Closures vs. Frontals: Comparison for Dumb Girls

If you're finally ready to get your first lace wig and word on the street, you should get a lace frontal or a lace closure wig and have no idea what those words mean.

Then you are in the right place.

Don't bother checking Pinterest or Instagram; with the different ways people style their wigs these days, at any one glance, you can mistake one for the other.

You should know that no one wig type is particularly better than the other.

How much satisfaction you get from your purchase depends on you and the expectations of your wig.

Without further ado, here's all you need to know about lace closures and lace frontals:

The Lace Closure Wig

Starting off with the lace closure wig because it is by far the more popular of the two for a number of reasons, reasons we will get to later.

How can you recognize a closure wig?

Well, the answer is in the name.

The closure wig is simply closed off by a lace, mostly in the center of your forehead, to give that Kim K sleek middle part look, and less popular but premium options in the three-part that allow you to style the wig in the middle, left and right, and free part that offers you more styling room. 

Eye Test

The easiest way to recognize a lace closure wig is to flip one over.

The lace in a closure usually runs equal lengths across the forehead and to the back of your head. It comes in different sizes, they are:

• 4 x 4 inches Closures
• 5 x 5 inches Closures
• 2 x 6 inches Closures
• 7 x 7 inches Closures

The 4 x 4 lace closure is the most popular because it is the most affordable on the list, but it is also readily available in as many designs, textures, and colors as possible. 

Reasons the Lace Closure Wig Is Popular

One word keeps popping up when you talk  about closure wigs, and that's "popular."

The following are some of the reasons the next wig you might come across might be a closure:

Less Maintenance: Lace closures are nearly effortless to maintain because there's relatively less lace and hair to deal with. Coupled with the fact that when worn well, they stay in place firmly, and you do not need to worry about them as your day develops.

It Is Touch and Go: Perhaps the singular reason it is adored by many is the ease with which it can be worn and taken off. No need for special installs; you can swap out your lace closure wigs in seconds and be on your way to the next appointment.

Reduces Risk of Natural Hair Damage: Closure wigs do not need adhesives to stay in place, so they reduce the risk of damaging your hair. This is handy for people who are watchful of their hairline and want to grow their edges.

Some Reservations

It is not all upside.

The following are some cons you might need to contend with if you choose a lace closure:

Limited Styling Options: The major drawback of closures is that you have limited real estate to work your styling magic. While wigs with 7 x 7-size laces offer more to work with, they are still limited compared with other options.

You Don't Always Get That Snuggly Fit: It all comes down to measurements. If you don't get the sizing just right, you will be left with a closure wig that's too tight or too loose. With no option to install, you have very little recourse. 

Who Is It For?

If you're very busy, need to be on your feet a lot, and are up and about with very little time to invest in maintaining your hair throughout your day, then closure is an easy choice.

The quick pull-and-go means you're not stuck with one hair for long periods, and you don't need any help swapping out for another wig. 

The Lace Frontal Wig

Off the bat, these are more expensive than their closure counterparts, and in no time, you will understand why.

The lace frontal, when properly installed, has a more natural look that is hard to distinguish from real hair.

This is mostly because the lace, instead of being smack in the middle like the closure, runs across from ear to ear, essentially the front of your face, hence the name. 

Eye Test

If just looking at it does not give it away, flipping the wig reveals a lace that's closer to a rectangle than a square.

The standard across the face is usually 13 inches, with how much lace you get towards your crown varying as shown below:

• 13 x 4
• 13 x 5
• 13 x 6 

Reasons the Lace Closure Is Highly Sought-After

Any form of rudimentary research will show that the average lace frontal is costlier than closure, and yet it is still highly sought after.

Find out why:

Style Away: With a lace frontal, you can channel your inner Picasso, but this time, your art isn't with a brush but with hair. With lace across your face, you have the option to part and style your hair any way that pleases you.

Gives You a Perfect Fit: To achieve that snug, natural, perfect "oh is that your hair" fit, the lace frontal is usually installed with lace glue or tape. It ensures the hair fits you just right, with no bobbing or jumping when you're on the move.

Comfortable Wear: Your head can breathe! Ask anybody who wears wigs a lot, and they'd tell you it gets hot up there pretty fast. This does not mean frontals don't retain heat; however, with more room to dissipate the heat, they sure are more comfortable.

Some Reservations

The lace frontal ticks a lot of boxes, but not quite all of them.

Here are some you should know:

More Maintenance: Yeah, you need glue. If you want that natural finish, you will need to use lace glue or tape to keep it perfectly placed. This means it is not quite a touch-and-go material; it requires more thought and maintenance.

Potential for Skin Irritation: The glue again. Using it often for lace frontal installations can irritate your skin, and in worse cases, it can pull your hair out and cause other hair damage.

Costlier of the Two: As earlier mentioned, lace frontals are costlier than lace closures. While they have a premium look, it comes with a premium price.

Who Is It For?

If you don't mind the extra time and effort to look drop-dead gorgeous every time you step out of your door, then look no further than the lace frontal.

While you can not immediately swap it out for another, with the number of styles you can make with one lace frontal wig, you won't need to.