Lace Front Wigs for Beginners: Do You Need Glue?

Short answer: no. Most people can wear a lace front wig without any glue at all. Adhesive gives a flatter, more secure hairline, but it's an extra skill, an extra cost, and one more thing to put on your skin. Start without it, and add it only if you find you need it.

What a lace front actually is

A lace front wig has a panel of sheer lace along the front hairline, with each hair tied into it by hand. The lace sits over your forehead and almost disappears, so the hair looks like it grows from your skin. The rest of the wig is usually a standard wefted cap. About two thirds of the wigs we sell have a lace front. For the full picture, see Cap Construction Explained.

Before you wear it: cut the lace

Most lace fronts arrive with extra lace at the front so they fit any hairline. Trim it before you wear the wig:

1. Put the wig on over a wig cap and line it up at your natural hairline.
2. Mark where your hairline is, or just look closely in a mirror.
3. Take the wig off and trim the lace with small, sharp scissors, leaving a few millimetres of lace in front of the hair.
4. Cut in a slight zigzag, not a straight line. A straight edge is easier to spot.
5. Never cut into the hair. Go slowly. Lace doesn't grow back.

How to wear a lace front without glue

1. Wear a wig cap to flatten your hair (or protect a bare scalp) and give the wig something to grip. A mesh wig cap is the breathable option.
2. Set the wig at your natural hairline, ear tabs just in front of your ears.
3. Tighten the straps inside the nape until it feels snug but not tight. If the wig has combs or clips inside, slide them into your cap or hair.
4. Tint the lace with a dab of foundation or concealer on the inside so it matches your skin.
5. Press the lace flat with your fingers. A soft headband or scarf worn for 10 minutes while you get ready helps it lie down.
6. Style the front to fall slightly forward or to the side, so a few strands soften the edge.

For everyday wear, this holds well. The lace may lift slightly at the very edge, but at conversation distance most people won't see it.

Want a wig with no lace edge to manage at all? Headband wigs and wigs with bangs skip the whole question. See our Start Here collection.

When glue is worth it

• You want to wear the hair pulled back off your face, so the lace edge is fully on show.
• You're going to be active, in wind, or outdoors all day.
• You've worn a lace front glueless for a while and want a flatter, more seamless hairline.

When to skip glue

• Sensitive, broken or irritated skin on your forehead or scalp.
• During chemotherapy or other treatment, unless your care team says it's fine. A tender scalp doesn't need one more thing to react to. Our Wigs During Chemo guide covers this.
• Your first few weeks with a lace front. Learn to place it first.

If you use adhesive: do it safely

1. Patch test first. Put a small amount behind your ear or on your inner arm and wait the time the product's label gives before using it on your hairline. Stop if you get redness, itching or burning.
2. Start clean. Wipe the skin along your hairline so it's free of oil and makeup.
3. Use a thin layer along the hairline only, on skin, not on the hair. Let it go tacky, following the label's timing, before you press the lace down.
4. Press, don't drag. Lay the lace into the adhesive from the centre out and hold gently.
5. Remove it properly. Never pull off a glued lace front. Apply a remover along the edge, wait for it to soften, then lift gently. Pulling tears the lace and can hurt your skin and edges.

What we stock: Lace Adhesive Spray for lighter hold, Ultra Hold Lace Adhesive (Walker Tape) for a stronger bond, and Adhesive Remover (Walker Tape) to take it off. Always follow the instructions on the product you're using.

Good lace fronts to learn on

Shorter lace fronts are easier: less weight pulling on the hairline, and less hair to manage while you get the front right.

• Honey Blonde Curly Bob — Lace Front, $38.99. Short, with curls that hide a less-than-perfect edge.
• Straight Lace Front, $37.99. Straight hair shows the hairline more, so it's good practice once you're confident.
• Everything else is in our Lace Front collection.

The short version

1. You don't need glue. Cap, straps, tinted lace and a headband to set it is enough for everyday wear.
2. Trim the lace in a slight zigzag, a few millimetres in front of the hair.
3. Use adhesive only when you want an off-the-face or all-day-outdoors hold, and always patch test.
4. Never pull glued lace off. Use remover.

Questions? Ask us anything.