Vous êtes sur la page 1sur 85

20 MIN

THE LACE

How To Style, Care & Maintain Lace Wigs Without Sacrificing Your Natural Hair

WIG BIBLE

By MORGAN R. GANTT

THE LACE WIG BIBLE


How To Style, Care & Maintain Lace Wigs Without Sacrificing Your Natural Hair

Morgan R. Gantt
Foreword by Nelson Vercher

A Hair Library Publishing Inc.

Disclaimer: Readers are strongly cautioned to consult with a dermatologist or other licensed beauty care professional before following the techniques described in this book, and to adapt the techniques in this book to meet the readers individual needs. The Lace Wig Bible is based on information from sources believed to be reliable, and every effort has been made to make the book as complete and accurate as possible based on information available as of the printing date, but its accuracy and completeness cannot be guaranteed. Despite the best efforts of author and publisher, the book may contain mistakes, and the reader should use the book only as a general guide and not as the ultimate source of information about the subject of this book. This book contains information that might be dated and is intended only to educate and entertain. The Lace Wig Bible is designed to provide information on lace wig application and care only. This information is provided and sold with the knowledge that the publisher and author do not offer any legal or other professional advice. In the case of a need for any such expertise consult with your dermatologist, licensed professional cosmetologist and the manufacturer of your lace wig. This book should serve only as a general guide and not as the ultimate source of subject information. This book is not intended to reprint all of the information available to the author or publisher on the subject, but rather to simplify, complement and supplement other available sources. The reader is encouraged to read all available material and to learn as much as possible about the subject. This book is sold without warranties of any kind, express or implied, and the publisher and author disclaim any liability, loss or damage caused by the contents of this book. If you do not wish to be bound by the foregoing cautions and conditions, you may return this book to the publisher for a full refund.

I dedicate this companion guide to women everywhere who strive to put their best foot forward on a daily basis. This is for all the women in the world who continue to inspire their families and communities without a hair out of place. May The Lace Wig Bible empower you to take your self-image into your own hands.

Copyright 2012 by Hair Library Publishing Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, by electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing from the Publisher. Inquries should be addressed to: Publishing Department, Hair Library Inc. 12 Desbrosses St, New York, NY, 10013. Gantt, Morgan R. The Lace Wig Bible 978-0-9839700-1-9 Illustrations by: Kyrk S. Corbin Edited by: Marco Cuoco Model: Ebony John Photography by: Morgan R. Gantt

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Acknowledgments Foreward Introduction Navigating The Lace Wig Bible Tools Key Page I Page III Page V Page VII Page IX Page 1 Page 18 Page 27 Page 37 Page 50 Page 58 Page 72 Page 104 Page 118 Page 126 Page 136 Page 139 Page 141

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
10 10

10 Frequently Asked Questions About Lace Wigs 10 Mistakes to Avoid 10 Frequently Asked Questions For Your Stylist My First Lace Wig Protecting Your Natural Hair How To Apply Lace Wigs Styling A Lace Wig Caring For Your Lace Wig Modifying Your Lace Wig Expecting The Unexpected With Your Lace Wig Index About Nelson Vercher About The Author Morgan R. Gantt

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Bless Drilon, thank you for your dedication and hardwork. You are what some would consider a world way but your spirit and energy is always present. To Danilo Durante, thank you for being you! I love you and without your faith and belief in me I would not be living my dream. To Jerry Jack, you mentored me for 9 years and even in your physical absence you are felt and remembered as an amazing artist and friend. I miss you. Kyrk Corbin, you are a such talent! Thank you for taking my ideas to the next level and I look forward to returning the same creative contribution towards your dream! Ebony John, you are so beautiful inside and out. Thank you for sharing your essence with the world. To my sisters Aneka Braham and Rabia Syed, I love you girls so much! Thank you for all your supportive emails, late nights phone calls and texts. There is no time and space between us. Valence Williams, thank you for your mentorship, friendship and love. This is just the beginning! Lastly, I would like to thank all of the powerful women whom have been an example to myself and so many others: Dr. Karen Loney, Patricia King, Theresa Triola, Ms. Tillary, Allison Houtte, Annie Kolsen, Kristen Gibson, Sharri Sweeting, Afsheen Mazhar, Evelyn Gantt, Mildred Barnes and my loving mother, Karen D. Gantt.
HAIRLIBRARY.COM

There are so many people that I want to acknowledge in written form and in spirit by sending waves of gratitude from my heart to yours. I would like to thank Eric Masters for planting the seed for this book so many years ago. We never had long conversations, but one day Eric stopped me on campus and said, Morgan, I hope you are taking pictures of all these different hairstyles you have, it would make a great book. We both laughed and walked away. The thought has never left me. I would like to give special thanks to my Sunshine Afternoon Dark Crew, A wonderful group of thought-provoking, creative individuals that inspire me every single day to dream big and make it happen no matter what. To my parents, Dr. Marvin & Karen Gantt, thank you for allowing me to take my own path, which you have dedicated your lives preparing me for. I love you very much. Sheila Homer, you are my hero, an inspiration and daily motivation. I would not have been able to accomplish so much without your patience and dedication. There is so much more to do! Monica David, thank you for your youthful spirit and diligent energy coordinating our projects! I cannot wait to see you! I

II

FOREWARD
This change is not only seen in their outer appearance, but in their whole energy, because the right hair can really make you confident in yourself. Also, stylists working with wigs and extensions generally have a unique experience with their clients. When you see a client change their hair and gain confidence even though she didnt think the transformation was possible, you will have her for life! It is always a good thing to achieve a new look instantly. This is why The Lace Wig Bible is a must! This book demonstrates, with very clear step by step instructions, everything you need to know regarding application and care for your lace wig. Back in the day, when my mother first started to wear wigs, she did not wear lace wigs and sometimes her wigs would not look as natural as they could. Because there has never been anything like The Lace Wig Bible, women had to figure out how to use wigs independently, therefore leaving lace wigs to be used by professionals on celebrities. But now, with Morgan R. Gantt and SWIGCHD products, everyone can have amazing hair! With the SWIGCHD Lace Wigs you can change your color, texture, and length just by following the directions of The Lace Wig Bible. So I commend Morgan R. Gantt for this truly insightful book thats not only great to look at but has all the right information. Enjoy and try a new look! XO Nelson Vercher

By Celebrity Stylist: NELSON VERCHER


I think irony is my favorite word because wigs have become one of my favorite things that make a hair style go from good to truly amazing. The reason irony is my favorite word is because growing up in Chicago my mother was a devoted wig wearer. As a young boy I was very embarrassed by it. How silly of me to think that because my mothers hair always looked great! I have four sisters and they all had long beautiful hair so I did not understand why my mother wouldnt showcase hers. So when I started my career in hair I swore I would never use wigs, extensions, or any hair that did not grow out of ones own head. Once again, how silly of me. You cannot be a top hair stylist today without working with some types of wigs or hair extensions. The only thing is, most stylists and customers do not know how to use them correctly. I have been very blessed with the opportunity to have worked on some of the best in the Fashion, Film and Music industries. The one thing I see all the time is everyday women trying to recreate looks I have done, without great success. Wearing wigs and extensions can be very embarrassing and make you really insecure with yourself if the hair you are wearing is not being worn correctly. On the other hand, if you know how to apply your hair correctly, you can make an amazing transformation just like those seen on A list stars.

III

HAIRLIBRARY.COM

IV

INTRODUCTION
I was feeling extremely jaded about the dating scene in NYC and with no expectations thought to myself, Just wear the wig and have some fun tonight! Dinner was great, everything was going much better than I had expected. He looked me in the eyes and directly asked, Is that your real hair? It was as if he had been sitting on the question since the moment we first met! Just as confidently and directly as he asked me I replied to him, NO, is that a problem? With a smile he said, No. In that moment I laughed to myself, What else is he going to ask me? I wonder if my wig really did not matter for him. Two hours later we were walking on Sixth Avenue and in the impulse of a romantic moment he spun me around just beneath a street light and the brightest full moon you have ever seen and said, Amore, I am so happy to have met you. As these words left his lips, he ran his hands through my hair in a valiant attempt to bring me closer for what would have been our first kiss. Unfortunately, my wig was not properly secured for such a spontanious romantic entanglement. The wig slid halfway back off my head and in a moment of comedic horror revealed what I was hiding beneath the wig, NOTHING! No wig cap, no hair! In fact, the week prior I had shaved my head completely down to a one due to a botched perm job from one of my college classmates (This is another story). Before I could say anything, all in one motion, he let out a gasp of shock, apologized, and proceeded to pull my Cleopatra wig by the bangs and positioned it back into its original place. I looked up at the full moon that was smiling back at me and thought, How could I not secure my wig? How DO I secure a wig? We continued for two silent blocks, each of us laughing on the inside and still laughing about it today.
HAIRLIBRARY.COM

By Morgan R. Gantt
My first wig experience was not for daily use as a fashion accessory, but as the most important piece of my Halloween costume, Cleopatra. You cannot transform into Cleopatra without long black hair and the seductive bangs. I went to Fulton Street Mall in downtown Brooklyn, New York to the first wig store I could find within my twenty dollar budget. I arrived at the pre-party dinner with my friend Diana, who was also wearing a wig, to be greeted by a table of twenty friends. It felt more like I was having dinner with all of my favorite life-sized cartoon characters. Fun! I met a mysterious gentleman disguised as Neo from The Matrix who loved my costume and of course, my hair. We exchanged emails and decided to go out to dinner a few days later. V

VI

NAVIGATING THE LACE WIG BIBLE


Tools needed to complete task
Chapter number & title

How To Style Lace Wigs

45 MIN

How To Wet Wrap Your Lace Wig Title of task


A wet wrap is one of the most popular methods women use to protect their natural hair, but is also ideal for lace wigs. Both wet sets and dry wraps are great as a base for styling your lace wig. A wrap is an easy styling method for lace wigs and drying your wig without vigorous combing and the excessive heat.

Time required to complete task

3
Step #1: Detangling The hair Use t-pins to secure the wig to the styrafoam wig head. Gently use a wig brush or wig comb to remove any tangles in the hair. Step #2: Apply Setting Lotion Using a spray bottle, apply a generous amount of setting lotion. Step #3: Wrap The Hair Around The Head Using a paddle brush, begin wrapping the hair around the mannequin head in a circular direction. Using your hands, guide the brush to help smooth the hair as close to the wig base as possible. Step #4: Securing the Pins Using metal hair clips pin the hair to provide a secure hold. Step #5: Drying The Hair Place the mannequin head underneath the dryer on medium heat. The amount of time is determined by the length of the hair.

Step-by-step description

Numbered images

Page number

It is very important to allow the hair to completely dry before unwrapping the wet wrap. The wet wrap provides a great base for styling and also a quick and less labour intensive process for drying hair.
HAIRLIBRARY.COM 86

85 CHAPTER 7: How To

Style Lace Wigs

Chapter title & section

Helpful reminders

Website
HAIRLIBRARY.COM

VII

VIII

Tools Key
Here is a list of tools that will be used throughout this book. The list may seem long, but look close enough and you may find many of these items already in your cabinets. Reference this key for a detailed explaination of what each icon represents.
Clear Acrylic Sealer
Used instead of knot sealer to seal the knots on the lace wig in order to prevent excessive shedding. This can be purchased at many retail and specialty craft stores.

Coloring Brush

Can be purchased at a beauty supply store. Allows you to literally paint the color onto the hair ensuring all of the hair is coated with the hair color.

Adhesive

Coloring Bowl

Wig glue or wig tape is used to secure your lace wig in place.

Bowl used to mix developer and tube of color when coloring the lace wig.

Adhesive Remover

Allows the removal of the lace wig without damaging it. Also used to remove any excess adhesive from both your skin and the lace wig.

Cold Cream Used to remove the wig adhesive from the skin without harsh chemicals. Compact Mirror

Aluminum Foil

Used to form a bowl to hold certain liquids. Can also be used to frost hair in order to prevent the color from touching other hair.

A small mirror that can easily fit inside a small bag or purse for quick touch ups while on the go.

Concealer / Powder

Applicator Stick

An applicator stick can be used to apply the adhesive. This is important because it allows you to apply a fine line of glue. Brushes or other tools make the line of adhesive too thick, making the adhesive fully noticeable once it dries.

Make-Up foundation used to match your natural skin tone when applied to the part of a lace base.

Cotton Balls

Used to clean the skin around the hairline so the adhesive can be applied.

Blow Dryer With Combs

Combs attached to the blow dryer prevent direct heat from reaching the hair and also aid in curling the hair while it is damp.

Curlformers

Used to give hair bouncy curls without the use of direct heat. Can be purchased at beauty supply stores in a variety of different lengths and sizes.

Bobby Pins

Small metal or plastic hair clips that aid in securing a variety of hairstyles.

Curlformers Hook

Used to pull hair through the Curlformer to give it a bouncy curl.

Ceramic Curling Iron

Heated styling tool that is safe to use on quality human hair lace wigs. It evenly distributes heat and adds curl, body, and volume to your lace wig.

Developer

Used to mix the color when dying lace wigs. This can be purchased at a beauty supply store and also comes included in hair dye kits.

Ceramic Flat Iron

Heated styling tool that can be used on quality human hair lace wigs. It evenly distributes heat and makes the hair straight by removing volume.

Fine Tooth Comb

Teeth on comb are very close together, perfect for smoothing out styles. Do not use for removing tangles.

IX

HAIRLIBRARY.COM

Tools Key
Foam Rollers Hair Rubberband
Rollers made from foam that allow you to wrap the hair inside of the rollers rather than having to secure the curlers. Works great on natural hair also. Hair Rubberbands are used at the end of a braid to secure the braids from coming undone.

Fray Block

Used to spray on torn or newly cut lace to prevent the edges from fraying.

Hooded Dryer

Allows you to dry your lace wig and natural hair.

Frosting Cap With Flap

Lace

Plastic cap with small holes for the hair to be pulled through. It comes with a flap to hold the hair not being frosted.

Used to repair the tears in lace wigs. The lace can be saved from older lace wigs or bought new from beauty supply stores.

Hair Claw Clip


Hair claw clips help hold larger sections of hair while styling.

Lace Wig

Wigs made from human hair or synthetic hair that are individually attached to a delicate lace base. Each hair is knotted to the base to allow the lace wig to appear like your natural hair.

Hair Clips

Hair clips can be used to style the hair, but are also used to help hold hair out of the way. You want a variety of different sizes.

Latex Gloves

Protects hands from the dye used to color the lace wig.

Hair Dye Kit

Contains everything needed to color the lace wig and can be purchased at local retail stores or beauty supply stores.

Moisturizing Oil Sheen

Spray on oil that give your lace wig some shine when the hair starts to appear dull.

Hair Dye Remover

Removes any dye that comes in contact with the lace base.

Measuring Tape

A soft measuring tape is used to measure your head and to ensure the right size lace wig for you.

Hair Hook

Similar to a crochet hook, used to pull out small sections of hair that will be frosted. Usually comes with highlighting kit.

Notebook & Pen

Hair Pins

Used to write down the exact measurements of your head when ordering a lace wig.

Used to pin back the baby hair on the lace wig during application, and also aids in keeping your natural hair as flat as possible underneath the lace wig cap.

Plastic Cap

Plastic cap that can be found inside of hair dye kits or shower caps. They are used to prevent color from leaking through to the styrofoam head when coloring or styling your lace wig.

Hair Spatula

Plastic spatula used to apply hair color.

Q-Tips

Hair spray

Used to apply adhesive and adhesive remover because it allows a thin line to be applied.

Hairspray is needed to hold your beautiful style as you live your life on the go. Only use hairspray that is safe for lace wigs.

Rat Tail Comb

The rat tail comb is useful when applying the lace wig, parting the hair and styling fly aways or baby hair.

