Hello Beweavers,

As we know wigs are a huge part of the wonder world of hair and have recently gained much popularity. Lace wigs come in all textures, styles, lengths and types. They are a great way to give your hairline a rest from the stress that can be caused by sew-ins and other installation methods. However, the real truth is that wigs can be tricky. To avoid disappointment and having that “wiggy” look, we have put together a short list on the basic things you need to know before you attempt a lace wig.

As we know, American celebrities have been in the wig-game for a very long time. But things have changed, today, anybody with as little as R1000 can purchase a unit. Unfortunately, though, very few people have mastered a natural looking wig. I don’t know about you, but I have seen my fair share of bad lace wigs. In some cases, the actual hair looks good, but installation is the real problem. So to help, I have made a list of a few tips to ensure that next time you wear or try a lace wig, it looks as natural and believable as possible.

Choose Your Unit Wisely
Be smart when selecting your lace wig unit, you want to choose quality over quantity. You will constantly be taking the wig on and off, so you need a unit that is high quality, durable and can handle the effects of wear and tear. The purpose of the lace wig is to create a natural and realistic hairstyle that appears to be growing from your scalp. This means you have to do some customization. The word has been doing its rounds lately, and every hair seller claims they do customization, but beweavers let me tell you something, only you really know what looks good on you, so you need to do the customization yourself.
1) Do some research on how to thin out the hairline of your unit.
2) Stay away from crazy colours, textures, lengths or styles, as they will only look artificial.
3) Take your time during the selection process, especially if you are spending a lot of money for a long-lasting and high-quality unit. Generally, quality is going to cost you a bit, but it will be worth it, trust me. The best lace wigs are the ones that match your own hair texture, are versatile, can be styled in many different ways and that actually look like hair is growing from your scalp.
4) Always do your research, ask questions and only purchase from a reputable retailer. If they are not interested in advising you and answering your questions, then onto the next. Remember, you get what you paid for, so choose wisely.

Lace colour matters

When it comes to lace wigs, the lace usually comes in three different shades, light brown, medium brown and dark brown (sometimes even transparent), so you have to choose a lace colour that is similar to your skin tone. If the lace is too dark or too light, the lace will be visible and will look like something is pressing up against your skin, so choose wisely.

Cut the Lace
When was the last time you saw someone with a perfectly straight hairline? Never ever! Nobody’s hairline is dead straight and extremely dense. Naturally, your hairline is thinner than the rest of your hair, the same applies when you have a lace wig. Before cutting the lace from your unit, be sure to examine your own hairline, and cut accordingly. When you cut the lace, take your time, because if you make a mistake and cut too much of the lace off, it is very difficult to fix. We recommend using tweezers if you need to get a closer cut. If you are a newbie to the wig-game, and you are afraid of messing up your unit’s hairline, by a lace wig with bangs. Bangs are very forgiving and will hide the lace and the hairline.

Lace wig Placement

This seems to be the area where most of us go wrong. So, I thought I’d break down a few rules to help guide your process.
1) Make sure that your own hair is properly styled before applying the lace wig. It is important that the unit lays flat on your head, but this can only be achieved if your cornrows underneath the unit are facing the right direction. Try having your cornrows thinner in the front, if you are doing “straight back” or have one smaller cornrows going around the circumference of your head.
2) Wear a wig cap on top of your cornrows to ensure everything is flat and even. You don’t want any bumps or lumps to make your unit look wiggy.
3) There is no single way to applying a lace wig unit, so choose a wig application that works best for you. You can use liquid glue, adhesive strips, tape or pins to secure your wig. Each have their pros and cons, so choose what is best for you.
4) When you’re finally ready to apply your lace wig, remember that your hairline does not start in the middle of your forehead. Nothing is worse than seeing a whack wig position, that screams, “LACE WIG!” We recommend placing the wig slightly backwards, so that your natural hair guides the placement of the wig.

(Cap) Size matters

The average size wig tends to fit about 95% of customers, however sometimes you may need a smaller or larger size for a more comfortable fit. Wig sizes are commonly referred to as petite, average and large. To make sure that your lace wig will fit you properly, you will need a unit with adjustable straps so that you can achieve a comfortable and secure fit.
To determine the right size wig for you, measure the circumference of your head from the front hairline, behind your ear, to the nape of your neck, to your other ear and then back to the front hairline. Write down your measurement and choose a wig size that is close to your measurements.
Note that sizes may vary slightly by brand and that not all wigs are available in all cap sizes.

Maintain your Unit

Maintenance is the everything when it comes to weaves or wigs, you have to put in the work. You have to find a lace wig that not only looks natural but seems effortless. Obviously, there is no such thing as effortless in the world of #hairgames, but choose something that fits your lifestyle. If you choose hair that works with you, it will “feel” more like your real hair.

1) You can’t expect her (your hair) to do all the work, you have to work with her, wash her, conditioner hair, protect her, give her protein etc. A great hair experience begins with a great hair care regimen, so remember to keep her in check.
2) Be able to identify the life cycle of your wig. I know it difficult to part with hair, but ladies, if you feel like your unit is starting to act up, trust me, everyone can see it too. Synthetic wigs have a very short lifespan while some human hair lace wigs can last up to 3 years. The worst thing you can do is to wear a lace front that should have been retired months ago.
3) Synthetic wigs have a very short lifespan while some human hair lace wigs can last up to 3-5 years. The worst thing you can do is to wear a lace wig that should have been retired months ago.

I hope that this was helpful and that the fear of wigs has been lifted. Until next time beweavers, Happy weaving.

So until next time beweavers, Happy weaving.

-Sisi