How to Cut a Lace Front Wig

Lace front wigs have become a favorite among wig wearers because they are versatile and look natural when worn properly. The lace at the front of lace front wigs gives the appearance of a natural hairline and allows wearers to style the wig in a variety of styles, including those that pull the hair away from the wearers face.

Perhaps the most important thing about wearing a lace front wig is to make sure you cut the lace front wig in order to create a more natural and flattering hairline.

When you are ready to cut gather the following tools;

• Sharp scissors or pinking shears for cutting,
• Clips or ponytail holder to keep the hair way from the hair line of the wig,
• Make up pencil to draw a line along the lace,
• Wig head (optional),
• Measuring tape (optional).

Before you cut off the extra lace, you will need to:

1. Prepping your own hair for the wig
2. Putting on the wig to determine the best fit
3. Plucking the baby hairs
4. Marking where you need to trim the lace

Prepping your hair

Prepping your hair means getting your hair as flat and smooth as possible so that there are no bumps and bulges that prevent the wig from laying naturally on your hair. The smoother your hair is beneath the wig, the better your wig will look. Low buns, braids, plaits and twists are options for keeping your hair flat, neat and together.

Once your hair is prepped, you’ll want to place a wig or stocking cap over top. This will help to hold your wig in place.

Determining the best fit

Before you secure the wig to your head with any kind of adhesive, you’ll need to ensure it fits your head snugly and comfortably. This means adjusting the positioning of the inner straps so that the wig is secure but won’t result in a headache after half an hour of wear. Spending hours in an ill-fitting wig that is too tight or too loose can result in potentially embarrassing situations, so ensure you do not skip this step.

Plucking baby hairs

After placing the wig securely and comfortably on your head you’ll want to inspect the hairline to see what needs to be done so that it looks natural and matched your own. Many lace front wigs come with the baby hairs pre-plucked, however, that does not mean you can’t further customize the hairline of your wig to create the perfect baby hair look for your own style.

Marking where to trim your lace

This is also the point where you’ll draw a line across the front of the lace to determine how much of the lace you will remove so that the wig best suits your hairline and gives off a natural look. You need a bit of lace before your natural hairline because this is the part of the wig that will be used to secure the wig with adhesive to your head.  Pull the hair of the wig back so that you have a clear and obstructed view of the hairline of the wig and can clearly see the best place for your cut line.

Cutting the Lace on Your Own Head

1. Flatten your hair and cover with a wig cap in preparation for putting on your wig. Braids, twists and low buns are great options for getting the hair flat so there are no bulges in the wig.
2. Put the wig on your head and adjust the combs and straps so that it is secure and comfortable
3. Pull the hair back and away from your face so that you have a clear and unobstructed view of the hair line of the wig
4. Decide where you would like the lace to stop and draw a line from ear to ear along the front of the lace in front of the hairline
5. Do not cut the baby hairs, when you are finished cutting there should be some lace in front of the baby hair section of the wig.
6. Cut along the line to remove extra lace using sharp scissors or pinking shears, taking care not to damage the lace in the process. Your wig is now ready for wearing.

If you are uncomfortable standing in front of the mirror and trying to cut the lace of your lace front wig while it is on you head, then you may want to use a wig head for the cutting instead. The first few steps are the same since you will need to put the wig on your head in order to get your reference point.

Cutting the Lace on a Wig Head

1. Flatten your hair and cover with a wig cap in preparation for putting on your wig.
2. Put the wig on your head and adjust the combs and straps so that it is secure and comfortable
3. Pull the hair back and away from your face so that you have a clear and unobstructed view of the hair line of the wig
4. Starting at the center of your head, put a dot at the point where you want the lace to stop.
5. Use your tape measure to measure the distance from the hairline of the wig to the dot on the lace
6. Remove the wig from your head and place it on the wig head
7. Use the tape measure to measure out the distance same distance around the entire hairline of the wig. Put at dot at each point.
8. Connect all your dots to form a line. You should end up with a line from ear to ear
9. Cut along the line carefully while holding the lace taut. You do not want to rip or tear the lace that will remain at the hairline

As stated above, the key benefit of lace front wigs is that they look natural. Any adjustments you make to the baby hairs or the lace of the wig should be to enhance the appearance so that the wig looks more natural, not less. We have a wide selection of lace front wigs for every style, personality and occasion. Interested in a bob length wig? We have you covered. Our selection includes wigs that range from bone straight to curly and includes a variety of colored wigs for those days when you’re feeling a little more bold and daring.