XI

HAIRLIBRARY.COM

XII

Tools Key
Razor Blade
Used to thin out the hair of the lace wig. Prevents the straight edge cut that scissors give.

Thinning Shears

Used to thin the hair on the lace wig. Professional shears are available from beauty supply stores.

Rollers

T-Pins

Plastic rollers that come in a variety of sizes and can be used to create the perfect curls for your lace wig and natural hair.

Pins shaped like the letter T are used to secure the lace wig to the styrofoam head while styling the lace wig.

Rolling Papers

Used to prevent the hair from drying out at the ends, plus they aid in keeping the hair together while drying on the rollers.

Tube of Hair Color

Hair color can be purchased at any beauty supply store and also may come separately or inside of a hair dye kit.

Rubbing Alcohol

Tweezers

Used to remove adhesive from the lace wig as well as from the hair itself during the removal process.

Used to pull hair from the lace wig to create a natural looking hairline or to create a lighter density. Use blunt ended tweezers to prevent unnecessary tearing of the lace base.

Scalp Protector

Provides a protective layer on your scalp to help prevent irritation from the adhesives used to secure the lace wig.

Vaseline

Used to protect the delicate lace base from hair dye when coloring the lace wig.

Scissors

Helpful in trimming up the lace edge of the full lace wig.

Wide Tooth Wig Comb

Wide tooth combs have teeth that are wider apart than other combs to prevent pulling when combing.

Setting Lotion

Allows you to get a tighter curl that holds longer and can be used to secure a wet wrap.

Wig Brush

Brush that is recommended for human hair wigs because of how easily it goes through the human hair and fibers due to the open bristles.

Silk Scarf

Holds the hair in place while allowing the wig adhesive to dry. The silk scarf also protects your lace wig from friction.

Wig Comb Attachment

Spray Bottle

Wig combs are sewn into the lace wig base to secure the lace wig to the natural hair. They can be purchased at most beauty supply stores and be used with or without glueless wig cap constructions.

Always have one filled with water. Others will need to be used to mix shampoo and conditioner for washing the lace wig.

Wig Cap

Straight Stick Pins

Used to hold lace in place while modifying the lace wig. Resizing your lace wig requires the use of straight stick pins.

Wig caps are used to protect your natural hair from breakage due to friction when wearing a lace wig. Black and nude wig caps are the most common colors, but what color you choose will depend on your skin tone.

Wig Stand

Styrofoam Mannequin Head Thin Needle 3/9 Inch

Very helpful when styling and storing your lace wig.

Metal or plastic wig stands are used to store the lace wigs when not being worn.

Used to sew wig clips and combs onto the lace wig and also to repair or resize a lace wig. Also used to repair the tears or resize a lace wig.

XIII

HAIRLIBRARY.COM

XIV

1
Lace wigs have been a staple in the beauty regimen of celebrities and their stylist for years, making lace wigs one of the industrys best kept secrets. You have seen wigs on the likes of RuPaul, Cher, Rihanna, Tyra Banks, Tina Turner, Nicki Minaj, Kim Zolciak, and Lady Gaga, just to name a few. Initially lace wigs were for professional use such as photo shoots, movies, and theatre. However, today they are becoming more and more commonplace amongst regular people, for daily use. Stylists and their clients prefer lace wigs because they are one of the most natural, versatile, lightweight, and undetectable wigs available. When properly applied there is no indication where the hairline of the lace wig starts and ends because of the construction of the lace base. Each hair strand is attached individually to the paper-thin lace base, creating what appears to be a natural hair and scalp pattern, while also offering the ability to naturally part the hair wherever the lace is present. Lace wigs can be constructed out of human hair or synthetic fibers. The most popular type of hair used in lace wigs is Indian Remy Hair which comes from India. Due to its color and texture it can be matched with just about any ethnic hair texture around the world. Other places Remy Hair can be found are Europe, East Asia, and South America. Hair types such as Brazilian, Chinese, and Malaysian, offer specific hair textures that correspond with a multitude of ethnicities. However, where the hair comes from is not as important as the care it was given when it was first collected.

Chapter 1
The 10 Frequently Asked Questions About Lace Wigs

CHAPTER 1: 10 FAQs About Lace Wigs

HAIRLIBRARY.COM

IDENTIFYING HAIR CONDITIONS

Alopecia Areata

Alopecia Areata is an autoimmune disease that attacks the hair follicles for some unknown reason. When the hair follicles are under attack, the hair begins to fall out leaving behind bald spots. The three different types of Alopecia Areata are; general Alopecia Areata, Alopecia Universalis, and Alopecia Totalis. The only way to determine if you are suffering from any type of Alopecia Areata is to get diagnosed by a dermatologist.

Thinning Hair

Traction Alopecia

Thinning hair stems from many reasons, including genetics, pregnancy, hormone changes, medications, and others. It is quite normal for women to shed a small amount of hair everyday because all healthy people shed dead hair. Once the dead hair falls out, new hair starts to grow from the same follicle. Women who are suffering from thinning hair can easily shed over 100 hairs a day. Their hair is no longer growing back from the same follicle and is falling out faster than the hair can be replaced.

Traction Alopecia is the same as Alopecia in the sense that there is hair loss, but unlike other forms of Alopecia this type is 100% preventable. Traction Alopecia is caused by hair being pulled from the roots over time due to hair styles that pull too tightly on the hair in a particular direction. Thinning is first noticed along the hairline, but other signs of this problem are papules, red bumps, and pustules that can cause infections along the hairline.

Hair Loss From Chemotherapy

Female Pattern Baldness

Women who are undergoing Chemotherapy treatments for various types of Cancer run the risk of thinning hair or complete hair loss. Chemotherapy causes hair loss because the medication attacks healthy cells inhibiting growth. Whether hair loss occurs or if it is just thinning will depend on the type of medication being taken, the doses involved, and the individual. Some do not experience any kind of hair loss, but for those who do, it is not always permanent.

With female pattern baldness the hairline usually stays intact, while many women often notice their hair thinning throughout their entire head or along the crown area. In some cases, women do not notice the thinning of hair until suddenly they are left with bald patches. Female pattern baldness is permanent, there is no reversing it and is believed to be caused by genetics, aging, and hormones.

Hair Loss From Chemical Processing

CHAPTER 1: 10 FAQs About Lace Wigs

Hair loss from chemical processing is extremely common and completely preventable. It is the result of over processing the hair with a variety of chemicals treatments. Remember all the perms and color treatments you received as a kid or even as an adult? How many times have you used lye relaxers and the next perm used a non lye relaxer? Using too many chemicals on the hair, no matter how short or long the time period is, effects the hair follicle itself, making it fragile and prone to damage. You may not experience dramatic hair loss, but rather significant thinning over the years. HAIRLIBRARY.COM 4

10 FAQS ABOUT LACE WIGS

1. What Are The Different Types Of Wig Constructions?


One of the first decisions you will need to make when purchasing a wig is which of the different wig constructions will work best for your lifestyle, current hair condition, and face shape. The wig construction will determine the diverse number of hairstyles you can wear while still remaining undetectable. Some wig cap constructions are much more obvious than their more expensive counterpart that flies under the radar. There are different factors to consider when shopping for a wig such as pricing, wig construction, materials, hair quality, hair texture, color, attachments, and density.

A full lace wig is constructed with each hair attached individually to a thin layer of delicate lace throughout the entire lace base. The lace base gives the illusion of scalp; therefore, the hair can be parted in any direction or section. Full lace wigs offer more versatility than lace front wigs because of the versatility in styling options, such as high ponytails, half up/half down, low ponytails, pigtails, braids, and deep side and center parts.

Full Lace Wigs

Two Types Of Lace Wig Bases

Lace Front Wigs


Swiss Lace Swiss lace is the finest lace used for making lace wigs. It is soft to the touch and extremely fragile. Swiss lace is totally undetectable because of how fine it is, making it one of the most popular choices. Because of how fine the lace is your wig is virtually undetectable. French Lace This is a fine lace, but not as fine as Swiss Lace. What it lacks in finesse, it makes up for in durability, making it a great choice for women with an active lifestyle. Like Swiss Lace, the French Lace base is also virtually undetectable, however, it may not feel as soft and flexible on your hairline. A lace front wig is different from the full lace wig because it only has lace at the front section of the wig rather than the lace covering the entire scalp area. The back of the lace front wig is contracted with wefted hair that has been sewn onto the cap of the wig. Lace front wigs are a less expensive option than full lace wigs because its construction requires less lace, while offering free styling at the front of the hairline. The downside to lace front wigs is that it cannot be parted anywhere on the head, only in the front where the lace is present. If you plan to pull your hair back into a high ponytail off the neck or half up/half down, a full lace wig is a more versatile solution. 6

CHAPTER 1: 10 FAQs About Lace Wigs

HAIRLIBRARY.COM

10 FAQS ABOUT LACE WIGS

Boarder Lace Wigs (Lace Front With Stretch Back)


Some manufacturers construct wigs with a small piece of lace in the front and in the back with hair wefts in the middle.These are NOT full lace wigs as some companies claim.

Center Part Lace Wig


The center part lace wig construction is quite different than other lace wig constructions. One of the issues that many women find to be the most difficult when wearing lace wigs is creating a natural part, without their natural hair showing. A center part lace wig construction allows you to cut the lace in the center section of the base, exposing the front center section of the lace wig. This small section allows the natural hair to be exposed, while parting and blending the natural hair with the rest of the lace wig. The application process is similar to the glueless method, two wig combs on either side of the exposed center part, two clips one on each side of the wig, one clip at the crown and one clip at the nape of the neck. The section that is exposed is your natural hair. The downfall of having clips at the temples is the added volume, causing the wig to appear bulkier. Wig caps, which are designed to protect your hair and scalp, cannot be worn with a center part lace wig, which is NOT recommended.

Glueless Lace Front Wig


A glueless lace front wig is quite similar to a regular lace front wig, both are constructed from lace and wefted hair. The biggest difference between the two are, glueless lace wigs do not require glue because of the additional security provided by wig combs or clips located at the nape of the neck and temples. Although glue is not required it is recommended you use hairpins for extra security. With a glueless lace front wig, ponytails do not have to be avoided thanks to the adjustable strap and wig combs used for applying the glueless lace front wig. Another added benefit is the ability to naturally part the hair wherever the lace is present. 7
CHAPTER 1: 10 FAQs About Lace Wigs

HAIRLIBRARY.COM

10 FAQS ABOUT LACE WIGS

Capless Wigs

What really makes this wig construction stand out from others is the open wefted top, back and sides. Many people choose these wigs because they are the most affordable, but they are also comfortable to wear. Capless wigs are lightweight, which adds to the comfort, but unfortunately does not add to the durability or the versatility in styling options. One of the biggest indicators that someone is wearing a wig is the inability to see the scalp from which the hair should be growing from. Capless wigs do not provide parting that exposes the scalp of the wig at anytime.

Monofilament Wigs

Hand Tied Wigs

Hand Tied Wigs are one of the more comfortable wigs to wear because of how soft the materials are, plus they have a lightweight cap. With hand tied wigs, each strand of hair is tied individually to the wig cap giving it a natural looking hair pattern. Having the hairs hand tied also allows you to part and style the hair freely as it moves and acts just like your natural hair. Hand tied wigs do not have very many seams, which helps provide a more secure fit.

The hand tied elements of monofilament wig caps are one of the details that makes this style of wig so popular. The hand tied aspects of the wig allow the hair to look natural. With the monofilament wigs only the top section features the sheer hand tied section, the rest of the wig is constructed of open wefted hair. Each hair on the monofilament base is hand tied onto the sheer base, which gives you the ability to style the hair in only that section as desired. The sheer base and hand tied hairs also give the illusion of natural hair growing where ever it is parted. Not all Monofilament Wig Caps are the same. There are three different styles to choose from: full, part, and crown. The full cap gives you the most flexibility as it allows you to part the hair in either direction while providing you with natural looking hair. The Monofilament Part Cap comes with a permanent pre-styled part, meaning you cannot part it wherever you wish, but the part will always provide you with a natural look. The Monofilament Crown Cap gives you natural looking hair on the crown, giving the appearance of growth in the center of your head from the scalp.

Half Wigs

As the name suggests, a half wig comes with half the hair of a full wig. The reason for this is that a half wig is designed to cover the back half of your head while your natural hair is pulled out in front. Since your natural hair is going to show with a half wig most people try to match the hair color. These wigs are attached with clips and combs inside the base of the half wig. The ability to blend your real hair with the half wig is critical in order for the half wig line to blend perfectly. This wig construction is ideal for those affected by female pattern baldness and thinning hair at the crown of the head. 9
CHAPTER 1: 10 FAQs About Lace Wigs

2. How Long Will My Wig Last?


A lace wig can last anywhere from several months to over a year. How long it lasts depends on factors which are determined by the construction materials and how the wig is stored and cared for. It is recommended that lace wigs receive professional care from a licensed stylist from the moment it is purchased. This includes for cutting, washing, and coloring to get started on the right foot. Obviously the better you care for your lace wig the longer it will last. Reference the tips in the this book and feel empowered when styling your lace wig.
HAIRLIBRARY.COM

10

10 FAQS ABOUT LACE WIGS

3. Can I Style And Curl My Lace Wig?


It is essential to note that all lace wigs are NOT made from human hair. Lace wigs made with real human hair can be styled the same way you would style your natural hair with the recommended tools and products. Lace wigs are very delicate. The overuse of products, combing, pulling vigorously or improperly storing your lace wig can cause irreversible damage. Heated steamrollers are highly recommended for curling your lace wig and provide an excellent base for further styling. Some manufacturers produce synthetic lace wigs that can curl with low heat, however always proceed with caution, and read the instructions carefully! See Chapter 7: Styling A Lace Wig

snap clips and wigs combs to help secure a tighter fit. There are pros and cons to snap clips and wig combs. While the snap clips offer a very secure and tight hold, they can add stress to your natural hair because of the pressure the clip snaps apply to your hair. If you have a sensitive scalp this can cause irritation and if you have thin hair this added stress might cause your hair to fall out. An alternative to the snap clips are wigs combs located at both temples and the nape of the wig. The wig combs slip directly into your natural hair underneath your wig cap for a secure hold that does not add stress on your hairline. The combs can also slide if you are moving your wig around for additional adjustments. If you are not using an adhesive to secure your lace wig, you can add additional security and support using hairpins at the hairline above your ears.

4. How Do I Size A Lace Wig?


Learning how to measure your head correctly for a lace wig is important because it ensures that you purchase a wig that fits you correctly. Keep in mind when measuring for your lace wig, your hair must be as flat as possible against your scalp. It is critical for an accurate measurement that you use a wig cap to help prevent any bulging. When measuring your head use a soft tape measure that will conform to the shape of your head. For the step-by-step tutorial on measuring your head please See Chapter 4: My First Lace Wig. I cannot emphasize enough the importance of an accurate measurement for your wig. The better the fit of your wig the more undetectable it will be and the more secure you will feel. Some wigs come with elastic adjusters in the back of the wig that allow the wig to fit tighter if needed. Others come with 11
CHAPTER 1: 10 FAQs About Lace Wigs

5. Can Lace Wigs Damage My Hairline?


While the lace wig itself may not cause any damage to your natural hair or hairline, the adhesive that is used to apply the wig can create serious problems if not applied and removed properly. Thinning usually occurs when you are not cautiously removing your wig or have placed glue directly on top of your hairline. If the glue comes into contact with your hairline DO NOT pull the wig to detach the glue, instead, patiently use an adhesive remover to dissolve the glue. Once the glue is dissolved you can gently remove the wig. If pulling occurs before the glue is dissolved it can pull your hair straight out from the root, which is not only painful but if repeated over time may cause the hair to never grow back. See Chapter 6: How To Apply Lace Wigs

HAIRLIBRARY.COM

12

10 FAQS ABOUT LACE WIGS

6. Can I Dye Or Color My Lace Wig?


Yes, human hair lace wigs can be colored or dyed, however, if not precisely followed, it can cause irreversible damage to your lace wig. It is recommended that you take your lace wig to an experienced, licensed stylist. When coloring a human hair wig make sure none of the dye gets onto the lace base. If the hair dye stains the lace base it will make the wig base more noticable. See Chapter 7: How Style A Lace Wig.

