Lace Frontal – The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

So why is everyone fussing over the LACE FRONTAL?

How are you tying a top bun with that weave? Half-up, half-down, how is that even possible with no visible tracks? These are just two questions that people always ask me when I have my hair up. The answer is always the same, I’m wearing a lace frontal.

After 4 years in the hair game, only now am I confident enough to talk truthfully and with real experience about the lace frontal.

What is a lace frontal?

Frontals are basically larger, longer closures.  Instead of just giving you a natural parting (the closure) a lace frontal will give you full, protective styling, cover-up while giving you a natural looking hairline if executed properly.

What’s is good about Lace frontals:

1. As mentioned above, a frontal is a 100% protective sew-in option, if you wear it without glue or adhesive and IF it is professionally installed and removed.

2. Frontals offer versatility, unlike the closure, you can part your hair wherever you want to.  This added lace size gives you space to style your hair in various updo styles.

3. Time savers! If you think sewing in a full weave takes up too much time, a frontal is going to change your life. A full frontal sew-in takes about half the time of a closure sew-in.

What is bad about Lace frontals:

1. Frontals are delicate and call for great attention to detail. If you don’t have patience, move on up. Frontals are relatively new in the hair world so remember that not everyone will know how to install them properly.

2. Frontal installations call for teamwork. During your installation, you will have to hold the unit down for your stylist, so that there is tension being applied to both ends of the frontal. If you’re not prepared to hold your frontal down, you might find the installation process somewhat annoying.

3. They can appear more wiggy that actual wigs. Most frontals require some degree of customization and if the hair on the frontal is very dense it will look unnatural, so you will have to put in the work to make the hairline look as realistic as possible (Hair by Sisi will do the customization for you).
Remember, frontals are not one size fits all, so they will look different on different people.  Sometimes people have unrealistic expectations as to how their install will come out because they have seen a frontal installation on someone else.

4. Frontals are VERY high maintenance. Your hair should look amazing when you leave your stylists chair, but the next week is really going to test your skill and patience. From the moment you get up in the morning, your frontal is going to require a bit of TLC. If you are not good with basic upkeep, a frontal is probably not a good option for you. The long and short of it all is that frontals require a lot of daily attention, they are not a “wash and go” kind of installation.

5. Your hairline is at high risk. Frontals can “eat away” at your hairline, so if your hairline is weak, be very careful. Rather opt for an installation with a closure, or go for a wig option.

6. Frontals, like lace and silk closures, are not a real scalp. Excessive scratching, constant tugging and manipulation will cause bald spots on the base of your frontal. Once your lace is damaged, it will be more difficult to use it again.

What is ugly about Lace frontals:

1. Your skin complexion matters! The fact is, the darker you are the less likely your frontal will match your skin tone (and appear invisible). This is because lace only comes in 3 different shades; Kim K, Beyonce, Naomi Campbell.  If you are not the same shade as the lace (very few people are) you will run into a few issues. If you don’t use your foundation on your frontal (preferable before installation) you after your instructions lace sill stick out like a sore thumb post installation.  You can ask your stylist to tint the lace to match your skin color, but keep in mind over time it will fade, bringing you back to the high maintenance portion of frontals.

2. Glue will need reapplication. Glue is not a one application type thing. Generally, it will last about 7-10 days. This means when you lace lifts, you have to get to work. You will probably need to get your hair done every two weeks in order for your frontal to continue slaying and looking fresh.

3. If your stylist uses adhesive and is still in the learning phase of installing frontal, you could be the victim of flaking frontal, that unnatural shiny look, or visible lace which is not a good look especially if you want it to look natural.

Tips for you next frontal install.

Consult, consult, consult, I can’t stress this enough. Do not buy hair and walk into a salon with your frontal in hand expecting it to come out looking like Beyonce 2018 (because even she had it tough with the frontal game). Chat to people, ask for a consultation BEFORE your installation. Not only will this give you a proper indication of what’s to follow but it will also give you a better understanding of what your install will look like.

 

Happy Weaving XXX