Since you’ve stumbled across this page, it’s safe to say that synthetic lace front wigs have piqued your interest. Whether you want to know what they are or are trying to decide if they’re right for you, we’ve got you covered!
So, what is a synthetic lace front wig? How do you make synthetic hair look more natural? In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the ins and outs of synthetic wigs.
We’ll break down the good, the bad, and the ugly and answer a few of the most frequently asked questions. Now that we’ve gotten that out of the way, let’s jump right in.
What Is a Synthetic Lace Front Wig?
A synthetic lace front wig is a type of wig that features a patch of lace that extends from ear to ear. The lace sits on the top half of the wig and extends from the hairline to your crown.
It is typically flesh-toned, helping it mimic the look and texture of human skin. Individual strands of hair are then inserted into the lace, which makes it look like they’re sprouting from your scalp.
Because the lace looks like your skin, you’ll have plenty of room to play around with styling. You can switch between a side and middle part and even pull the hair back into a ponytail. The rest of the wig is usually made from a more durable but less wearable material like mesh or hair wefts.
There are two types of lace front wigs: human hair and synthetic. Synthetic wigs are derived from synthetic materials, the most notable of which are nylon and acrylic. These materials go through a ton of processing to take on a texture similar to hair.
Which Is Better: Synthetic or Real Human Hair Wigs?
Whether you think a synthetic or human hair wig is better ultimately boils down to your personal preferences. After all, there are high-quality synthetic wigs and low-quality human hair wigs. But on the whole, human hair wigs are usually considered the better of the two.
Human hair wigs look more natural and last significantly longer. The hair is softer and has a realistic shine that’s difficult to replicate with synthetic fibers. You can also customize a human hair wig to a greater extent with heat styling and hair dye.
Are Synthetic Wigs Good?
Although human hair is the higher quality choice, there are some benefits to going the synthetic route. In addition to being less expensive than human hair, synthetic fibers are manmade and come in a wide range of colors, lengths, and textures.
Synthetic hair is also good at maintaining its shape, which can shorten your styling time and reduce the amount of maintenance you’ll have to do. And the benefits don’t end there!
Synthetic wigs are lighter weight than human hair wigs and help keep you cooler.
Another reason synthetic hair is a great choice is that it doesn’t react the same way that human hair does. So while your natural hair may become frizzy on a hot and humid day, synthetic hair is less likely to react.
What Are the Disadvantages of Synthetic Wigs?
Synthetic wigs have their benefits, but they aren’t going to work for everybody. In this section, we’ll break down some of the main advantages and disadvantages of wearing synthetic hair wigs. Use the information to help you determine if they can meet your needs.
- Some aren’t heat resistant – While some synthetic hair wigs can withstand the high temperatures of hot tools like flat irons and curling irons, some cannot. So, depending on the wig you purchase, your styling options may be limited.
- They’re less durable – Unfortunately, synthetic fibers aren’t as resilient as human hair. They’re prone to tangling and can become fuzzy and matted quickly. Because they aren’t able to hold up to the same wear and tear, synthetic wigs last for about half the lifespan of a human hair wig.
- Some are too shiny – Some shine is good, but too much can leave your hair looking fake and plasticky. Most synthetic wigs have an unnatural shine that tips people off to the fact that the wig isn’t real hair.
- You can’t dye them – Unlike human hair wigs, synthetic wigs cannot be dyed or bleached. And while there are alternatives, such as fabric dye, markers, or paint, the results are unpredictable, unrealistic, and inconsistent.
- They can cause allergies – Synthetic wigs are made from potentially harsh, artificial materials. These can be irritating to some people, particularly if they have sensitive skin. As a result, some wig wearers can experience redness, itching, or rashes on their scalps.
How to Make a Synthetic Wig Look Real
Wearing a synthetic wig can be a fun and easy way to switch up your hairdo. Although there’s a lot to love, synthetic wigs can look fake and make it obvious that you’re wearing a hairpiece. Fortunately, there are a few easy ways to make your synthetic wig look like it’s grown from your scalp.
Reduce the Shine
As mentioned earlier, synthetic wigs can be excessively shiny, making them look artificial. The good news is that this is an easy problem to fix.
Before wearing your wig, sprinkle a little dry shampoo into the hair. The shampoo will coat the fibers and give them a duller, more realistic finish. Don’t have dry shampoo? You can use baby powder instead!
Cut and Style Your Lace Front Wig
Most synthetic wigs come pre-styled, but you can cut and style them to better fit your facial shape and personal style. To do that, put your wig on and examine it in a mirror.
Turn your head from side to side to figure out how to make it more flattering. Then, use a sharp pair of hair shears to carefully trim and shape the wig to your desired shape.
Add Concealer to the Part
Some synthetic wigs come with a visible part that exposes the wig cap. Often, the wig cap doesn’t match your natural skin tone and can make it obvious that you’re wearing a wig. So if your part is noticeable, brush a bit of concealer onto it. That will make it look like a part of your scalp rather than a wig.
Add Accessories
One of the easiest ways to make your synthetic wig look more natural is to add a few accessories. Scarves, headbands, hair clips, and even hats can help blend your wig into your natural hairline and create a more realistic look.
Just make sure that your accessory fits well and doesn’t have any sharp or jagged pieces. Otherwise, it may damage your wig.
Mess Your Hair Up a Little Bit
The most important tip for making your synthetic wig look natural is to mess things up a bit. Human hair isn’t perfect. It moves and frizzes and sometimes has a mind of its own!
By comparison, synthetic wigs are sometimes stiff and look almost too perfect. So before you put on your wig, shake it out. Then, when styling it, use your fingers to fluff and tousle it a bit to create a more realistic texture.
Whether your hair needs a break from styling or you want to explore new hairstyles, a synthetic lace wig might be just what you need. They’re protective, inexpensive, and come in a wide variety of lengths, colors, and styles.
With the proper care and maintenance, a synthetic lace front wig can last for months or even years. So why not take the plunge and try out that new synthetic wig you’ve had your eye on? If you do, we hope that the information we’ve gone over today is just what you were looking to find!
Kenneth Byrd holds a BS in Accounting and Management Information Systems and an MBA from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. With over 15 years of experience, Kenneth has been dedicated to hair care since 2008, when he co-founded Curl Centric® and Natural Hair Box alongside his wife. As a team, they promote healthy hair care practices through their comprehensive platform, Curl Centric. Curl Centric is a website operated by a husband and wife team that encourages healthy hair care. At Curl Centric, we aim to help our readers take control of their hair care journey and make good decisions about products, hairstyles, and maintenance techniques. We also have strict editorial integrity; here’s an explanation of our editorial guidelines and how we make money.