9. What Is Hair Density?


Hair density is measured by how many strands of hair are in a square inch. The more strands of hair present per square inch the thicker the hair is. With lace wigs, every wig manufacturer will have their own hair density guidelines that they follow, but what you want is to find a lace wig that replicates the density of your natural hair. Choosing the best density also depends on how you like to style your wig. Light Density This density is recommended for people with natural hair that is not very thick. This density is going to show more of the scalp of the wig, which looks more natural for people with naturally thin hair. Light to Medium This is the most popular choice because most women are able to achieve the most natural look with them. The wig has light density around the hairline, but medium density at the crown. Many professional lace wig stylists recommend this density for most women using the lace wig for everyday use. Heavy This is better suited for people who are in the entertainment industry, as thicker hair allows for more exaggerated hairstyles that can be easily identified for those watching from a distance. See Chapter 7: How To Style A Lace Wig

7. If I Have Hair loss Due To An Illness Or Chemical Damage Are Lace Wigs Right For Me?
Full lace wigs are a great option for those suffering from hair loss in areas that are very difficult if not impossible to camouflage with their own hair or even hair extensions. Thinning hair, Chemical Alopecia, Traction Alopecia, or Female Pattern Baldness are very difficult to mask, however the lace wigs can provide the natural hairline and crown that may have been affected by the specific hair condition.

8. How Do I Care For My Lace Wig?


Taking proper care of your lace wig is important because it helps extend the life of your wig. Taking proper care of your lace wig includes washing, drying, styling, and storing the lace wig correctly. It also means knowing what products are safe to use and what products you should avoid. For a more detailed look at caring for your lace wig; See Chapter 8: Caring For Your Lace Wig 13
CHAPTER 1: 10 FAQs About Lace Wigs

HAIRLIBRARY.COM

14

10 FAQS ABOUT LACE WIGS

10. I Live A Very Active Lifestyle How Do Lace Wigs Hold Up?
One of the best things about any type of lace wig is how well they hold up to an active lifestyle. When leading an active lifestyle the one precaution you want to make is how securely you adhere your lace wig to your hairline. People that plan to swim or exercise will want to use a waterproof adhesive so the wig does not come off while swimming or perspiring. Most professionals recommend that those with an active lifestyle should use adhesive glue rather than tape for holding your wig in place. Adhesive glue provides a secure hold that is stronger than wig tape. It is important that you feel secure when enjoying yoga, running, or weight training with your lace wig to ensure you get the most out of your work out. The security of your wig is the last thing you should be worrying about when you are enjoying whatever life has in front you.

15

CHAPTER 1: 10 FAQs About Lace Wigs

HAIRLIBRARY.COM

16

2 Chapter 2
10 Embarrassing Mistakes To Avoid
Buying a lace wig for the first time can be an overwhelming experience, clouded with more questions than answers. The last thing you want to do is make an investment in the WRONG wig. Getting the color and texture right is only the beginning, you also need to make sure you get the correct size. Purchasing a lace wig that is either too small or too big is only one of the common mistakes made that can lead to a very embarrassing situation. If you have never worn a lace wig before and have not taken time to learn how to properly wear your wig you can make avoidable and embarrassing mistakes. Taking the time to learn about the most common mistakes that people make, will ensure that you have a positive experience the first time around. Taking the time to learn about some avoidable mistakes will not only extend the life of your lace wig, but you will learn the proper care techniques required to maintain your new investment. Sometimes when women do not understand what to expect from a lace wig they immediately assume that the unit is defective or has not met their expectations. Let us take a look at some common mistakes and take a step in the right direction.

17

CHAPTER 2: 10 Embarrassing Mistakes To Avoid

HAIRLIBRARY.COM

18

10 EMBARRASING MISTAKES TO AVOID

Before putting on your lace wig, you will need to choose the best protective style to ensure an undetectable appearance. A common problem among people wearing lace wigs for the first time is that they do not know how to secure their natural hair properly. This may cause the wig to sit higher off the scalp and appear very awkward and obvious. You may have seen someone appear to have a large point on the top of their head or at the nape of the neck because they placed their natural hair in a bun or ponytail underneath their wig.

Mistake #1: Neglecting The Protective State

SOLUTION:

If you are unsure of how much lace to cut off ask an experienced licensed stylist to help you. Before you cut the lace from your wig, study the nature of your natural hairline. Use your natural hairline as your guide when cutting and not the general hairline of the lace wig. When cutting the lace to match your hairline, you may cut where some hair is attached to the lace and that is okay. To ensure that the lace wig looks natural you will only want the lace to be visible only at the part rather than along the hairline. See Chapter 6: How To Apply A Lace Wig.

SOLUTION:

A wet wrap is one of the most recommended methods to properly secure your natural hair, but dry wraps, box braids and cornrows can also be used successfully. When wrapping your hair ensure that it is wrapped as tightly as possible against your scalp this allows the wig to sit as close to the scalp as possible. The closer the wig is to your scalp the more undetectable it will be. Wig caps help but they are not enough. The state of your natural hair will determine the best method for your protecting your hair. See Chapter 5: Protecting Your Natural Hair.

When using adhesive to apply your lace wig be sure not to use too much glue. Many people mistakenly assume that any kind of adhesive is appropriate. Using excessive adhesive will cause your lace wig to stand out due to the shine along the hairline. Some products may leave the glue with a white residue at the hairline and this defeats the purpose and causes the hair at the hairline to get stuck in the glue.

Mistake #3: Too Much Adhesive

Fearful of making a mistake, some people do not cut enough lace away from the hairline of the wig, which leaves the lace visible against the skin. Another common mistake people make with the hairline of their lace wig is not using their natural hairline as a guide; instead, cutting the lace in a manner that gives the hairline a razor edge, like a man. This is extremely unnatural and may leave people giving you a double take for all the wrong reasons. Those double takes question the credibility of your undetectable wig. 19 CHAPTER 2: 10 Embarrassing Mistakes To Avoid

Mistake #2: Hairline Shows Too Much Lace

SOLUTION:

When using adhesive glue to secure your lace wig to your hairline you want to use lace wig adhesive that is going to dry clear. In addition, when bonding the wig to the hairline do not use any type of styling product on the hair until the glue has completely dried, this can take up to 12 minutes depending on the glue. If there is too much glue, use a small amount of adhesive remover on a Q-Tip along the hairline. You should be applying a very thin pencil line like layer of glue if you choose to bond your wig. Using a very small popsicle stick can help control the amount of adhesive applied to the hairline. See Chapter 6: How To Apply A Lace Wig. HAIRLIBRARY.COM 20

10 EMBARRASING MISTAKES TO AVOID

Dry and brittle hair on anyone will stand out because it does not look like healthy hair. Imagine how unhealthy dry and brittle hair looks on a lace wig. No Bueno. Obviously, dry and brittle hair is the last thing anyone wants, so you MUST prevent it from happening.

Mistake #4: Dry & Brittle Hair

SOLUTION:

SOLUTION:

If you are not sure where the perfect placement of the hairline is for your wig STOP and study your natural hairline. Before bonding the hair try as many positions as you need until you feel comfortable. The wig should be placed as close the natural hairline as possible. A trick you can do is take a make up pencil and draw an outline on the lace before you cut it. The hairline of the lace wig should sit just in front of your natural hairline. See Chapter 6: How To Apply A Lace Wig.

Lace wigs made from human hair need to be kept in excellent condition by conditioning the hair on a regular basis. When conditioning the hair make sure you only use products that are approved for use on human hair lace wigs. Using unsafe products can cause the hair to turn not only dry and brittle, but also dull and lifeless. Excessive heat with curling and flat irons can also play a role in drying out your locks. Using curling techniques that do not require heat such as pin curls or sponge rollers to touch up your hair in between washes and after you have styled your hair are ideal. You can also use a light hair sheen twice a week to add more luster if it is needed. Storing your lace wig improperly can also cause your wig to be dry and brittle. The condition of the hair starts with the quality of the hair. If the hair quality is poor from the start, there is not much you can do. See Chapter 7: Styling A Lace Wig.

A very common mistake women make with lace wigs is choosing the wrong hair texture for their wig. This is critical if you are seeking an undetectable look with your wig. If you have chosen a hair texture that is different from your natural hair texture that you are used to styling, you must learn everything you can about styling your wigs hair texture.

Mistake #6: Choosing The Wrong Hair Texture For Your Lace Wig

SOLUTION:

Another avoidable mistake people make with their lace wigs is placing the hairline of the lace wig way too close to the eyebrows. If you place the hairline of the wig too far down close to the eyebrows the wig will look more like a costume prop. With patience and practice this mistake is 100% avoidable. 21 CHAPTER 2: 10 Embarrassing Mistakes To Avoid

Mistake #5: Applying Lace Wigs Too Low

You want to select a wig that matches the same texture as your natural hair. For example, if your hair is a soft texture that is straight and semi-shiny, you want to pick a hair texture that matches as close as possible. You can also do an eyebrow test and see how the hair texture of your lace wig matches the texture of your eyebrows. This is a quick and simple method to make sure that you choose the most natural looking hair texture before purchasing your lace wig. See Chapter 4: My First Lace Wig.

HAIRLIBRARY.COM

22

10 EMBARRASING MISTAKES TO AVOID

The density of the hair is referring to how much hair is present in each square inch. Heavy density causes the wig to sit high on the top of the head and the appearance of too much hair coming from the temples looks very unnatural. You should not have more hair per square inch in one temple of your lace wig than all your natural hair combined. Find a balance.

Mistake #7: Choosing The Wrong Hair Density

is important. Before you apply your lace wig your wig cap should be pushed back away from the hairline by about 1/8th of an inch. Another tip to help blend the wig cap color, which is evident wherever you part your lace wig, is to apply a small amount of foundation powder you use on your skin directly to the exposed lace with a small brush. This will make the lace match your skin tone instead of showing the color of the lace and the wig cap beneath. See Chapter 10: Expecting The Unexpected

SOLUTION:

You need to determine what natural hair density suits you before buying a lace wig. If you have naturally thin hair you do not want to select a lace wig with heavy density because it looks too obvious and unnatural. Instead, you want to select a wig with light density. With patience, reducing the density will produce realistic results. You can reduce your lace wigs density if you cannot find one with the density you are looking for. See Chapter 7: Styling A Lace Wig

Another common mistake women make with their new lace wig is that in the excitement of their new investment they put the wig on and forget to style it. When wearing a lace wig you want your hair to be properly styled to suit your face shape so that you look your best. You should be wearing the wig instead of the wig wearing you.

Mistake #9: Not Styling The Lace Wig

Wearing the wrong color wig cap allows the cap color to be more evident in the areas where the lace base is visible. If you are wearing a blonde wig a black colored wig cap would be seen down the middle part of the wig. No one has a black scalp.

Mistake #8: Wearing The Wrong Color Wig Cap

SOLUTION:

SOLUTION:

You want to choose a cap that is as close to your natural skin tone as possible. While it can be difficult to choose one that matches your skin color exactly getting it as close as possible 23
CHAPTER 2: 10 Embarrassing Mistakes To Avoid

If you do not feel comfortable trying to style the wig on your own, take it into a licensed professional lace wig stylist. The stylist can give your lace wig a proper style for your face shape so your wig looks just as good as your natural hair, if not better. Creating baby hair and adjusting hair density are vital to owning your lace wig. See Chapter 7: Styling A Lace Wig

HAIRLIBRARY.COM

24

10 EMBARRASING MISTAKES TO AVOID

Another frequent mistake often made is not properly securing their lace wig. Having your wig slide off or shift out of place is embarrassing enough, however, people knowing that the perfect look you have achieved is not your own can cause that embarrassment to last a lifetime.

Mistake #10: Not Properly Securing Your Lace Wig

SOLUTION:

For extra security for you lace wig use bobby pins or hairpins in addition to any adhesive you use. Bobby pins and hairpins can be kept hidden while providing extra security. With the adhesive, remember not to apply too much glue because you do not want it to show. Most wigs come with hair clips/wig combs inside the wig to offer extra security. If your wig does not come with hairclips or wig combs built in, you can always add them yourself. See Chapter 6: How To Apply A Lace Wig

Nothing is worse than being out in public with a lace wig and an itchy scalp. Unfortunately digging and scratching is not an option. If you do, you run the risk of ruining your lace wig and exposing to the public that you are wearing one. To avoid an itchy scalp make sure you are washing and moisturizing your scalp regularly. If you suffer from itchy scalp or dry skin, you may need to see a doctor for medicinal options.

Bonus Mistake #11: Itchy Scalp

25

CHAPTER 2: 10 Embarrassing Mistakes To Avoid

HAIRLIBRARY.COM

26

3 Chapter 3
10 Frequently Asked Questions For Your Stylist
Choosing the right stylist for your lace wig is important because you need a licensed stylist that has experience handling lace wigs. The perfect lace wig stylist is going to be an asset rather than a liability for your lace wig experience. If your stylist does not know how to care for your wig, they can do more harm than good even causing unintentional but avoidable damage to your unit. The following are some very important questions you should ask your lace wig stylist BEFORE you place your wig in their hands. What to look for in the portfolio. The best stylists will have a portfolio that contains before and after pictures so you can gain a better idea of how much experience they really have. Portfolios should contain more than one or two hairstyles. Professional stylists should be able to style hair in a way that flatters their customers, which is usually determined by facial shapes. What a portfolio should not have. One of the worst mistakes that people make when creating a portfolio is filling it up with a ton of pictures. Quantity is not important in a portfolio, although diversity is. The quality of the style is what matters, and your stylists portfolio should reflect diversity and the understanding of face shapes and hairstyles. It should not be the same hairstyle on many different women.

#2. How Long Has The Stylist Been Applying Lace Wigs?
The longer the lace wig stylist has been applying lace wigs the better, as it means they have more experience. The more experience a lace wig stylist has the better they will be at making the wig undetectable and helping navigate you through the common questions regarding lace wigs. Some of the biggest problems with inexperienced stylists are, they apply the lace wig incorrectly and the lace or cap is placed where it is not supposed to. Inexperienced stylists can also make the mistake of using the wrong type of adhesive, cutting too much lace and many other common mistakes that are made with lace wigs; which are mentioned in Chapter 2: Embarrassing Mistakes To Avoid. HAIRLIBRARY.COM 28

#1. Does The Stylist Have A Portfolio?


Choosing a wig stylist that has a portfolio is not required, but it will give you a better idea of what they are capable of. Stylists often have portfolios to show potential clients the range of their work, but make sure they provide and identify the looks that are actually wigs versus those that are just hair extensions or basic styling. You want to make sure they have a complete portfolio. Pay attention to the details. 27
CHAPTER 3: 10 FAQs For Your Stylist

10 FAQS FOR YOUR LACE WIG STYLIST

You can ask your stylist the 10 FAQ about lace wigs and if they have been applying them for a long time, they should have no problem answering your questions.

the stylist has done for them, such as the cutting the lace to create a natural hairline.

