Making Lace Wigs

Making lace wigs may be a pricey and timely process, but it's well worth it to many individuals.

Lace wigs have been around for a very long time in the entertainment industry. Lace wigs were most common in theater and television. They became popular over the past couple of years to complete a woman's daily look. The wigs can be a little pricey, but many believe that it's all worth it. If done correctly, lace wigs will look very natural and gives the illusion of hair growing from a scalp. This is why making a lace wig is a timely process.

Things You'll Need

• Tape measure
• Wooden wig block
• Cotton lace
• Light blue paper
• Scissors
• Ventilating needle
• Human hair (non track)

Instructions

1. Meet with the client to measure his or her head. Have the client wear a wig cap to make his or her hair as flat as possible. Measure the client's head all ways, including all around the head, crown to nape, ear to ear, and temple to temple. Place plastic wrap over the client's hair tightly. Make markings all around the client's hair line on the plastic wrap using a marker. Tape the plastic wrap with masking tape. Layer the whole head four times with the tape to make a cast. Remove the cast from the client's head.

2. Cut access tape and plastic wrap off the cast according to the measurements and markings. Place then trace the cast on the wig block with a pencil. Cut blue paper then tack the paper onto the wig block using measurements and markings. The paper is to help you see and serves as a template.

3. Tack a large size of cotton lace onto the wig block in the back of the head, leaving the paper on the wig block at the same time. Trim the lace two inches from the paper template all around on the wig block. Make sure lace is flat.

4. Take your ventilating needle and start ventilating hair in the lace from the nape working your way up to the crown. The ventilating process is compared to ventilating a rug. Use two strands of hair in the back and one strand for the crown of the wig. You must use only one strand of hair for the front of the wig to make it look as natural as possible. Make sure you ventilate the hair following the blue papered template.

5. Meet with your client again for fitting of the wig. Style the wig as desired.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't forget the adhesive for the lace wig.

• You are going to need to trim the lace once the wig is placed on the client's head.

• Apply makeup to the hairline to give a more natural look.

• Make sure measurements are accurate.

• Do not trim lace too close to the hair.

• If using makeup, use strong adhesive.

• Do not use too much makeup.

References

• make-up fx: wig making

Resources

• make-up fx: wig making