How to Install a Lace Front Wig: Step-by-Step

A clean lace front install comes down to four things done in order: flatten your natural hair, secure the cap, cut and lay the lace, then blend the hairline. Rush any one of them and the wig lifts, shines or slides. Take your time on the prep and the rest falls into place. Here is exactly how I do it.

What you need on the table first

• A wig cap and the lace front unit
• Edge control, a wide-tooth comb and a tail comb
• Small, sharp scissors for the lace
• Elastic band or an adjustable strap for a glueless hold
• Optional: wig glue or a skin-safe adhesive if you glue down

Step 1: prep your natural hair flat

Everything you feel through the wig is what is underneath it. Braid your hair into flat cornrows going back, or do flat pin curls if your hair is shorter. The goal is a smooth, even surface with no lumps at the crown or nape. Lay your edges down with a little edge control so nothing peeks out at the hairline later.

Step 2: cap and grip

Pull a wig cap over the braids that matches your scalp tone. Some people dust a light powder or use a thin band of gripping product along the perimeter, especially if you have fine edges. If your unit has adjustable straps and combs, set the cap size now so it sits snug without squeezing. Cap sizing matters more than people think, our guide to measuring your head covers getting it right.

Step 3: position and cut the lace

Place the wig so the front lace sits about where your natural hairline falls, roughly a finger-width behind it, then secure the back first with the strap or an elastic band under the nape.

1. Find your natural hairline in the mirror and mark where the lace should end.
2. Cut the excess lace following the shape of your hairline, not a straight line. Leave a hair's width of lace, cutting too close frays the edge.
3. Cut in a slightly zig-zag, uneven motion rather than one flat sweep. A ruler-straight lace edge reads fake.

Step 4: secure it, glue or glueless

Glueless: tighten the adjustable straps, tuck the elastic band along the hairline for a few minutes to set the edges flat, then leave it. This is the kinder route for your edges and the one I recommend for everyday wear. More on it in securing a wig without glue and glueless wigs explained.

Glue: apply a thin layer of skin-safe adhesive along the hairline, let it get tacky, then press the lace down section by section with the back of a comb. Hold each section until it grips. Never flood it, thin coats hold better and lift cleaner.

Step 5: melt, blend and lay it down

• Press the lace flat with a damp cloth or a little setting mousse so it disappears into the skin.
• Lay a scarf over the hairline for ten minutes to set everything flat.
• Part the hair where you want it and tweeze a few strands looser at the front for a softer, less blunt hairline.
• Style your baby hairs to break up the edge, see laying baby hair.

The mistakes that give a wig away

• Cutting the lace in a hard straight line.
• Placing the hairline too low, past your real one.
• Bumpy braids underneath telegraphing through the cap.
• Skipping the HD or transparent lace match for your skin, covered in which lace type suits your skin tone.

A good unit makes all of this easier. Browse our HD lace wigs and closures and frontals, or read the full set of styling guides.