#4. Ask For A Consultation #3. Does The Stylist Have Clients You Can Talk To?
When picking out a professional stylist for your lace wig you want to find out if they have any former or current clients that you can talk with. If there are clients that you can talk to, ask if you can have their phone number or email address rather than them contacting you. Talking with both former and current clients is important because it will give you a better idea of what the stylists strengths and weaknesses are. Talking to former clients When talking to former clients one of the first things you want to ask them is why they are no longer a client. For some clients it can be as simple as they moved away from the stylist or they no longer wear a lace wig. For others, it can be a bit more complicated, including personal reasons. If you come across a former client that does not recommend the stylist you are considering, make sure you find out why they are not suggesting the stylist. This can save you time, money and energy. Talking to current clients Most of the time current clients are going to be happy with the stylist they are using, but sometimes they might surprise you. Ask current clients what they feel are the stylists strong points, as well as what they think the stylist needs to work on. You should also ask if they can show you some of the work that 29 CHAPTER 3: 10 FAQs For Your Stylist Asking for a consultation from a professional lace wig stylist is important to see what they are capable of, as you will discover if they know what they are REALLY doing. In rare cases, professional stylists will claim that they can do things that they really cannot. Doing your homework before deciding on a stylist ensures the safety of your wig; without the research you run the risk of leaving your wig in the wrong hands. The consultation The majority of your stylists will charge a small fee for the consultation. When scheduling the consultation, ask your stylist if that amount can be applied towards your first appointment, as some are willing to do that. The reason why most stylists do not offer free consultations is that people take advantage of them; once they provide the client with all the information and advice the client does not come back.

HAIRLIBRARY.COM

30

10 FAQS FOR YOUR LACE WIG STYLIST

What to expect during the consultation

During the consultation, the stylist should do more than just talk. While asking you a variety of questions the stylist should also be examining your natural hair and scalp. Here is a list of things that a good stylist will do during a consultation: 1. Ask to check the condition of the scalp? 2. Ask you how you maintain your natural hair currently? 3. How would you describe your lifestyle? 4. How often do you see a professional stylist? 5. Is this your first time wearing a lace wig (If not how long)? 6. How do you maintain your wigs currently? 7. Do you wear synthetic or human hair? 8. Do you have allergies or skin conditions? 9. Are you wearing wigs for convenience or because you have a hair condition? 10. Have you ever experienced hair loss of any kind? Check the condition of your hair and scalp. The scalp needs to be in good condition so you do not have complications with wearing wigs. They also need to check the scalp to determine what type of adhesive should be used and the type of protective state most suitable for your natural hair. Check how well you take care of your hair. Stylists want to know how well you take care of your own hair in between visits to see how well you will care for your lace wig. To determine this they will look at your hair closely, but also ask you a variety of questions about your daily, weekly and monthly hair routine. In addition to your regimen, they should be asking about the products you are currently using, and if you are having any allergies. 31
CHAPTER 3: 10 FAQs For Your Stylist

#5. Ask The Stylist To Do A Step By Step Demo Of How The Lace Wig Is Applied
One of the most important steps required for lace wig stylists is the ability to apply the wig so that it is undetectable by others. A stylist who is unable to articulate the basic process of applying a lace style wig can inadvertently destroy your natural hairline as well as the hairline of the lace wig, and also place you in some embarrasing situations. Talking to the stylist The stylist should be able to give you a verbal step-by-step walk through that details how to apply a lace wig. The first thing they should talk about are the best solutions to protect your natural hair underneath the wig cap. The stylist should also talk about the protective state to ensure there is no bulging underneath your lace wig. While listening to the stylist explain the steps, you should listen to what kind of terminology they are using. An experienced stylist will be familiar with lace wig terminology, but will also be able to provide you with a physical demonstration. After reading this book you will be well informed on everything you need to know about lace wigs and the consultation should reaffirm that the stylist also knows everything about lace wigs. Be patient and listen to their explanation, if you feel that they are not comfortable in explaining the application process then it is time to move on.

HAIRLIBRARY.COM

32

10 FAQS FOR YOUR LACE WIG STYLIST

#6. Ask The Stylist The 10+ FAQs About Lace Wigs
One of the best ways to find out how much the stylist knows about lace wigs is through asking them the 10+ FAQs about lace wigs. An experienced stylist should be able to answer all of the questions correctly, if not add to the list. Top 10+ FAQS Here is a list of the top questions that you will want to ask the stylist. See Chapter 1: 10 FAQs About Lace Wigs. 1. What are the different types of lace wigs? 2. How long will my wig last? 3. How do I measure my head for the wig? 4. Can I style and curl my lace wig? 5. Can lace wigs damage my hairline? 6. Can I dye or color my lace wigs? 7. What is hair density? 8. I live a very active lifestyle. How do these wigs hold up? 9. How do I care for my lace wig? 10. What kind of hair is the wig made out of? + 11. If I have hair loss due to an illness or chemical damage, is this right for me?

Ask the stylist what they would recommend based on your facial structure. Do not forget to ask them for examples of hairstyles for specific face shapes in their portfolio. See Chapter 4: My First Lace Wig, for the best style for your face shape.

#8. What Type Of Hair Is The Stylist Used To Styling, Synthetic Or Real?
Lace wigs can be made from human hair or they can be made from synthetic fibers. Human hair wigs are easier to style because of how manageable human hair is but requires more maintenance than synthetic wigs. You can curl some synthetic wigs using a low heat, others you cannot apply heat to at all. When washing the human and the synthetic hair the process and the products that are to be used are VERY different. Your stylist should already be aware of the hair texture of your unit. Styling the different wigs Styling a synthetic lace wig is harder than styling lace wigs made from human hair because the synthetic fibers are not as flexible. When styling wigs with synthetic fibers only certain products can be used on the wig, so instructions must be read carefully. Human hair is a lot easier to style because you can use most of the same techniques to style your wig that you would use on your natural hair. However, human hair wigs are also more susceptible to damage from over styling, so you need to be careful about what products you are using and how much heat is applied to the wig. Most synthetic hair wigs come pre-styled, therefore limiting the versatility in styling and the ability to customize the wig for your face shape; not to forget the allergic reaction that some people have with synthetic fibers.
HAIRLIBRARY.COM

#7. Can The Stylist Suggest The Best Hairstyle For My Face Shape?
The most important thing about wearing any hairstyle is making sure that it flatters your face shape, which can be harder than it sounds. A professional lace wig stylist will have the training and knowledge required to give you that perfect style based on the shape of your face. 33
CHAPTER 3: 10 FAQs For Your Stylist

34

10 FAQS FOR YOUR LACE WIG STYLIST

#9. How Do You Wash A Lace Wig?


Explaining the process While a demonstration would be nice, not all stylists have lace wigs on hand. However, even if they cannot physically demonstrate to you the process involved in washing a lace wig they should be able to give you step-by-step instructions on what you should do and avoid. While explaining the process involved for washing the lace wig the stylist should use the correct tools and terminology, so pay close attention to their method. See Chapter 8: Caring For Your Lace Wig.

Are the credentials current? Both licenses should be current. If they are not current, you will want to ask why. It could be a simple explanation as to they are waiting for the new one in the mail or it could be more complicated than that. You want to avoid stylists that are too lazy to keep their credentials current. Even though they might know what they are doing, they are not showing responsibility, which most likely transfers into their overall work ethic.

Bonus #11. How Can The Stylist Adjust The Density For My Face?
When you buy a lace wig, one of the first things you want to check is the density of the wig to ensure it meets your needs. Hair density refers to the amount of hair present per square inch. While the exact density varies from one manufacturer to the next, most of them use the same words to describe how dense the hair is. Even though a professional stylist can help adjust the density of a lace wig to suit your face you still want to purchase the right wig from the beginning to make things easier.

#10. Does The Stylist Have The Proper Credentials To Work On You And Your Lace Wig?
Even though a professional stylist is required by law to have a Cosmetology License that does not mean they do. Stylists who are in business for themselves must also have a Business License, which is usually displayed directly above or below the Cosmetology License in their workstation. Most stylists who are working in a salon where they are renting a chair have the proper license because it is a requirement that must be met when renting the space. However, stylists who are working independently on their own or out of their home might be working without one. Be very careful and avoid cutting corners, stylists are required to have a license for a reason.

35

CHAPTER 3: 10 FAQs For Your Stylist

HAIRLIBRARY.COM

36

4 Chapter 4
My First Lace Wig
There are many things to consider when purchasing your first lace wig. Most of these important factors were covered in the previous chapters. Keep in mind, although it may seem overwhelming, taking the time to practice and inform yourself of your many options will help you achieve the look you desire. Most critical mistakes, are made in the beginning. I know, because I have made all of them more than once. Identifying hair types and measuring your head properly are just the beginning of the list of choices that need to be made before your lace wig is in your hands. I took one for the team so you do not have to. Take a look at the important components that anyone in the market for their first lace wig should consider.

Choosing The Right Lace Color


TRANSPARENT The transparent lace color is perfect for very light scalp tones.

LIGHT BROWN Light brown lace color is perfect for light brown scalp tones.

MEDIUM BROWN Medium brown lace color is perfect for medium brown scalp tones.

DARK BROWN Dark brown lace color is ideal for dark brown scalp tones.

To get the best color match for your lace you need to match the lace color with the tone of your scalp not your skin tone. 37
CHAPTER 4: My First Lace Wig
HAIRLIBRARY.COM

38

MY FIRST LACE WIG

How To Choose The Right Hair Texture


Choosing the correct texture is one of the most important decisions when making your lace wig purchase. Even with a high quality lace wig construction, the wrong hair texture will not give you the results you are looking for. Choosing the right hair texture you feel comfortable managing is very important. It is highly recomended you choose a hair texture that is as manageable as your natural hair texture. While it might seem overwhelming at first due to all of the different textures to choose from, it is really a rather simple process. The best way to ensure that you pick the texture that is the best match is the eyebrow test. The eyebrow test involves matching the texture of the lace wig to the texture of your eyebrows. If they look and feel the same then you know you have made the right choice.

Identifying Different Hair Types


Water Wave, Yaki Straight, Yaki Wave, Kinky Straight, Silky Straight, Body Wave, French Curl, Deep Curl, Kinky Wave, Afro Curl, Loose Kinky Wave, Brazillian Curl, Malaysian Curl & Chinese Straight

39

CHAPTER 4: My First Lace Wig

HAIRLIBRARY.COM

40

MY FIRST LACE WIG

How To Read A Color Ring


Understanding how to read a color ring will help you navigate all of the colors available for great looking hair. Selecting the style before you select the color is important because there are so many styles and colors to choose from. You do not want to feel overwhelmed by making two decisions at the same time. Lace wig manufacturers can offer up to 40 different color options from natural everyday hair colors to vibrant celebrity inspired colors. If you are new to wearing wigs, it is recommended that you choose what best matches your natural hair color. If the hair color change is too dramatic, it may be hard for you to adjust to your new wig all together. Here are some additional tips to help you make the best color choice: When choosing hair color, keep your skin color in mind. If you have a light complexion be cautious of very dark hair colors, it may draw color out of your skin. If you are looking to match a natural hair color, you can always use your eyebrows as a reference for the perfect hair color match. Virgin Indian Remy means the hair has not been processed or colored in any way. See Chapter 7: Styling A Lace Wig, for how to highlight your lace wig Off black is the best combination of natural black and brown colors and suits most people. Off Black is also known as Natural Blackor #1B. 41
CHAPTER 4: My First Lace Wig
HAIRLIBRARY.COM

42

FINDING A LACE WIG STYLIST


Measuring Your Head For A Wig 1 2

MY FIRST LACE WIG

15 MIN

1: Head Circumference The tape measure should follow your hairline all the way around from the top of the forehead all the way to the nape of your neck. The average circumference is 22.5 inches. 2: Forehead To Nape This determines the length of your head and is done by measuring from your forehead, over the top of your head to the nape of your neck. The average measurement for this area is 14.5 3: Over Top Of Head To get an accurate result place the end of the measuring tape at the top edge of your ear and run it across the top of your head to the same spot on your other ear. The average measurement here is 12.5 inches. 4: Front Hairline To get an accurate measurement you want to measure from the bottom of one sideburn to the bottom of the other sideburn measuring along the front of the hairline. The average measurement is 11.5 inches. 5: Nape Of Neck This measurement needs to go from one side to the other all along the bottom hairline. The average measurement is 5.5 inches. 6: Temple-To-Temple Here you will place the tape measure on one of your temples and then run the tape measure around the back of your head, so it encases your crown and ends up on the other temple. The average measurement here is 14.5 inches.

inches.

Make sure your hair is properly secured for an accurate measurement.


HAIRLIBRARY.COM

43

CHAPTER 4: My First Lace Wig

44

MY FIRST LACE WIG

Example of A Manufacturers Wig Sizing Chart


S Circumference Front to nape Ear to ear across forehead Ear to ear across top Temple to temple Nape to neck 21.5 13.5 11 12 14 5 M 22.5 14.5 11.5 12.5 14.5 5.5 L 23.5 15.5 12 13.5 15.5 6

Best Styles For Your Facial Shape


Certain hairstyles are going to compliment particular face shapes better than others because they are designed to accentuate the flattering features, while also hiding those unflattering features. The information provided is only a guideline, so try to find the best hairstyle for your face shape. Only you know best.

Oval
People with an oval shaped face have a narrow jaw line with wide cheekbones. Having an oval face shape is great because you do not have to worry about hiding or accentuating any particular areas. With an oval face shape you can generally wear hairstyles of any length without having to stress about how it looks!

Wig Cap Colors


NUDE

The nude color wig cap matches well with fair to light skin and with blonde colored wigs.
BROWN

The brown color wig cap matches well with brown to dark brown skin and with brown and red wig colors.
BLACK

Round
People with a round shaped face often have a wide hairline with full cheekbones, in most cases, their neck looks very short. The best hairstyles for people with round faces involve a linear or geometric style. Whenever possible you want to add height to the hairstyle. Long, wispy hair along the side of the face can help to make the checks appear narrower. Keeping the hair combed as close to the head as possible on the side of the head and on the nape of the neck also helps to hide how short the neck appears.
HAIRLIBRARY.COM

The black color wig cap matches well with darker skin tones and dark brown to black wig colors.
NETTED

The black net wig cap matches well with darker skin tones and dark brown to black wig colors. This cap allows better ventilation of the scalp on hot days. 45
CHAPTER 4: My First Lace Wig

46

MY FIRST LACE WIG

Rectangle
Women with a rectangular shaped face have a very prominent forehead, a square jaw, and very strong, defined cheekbones. The main thing to do with this facial shape is to soften up the jaw and forehead. The best styles for accomplishing this are tapered layers or even ringlets. Bobs with side-swept bangs is a great style to wear out on the town.

Oblong
A long face with a narrow bone structure is the easiest way to define an oblong face. The best hairstyles for this facial shape will be any that allow you to create the illusion of an oval face shape. Using half bangs across the forehead or even using fringe to add soft curls or waves to the crown and nape area is a great trick for creating the illusion of on oval shaped face.

Diamond
Diamond shaped faces have narrow foreheads and chins, but wide cheekbones. Any hairstyle that is full at the chin and narrow along the sides is perfect. One of the best styles is a bob with layers. With this facial shape any volume along the sides or top is to be avoided. Add some bangs to help cover up the narrowness of the forehead.

Pear
A narrow or small forehead and a large or dominant jaw line is known as a pear shaped face. When combing and styling the hair, you want to add some width around eye level all the way to the crown of the head. The hair along the sides and nape of the neck needs to be kept as close to the head as possible.

Heart
Wide foreheads and narrow chins are the classic features of heart shaped faces. Hairstyles that hide the wideness of the forehead are the preferred choice. Hair should also be kept close to the head around the eyes, but should be a bit fuller around the jaw. Shorter haircuts are not ideal for people with heart shaped faces because the hair needs to be worn just below the earlobes.

