece appear even more natural.  Rarely do lace fronts come perfectly suited for the buyer, so there may be a need to customize it. The hairline can be plucked and the lace can be tinted to make it look more natural. 

Installation Process 

  • Lace frontals have a lot of lace that is exposed on the skin. In order to prepare it to look natural, you will first need to bleach the knots. At the root of the hair strands, where the hair is attached to the lace, there are little dark knots on the bottom. 

Those knots will be visible when you install your frontal, which is not what a natural scalp looks like. You can easily bleach them to make them lighter and hard to see against the lace. 

  • After you have washed your frontal you can begin plucking the hairline. Many frontals have an unrealistic amount of hair along the hairline, which can cause it to look bulky on your head. You can create a natural-looking hairline by first plucking out some of the hair on the frontal. 
  • Then you can tint the lace if it does not match your skin color. You can either tint the lace only along the forehead area or tint all of the lace on the bottom of the frontal. There are several ways you can tint your lace – one way is to apply foundation with a brush to the inside part of the lace. 
  • Once you have placed the frontal on your head you can determine where your part should be. After you have decided on where your part should be, take a rattail comb and part in that place. You lay the hair down on either side by using a hot comb and hairspray.  
  • You glue your lace by applying wig glue along your forehead, letting it dry, and then press the lace onto the glued area. You can help the glue to dry completely by blow-drying the area. Using gel or foam for the edges and brushing them in swooping motions will help you to conceal the lace.

What is the difference between a 4×4 lace and a 13×4? 

A 4×4 is considered a closure. Closures are less time-consuming than frontals – due to their size and sewing time. Many people gravitate towards the convenience of its easier application and maintenance because it is less labor-intensive. However, they are also less versatile than frontals.

A 13×4 is a frontal. The lace on the frontal covers the entire front of the head and can be parted anywhere and pulled back. They are more expensive and require more time to install. 

Read more: 4×4 Wig vs 13×4 Wig

How do I know my lace front size?

In order to know your lace front size you can take a tape measure and measure the circumference of your head. Usually the capsize will be mentioned in the details of the wig. If the circumference is 23”, then the capsize will be 23”.  

You can also measure the front to nape and temple to temple of your head. This will give you the most accurate size.[2]

How many times can you wear a frontal wig?

You can wear a lace front wig for 6 months to a year, depending on how well it is taken care of. If a wig is worn every day, that decreases its lifespan because it wears the wig out faster. The most you should wear a wig is 3 times a week if you want it to last a year or more. 

The Final Word

Lace frontals have many benefits for those who want the most natural look possible. The more you know about it, the better it will work for you!

Kennedy

I have always had a love for writing and have been blogging for about 3 years now. I have a passion for teaching what I have learned over the years, especially about hair. I have had almost every hairstyle - typical of a cosmetologist’s daughter- including the big chop in 2015. With all the knowledge I have gained, I feel it is my duty to help others on their healthy hair journey. I believe education can be fun, and I strive to make it fun to learn about beautiful black hair.

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