Adhesive: Available in either liquid roll-on or tape form, aids in securing wig to scalp.

 

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.

Adjustable strap: Elastic straps at the nape area of a wig used for adjusting the circumference fitting/size.  Adjustable straps are located inside of the wig around the inside rim. Their purpose is to alter the size of the circumference of the wig, for a snug and tight fit. The straps inside of a lace front wig are made of elastic with 2 hooks, that hook onto different loops inside of the wig, that's how it is adjusted. The picture below shows these.

Alopecia: A medical term meaning hair loss.

 

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.
 

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.

Baby Hair: Is the small strands of hair, often curly at the base of the frontal hair line to add to a realistic look. Also baby hair can often camouflage the edge of the wig. Much of the time angora and/or baby Yak hair is used to replicate baby hair.

Balayage: Balayage is a hair technique mostly used to achieve Ombre style. It’s a french word that refers to sweep or paint. The process starts away from the roots and gradually becomes heavier as it goes to the bottom, using in the heaviest application of hair color at the end.

Bald cap application: Bald cap wig application method is to glue down a nylon wig cap to cover your natural hair and conceal the trim by applying some foundation to make your head looks like it's bald before putting on your wig.

Bangs: A similar term for ‘fringe’. A fringe is the area of hair that hangs over the forehead. From straight-across to side-swept, bangs are something we’re all familiar with.

Bleached knots: The latest innovation in ventilation these days are called bleached knots. As the name is self-explanatory, these knots are put through a delicate bleaching process after being tied to the base with extremely tiny half knots. This removes most of the dark color and leaves a virtually invisible knot that really appears to be growing right from your scalp!

 

Bobby Pins: Small metal or plastic hair clips that aid in securing a variety of wig hairstyles.

Bonding: Bonding is the process of attaching a hair system to the wearer’s scalp using glue or tape.

 

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.

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.

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Circumference: A measurement of the head or wig, where the edges of the wig sit on the outer perimeter of the hairline around the head.
 

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.

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Cold Cream: Used to remove the wig adhesive from the skin without harsh chemicals

 

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

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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

Color ring: Swatches of hair produced by the manufacturer to give a representation of the hair blends. Produced for all color options, to give an idea of what the full piece would look like. More accurate than showing photos of what the hair color looks like.

Crown: Area at the top of the head. Hair length is measured from this point.

Clips: A clip with two combs interlocking that open when squeezed to attach to the hair.

Cranial prosthesis: This is a type of cranial prosthesis that can be removed each day. It can be secured with a special tape that can be removed at the end of the day. These prostheses will not require any type of bonding material.

This is a type of cranial prosthesis that can be removed each day. It can be secured with a special tape that can be removed at the end of the day. These prostheses will not require any type of bonding material.

 

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

 

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

Custom wig: A custom wig that is made to your particular specifications. The manufacturer will use any combination of hair fiber, cap, styles, color to get you exactly what you want in a wig that looks and feels like you.

Cuticle: The cuticle is the outer layer of the hair follicle. It has three layers: a cuticle (the outer layer), a cortex (the middle layer containing keratin, moisture and melanin, which gives it its color), and a medulla, which is the center of the hair shaft.

Density: Density refers to how closely strands of hair are sewn together. It also describes the quantity of strands in a single wig. This may be easily confused with the term “denier” mentioned above. On a lot of wig product descriptions you'll see the 'density' of the wig, usually displayed as a percentage. The density of a wig describes how thick or thin the hair is. a 130% density is reasonably thin but higher densities 180% of so are thicker and contain more hairs. This is particularly important with human hair wigs and variations or not that dramatic in synthetic wigs.
 

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.

Double knots: Double knots is a knotting method where strands of hair are used and knotted twice. This makes them very durable but not the most natural looking at the same time.

Double reverse split knots: Double reverse split knots use the same knotting method as single reverse split knots but with the knots being knotted twice. This makes them more durable than a single reverse split knot, but also bigger making them visible at the root. This knotting method is usually used for lace bases but only when single strands are being knotted.

Fake scalp wig: Do-nothing’ wigs.  These wigs are inspired by a bald scalp wig wearing method and are very easy and comfortable to use, and it's unnecessarily to wear an extra wig cap between your natural hair and wig.

 

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

 

Foam Rollers 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.

 

Fray Block: Used to spray on torn or newly cut lace to prevent the edges from fraying

 

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

Full lace: Unlike lace front wigs, full lace wigs have a fully covered 360 degrees lace-base from the hairline to the nape of the neck which covers the whole head. It is a very versatile wig that can be worn in multiple styles.  All full lace wigs are hand-tied as well and parting hair and making high ponytails is not an issue.

French lace: French lace is a type of lace material that while remaining natural looking, focuses more durability compared to a regular lace. It is lightweight and flexible.

Fringe: Fringe is just another word for bangs. More specifically, a fringe is the area of hair that hangs over the forehead. From straight-across to side-swept, bangs are something we’re all familiar with.