Square
Square faces have a wide hairline, along with a wide jaw. The best hairstyle for this facial shape is one that adds height to the top, but also adds some narrowness along the sides. Create narrowness along the sides with wispy standards of hair; curls will also work because they break up the straight lines of the face. To add height to the top of the head simply comb the hair away from the forehead.
HAIRLIBRARY.COM

47

CHAPTER 4: My First Lace Wig

48

5 Chapter 5
Protecting Your Natural Hair
No matter what method you plan to use, properly wrapping your natural hair is very important when wearing a lace wig. If you are not taking the time to properly protect your hair, this may cause irreversible damage to your natural hairline. Traction Alopecia along the hairline is quite common in individuals who do not wear a wig cap when using adhesive to secure the lace wig. Baby hairs located along the front of your natural hairline that are not properly pulled back often find themselves stuck in the adhesive and are eventually pulled out. Properly wrapping your hair ensures the baby hairs are not left stuck in the adhesive. Those who are commited to wearing lace wigs 24/7 go as far as shaving their baby hair at the hairline so there are no issues with the adhesive. I do not recommend shaving your hairline if you want the flexibility of only wearing your lace wigs when desired. When you are not wearing your lace wig and have shaved your hairline it may look unnatural and distracting.

49

CHAPTER 5: Protecting Your Natural Hair

HAIRLIBRARY.COM

50

PROTECTING YOUR NATURAL HAIR PROTECTING YOUR NATURAL HAIR

10 MIN

How To Do A Dry/Wet Wrap


The dry wrap is another popular wrapping method and is quite similar to the wet wrap. Obviously, the biggest difference between a wet and dry wrap is that you wrap your hair while it is dry. A wet wrap requires setting foam, while a dry wrap requires hair pins and moisturizer. After you have wrapped your wet hair sit under the dryer. Step #1: Preparing The Part Using the rat tail comb, make a center part from your hairline to the crown of your head. Step #2: Wrap The Hair Beginning at the part that you created you will want to start combing your hair around your head, which can go in either direction. When combing the hair around your head you will want it to lay as flat as possible against the scalp. Many women use a light oil sheen to gently mist the hair to help comb it flat. Step #3: Use The Brush Once the hair has been combed flat, use a paddle brush to ensure the hair is as flat as possible against the scalp. Many times the brush can get the hair flatter than the comb, just make sure you use the same brushing motions with the comb as you will with the brush. Step #4: Hair Pins Finally apply a few pins to hold the hair in place if needed. Step #5: Silk Scarf Cover your hair with a silk scarf until you are ready to apply your wig. Silk scarves are ideal because they do not dry out your hair and protect better than cotton scarves when it comes to friction. Make sure your hair is completely dry before you apply your wig. BONUS For Wet Wrap After wrapping your wet hair apply setting foam, secure with pins and sit under the dryer

51

CHAPTER 5: Protecting Your Natural Hair

The dry wrap is ideal for straight hair as it can be styled within minutes and moisturized daily. The dry wrap is not ideal for curly hair as the volume does not allow the wig to be undetectable. HAIRLIBRARY.COM 52

PROTECTING YOUR NATURAL HAIR

80 MIN

How To Cornrow Your Hair


While cornrows can be a great hairstyle by themselves, they are also an excellent way to protect you hair while wearing lace wigs. Lightly apply a moisturizer directly to your scalp, working from your roots to your ends, while gently removing all tangles. Step #1: Part The Hair The width of the part will determine how many cornrows you put in your hair. Most women use anywhere from five to seven cornrows. Step #2: Clip Aside Extra Hair Once you have established the first part, you will need to clip all of the extra hair out of the way. To begin your first row, at the hairline, divide the hair into three equal parts, just as you would to start any braid. Always begin braiding the small sections of hair at the hairline. Step #3: Adding Extra Hair In order to get the normal braid into a cornrow, extra hair must be picked up as you are braiding. As you are braiding the hair, pick up hair alternating from the left to the right and work the hair into the current strand you are holding. If you want the track of the cornrow to be invisible you need to tuck the hair under. For a visible track, grab the hair from underneath and pull it out as you braid. In order to keep the braids neat and uniform gently pull your fingers through the hair while you work your way through the braid. Repeat this process until you reach the nape of the neck, at which time, no more hair will be needed to pull into the cornrow. Step #4: Ending The Braid Once you have reached the end of the braid you will need to secure the cornrow so that it does not come undone. You can do this with a variety of tools, including clips or hair bands. To do your entire head in cornrows simply follow steps two through six until you are done.

53

Cornrows are ideal for protecting both naturally curly and straight hair. It reduces the volume as it keeps the braid tight to the scalp. Cornrows also allow the scalp to breath and for the easy application of moisturizer to the scalp.
HAIRLIBRARY.COM

CHAPTER 5: Protecting Your Natural Hair

54

PROTECTING YOUR NATURAL HAIR PROTECTING YOUR NATURAL HAIR

90 MIN

How To Do Box Braids


Box braids are another popular method used to protect your natural hair. This method is especially effective for women who have thicker natural hair, as this style may not be as effective for relaxed hair. It is important to line up the box braids so that they fall in between the next row of braids. In addition to being a protective style while wearing lace wigs they can also be worn out and about without your wig. Step #1: Apply Moisturizer Apply a small amount of moisturizer and gel to the section of hair you are about to braid to help hold the frizzes. Step #2: Comb The Hair Lightly moisturize your hair with moisturizer or leave-in conditioner. You do not want the hair dripping wet, just damp enough to make the hair easier to comb through, removing any tangles. Step #3: Form Boxes

Determine how many boxes you want to have along the bottom row, most women go with an even number. Part the hair in the middle, making sure the part line is straight. Part the hair so that it forms a perfect box.
Step #4: Begin Braiding Get your hands as close to the scalp as possible and begin to braid the hair. With the braid, you can do an underhand or overhand braid, whichever is more comfortable for you. Keeping your hands as close to the scalp as possible ensures you get a nice tight braid that will stay in place. Step #5: Tie Off The Braid Once you have finished braiding, apply a hair rubber band to the end of the braid to hold it in place. To finish box braids, repeat steps three through five until all of your hair has been braided.

Box braids are ideal for naurally curly hair as they reduce volume and give you the ability to moisturize your scalp daily.
HAIRLIBRARY.COM

55

CHAPTER 5: Protecting Your Natural Hair

56

6 Chapter 6
How To Apply A Lace Wig
The proper application of a lace wig is the foundation for the success of any beautiful style. If your lace wig is not properly applied, it does not matter how amazing the hair style is, all the attention is focused on the obvious nature of your failed attempt. In order to achieve an undetectable look, the lace wig must be properly applied which takes practice and patience. Using too much adhesive, not cutting the lace properly, or using the wrong tools and techniques can lead to disastrous results. In order to properly apply the lace wig for the undetectable look you desire, it is imperative that you have the right tools at the beginning. Set yourself up for success before you start by becoming familiar with the tools and techniques as well as The Mistakes To Avoid, before doing irreversible damage to your investment.

57

CHAPTER 6: How To Apply A Lace Wig

HAIRLIBRARY.COM

58

HOW TO APPLY A LACE WIG HOW TO APPLY A LACE WIG

20 MIN

Cutting The Hairline Of A Lace Wig


A big part in ensuring that your lace wig is undetectable is having a natural looking hairline. Many women often make the mistake of improperly cutting the hairline of the lace wig, which draws unwanted attention to the lace wig. Hairlines are never razor sharp, nor do they ever grow in a perfectly straight line, which are the two most common mistakes women make when cutting the hairline. To get an idea of a natural looking hairline you will want to study your own hairline in the mirror. Step #1: Clip The Hair Away From The Hairline Using metal hairclips, clip the hair away from the hairline, revealing the lace. Step #2: Draw The Hairline Use a makeup pencil to lightly draw in your natural hairline. This trick ensures that the hairline looks natural because you are using your own hairline as your guide. Step #3: Cutting The Lace Remove the wig and begin cutting off the lace in very small sections. When you cut off a small amount all the way around the lace wig, you will want to place the lace wig back onto your head during the process to see what the hairline looks like. The lace edge should not be detectable on the skin. Continue to make adjustments as needed. Step #4: Cutting The Hairline You may need to cut some of the hair at the hairline of the lace wig to match perfectly with your natural hairline. That is okay, as long as the hairline looks natural.

When cutting the lace, go very slowly cutting two inch sections at a time across the front of the hairline. There should be no residual makeup pencil marks remaining after the cutting process.
HAIRLIBRARY.COM

59

CHAPTER 6: How To Apply A Lace Wig

60

HOW TO APPLY A LACE WIG

30

MIN

How To Apply A Lace Wig Using Lace Wig Glue


Lace wig glue, also referred to as adhesive, is one of the most popular methods used to secure a lace wig. Many people prefer the lace wig glue over other methods because of how secure the hold is. The more secure the hold is the more active you can be. Working out, swimming, and even dancing can all be done with the lace wig still on. Not to mention, using a strong adhesive lowers the chance of the wig accidentally coming off if the wind blows just right; resulting in potentially embarrassing moments! Step #1: Protective State Use one of the protective states to get your hair as close to the scalp as possible. For more information on the protective state, please visit Chapter 5: Protecting Your Natural Hair Step #2: Baby Hairs Baby hairs or even fly always often give away the fact that you are wearing a wig. Nothing is worse than having a few hairs coming out from underneath your hairline. To prevent this, use hair pins to secure all baby hairs and any fly aways back from the edge of your natural hairline. Step #3: Add Wig Cap Find a wig cap that is as close to your natural skin tone as possible. The wig cap is going to give the illusion of a scalp and hide the grid pattern of the lace base. Step #4: Cut The Hairline See pages: 59 - 60 Step #5: Put On Lace Wig Place the lace wig on your head, but leave enough room around the hairline to prep your skin for the adhesive.

Continued on following page.

Some women prefer to shave their natural baby hair at the hairline so the adhesive does not stick to their hair. This is not recommended as your natural hairline will look unnatural when you are not wearing your wig.
HAIRLIBRARY.COM

61

CHAPTER 6: How To Apply A Lace Wig

62

HOW TO APPLY AA LACE WIG HOW TO APPLY LACE WIG

30

MIN

How To Apply A Lace Wig Using Lace Wig Glue Continued


Step #6: Clean The Skin Using some rubbing alcohol and a cotton ball gently wipe the skin along your hairline. This rids the skin of any excess oils to ensure the adhesives bond to your skin. Step #7: Apply Adhesive Using a Q-Tip or applicator stick, apply a thin line of adhesive directly in front of your natural hairline. As soon as the glue is ready, which will vary depending on the type of glue being used, you can press the lace base down onto the glue with the end of your rat tail comb. Repeat this process in small sections until the lace wig is fully secured to your head. Step #8: Adjustments If any adjustments need to be made, use lace wig adhesive remover to remove the adhesive before making the proper adjustment. Step #9: Allow Glue To Dry How long this takes will depend on the type of adhesive used. Step #10: Clean Up After the glue has cured, you will be able to see if you used to much adhesive. If you notice any shiny sections of skin showing use the adhesive remover to remove the excess glue, but be careful not to get it on the lace itself because that will loosen the hold.

10

Apply scalp protector to your hairline to protect against irritation. It is also recommended you do a 24 hour allergy test prior to using all adhesives.

63

CHAPTER 6: How To Apply A Lace Wig

HAIRLIBRARY.COM

64

HOW TO APPLY A LACE WIG

10 MIN

Using A Glueless Method To Apply A Lace Wig


Glueless methods are becoming more popular when applying a lace wig mainly because of hairline damage caused by lace wig adhesive applied improperly. One of the most popular glueless methods used to quickly apply a lace wig is the Elastic Band and Wig Comb Method. Step #1: Adjusting The Elastic Bands and Wig Combs Adjust the elastic bands and view the placement of the wig combs inside the lace wig. Step #2: Alignment

Align the wig combs at the temple.


Step #3: Apply Wig Cap Slide the wig comb underneath the lace cap and into the hairline. Step #4: Cut The Hairline Pull the hair away from the hairline using a hair clip and separate the baby hairs at the hairline. Step #5: Apply The Lace Wig At the nape of the neck adjust the comb and slide it underneath the wig cap and into the hairline. Step #6: Style Separate the wisps of baby hairs in the back and style as desired. For additional security, discretely add bobbypins at the temples. Adjust the ear tabs and the hairline of the lace wig until it is set just right on the head. Look in the mirror and continue adjusting until the lace wig looks natural.

65

CHAPTER 6: How To Apply A Lace Wig

HAIRLIBRARY.COM

66

HOW TO APPLY A LACE WIG

25 MIN

Using Wig Tape To Apply Your Lace Wig


Wig tape can also be used to apply a lace wig. While the wig tape does provide a secure hold, it does not hold as securely as adhesive, so it is not recommended for those with a very active lifestyle. Step #1: Cut Wig Tape Cut the double-sided wig tape into its desired length and shape. One long piece is not recommended, and neither are a multitude of small pieces. Use several pieces so that you can leave a small space between each strip to allow any moisture build up to escape. Step #2: Wig Cap Find a wig cap that is as close to your natural skin tone as possible. The wig cap is going to give the illusion of a scalp and hide the grid pattern of the lace base. You can even wear two wig caps at a time; this trick is used to keep the hair as flat as possible to remain undetectable. Step #3: Clean The Hairline Using a cotton ball with some rubbing alcohol, clean the skin around the hairline. Peel off the paper on one side of the tape only and apply the tape directly to your head, just underneath your hairline. Step #4: Apply Tape Place the wig tape along the hair line. If your wig is a lace front wig you will only need to place the tape along the front of the hair line and if it is a full lace wig you need to place the tape also along the nape of the neck. Step #6: Apply Lace Wig Gently press the lace wig to the adhesive, holding it in place for about 1 minute. Repeat until the entire wig is secured to your head.

67

Be sure to take your time when cutting the adhesive strips to ensure they line up as naturally as possible with the hairline. When applying the lace wig at the nape of the neck, use a hand mirror to ensure the proper alignemnt. Practice makes perfect!
HAIRLIBRARY.COM

CHAPTER 6: How To Apply A Lace Wig

68

HOW TO APPLY A LACE WIG

15 MIN

Properly Removing Your Lace Wig


While applying your lace wig is important, properly removing it is even more critical. If you do not properly remove your lace wig, you may permanently damage your natural hairline. Step #1: Saturate The Hairline With Adhesive Remover Saturate the edge of your lace wig and any excess glue with adhesive remover. After about ten minutes, test to see how easily the lace wig is separating from your skin. If it is pulling against your skin allow the adhesive remover to soak for a longer period of time. Step #2: Use A Q-Tip Once it begins to separate, use a Q-Tip to apply adhesive remover between the lace wig and your skin. Step #3: Remove Adhesive From Skin Once the lace wig releases its hold of the skin, remove the lace wig from your head. Remember, the wig glue will remain on your skin. Using the adhesive remover, remove any remaining adhesive from your skin and lace base. This should be removed right away.

Glueless Method: If you used wig combs, all you have to do is disengage the wig combs and gently slide the lace wig off your head. With the elastic band you will have to disengage the wig combs along the bottom and gently push in on the ear tabs to loosen the elastic strap.

