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You’ve found the one and you’re feeling like a bad ass b*tch in your new wig. There’s nothing like the confidence boost of a flawlessly applied wig. As a wig wearer, you know the secret to  that seamless, invisible finish and long-lasting hold that won’t budge in even the sweatiest workout session is how well you glue your wig. We’re dropping our best tips and tricks for a game-changing wig install.

Prep

Once you find the lace wig that makes you feel like an absolute baddie, all you need is a little prep and some high-quality materials to install the lace wig. Quality Finesse PRO Series is a great place to start with a complete application set including:

    1. PRO Adhesive
    2. PRO Release
    3. PRO Dissolve
    4. Skin Protector
    5. Adhesive Spatula

1. Skin Test

Before using any of the products included in the PRO Series kit:

    1. Do a patch test on your skin to make sure you don't have an allergic reaction.
    2. Place a dab of each product on the inside of your arm close to your elbow.
    3. Watch and wait to see if your skin responds with redness or irritation.

It's rare to have an allergic reaction, but it's best to test any products for your scalp or face before use.

2. Flatten Your Natural Hair

Smooth down your natural hair to be ready for the wig cap. The flatter your hair is against your scalp, the better the wig grip will be because it will be closer to the natural hair follicle. Sometimes people braid their hair or use bobby pins to slick it back at the base of the neck, especially for longer hair. If the hair is long, you can always do a bun, making it as flat as possible, in the nape of your neck with bobby pins. The wig cap should cover it up. Make sure your hair is completely dry before you go to the next step.

3. Put On a Wig Cap

A wig cap is just a soft cap that covers your hair to protect it while wearing a lace front wig. Plus, it flattens the hair and will keep the wig from sliding around. Pull the wig cap gently over your scalp, trying not to disturb your hair too much. You want the cap to cover the hairline, not over too much. Make sure the cap covers all the hairs, even the tiny edges or baby hairs. You can push them in with your finger to make sure.

4. Prep Your Skin

Make sure your skin is clean. You can always wipe it down with toner once the wig cap is on to ensure it's extra clean. Then you prep your skin by applying the PRO Skin Protector. It does come in the PRO Series Kit, but we also have it as a stand-alone product since it is a must-have for any wig application.

It's a primer for the wig glue to make sure that the adhesive stays on for extended wear and strong hold. The PRO Skin Protector can be used with any of our adhesives. Spray the product on a cotton swab and apply it to the skin, letting it dry before you add another layer. You can do up to three layers of the PRO Skin Protector.

Install

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Next up is the best part - installing the lace front wig. Before you use any glue, it's essential to do the following two steps.

1.    Test Fit

If you haven't worn this wig before, it's important to test the fit as a simple step before using any glue. Place the wig on your head to make sure it's comfortable. Put it on your head, and line it up, so it's even with your hairline. See if it's too loose or too tight. If there is too much pressure on your head, it will not be comfortable for long wear. You may end up with headaches from an improper fit. No one wants that! Many wigs come with straps inside that will let you adjust the fit so that it's just right.

2.    Trim Lace

Another critical step is to trim any excess lace around the edges of the wig. You don't want that sticking out when rocking that amazing wig. Just pull the hair away from your face and carefully trim the edges with small fabric scissors. Make sure it's a sharp scissor. Leave about ⅛ of an inch of the front lace along the natural hairline. Keep in mind that some wigs won't have extra lace to trim. The only time you'll do this step is with a brand-new wig. Otherwise, you can go right to applying the wig glue.

3.    Apply Wig Glue

It's time to apply the PRO Adhesive with the following steps and our products, which are safe for edges, water, sweat, and humidity resistant, and contain organic ingredients. Keep in mind it's not a short-term adhesive. It's one of the best wig glues available today.

4.    Put Adhesive On Spatula

Starting with a small amount, put the adhesive on the spatula that comes with the kit.

5.    Spread On Skin

Spread a small amount on the skin in a thin line along the entire hairline. You can apply three layers with this particular adhesive for extra extended hold. Let one layer dry and wait a couple of minutes before applying another. When you have finally applied all your adhesive layers, it's time to apply the wig. 
Tips for Glue Application:
  • Clean the spatula with an alcohol prep pad between layers.
  • Blow dry with cool air to aid the drying process.
  • Wait until dry to apply the wig.

6.    Press the Wig Into the Glue

Press the wig into the glue, making sure it sticks. Secure the lace front wig, making sure that it's going to stay in place. Then you can clean off the extra glue around your skin

7.    Styling

Styling is a fun and vital part of the wig-wearing process. You want to look like the most beautiful and fierce version of yourself! There may be styles that you gravitate towards, but it’s important to know there are some differences between a human hair wig and a synthetic wig.

Human Hair Wig vs. Synthetic Wig

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There are quite a few differences between wearing and caring for a real human hair wig versus a synthetic wig. Once you know how to care for each, you may find that you have a preference.

Human Hair Wig

A human hair wig is hair from a person who sold or donated their high-quality hair. Some people find them superior to synthetic hair, but with the technology available today, it may be hard to tell the difference.

Tools and Products

With a natural human hair wig, the tools and products needed are the same ones you use to style natural hair. You can use hot tools, like flat irons, a blow dryer, and curling rods, to change the wave pattern or straighten a human hair lace front wig.

General Tips

With the proper care, a human hair wig lasts twice as long as a synthetic one. Human hair wigs do require a little more maintenance and care. That includes washing, conditioning, using styling products, and restyling with hot tools.

Synthetic Wig

Synthetic wigs are high-quality fibers that mimic natural hair. The fibers have specific styles, like curls or waves, that don't need additional styling. You can usually wear a synthetic wig right out of the box.

Tools and Products

With a synthetic wig, all you have to do to maintain it is to wash, shake it, and let it dry into its set style. It’s an easier process than caring for a human hair wig.

General Tips

A synthetic wig doesn’t last as long as a human hair one. Even with the proper care, you’ll probably want to replace it after six to eight months. The good news is synthetic wigs are usually less expensive than real hair ones.

Maintenance

Whether you go with synthetic or natural hair, each wig will need maintenance and care to ensure it looks good with each wear.

Wash Wig Regularly

You don’t have to wash a wig after each wear. For synthetic wear, you can wash it after about six to eight wears. A human hair wig will need to be washed once a week, if you are using a lot of styling products.

Store Properly

No matter what kind of wig you have, proper storage is important. Buy a wig stand for each wig so it can dry properly and maintain its shape. If you are traveling with it, wrap it in a satin scarf.

Don’t Sleep or Shower With It

It's better to remove your wigs at night before going to sleep. When you sleep with a wig, it can quickly get roughed up and wear out faster. Don't shower with the wig unless you can cover the whole head with a shower cap to protect it from getting wet.

 

To learn about more maintenance and tips for all kinds of wigs, visit our tutorial page with helpful videos on Quality Finesse. What are your favorite install tips? Let us know in the comments or on our social media pages.

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