A wig installation involves preparing your natural hair and head and attaching the wig to your head. For best results, a wig install usually uses adhesives to keep the wig secure to the head for a natural look.
The preparation method varies depending on the natural hair you have and the type of wig you are going to wear.
There are lots of different types of wigs to choose from. They vary not just by hairstyle, but by how they are made. The most common ones are lace front and wefted caps:
- Lace front: The lace in the front of the wig cap allows your hair strands to be tied on one strand at a time. This creates a natural look at the hairline, and the hair is easy to part and style in different directions.
- Wefted caps: These wigs are constructed with the hair strands sewn on a strip of fabric called a weft. Weft strips are then sewn to a cap, creating a wig. These wigs are not as natural looking, especially when restyling.
Lace front wigs create a more natural-looking hairline than wefted caps.
Wig prices can also vary a lot based on the materials from cheaper synthetic weft wig caps to high-end monofilament human hair wigs (where the hair strands are attached one at a time to the whole head cap).
In this article, we will focus on the care and installation of lace front wigs.
Prepare Your Wig
Your wig will usually come with guidelines and instructions for how to install your wig, as well as care instructions. We have a general guide; however, always follow the instructions provided by your supplier.
Wash Your Wig
Wash your wig with a gentle shampoo. You can do this before the first time you wear it to soften it. You will also need to wash your wig from time to time to keep it fresh.
To wash a wig, add a small amount of shampoo in your sink or bucket and fill it with lukewarm water. Gently place your wig in it and swirl it around.
Do not aggravate or rub the wig as this will cause tangles. Let it soak and just gently swirl it from time to time.
To rinse, remove the wig and drain the shampoo water. Refill the sink with clean water and gently place your wig in. Soak and swirl around gently. Drain and repeat until the shampoo is gone.
Gently press your wig into a towel to help it dry. Do not rub. Once the larger drops are gone, place it on a wig head to dry.
Lace front wigs have lace that will go across the forehead. Carefully cut this away before wearing your wig for the first time. Leave about ⅛” of the lace along the hairline. Your wig may have come in different sizes or have adjustable straps. Adjust the straps if necessary.
Using a Wig Cap
If you are covering your natural hair, you will need to neatly tuck your hair into a stocking cap. You can braid your hair in cornrows or slick it back or pull it in a low pony and tuck it under the cap.
You want the stocking cap color to be as close to your scalp color as possible. If you can’t find the right color, you can apply makeup to a wig cap that is lighter than your scalp color.
Clean your Forehead
Sweat and your skins' natural oils can cause adhesives to not last as long. For longer lasting results, cleanse your face before doing a wig install.
Secure the Wig
There are different brands of glue and tapes on the market to install your wig. Some last longer than others.
Some wig installs use clips or a combination of clips and adhesives to secure the wig and prevent it from sliding around.
Lace front wigs are often secured at the front with adhesives and then clipped around the side and back. Gluing the wig at the front helps create a natural look at the hairline while keeping the wig secure.
Style the Wig
If you are new to wigs and all these steps seem a bit daunting, consider looking at a UNice pre-everything wig.
Lace front wigs allow for different styles as the hair can be parted in different directions or braided in styles such as cornrows.
Wig Shopping
Quality wigs can be an investment. Natural hair wigs are the highest quality, but they are quite expensive.
Whatever you choose, you will want to make sure that you purchase from a reliable wig brand.
How Long Does a Wig Install Last?
If you install your wig with adhesives, the amount of time it will last varies on a few factors.
Moisture can cause adhesives to break down and lose their staying power. This includes sweat, water from showering, etc. Some adhesive brands will work for longer than others as well.
Typically, you can expect your installation to last a few weeks before it starts to come loose and shift around. A wig install done by a professional will likely last longer than one at home especially if you are new to wigs and haven't had much practice.