69

CHAPTER 6: How To Apply A Lace Wig

HAIRLIBRARY.COM

70

7 Chapter 7

Styling A Lace Wig


When choosing a lace wig it is important that you are comfortable styling it just as you would your own hair. Lace wigs made from human hair can be styled like your natural hair, you will need to take some precautions. In this chapter we will discuss some factors you want to take into consideration when styling your lace wig. Here is a quick overview: Make sure you are aware of the type of hair you are styling, synthetic hair and human hair follow different styling rules. Lace wigs can withstand the heat of a curling iron, but curling irons are not the best choice for curling the hair for everyday styling. Heated steam rollers or sponge rollers are the preferred choice. Not only do they give you a longer lasting curl, it also holds up better in humidity; and the hair can be styled overnight while you sleep. Only use products that are recommended for human hair. Using the wrong products can cause product build-up, damaging the lace wig. The hair can become dull, less manageable and even cause the lace wig to shed. 71
CHAPTER 7: Styling A Lace Wig
HAIRLIBRARY.COM

72

STYLING A LACE WIG

Lace Wig Hairsyles


LACE FRONT WIG 1) Side part 2) Twisted off the hairline 3) Pulled and pinned back 4) Center part FULL LACE WIG 5) Top Knot 6) French Braids 7) Traditional Bun 8) High Ponytail 9) Low Ponytail 10) Half up/Half Down 11) Pig Tails (Back view) 12) Pig Tails (Front View)

10

11

12

73

CHAPTER 7: Styling A Lace Wig

HAIRLIBRARY.COM

74

STYLING A LACE WIG

30

MIN

Adjusting Hair Density


Step #1: Secure The Lace Wig Using a few T-Pins, secure the lace wig to the styrofoam head. Make sure the hair is brushed back to expose the hairline. Using the end of a rat tail comb, take out a small, thin section of hair along the hairline and comb them flat. Step #2: Tweezing The Hair Now using the tweezers, get as close to the knot as possible and then pull out the hair with the tweezers. When tweezing the hair you will notice that the hair is done in rows. Never pull out all of the hair in one row. Instead, pull out a few from the first row and then some from a few rows back. Step #3: Try On The Lace Wig Once you have removed about 5 or 6 hairs, you will want to stop tweezing and try the wig on. You do not want to pull out too many hairs at a time. If you pull out too much, you cannot put the hair back on and you will make the hairline appear to be receding. Trying on the lace wig will allow you to see how the hairline is coming along, so you know to tweeze more or move onto the next section. Step #4: Repeat Steps Two and Three You will need to repeat steps two, three, and four until you have done the entire hairline. This will be a long and tedious process, but is worth it to ensure the hairline looks natural.

Remember when tweezing that the hair gradually gets thicker as it moves away from the hairline. The hairline is going to be the sparsest area in terms of density.

75

CHAPTER 7: Styling A Lace Wig

HAIRLIBRARY.COM

76

STYLING A LACE WIG

20 MIN

Things To Remember When Curling A Lace Wig


A critical part of styling your lace wig is adding some curl. While quality lace wigs purchased from SWIGCHD can be curled and styled like your own hair, there a few things you will want to keep in mind to ensure you do not damage your lace wig and that you achieve the best results. #1 If using a curling iron, always use a ceramic curling iron. Ceramic curling irons and flat irons allow for even heating so there is less chance of burning the hair. #2 Heated steam rollers are a great option for curling the lace wig. You can find heated steam rollers in a variety of sizes, so you can use big or little curls based on how you wish to style your lace wig. #3 Heated steam rollers give a longer lasting curl without needing to use a heavy spray to hold the curl in place. If you use a spray, use a light spray to prevent any kind of product build up. #4 Curls from heated steam rollers hold up better in humidity than curls done with a curling iron. #5 Sponge rollers with setting lotion is a great and convenient way to style the hair, as you can set the rollers overnight and remove them in the morning. #6 Pull the volume from the root so the hair is as flat as possible to the base of the lace wig. The flatter the hair the more real the wig will appear.

Depending on the hairstyle, it may be easier to style the lace wig on a mannequin head.

77

CHAPTER 7: Styling A Lace Wig

HAIRLIBRARY.COM

78

STYLING A LACE WIG

10 MIN

Styling The Perfect Updo


When wearing lace wigs you need to be able to pull your hair up to create a realistic looking updo, whether it is a messy bun or even a simple ponytail. Creating the perfect updo is vital to keeping the secret of your lace wig. Full lace wigs are recommended for this style. Step #1: Placing The Hair Into a Ponytail Gather up the rest of the hair and pull it into a loose ponytail at the back of the head. Where you place the bulk of the hair will depend on how high you want your updo to be. Step #2: Secure The Updo If you are pulling the hair into a bun, you will want to twist the hair into a bun and then secure with hairpins. Step #3: Continue Around The Bun Step #4: Secure The Bun Using a hairband and pins, secure the bun in place. Step #5: Curl The Baby Hairs Pull out the baby hair in the lace wig, at the nape of the neck and the side burns. Double check that the lace wig is secure at the nape of the neck with some type of adhesive or wig comb. Step #6: Finishing Touches You can leave your hair as it is after you loosely pull it up, but smoothing it out will give you a better looking updo. When smoothing it out use a styling brush that is approved for lace wigs.

When pulling the hair into a ponytail, secure the hair with a hair pin.
HAIRLIBRARY.COM

79

CHAPTER 7: Styling A Lace Wig

80

STYLING A LACE WIG

45 MIN

How To Roller Set Your Lace Wig


One of the easiest ways to give your lace wig body and curls is by using a roller set. The majority of people who use a roller set with their lace wig find that these work best when the hair is wet, but that can cause creases in the hair, if not properly applied. Roller sets are great for styling lace wigs that can be styled with and without setting lotion. Step #1: Prepare the Wig After washing and conditioning the wig, place on a styrofoam mannequin head and begin detangling the unit. Step #2: Sectioning The Hair You will need to use a wide tooth comb to separate the hair into sections, and secure it with hairpins. The method you use to section off the hair will vary based on your desired style. Step #3: Roller Set The Hair Starting from the ends of the hair, roll the hair into the hair roller. Step #4: Secure The Roller Secure the hair roller with a metal clip. Step #5: Complete The Process Repeat until all your hair is secured in hair rollers. Step #6: Allow The Wig To Dry Allowing the wig to dry can be done in two different ways; air dry or under a dryer. For lace wigs, the best option is to allow the wig to dry under the dryer also to make sure the lace base is completely dry. Using a blow dryer is not recommended to dry your hair unless you are experienced.

To save time you can also use sponge rollers to curl your lace wig overnight while the lace wig rests on the mannequin head.
HAIRLIBRARY.COM

81

CHAPTER 7: Styling A Lace Wig

82

STYLING A LACE WIG

45 MIN

How To Wet Wrap Your Lace Wig


A wet wrap is one of the most popular methods women use to protect their natural hair, but is also ideal for lace wigs. Both wet and dry wraps are great as a base for styling your lace wig. A wrap is an easy styling method for lace wigs without vigorous combing and the use of excessive heat. Step #1: Detangling The hair Use T-Pins to secure the wig to the styrofoam wig head. Gently use a wig brush or wig comb to remove any tangles in the hair. Step #2: Apply Setting Lotion Using a spray bottle, apply a generous amount of setting lotion. Step #3: Wrap The Hair Around The Head Using a paddle brush, begin wrapping the hair around the mannequin head in a circular direction. Using your hands, guide the brush to help smooth the hair as close to the wig base as possible. Step #4: Securing The Clips Using metal hair clips, pin the hair to provide a secure hold. Step #5: Drying The Hair Place the mannequin head underneath the dryer on medium heat. Length of time is determined by the length of the hair. The amount of drying time will vary depending on the length and thickness of the hair. Make sure your wig is completely dry before removing it from under the hooded dryer.

It is very important to allow the hair to completely dry before unwrapping the wet wrap. The wet wrap provides a great base for styling and also a quick and less labor-intensive process for drying hair.
HAIRLIBRARY.COM

83

CHAPTER 7: Styling A Lace Wig

84

STYLING A LACE WIG

15 MIN

How To Pin Curl Your Lace Wig


Rather than using a curling iron or flat iron on your hair, you can use pin curls to add some style to your lace wig. Pin curls can also replace rollers and you can discreetly cover the pin curls with a scarf while preparing to go out. Step #1: Section The Hair Using the end of the rat tail comb and your fingers part off a section of hair, how big or small will depend on you. Comb through the section making sure it is smooth and free of tangles. Step #2: Forming The Curl Using the first finger or two of one hand, pretend you are wrapping your hair around a curler. Use your fingers as a guide to form the pin curl. The bigger the pin curl the looser the curl, while the smaller the pin curl the tighter the curl. Step #3: Secure The Hair Using bobby pins or metal hair clips, secure the bottom of the pin curl to hold it into place. Step #4: Continue Around the Entire Head Pin curls are designed to be kept in the hair overnight. You can leave your lace wig on the wig stand overnight, but make sure you cover it with a silk scarf to help protect the hair.

If you have trouble coordinating the perfect pin curl, use a plastic hair roller as a guide and remove the roller to keep the curl intact, then pin the curl in place.

85

CHAPTER 7: Styling A Lace Wig

HAIRLIBRARY.COM

86

STYLING A LACE WIG

60 MIN

Using Curlformers To Style Your Lace Wig


Secure the lace wig onto the styrofoam wig using T-Pins. Comb through the lace wig with the wide tooth wig comb to ensure all tangles are removed. Fill up the spray bottle with water and spray the lace wig until damp; avoid soaking the hair. Step #1: Preparing The Curlformer Squeeze the opening of the curlformer to insert the hook. Step #2: Insert Hook Into Curlformer Slide the curlformer all the way down the shaft of the hook until the curlformer is completely extended. Step #3: Hook The Hair Take a small section of damp hair and gently twist near the lace base. Place the hook as close to the lace base as possible, ensuring the hair is inside the hook. Step #4: Secure The Base Of The Curlformer Using your fingers to hold the Curlformer in place, gently pull the hook and your hair through the rest of the Curlformer. Step #5: Release the Curlformer Release the Curlformer and watch as the Curlformer takes its original shape. Repeat this process until all hair is curled. Step #6: Take Curlers Out Allow the hair to dry under the hooded dryer. Remove the curler by holding the top of the Curlformer. Straighten it out, pinch the top open, and gently slide the Curlformer out. Style as desired!

Using Curlformers are a great option that allows you to achieve curls without damaging the hair on the lace wig and to avoid shedding. You can achieve curls with any hair texture.
HAIRLIBRARY.COM

87

CHAPTER 7: Styling A Lace Wig

88

STYLING A LACE WIG

45 MIN

How To Style Your Lace Wig Using Sponge Rollers


Sponge rollers are a great way to add body to any lace wig while drying under the dryer or air-drying. You can always use a flat iron or curling iron for touch ups and additional styling, as the sponge rollers reduce excessive heat and pulling. Step #1: Section Off The Hair While the hair is wet, detangle and section the hair into 4 parts. Spray additional setting lotion directly on the hair from the root to the ends for a better hold. Step #2: Apply Sponge Rollers Open the sponge roller and proceed to roll the hair starting from the ends towards the root. You do not need any setting papers. Step #3: Close The Roller Once you have finished rolling the sponge roller, allow the sponge to close on itself. It will hold on its own without the need of any additional support from clips. Step #4: Place Under Dryer Once the sponge rollers have been applied to the desired area place the mannequin head under the dryer. Allow at least 30 minutes of medium heat for the hair to dry completely.

These are great to style your natural hair as well because they are comfortable to sleep in when setting curls overnight.

89

CHAPTER 7: Styling A Lace Wig

HAIRLIBRARY.COM

90

STYLING A LACE WIG

30

MIN

How To Adjust The Density of The Lace Wig


Every manufacturer has their own scale for hair density, so if you order the same density for each wig but from different a company, chances are the density will be different. While this can be rather frustrating for lace wig owners, there is a solution to thin out the lace wig so you can tailor each wig to suit your own needs. Step #1: Securing The Wig Place the lace wig onto the wig stand and secure it in place using the T-Pins placed on each side of the wig as well as on the front and back. Step #2: Work In Small Sections When thinning out the hair you want to work with very small sections. Once the hair has been cut off, the hair is gone for good. Step 3: Using The Thinning Shears To use the thinning shears you will want to hold the shears with the comb side up. The flat side of the shears should be at the bottom. Step #4: Thinning The Hair Using the thinning shears you will want to cut the hair as close to the base as possible. Making only one cut will remove a small number of hairs. Step #5: Comb Out The Section To remove the hairs, use the rat tail comb to GENTLY comb through the section you just cut. Step #6: Move Around The Head Turning the wig stand is the easiest way to ensure you are following the same part line that you started. Moving around the head, comb through removing any hair you may have missed.

Working with small sections reduces the chance of making a mistake. Start thinning at the crown of the lace wig (using the thinning shears) where the hair is the fullest in most cases. Beware of cutting at the part.
HAIRLIBRARY.COM

91

CHAPTER 7: Styling A Lace Wig

92

STYLING A LACE WIG

20 MIN

How To Make Baby Hair


Creating baby hair is an important part of the hairline of lace wigs, not just in the front, but throughout the entire perimeter of the hairline. Naturally, everyone has baby hair whether we like it or not. However, despite how important baby hairs are most lace wigs do not come with them; you have to cut them in yourself. This process is very simple and adds a very natural look and feel. Step #1: Separate the Baby Hair Put the wig on your head. Using the rat-tail comb, part and separate the baby hairs. Step #2: Pin Up The Excess Hair You need to pin up the rest of the hair so that it does not accidentally get in the way when creating the baby hair. Step #3: Twist The Hair The hair that you have pulled down will need to be gathered together and twisted in the middle to create the perfect baby hairs. Step #4: Trim Off The Length When cutting the hair make sure you angle the scissors upwards, so you are cutting the hair at an angle. Think of your baby hairs as fly aways. They are usually between 2 to 6 inches in length.

Make sure you do not twist the hair at the root, hold the twisted hair at the ends. To make your lace wig look real, the lace wig must do what real hair does; let the baby hair fly.

93

CHAPTER 7: Styling A Lace Wig

HAIRLIBRARY.COM

94

STYLING A LACE WIG

20 MIN

How To Cut Bangs For A Lace Wig


Step #1: Separate The Hair Pull the hair that is not part of the bangs away from the rest of the hair using clips. Use a T-Pin to secure the lace wig to the mannequin head. Step# 2: Divide The Bangs Horizontally divide the bands into two equal layers. Secure the top layer away from the lower layer with a metal clip. Step #3: The First Cut Comb the top layer together with a fine tooth comb and make the first cut at your desired length. It is better to be as conservative with your cuts as you can. Cut more if need be. Step #4: Cutting For Length Clip the lower layer slightly shorter than your desired length. If you want your bangs to rest just below your eyebrows then you want to cut the bottom layer at the same level as your eyebrows. Step #5. Thinning The Lower Layer Still keeping the layers separate, use the thinning shears to thin down each layer of hair. Step #6: Final Adjustments Use a fine tooth comb to combine the top and bottom layers together. If you feel the length is too long, repeat the process.

Try the wig on and take it off as many times as needed throughout the process and make adjustments as you see fit.

95

CHAPTER 7: Styling A Lace Wig

HAIRLIBRARY.COM

96

STYLING A LACE WIG

20 MIN

Straightening A Human Hair Lace Wig


One of the best things about human hair lace wigs is that you can style them just like your own hair. Unlike synthetic wigs, once you get tired of wearing it straight you can bring back the natural curl pattern by washing the wig. Step #1: Comb Out The Tangles Before you can do anything to the wig, you will need to use a wide tooth comb to remove all of the tangles. Step #2: Separating The Hair Divide the hair up into four different sections. Use hair clips to keep the hair you are not working with out of the way. Step #3: Removing Tangles Begin with a small section and comb it out using a fine tooth comb to remove all of the tangles. Step #4: Straighten The Hair Spray a heat protectant onto the hair to protect the hair from heat damage. Step #5: Blow Drying The Hair If the curl is very tight to begin with use a blow dryer and a wide tooth comb to loosen the curls. Comb through the hair and pass the blow dryer through the hair with the comb. Step #6: Using a Flat Iron Using a ceramic flat iron to straighten the hair. Start at the roots and work your way down to the ends. Repeat the straightening process.

