How to Secure a Wig Without Glue

You can secure a wig firmly without a drop of glue by combining four things: the unit's adjustable straps, its sewn-in combs, an elastic band across the hairline, and a grip band or scarf to set it. Together they hold a wig through a full day without touching your edges with adhesive. Glueless is how I recommend most people wear their units day to day, it protects your natural hairline and it is far quicker to take on and off.

Why go glueless

• No adhesive on the delicate edges, which is where traction damage starts.
• On and off in seconds, no removal solvent, no residue.
• Gentler on the lace, glue and glue removers shorten a unit's life.
• Better for sensitive skin and reactive scalps.

The trade-off is a slightly less "melted" hairline than a glued install, but with the steps below the difference is small. More background in glueless wigs explained.

The tools that hold it

1. Adjustable straps. Nearly every quality cap has velcro straps at the nape. Tighten them to your measured cap size, this is the foundation of the hold. If you have not measured, our measuring guide shows how.
2. Sewn-in combs. Most units have small combs inside the perimeter. Push them into your flattened natural hair, one at the front, ones at the sides, one at the nape.
3. An elastic band. The single biggest upgrade to a glueless hold. Sew a thin elastic band across the back of the wig, from ear to ear, so it hugs the nape. It pulls the hairline down snug.
4. A grip band or grip cap. A velvet or silicone headband under the wig gives fine or slippery edges something to hold on to.

Step-by-step install

1. Prep your hair flat, braided down or slicked, so the cap sits smooth. A good install foundation matters just as much glueless.
2. Add a grip band along your hairline if you use one.
3. Set the straps to your size before the wig goes on.
4. Place the wig, lining the front lace up just behind your natural hairline, and settle the elastic band snug at the nape.
5. Anchor the combs into your hair, front first, then sides and back.
6. Lay the edges with a little edge control and tie a scarf firmly over the hairline for 10 to 15 minutes to set everything flat.
7. Remove the scarf and style, adding baby hairs per our baby hair guide.

Make the hold last all day

• A whisper of gripping gel or a mousse along the lace, pressed flat, holds the front without glue.
• The scarf-setting step is what turns a decent hold into an all-day one, do not skip it.
• For extra security at the front, a couple of small clear elastics or bobby pins into your own hair are invisible and firm.

Glueless vs glued, honestly

For most people, glueless is the everyday choice and glue is reserved for a big event. Explore glueless-friendly units in our HD lace wigs, and browse the full shop or our styling guides for more.