The wig guide
Everything you need to know.
Lace, density, length, cap size and hair quality, explained simply, so you can buy your next wig with total confidence.
Wig types
Which wig is right for you?
Every style gives a different look, and needs a different amount of time.
| Style | Best for | Typical time to put on | Glue? | Hairline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Put On & Go | First wigs and busy mornings | Minutes | No | Pre-cut, pre-plucked lace |
| Lace front | A hairline you can part anywhere | 20 to 40 minutes | Optional | Lace ear to ear |
| Closure | Easy everyday wear | 10 to 20 minutes | Optional | Lace at the parting |
| Headband | Speed, and protecting your edges | A couple of minutes | No | Your own, under a band |
| V-part | Blending with your own hair | About 10 minutes | No | Your own leave-out |
Lace
HD or transparent, 4x4 or 13x6?
The lace is what makes a hairline look real. Here is how the types and sizes compare.
The closest blend
Ultra-thin, soft lace that blends into the skin more easily than standard lace.
Clear and versatile
Clear lace that takes on your skin tone, a little sturdier than HD.
Fine and breathable
Fine, breathable lace that blends well, especially with a dab of foundation.
HD lace
Lace that blends into your shade.
Pick a skin tone and compare HD lace with standard lace. HD lace is thinner and softer, so it blends more easily; on deeper skin tones, a dab of foundation or lace tint finishes the blend.
An illustration, not a photo. Every lace wig lists its lace type, and a dab of foundation on the lace makes any blend even closer.
Density
How full do you want it?
Density is how much hair is on the cap. Higher is fuller, heavier and more glamorous.
Natural fullness. Light and breathable.
Full and glossy. The everyday favourite.
Extra full, with more body at the ends.
Maximum glam. Big, full volume.
Length
Where will it fall?
Lengths are measured with the hair pulled straight, from the crown down. Curly textures look 2 to 4 inches shorter.
- Bob and short8 to 14 inches
- Mid-length16 to 20 inches
- Long22 to 26 inches
- Extra long28 inches and over
Cap size
A fit that stays put.
Most wigs have a medium cap with an adjustable band and combs, which fits most heads.
- Around: from your front hairline, above the ears, round the nape and back. Medium is about 22 to 22.5 inches.
- Front to nape: from your hairline over the top of your head to the nape.
- Ear to ear: across the top of your head, from one ear to the other.
Measure over your hair the way you will wear it under the wig: braided, cornrowed or flat. If you are between sizes, the adjustable band takes care of the rest.
Hair quality
Why we only sell human hair.
Moves, shines and feels like hair because it is. You can wash it, heat-style it and colour it, and with good care it lasts far longer than synthetic.
Virgin hair has never been chemically processed. Remy hair keeps the cuticles facing one way, which means less tangling. Each product page says exactly what the wig is made from.
Easy. Human hair takes darker dye well, at home or in a salon. Do a strand test first, and colour any matching closure at the same time.
Lightening needs bleach and is best left to a professional. Want blonde? Start with a 613 wig, the lightest base, and tone it to any shade you like.
Glossary
Wig words, decoded.
- Pre-plucked
- Some hair at the hairline has already been thinned out, so it looks like a natural hairline rather than a solid edge.
- Bleached knots
- The tiny knots that tie each hair to the lace are lightened, so they do not show as dots on your scalp.
- Pre-cut lace
- The lace has already been trimmed to the hairline, so there is nothing to cut.
- Baby hair
- Short, fine hairs along the hairline that you can lay and style like your own edges.
- Glueless
- A wig that stays on without glue or tape, using an adjustable band and combs.
- Density
- How much hair is on the cap. 150% looks natural; 250% looks big and glamorous.
- Closure
- A square of lace with hair, covering just the parting.
- Frontal
- A strip of lace with hair across the whole hairline, from ear to ear.
- Leave-out
- The bit of your own hair you leave out to blend over a wig, usually at the parting or edges.
- 1B, 613, 99J
- Industry colour codes: 1B is natural off-black, 613 is light platinum blonde and 99J is burgundy.
- Virgin hair
- Human hair that has never been chemically processed, dyed or permed.
- Wig grip
- A soft band worn under a wig to stop it slipping, and kinder to your edges than glue.
Which wig should I buy first?
A Put On & Go wig: pre-cut lace, pre-plucked hairline and an adjustable band, so there is nothing to cut or glue. A bob or mid-length is the easiest length to start with.
What size cap do I need?
Most wigs come in a medium cap (about 22 to 22.5 inches around) with an adjustable band, which fits most heads. Measure around your hairline and the back of your head; if you are under 21.5 or over 23 inches, check the cap size on the product page.
What density should I choose?
150% looks the most natural and feels light. 180% is the everyday favourite: full but believable. Choose 200% to 250% if you love big, glamorous volume.
Why does curly hair look shorter?
Wig lengths are measured with the hair pulled straight. Curly and coily textures spring up, so an 18 inch kinky curly wig looks shorter than an 18 inch straight one. Go up 2 to 4 inches for curls.
Find your crown
Not sure which wig is you?
Answer five quick questions about your hair, your look and your time, and we will match you to your crown.