Lace Front, Closure or Frontal? A Beginner’s Guide to Buying Wigs

Buying a wig should be exciting, but for many first-time buyers, it’s surprisingly confusing. One minute you’re ready to place an order, and the next you’re trying to figure out whether you need a closure, lace front, or Full Lace Wig. While all three can give you a beautiful, natural look, they are designed for different needs, budgets and lifestyles.

So how do you know which one is right for you? Let’s start by knowing the different types of wigs they are.

What is a Closure Wig?

A closure wig is a small, square shaped piece of lace placed in the middle of the wig. Closure comes in three common sizes 4×4, 5×5, and 6×6 inches.

The lace creates the appearance of a natural scalp where the hair is parted, but it does not stretch from ear to ear, while the rest of the wig is made of machine-wefted hair.

Photo: Pinterest

Closures are more affordable and easier for beginners to manage, since there’s less lace to lay, bleach, or tint.

Pros of a Closure Wig

• Beginner-friendly
• Easy to install
• Requires less maintenance
• More affordable than most lace front and Full Lace Wig.

Cons of a Closure Wig

• Smaller lace area means less flexibility when creating different hairstyles

What is a Lace Front Wig?

A lace front wig is built with a sheer lace panel along the front hairline, where individual strands of hair are hand-tied into the lace to create the appearance of hair growing directly from the scalp. It comes with a 13×4 or 13×6 lace that extends across the front hairline from ear to ear. The rest of the wig is made with a regular wig cap. This gives you a natural-looking hairline at the forehead, which is great for styling your hair away from your face, think ponytails or side-swept edges.

Photo: Pinterest

Pros of a Lace Front Wig

• Natural-looking hairline
• More styling flexibility than a closure wig
• Suitable for middle and side parts
• Creates a seamless look when installed properly

Cons of a Lace Front Wig

• More expensive than closure wigs
• Requires more maintenance
• Lace needs careful handling to prevent damage
• Adhesive sensitivity- Glues and tapes used to secure the lace can cause skin irritation or allergic reactions in some users.

What is a Full Lace Wig?

While a full lace wig is often confused with a lace front wig, they are not all similar.

A Full Lace Wig is the most versatile of the three. It’s a wig cap that is made entirely of lace. This means you can part your hair anywhere middle, side, or even pull it into a full updo or ponytail with a completely exposed, natural-looking hairline.

Photo: Pinterest

Many people choose Full lace wigs because they provide one of the most realistic-looking hairlines available.

Pros of a Full Lace Wig.

• Most styling flexibility
• Natural-looking hairline
• Allows multiple parting options
• Great for ponytails and updos

Cons of a Full Lace Wig

• Requires more maintenance
• Often more expensive
• May take longer tine to install

If you’re a busy professional, student, or someone who simply wants a quick install before heading out, a closure wig might be all you need.

If you want a balance between a natural hairline and easy maintenance, a lace front wig may be the best option.

If styling versatility is your priority, a Full lace wig is worth considering.

Tutorial on how to install your frontal wig, watch below :