Glueless lace wig: Glueless lace wigs are non-adhesive which means they can be worn without any glue. These types of lace wigs come with glueless cap construction, some are lace front and some are full-lace. These wigs have adjustable straps and combs to fix them on the scalp.

 

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

 

Hair Pins: 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.

 

Hair Spatula: Plastic spatula used to apply hair color.

Hairline: The hair line of a wig is the very most front section, that starts at your forehead. Hairlines are important in wigs as a well designed hairline will create a seamless front to your wig, and the front is essentially on your face and the most visible part. Lace front wigs are designed specifically to have a natural gradual hairline that blends into the main wig (thus lace front!). Check out our other blog posts and videos to see how to create the best hairline possible with your wig.

Hand tied: A term for individual hair fiber that is tied by hand onto the wig cap/base using a single knot. Offers styling flexibility and resembles the movement of natural hair. Wig fibers are tied to the cap by hand. You can brush or comb the hair in any direction you choose.

HD Lace: A real HD lace is the thin and soft Swiss lace, it is a transparent, natural-looking and see-through lace that matches the complexion you have because it sits on your scalp like an adhesive invisible shield.

Highlights: Contrasting colours of hair to create a lighter appearance. Can be light or heavy streaks or blended throughout the piece. The amount of highlight can vary from product to product.

Human hair wigs:  Wigs made of human hair primarily cut in India, China, and parts of Europe which are obtained and contracted through a factory for the specific purpose of making wigs/hairpieces.

Wigs made with Human Hair are very durable, however they require more upkeep than synthetic wigs and must be styled on a regular basis. Generally speaking, although Human Hair wigs are much heavier than their Synthetic counterparts and more expensive, they can actually look and feel more authentic and are worth the money.

Invisible knots: Invisible knots are where one strand of hair is used per knot. This reduces the size of the knots making them look invisible and making your hair system look more natural.

Injected poly/thin skin: Injected skin is a technique which knots the hair into the poly material of a hair system to make it seem as if it is coming out naturally. It is usually used on skin base men’s toupees.

 

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

Lace closure: A lace closure is 4"x4" or a little larger piece lace wig which covers temple to temple and put in the middle of the head. Lace closures can also be shifted slightly to the side to achieve a side-part look. Closures also cover smaller areas, where your hair parting is thin or limited.

Lace front: A wig made with a mesh insert in the front into which individual hairs are hand-tied. It creates a realistic looking hairline. When properly worn with special adhesive, it is almost undetectable that it is not the wearer’s own growing hair. They are more expensive and difficult to manage, and do not last as long as other wigs. Natural Hairline/cool, comfortable cap. Length of lace front can vary & can be trimmed if needed.
 

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.

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Latex Gloves: Protects hands from the dye used to color the lace wig

Letter of Medical necessity: This is a letter that is sometimes required by insurance companies in order to reimburse patients for a “medical cranial hair prosthesis.” Patients can request a letter of necessity from their physicians to provide to the insurance company.

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

 

Moisturizing Oil Sheen: Spray on oil that gives your lace wig some shine when the hair starts to appear dull.

Multi-directional part: Higher quality skin top wigs which can be combed or parted in any direction, much like your own hair. It allows you to change the part to right, left or center as desired by the wearer.

Nape: The nape is the area of the wig that lays on the back of your neck.

 

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

Polyurethane (poly/thin skin): Polyurethane is a common polymer used as a base material for hair systems. Also abbreviated as PU and referred to as poly skin, this material is known for providing a natural look with thin skin systems as well as being easy to clean, easy to install and easy to remove. However, they can lack durability and are not breathable.

Pre-styled wigs: The piece has been cut, styled, curled, and shaped at manufacturing stage. It may/can require further styling, but it saves time and effort from cutting and styling the wig yourself.

Processed hair:  Chemically treated hair. In most cases the cuticle will be removed to allow the hair to lay in either direction without tangling. It may then be bleached and colored to the shade required.
 

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

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

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Rollers: 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.

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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.

Remy Hair: Refers to Human Hair (usually Indian in origin) Remy which is less expensive than European, Italian or Russian hair. The hair has been harvested from root to end with the cuticle all going in the same direction that prevents the hair from tangling and is very easy to care for. It may be colored or permed. It is soft and silky and is used for making higher quality wigs, extensions and hairpieces. This quality of hair is often used in cranial prosthesis (wig). It looks very real, however, sometimes it can frizz from its texture. Using an ionic straightening iron on the pc. will smooth out the frizz.

This term describes the way human hair was collected for a wig. If a wig is designated a Remy, that means 100% of the human hair in the wig was collected in such a way that all the cuticles of the hair fiber are all facing the same direction. This may sound insignificant, but Remy is the highest quality. The fibers all facing the same direction create a soft and luxurious feel. Plus, it’s less likely to tangle.
Human hair that has been processed and is cut with the cuticle going in the same direction, helping to reduce hair tangling easy. This hair has not been weakened through stripping. This results in stronger hair.

Remy human hair is human hair harvested from the scalp where the cuticle is kept intact, which means that the hair is running in the same direction from root to tip. Virgin human hair is a kind of Remy Hair.