You can straighten the wig on your head or on the mannequin, but do not forget those hard to reach places in the back of your head.
HAIRLIBRARY.COM

97

CHAPTER 7: Styling A Lace Wig

98

STYLING A LACE WIG

60

MIN

How To Highlight Your Lace Wig


Adding highlights to your lace wig is a great way to change the look of the wig and also give new life to an old style. You can easily add highlights to your lace wig with patience and practice, but if you do not feel comfortable doing it yourself, take it to a professional lace wig stylist. Step #1: Prepare The Wig Place a protective cap onto the wig stand to prevent dye from staining your styrofoam head. Step #2: Put On Frosting Cap Put the frosting cap on top of the hair and tie underneath the chin of the styrofoam head. Use T-Pins to secure the wig to the manniquin head. Step #3: Pull Hair Through Working slowly, pull small sections of hair through the holes in the frosting cap. You can pick how many highlights you want to put in your hair by choosing what holes to pull hair through with the hair hook. Pull gently, making sure not to rip the plastic cap. Step #4: Mix The Dye You can use any type of dye that you would use on your own hair to color a human hair lace wig. Once you are ready, you need to mix the dye following the directions on the box. Step #5: Apply The Color Using the hair spatula apply a small amount of color to each section of hair, working from the roots to the end of the hair. Gather the hair together and cover with a plastic shower cap, saran wrap or aluminium foil. Follow manufacturers coloring instructions and style your wig as desired. Additional Tools:

Make sure your lace wig is 100% human hair before attempting to color or process.
HAIRLIBRARY.COM

99

CHAPTER 7: Styling A Lace Wig

100

STYLING A LACE WIG

60 MIN

How To Dye Your Lace Wig


Dying your lace wig is the perfect way to give it a fresh updated look. If you do not feel comfortable coloring it yourself, take it to an experienced wig stylist.

Step #1: Prepare To Color

Place a protective cap onto the wig stand; this prevents the dye from staining the styrofoam head. You can use any type of dye that you would use on your natural hair, but you need to mix the dye following the directions on the box.

Step #2: Prepare The Wig

Once the cap is in place, put the lace wig onto the stand and secure in place with some T-Pins. Place the T-Pins into the lace base as far from the hair as possible.

Step #3: Protect The Lace

To help protect the exposed part of the lace you will need to put a small amount of Vaseline directly on the lace.

Step #4: Apply Dye

Use a paint brush for hair or something similar to apply the dye directly to the hair one section at a time. During application keep the dye about a millimeter away from the lace base, even though your roots will not change color. This also helps protect the lace base.

Step #5: Pin Up The Hair

After applying dye to the hair, pin up each section to prevent the dye from getting on anything else including the lace base.

Step #6: Rinse Out The Dye

Carefully rinse out the dye in the lace wig until the water runs clear. Style your lace wig as desired.

Remember, before coloring your lace wig, you will need to do a test on a small section. Use RID dye remover to carefully remove any color from the lace.
HAIRLIBRARY.COM

101

CHAPTER 7: Styling A Lace Wig

102

8 Chapter 8

Caring For Your Lace Wig


When investing in quality lace wigs, taking proper care of your investment will not only keep it looking its best, but will also extend the life of the lace wig. Important Tips To Remember 1.) Wash your lace wig with specially formulated shampoo for lace wigs after your fifth or sixth time wearing the wig. 2.) When drying your lace wig, never wring it out. Remove excessive water with a towel and place the wig on a wig stand. 3.) Only use products that are designed for lace wigs, especially brushes and combs as the wrong products and tools can damage your lace wig. 4.) Never subject your lace wig to any extreme temperatures, such as hot blow dryers or freezing cold temperatures; they will damage your wig. If going out into freezing elements cover your lace wig with a silk scarf. 5.) Friction should be avoided as much as possible due to the delicate construction of your lace wig. I do not recommend wearing your lace wig while sleeping. 6.) When you are not wearing your lace wig, it should always be stored on a wig stand. HAIRLIBRARY.COM 104

103

CHAPTER 8: Caring For Your Lace Wig

CARING FOR YOUR LACE WIG

Factors Affecting The Life Of Your Lace Wig


Wig Application & Removal
If you are applying and removing your lace wig without proper care, your wig will not stand a chance! The lace base is so delicate that if the wig is not removed properly the lace will tear, causing damage to the hairline that, most likely, cannot be repaired. If the wig has been secured to the hairline with an adhesive and is removed improperly, without adhesive remover, it can pull your skin causing serious irritation. Also, the lace can loose its shape as a result of the pulling while the adhesive is still attached. See Chapter 6: How To Apply A Lace Wig.

Combing

Never use any combs or brushes on your lace wig that are not designed for lace wigs. This is one of the biggest mistakes that women make and result in their investment shedding excessively and unnecessarily. While some shedding is expected, you do not want to comb and brush your wig vigorously; the hair is simply attached to the lace wig base with a knot, not glue. Wide tooth combs with metal teeth are the best suggestion, the wider the space between the teeth of the comb the better. When brushing your hair, it should simply be for the finishing touches to polish your look. NEVER use a wig brush for detangling. *It is important to note that you should not be combing or brushing curly hair if it is not wet.

Washing & Drying

It is very important to follow the instructions in this chapter to make sure that you are properly washing your wig. Remember, the wig is not like your real hair, which secretes oils in the scalp. Therefore wigs do not require a vigorous wash. Your wig is very delicate; when washing you want to make sure that you rinse the styling products you have used on the wig as well as anything else that you may have come in contact with in the environment (dust, smoke, etc).

Styling (Curling & Straightening)

If you are styling a wig that is constructed with human hair, you must provide the same care and attention as you would to your natural hair. What happens to your real hair when you curl it every day with a flat iron? Excessive curling and heat can leave your hair literally fried. If you are not curling and pressing your wig in moderation, you can cause the hair to break and dry out just like your real hair. There are some great tips on styling your lace wig without heat in Chapter 7: Styling Lace Wig.

105

CHAPTER 8: Caring For Your Lace Wig

HAIRLIBRARY.COM

106

8
Storage

CARING FOR YOUR LACE WIG

The way you store your wig is critical to the length of time you will be able to wear your wig at its best. Placing the wig on your bedpost or laying it flat in a drawer, hatbox, tall water bottle, or bag is the fastest way for your wig to lose its shape. Your wig should only be stored securely on a mannequin head away from extreme hot and cold temperatures, direct sunlight and damp areas. You want your wig to lay and contour to your scalp every time.

How Much Shedding Is Normal?

One thing that often catches women off guard is shedding. Many women are under the impression that wigs, no matter if they are made from human hair or synthetic fibers, are not supposed to shed. Therefore, when they see hairs falling out of their wigs they panic or they throw it out and rush to buy a new one. The truth of the matter is, some shedding is normal. What you need to watch out for is excessive shedding. The longer the hair and the thicker the density increases the chance of shedding. Excessive shedding is when the hair seems to be falling out by the handful, rather than a few strands here and there. However, you need to make sure you do not confuse excessive shedding with normal shedding with longer wigs. The longer the hair is on a wig the more it is going to shed because of the pulling, combing, styling, and curling of the hair. To help reduce the amount of shedding, you will want to use knot sealer on your lace wig before you wear it. If you do not have knot sealer, you can improvise and use a foaming wrap lotion; simply spray the foam lotion on the inside of your wig to seal the knots.

Styling & Product Application

If you are using heavy gels and hard hairsprays when styling your wig it will be very difficult to remove the build-up of these types of products from your wigs without vigorous handling. It is better to use small pins to hold the hair in place where applicable than using a lot of product. Less is more. Let the hair flow, move, and do what real hair does. Overuse of products can also leave your wig looking more like a helmet, thus defeating its purpose all together. See Chapter 7: Styling A Lace Wig.

Coloring

You can color your wig, however, it is important to note that if the wig has already been colored, the additional stress will rapidly reduce the length of time your wig will maintain its luster. For additional color options purchase a lace wig constructed of virgin hair which has never been processed or colored.

107

CHAPTER 8: Caring For Your Lace Wig

HAIRLIBRARY.COM

108

CARING FOR YOUR LACE WIG

20 MIN

How To Remove Adhesive From Your Lace Wig


After removing your lace wig, you will notice some adhesive residue along the hairline. Before you even attempt to wash your lace wig, you will want to remove all excess adhesive. You will also want to remove the excess adhesive before putting on the lace wig again. Adhesive build-up is one of the fastest ways to destroy your lace wig. Step #1: Lay Wig Down Lay the wig down so that the lace base is exposed. Step #2: Remove Excess Adhesive From Base Use a cottonball soaked in adhesive remover to remove the excess adhesive from the lace base. The wetness of the cottonball allows the edge of the lace base to get wet, which is needed to help remove the adhesive. Do not panic if it gets in the hair; this is normal and removing excess adhesive from the hair is quite simple. Step #3: Remove Excess Adhesive From Hair Pour 99% alcohol into a small spray bottle. Spray only on the areas where glue is present on the hair and roll the adhesive out of the hair between two fingers. Do not pull the adhesive or the hair as that can break the hair! Step #4: Remove Excess Adhesive From Face Apply cold cream liberally to the hairline where the adhesive remains. Gently remove the wig cap. Using a cottonball, wipe a small amount of cold cream off your face and the adhesive will simply come right off.

Be careful to avoid vigorous rubbing to remove adhesive as you do not want to loosen the knots of the hair or tear the lace base.

109

CHAPTER 8: Caring For Your Lace Wig

HAIRLIBRARY.COM

110

CARING FOR YOUR LACE WIG

45 MIN

How To Wash Your Lace Wig


If you are washing your lace wig regularly, after five or six wears, it will not require vigorous deep cleaning. Avoid using ultra hold sprays and gels that will require a deep wash. Please beware; the thicker the conditioner the harder it is to remove from the hair. Step #1: Prepare The Wig Before you can wash your lace wig you will need to place it upon the styrofoam head. Gently comb through the knots using a wide tooth wig comb. Thoroughly rinse the lace wig with the spray hose attached to the faucet. Always leave the wig on the styrofoam wig head! Step #2: Apply Shampoo Using the shampoo spray bottle, spray the entire lace wig with shampoo. Make sure you spray the hair only, avoid spraying the knots. Work the shampoo into a lather while being careful not to work the hair in too many directions. Rinse out all of the shampoo, until the water runs clear, using the spray hose. If hair is very dirty, shampoo again. Rinse and repeate the entire process. Step #3: Comb Through Hair Spray the conditioner into the hair and use a wide tooth comb from the root to the ends. Use the spray hose to thoroughly rinse out the conditioner, paying close attention to the nape of the neck. Step #4: Allow To Dry Reminder this is the perfect time to pin curl or use rollers to achieve the perfect curls.

Take the spray bottle containing conditioner and spray the wet hair well. Your conditioner should be about the same density as milk, but can be a little thicker.
HAIRLIBRARY.COM

111

CHAPTER 8: Caring For Your Lace Wig

112

CARING FOR YOUR LACE WIG

90 MIN

How To Seal Your Lace Wig Knots


Sealing the knots on your lace wig is highly recommended to help reduce shedding. Over time the knots on the underside of the lace base weaken and the hair may begin to shed. Knot sealer also seals the lace base to prevent fraying; many others claim it helps the adhesive stick better to the lace base. Step #1: Prepare The Wig Turn the lace wig inside out so that the lace base is exposed. Place the lace wig onto the wig stand and secure with T-Pins. Step #2: Apply Knot Sealer Spray the knot sealer all over the lace; you can apply alot without it hurting the base. Step #3: Allow Knot Sealer To Dry Allow the knot sealer to thoroughly dry. You can use a blow dryer on a low heat setting to help speed up the drying time. Step #4: Reapply Knot Sealer Ideally, you want to apply two coats of knot sealer for optimal results. The back of most bottles of knot sealer states two to three coats, but some find three coats to be too thick.

Keep in mind, if you have a polycoating along the bottom and side edges of the lace base, you want to avoid getting knot sealer on the polycoating. If knot sealer does come into contact with the polycoating, it will make it very difficult to remove any adhesive.

113

CHAPTER 8: Caring For Your Lace Wig

HAIRLIBRARY.COM

114

CARING FOR YOUR LACE WIG

15 MIN

Storing Your Lace Wig


It is highly recommended that you remove your lace wig each night before sleeping to help prolong the life of the wig, but also to reduce the amount of shedding and friction. Once you have learned how easy it is to store your wig properly, you will no longer be tempted to toss your wig aside, whether it be on the lampshade, bedpost or night table. Step #1: Remove The Wig And Remove Excess Adhesive See Chapter 5 for detailed instructions on proper lace wig removal and for instructions on removing wig adhesive from the lace base and hair. Step #2: Set Wig On Wig Stand Neatly place the lace wig on the wig stand. Step #3: Cover With Silk Scarf/ Bonnet Cover the entire wig with the silk scarf to keep dust and sunlight away from your wigs.

Make sure you are storing your wigs in a cool dry place away from direct sunlight and humidity.

115

CHAPTER 8: Caring For Your Lace Wig

HAIRLIBRARY.COM

116

9 Chapter 9
Modifying Your Lace Wig
Unfortunately, your lace wig is not always going to remain in perfect condition as wear and tear will eventually take its toll. Learning how to make small modifications to your lace wig on your own will save you hundreds of dollars in repair costs, but will also save you from having to buy new lace wigs every time something goes wrong. This chapter also covers adjusting a loose wig and attaching wig combs to ensure a perfect fit!

117

CHAPTER 9: Modifying Your Lace Wig

HAIRLIBRARY.COM

118

MODIFYING YOUR LACE WIG

15 MIN

Attaching Wig Combs To Your Lace Wig


While all wigs sold at SWIGCHD.com come with wig combs attached, many other lace wig brands do not. Even if you are securing your lace wig with adhesive, wig combs can be used for extra security. Luckily, if your lace wig did not come with wig combs you can easily add wig combs yourself, all it takes is a little know how. Step #1: Thread The Needle Thread the needle before you get started. You can double thread the needle for additional strength. Step #2: Place The Wig Combs Turn the lace wig inside out so that the lace base is showing. Place the wig comb in the desired place for a better hold. Most wig combs are placed at the nape of the neck and two at the temples. Step #3: Begin Sewing Once the wig combs have been placed, begin sewing at one end of the comb. Bring your needle and thread up through the enclosed circle on the bottom side of the clip, making sure to only grab a small amount of the lace base. Go through each loop of the comb at least twice for additional security. Step #4: Tie Off The Thread Once you have secured the entire length of the comb tie off the thread to ensure the comb does not fall out.

Do not bring your needle up through the hair section of the lace wig. Make sure not to pull too tight as this may cause the lace to tear.

119

CHAPTER 9: Modifying Your Lace Wig

HAIRLIBRARY.COM

120

MODIFYING YOUR LACE WIG

30

MIN

How To Adjust A Loose Lace Wig


Wearing a wig that is loose, increases the chance of the wig slipping out of place. Luckily, with a few simple steps you can tighten up your loose lace wig to feel comfortable, confident and secure. Step #1: Check The Fit Of The Wig After measuring the circumference of your head and the wig, turn your wig inside out and make a mark to determine where and how much of an adjustment needs to be made. Step #2: Prepare The Wig Cinch the wig with a T-Pin to get the right fit. Keep trying on the wig until the fit is just right. Step #3: Cutting The Excess Grab the pinned area of the lace and do not let go. Using scissors cut the cinched section at the elastic. Do not cut too deep or you will cut into the lace. Step #4: Knot Sealer Use a knot sealer to keep the lace from fraying. Step #5 Sew Two Ends Together Double thread the needle for strength and pull together the two edges that you have cut the excess from. Sew it firmly together to ensure it does not come undone. Tie off the end to prevent the stitching from releasing. If any wefts or elastic bands were cut, reattach them cautiously and do not push the needle too close to the hair as it can pull the hair into the thread. Stay close to the edge.