Returns: Shorter hairs tied throughout a wig to represent the natural look of fly-aways or to lessen the density of the underside of a wig. Do not confuse returns with breakage or damage!

 

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

Scallop front: Scallop front is a zigzag-shaped outline on the front hairline which makes for a more realistic and natural appearance.

 

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

 

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

 

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

Silk base wigs: top with 100% hand-knotted base - Designed with the hair loss client in mind, this construction is uniquely crafted to offer this most discriminating woman the ultimate in wig fashion and comfort.  Refers to a strip of fabric, usually silk, along the part where the hair is threaded. It gives the appearance of the hair growing directly from the scalp. The part cannot be changed. Wigs with a skin part are more affordable than a full monofilament and still give you a very natural look.

Silk top wigs, also known as silk base create a perfect illusion of your hair growing out of your scalp. Silk top wigs add an extra layer to the lace to hide the hair knots. It is another way to make a wig look more natural. These wigs are hand-tied and the hair is injected through the silk material to make knots look more like natural hair growth.

 

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

Single Knots: Single knots is a knotting method where strands of hair are used and knotted in the same direction.

Single reverse split knots: Single reverse split knot is a knotting method where strands of hair are split into two with the gap providing movement while it also has more durability than a single knot. This method is usually used for poly skin bases.

 

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

Standard Cap: A standard cap is the most common and most affordable cap design. The layers of hair are open-wefted in the back and sides to allow for ventilation and have a closed lace layer at the crown. The hair at the crown is often lightly teased or crimped so you can not see down through the cap. This type of cap often gives the hair a natural lift at the crown for volume. However this cap can be a bit heavier and get warmer to wear this being less comfortable than a cap with a monofilament top.

 

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.

Stretch Lace: Allows the wig to conform to the shape of your head, giving you a secure, comfortable fit.

 

Styrofoam Mannequin: Head Very helpful when styling and storing your lace wig.

Swiss lace: Swiss lace is a type of lace material that provides even more of a natural look than a regular lace. However, it is more delicate as a result and also cannot hold as much hair as a French lace.

 

Thin Needle 3/9 Inch: 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

 

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

Thin Weft:   A revolutionary technique that allows hair to be more evenly distributed so your wig is much more comfortable to wear and easier to style.  A single curtain of hair that, if multiple are sewn together, can be used to quickly construct a wig at a lower cost than a 100% hand-tied piece. The easiest way to visualize a weft is to consider extensions. In a normal extensions kit, you receive multiple wefts. Sewing these small curtains together can make wigs more affordable than their hand-tied counterparts.

T-Pins: Pins shaped like the letter “T” are used to secure the lace wig to the Styrofoam head while styling the lace wig.

Transparent lace tape: A double sided transparent tape may be used to secure the wig to the head.  Lace tape can be used for daily wear and is placed in small amounts to secure the lace material to the cap. It is suggested to use a citrus removing solution to remove the residual adhesive from the tape as it protect the lace material from ripping or shredding.  Unprocessed hair: Human hair that has not been chemically treated.

 

Tweezers: Used to customize and 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.

 

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

VAT: A tax which is added to goods that are bought within the United Kingdom. IF YOU WEAR A WIG FOR MEDICAL REASONS YOU MAY BE ELIGIBLE TO CLAIM BACK YOUR VAT.

Ventilation: The art of sewing strands of either human hair or synthetic hair into the base of the wig cap

Volume: Referring to the fullness of a style. The majority of pieces are made to a medium density which will give the most natural effect.

Virgin hair: Very fine quality human hair in its original state which has not been chemically treated in any way, (processing removes the cuticle ) only sanitized and blended. It has not been permed, colored or altered in any way. The cuticle goes in the same direction and is preserved to maximize it’s special quality. Therefore, it is strong and natural in appearance.

Virgin human hair wigs are the most natural looking and the most comfortable but just like human they tend to tangle. This is a good but expensive choice if you want a very finest human hair wig. Virgin European hair wigs are high in demand. It comes in short, medium and long styles, and is also used in Hairpieces and Extensions.

V-loop: V-loop is a knotting technique where the hair is looped into the hair system like a V-shape to provide the most natural looking hairline. This technique is usually used on skin base or thin skin hair systems.

 

Wide Tooth Wig Comb: Wide tooth combs have teeth that are wider apart than other combs to prevent pulling when combing

Wig base: The base material that gives the wig it’s shape and a base to attach hair to. Foundation or base of a wig to which the hair is attached. They are thin, stretchy, and close-fitting.

 

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.
 

Wig Cap: 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 Comb Attachment:  These combs or grips are on the inside of a lace front wig and they are used to grip the wig to your head. Some people like to glue the wig down to their head in addition to these. Gluing a wig makes sure that hairline mesh lace stays completely flat to your head. You can see the combs inside of a wig in the picture below.

Wig unit: One of the most important of wig terms; an artificial covering of hair for all or most of the head made of either synthetic or natural hair.

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