If the adjustment is more than 1/2 inch, split the difference between the left and the right side of the wig comb at the nape of the neck. If needed, make a 1 inch adjustment by cinching 1/2 inch on either side of the wig comb.
HAIRLIBRARY.COM

121

CHAPTER 9: Modifying Your Lace Wig

122

MODIFYING YOUR LACE WIG

90 MIN

Bleaching The Knots On A Lace Wig


While many women are interested in bleaching the knots on their lace wig it is important to note this is not recommended. Many women decide to bleach the knots on their lace wigs because it will give the appearance of white or clear knots growing from the scalp base. Bleaching the knots gives the effect that your hair color is lighter at the roots giving the effect that the hair at the roots have not had as much exposure since it is new growth. Step #1: Prepare The Bleach Following the instructions that came with the bleaching kit prepare the bleach. Make sure when working with bleach you always wear gloves! Step #2: Prepare The Wig Turn the wig inside out and place the wig onto a styrofoam head. Ensure that it is covered in plastic to prevent the bleach from getting on the styrofoam head. Step #3: Bleach The Knots Using an applicator brush, lightly apply the bleach to the lace wig base on the inside of the lace wig. Start at the front of the base and move towards the back to ensure you do not miss any areas. Allow the bleach to sit for the amount of time included in the instructions. Step #4: Allow Bleach to Set Follow the instructions provided by the manufacturer for the setting time of the bleach. Step #5: Rinse And Wash Wig Thoroughly rinse the lace wig base with cool water. See Chapter 8: Caring For Your Lace Wig.

1A

1B

The best thing to do is to request your lace wig come with bleached knots. However, what is not considered is that bleaching the knots can weaken the knots. The weaker the knots the more likely the lace wig may shed and this directly affects the life of the lace wig.
HAIRLIBRARY.COM

123

CHAPTER 9: Modifying Your Lace Wig

124

10 Chapter 10

Expecting The Unexpected With Your Lace Wig


If you want to wear your lace wig without drawing negative attention to yourself, learn these tips and promise to live by them!

#1 I Will Take Care Of My Natural Hair If you are not taking care of your natural hair, the convenience of lace wigs can quickly become a necessity. #2 I Will Measure My Head Properly
Not properly measuring your head for a lace wig can put you in a disastrous situation.

#3 I Will Choose The Hair Texture That Looks Best

Pick a texture that matches with your hair texture. Too silky, shiny or not shiny enough will not look natural on you.

#4 I Will Wear The Wig Cap That Is My Color

Choosing the wrong wig cap color also allows your wig to stand out; especially where the hair is parted.

#5 I Will Practice Applying My Lace Wig

Your lace wig should be applied where your natural hairline is. Avoid placing the lace wig too far down or too far back.

#6 I Will Always Style My Lace Wig


125

You would never leave the house without styling your natural hair, so give your lace wig the same kind of treatment. Have fun with it!
CHAPTER 10: Expecting The Unexpected With Your Lace Wig
HAIRLIBRARY.COM

126

10

EXPECTING THE UNEXPECTED

30

MIN

Trouble Removing Glue From The Wig Base


Sometimes no matter how hard you try you cannot remove all of the excess adhesive from the lace wig base. Take your time and repeat the process as many times as needed.

Step #1: Apply Remover

Apply the lace wig adhesive remover to the outside edges. Allow it to sit for about 10 minutes, then reapply, and allow it to sit for another 10 minutes. The adhesive will be ready for the next step once it is tacky to the touch.

Step #2: Using The 99% Alcohol

Spray 99% alcohol onto a cotton ball. You do not want it soaking, but you do want it damp. Rub the cotton ball directly onto the tacky area. This removes the natural oils from the adhesive.

Step #3: Removing The Glue

Once you have dabbed the area with 99% alcohol it will become even tackier than before, so you will know it is time. To remove the glue from the lace base, continue to dab the tacky glue until you can remove the glue with your fingers.

Step #4: Remove Residue From Hair

Spray adhesive remover directly onto the hair and use the rat-tail comb to very gently comb out the glue. When using the comb, use the big tooth side to remove any tangles and the small tooth side to remove the residue.

The adhesive should be removed from the lace base immediately. The longer the glue stays the more difficult it is for the adhesive to be removed.

127

CHAPTER 10: Expecting The Unexpected With Your Lace Wig

HAIRLIBRARY.COM

128

10

EXPECTING THE UNEXPECTED

5 MIN

Matching The Lace To Your Skin Tone


A vital part of camouflaging your lace wig is to ensure that the lace at the part matches your skin tone. The wig cap plays a major role in blending your skin at the hairline of the lace wig. However, if you are unable to get the wig cap color of your choice, here is the solution. Step #1: Part Your Hair Make sure that your hair is parted exactly how you plan to wear it before proceeding. Step #2: Apply Make Up Foundation Take a small brush and the powder foundation that you normally use that matches your skin tone. Apply a light application of the powder directly to the lace that is visible where you have parted your hair. Make sure that the application brush is thin; you do not want the foundation powder to touch the hair. Step #3: Review Take a look at how the presence of the powder makes the part look even more natural. Step away from the mirror to see the full effect. This tip creates the great illusion of a natural part.

Make sure that you are only using powder foundation. Never use a liquid concealor or liquid foundation.

129

CHAPTER 10: Expecting The Unexpected With Your Lace Wig

HAIRLIBRARY.COM

130

10

EXPECTING THE UNEXPECTED

30

MIN

How To Make The Hairline Of A Lace Wig Look Natural


A natural hairline gives your lace wigs a realistic look, but it must be done correctly. Creating a natural hairline involves tweezing the hairline, creating baby hair, and using the proper application method. Step #1: Cutting The Lace See Chapter: 6 How To Apply A Lace Wig. Step #2: Prepare The Wig Place the lace wig onto the styrofoam head and secure the wig onto the head with T-Pins. Using the hair clips pin all the hair back away from the hairline. Step #3: Make Baby Hair Take a comb and pull out a small, fine section of hair along the perimeter of the entire lace base. Clip the remaining hair back out of the way. Twist all of the hair together. Using the shears, cut in a downward angle along the twist of hair. To determine if you have enough, use the rat tail comb to comb down the baby hairs. Step #4: Tweeze The Front Hairline Using the tweezers take out every other hair along the front line of hair. Do not grab any lace when pulling out the hair as this can tear the lace. After the hairline starts to look more natural, stop tweezing and try on the wig.

Take your time. Take a picture of yourself wearing the wig to see the perspective of others and continue to make adjustments until you are satisfied.

131

CHAPTER 10: Expecting The Unexpected With Your Lace Wig

HAIRLIBRARY.COM

132

10

EXPECTING THE UNEXPECTED

Choosing The Correct Adhesive


Waterproof Adhesive
Waterproof adhesive, such as Davlyn Waterproof Adhesive, is perfect for long-term use. This adhesive is not recommended for daily use; it is only recommended for extended wear. Nothing, not even swimming or showering, will loosen the hold on this glue. The only way to get it off is with adhesive remover. -ounce bottles are perfect to carry in your lace wig travel kit for touch ups or emergencies.

Lace Wig Survival Kit


Have you ever felt like your lace wig was not secure? Have you ever needed to touch up your lace wig before an important event? If you have answered yes to either of those questions then you know how important it is to have a lace wig travel kit on hand. If you wear lace wigs there are certain things that you will need to carry with you at all times. You just never know when your lace wig will need some attention.

Perma Tec

Items Needed Inside A Small Hand Bag:


Wide Tooth Wig Comb Hair Elastic Non-metal Small Hair Clips Alcohol Pads Extra Adhesive Tape Adhesive Bobby Pins/Hair Pins Small Mirror with Magnetic Tape stuck on the back Neutral Colored Headband Rat Tail Comb Adhesive Remover Extra Wig Cap Silk Scarf Makeup Foundation Hair Spritzer The Lace Wig Bible Companion Guide

This adhesive is one of the only ones not made with plasticizers, so it will agree with just about any body chemistry. This adhesive can provide a stable hold during excessive heat, even if your scalp is oily. One layer of adhesive dries in 5 minutes, in which a second layer can be applied for an even stronger hold.

Endura Bond

This bond is not waterproof; it is water resistant and is perfect for extended wear without breaking down. If exposed to any moisture the adhesive will actually harden. This adhesive dries quickly, so a fast lace wig application is required.

Base Bond Adhesive

It comes in a 4-ounce bottle and dries in about 30 seconds. The adhesive provides a moderate hold and the adhesive is easier than others to remove from the lace wig base.

Ultra Hold

This is the most popular lace wig adhesive used on the market due to its strong hold for an extended period of time. The adhesive is a waterproof adhesive, but also has a non-yellowing formula, so the glue will never stand out against your lace wig base.

It is not recommend that any lace wig be bonded for long periods of time, as without regular care and attention irreversible damage can be done to your hairline and scalp.
HAIRLIBRARY.COM

133

CHAPTER 10: Expecting The Unexpected With Your Lace Wig

134

INDEX

10 Embarrassing mistakes to avoid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 10 FAQ about lace wigs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1, 33 10 FAQ for your lace wig stylist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Adhesives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20, 109, 133 Adjusting hair density . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14, 36, 75, 91 Alopecia Areata ........................................ 3 Applying lace wigs too low . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Ask for a consultation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 Attaching wig combs to your lace wig . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119 Best styles for your face shape . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 Bleaching the knots to your lace wig . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123 Boarder lace Wigs ..................................... .7 Can the stylist suggest the best hairstyles for my face shape? . . . . . . 33 Capless Wigs ...........................................9 Caring for your lace wig . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13, 104 Center part lace wig ..................................... 8 Chemical processing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4, 13 Chemotherapy .........................................4 Choosing the correct adhesive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133 Choosing the wrong hair texture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22, 39 Choosing the wrong hair density . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14, 36, 75, 91 Consultation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30, 31 Cutting the hairline of the lace wig . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59 Does the stylist have a portfolio? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Does the stylist have clients you can talk to? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 Expecting the unexpected . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126 Female pattern baldness ..................................3 French lace ............................................ 5 Full lace wigs ...........................................6 Glueless lace wigs ....................................... 7 Hair textures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22, 39 Hair types . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 Half wigs ..............................................9 Hand tied wigs .........................................9 How can the stylist adjust the density for my face? . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 How long has the stylist been applying lace wigs? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

How to adjust the density of a lace wig? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91 How to apply a lace wig? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58, 61 How to apply a lace wig with lace wig adhesive? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61 How to choose the right hair texture? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 How to cornrows your hair? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .53 How to cut the bangs of a lace wig? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95 How to do a dry/wet wrap? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51 How to do box braids? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .55 How to dye your lace wig? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101, 107 How to highlight your lace wig? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99 How to make baby hair? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93 How to make the hairline of your lace wig look natural? . . . . . . . . 132 How to pin curl your lace wig? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85 How to read a color ring? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 How to remove adhesive from your lace wig . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109 How to rollers set your lace wig . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81 How to style with the sponge rollers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .89 How to seal your lace wig knots . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114 How to size your lace wig . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11, 43 How to wash your lace wig . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35, 111 How to wet wrap your lace wig . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83 Identifying different hair textures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 Lace wig hairstyles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73 Lace colors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 Matching the lace to your skin tone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129 Measure your head for a lace wig . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 Modifying your lace wig . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118 Monofilament . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 My first lace wig . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 Properly removing your lace wig . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69 Protective state . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19, 50 Shedding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108 Storing your lace wig . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .115 Straightening a human hair lace wig . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97 Styling a lace wig . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24, 34, 72, 78, 106 Styling the perfect up do . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79

135

HAIRLIBRARY.COM

136

INDEX

Stylist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27, 32 Swiss Lace ............................................ 5 Tools key . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . IX The lace wig survival kit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134 Things to remember when curling a lace wig . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77 Thinning hair . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Traction Alopecia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3, 13 Trouble removing glue from the lace wig base . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127 Using Curlformers to style your lace wig . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87 Virgin Indian Remy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 What type of hair is the stylist used to styling with . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 Wig cap color . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 Wig constructions ...................................... 5 Wig tape . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67 Wig size chart . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 Wrong wig caps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

137

HAIRLIBRARY.COM

138

ABOUT NELSON VERCHER


NELSON VERCHER
Chicago native Nelson Vercher started his career as a hairstylist at home, experimenting on his four sisters. Also, a major part of his work has been inspired by legendary architect Frank Lloyd Wright. As a young boy Nelson was so amazed by Wrights architecture he would take the train from one side of town to another just to go look at his original homes in Oak Park, Chicago, which is still a major inspiration in his work today. An apprenticeship at Vidal Sassoon catapulted Nelson into the position of West Coast Instructor for the companys San Francisco location. He later moved to New York, where he worked at such esteemed salons as John Frieda and Oribe, eventually settling at his long-time friend Rita Hazans salon, where his station is always buzzing. Known for his modern, sexy wash and wear cuts, Nelsons work has been featured in the pages of such magazines as Vogue, Elle, Nylon, Italian Vogue, L'officel, Wonderland, Blank and Harpers Bazaar as well as on the runways of such designers as Valentino, Giorgio Armani, Prada, Calvin Klein, Donna Karan, Zac Posen, Y3, Phillip Lim, Costello Tagliapietra, Halston and Oscar de la Renta. His extensive celebrity clientele consists of Britney Spears, Donatella Versace, Naomi Campbell, Calista Flockhart, Iman, Sienna Miller Kim Kardashian, Lydia Hearst, Chanel Iman, Jessica Stam, Arlenis Sosa, Nelly Furtado, Kelly Rowland, Tamia and Fefe Dobson. I love making a woman look beautiful with what I call easy hair, says Nelson. And if she wants to style it on top of that, even better!

139

HAIRLIBRARY.COM

140

ABOUT THE AUTHOR


MORGAN R. GANTT
Morgan R. Gantt founded SWIGCHD, her own collection of Premium Indian Remy Hair Extensions & Lace Wigs, because of the need for high quality products, genuine customer service, and adequate education needed for all consumers. She has been wearing lace wigs for years and has viewed them as a part of who she is, not what she is. Morgan has spoken to women around the world about their personal hair issues and concerns. She came to the conclusion that the root of the problem is the lack of education available for women to make informed decisions about their own hair. Throughout her travels, Morgan also came to the realization that women dealing with various hair conditions reached far beyond any economical, social or cultural issue. Morgan has lived and loved for 10 years in New York City, which to her, seems like yesterday when she arrived for her Freshman orientation at Long Island Universitys Brooklyn Campus. There, she graduated with a Bachelor in Fine Arts with a concentration in Photography. (She also photographed all the images in, The Lace Wig Bible) Although her heart will always belong to Brooklyn, Manhattans fast paced energy is the perfect match for this highly driven entrepreneur. Morgan R. Gantt resides in New York City. The Lace Wig Bible: How To Style, Care & Maintain Lace Wigs Without Sacrificing Your Natural Hair is her first book published by Hair Library Publishing Inc., which she founded in 2011.

141

HAIRLIBRARY.COM

142

Ode To Joy

Indian Remy Hair Collection available on all mobile devices. Promo Code: lacewigbible

Take 10% off


At SWIGCHD.com Offer ends Dec 31, 2012.
Cannot be combined with any other offer.

143

HAIRLIBRARY.COM

144

145

THE LACE

WIG BIBLE

This book is the perfect tool for everyday lace wig owners and lace wig stylists. Inside The Lace Wig Bible, are over 200 step-by-step images to help guide you through understanding the dos and donts of wearing lace wigs. This compaion guide focuses on the recommended styling techniques, care instructions, choosing the right hair texture, hair color, and lace wig stylists. Discover the secrets of application techniques for flawless and sexy hair that is so undetectable, no one will know you are wearing a wig, except you. Celebrity stylist Nelson Vercher, who wrote the forward for the book, talks about how easy it is for women to achieve red carpet hair from the comfort of their own home with The Lace Wig Bible.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
10 10

10 Frequently Asked Questions About Lace Wigs 10 Mistakes to Avoid 10 Frequently Asked Questions For Your Stylist My First Lace Wig Protecting Your Natural Hair How To Apply Lace Wigs Styling A Lace Wig Caring For Your Lace Wig Modifying Your Lace Wig Expecting The Unexpected With Your Lace Wig

HairLibrary.com is the global authority on the wild world of hair.

Vous aimerez peut-être aussi