How to Cut a Lace Front Wig - A Stylist's Step-By-Step for Beginners

Lace front wigs are the creme de la creme of full headpieces! But in order to make them look natural, you need to nail trimming the lace. If you're new to the world of wigs, you're probably feeling a little overwhelmed about where to start without ruining your wig.

We've asked our stylist to put together a simple guide on how to cut a lace front wig for beginners. So, get your favourite wig and let us guide you through the steps of making your wig look fierce!

In order to properly cut a lace front wig, you'll need to gather a few key tools. Some of these tools are optional, but in our opinion, they definitely help make your wig look its best.

• Sharp scissors

• Tweezers

• Clips or pins

• Hair Extension Brush

• Wig cap (optional)

• Wig head or stand (optional)

• Adhesive/glue & glue remover (optional)

Using the right tools not only makes the process easier but also helps achieve a more professional result. This is even more important if you're a newbie!

Before any cutting begins, it's essential to prep and detangle your lace front wig. 

Carefully remove any tangles using a quality hair brush (the RiRi Signature Deluxe Hair Extension Brush works wonders at gently detangling and smoothing hair). Work from the ends up to the roots to minimise stress on the fibres.

Securing the wig on your head or a wig stand mimics its natural position as if it were growing from your scalp. By cutting the lace front while it's on, you can customise the hairline to match your forehead's contours, resulting in a seamless and authentic edge.

Achieving symmetry and a perfect fit becomes easier when you can see the alignment in relation to your own features. For example, you may want to adjust the placement of the wig if your natural hairline is higher or lower than the one on the wig.

Precision is crucial, and cutting the lace while the wig is positioned on your head minimises the risk of over-trimming or creating an uneven hairline.

Plucking the hairline of your lace front wig is an optional step, but it's a popular method among stylists for achieving a more natural look. By carefully removing some of the density around the hairline using tweezers, you can mimic the gradual hair density transition of a natural hairline.

In reality, most people do not have a uniformly dense hairline, and creating a more realistic-looking one involves thinning out the hair to create a more natural look. 

This step, while delicate, can make a significant difference to the final appearance of the wig, giving it a less 'wiggy' and more lifelike quality.

The ear tabs on your wig help with getting the initial placement of the wig right. Once you're comfortable with the positioning of the wig, you can go ahead and cut these off.

Make sure you keep the line nice and even and cut it as close to the hair of the wig as possible to get the best results. We'd also recommend having all your hair tucked into a wig cap at this point to help avoid any disastrous mishaps with the scissors.

Before you start cutting the lace on your new wig, take a moment to draw thin and precise cutting lines where you plan to trim.

Use a makeup pencil or a light-coloured eyeliner to lightly trace along the natural hairline of the wig. This will serve as your guide for cutting and ensure you achieve a natural-looking hairline.

Drawing cutting lines is crucial as it provides a visual representation of where to cut, reducing the chances of making mistakes that could potentially damage the wig.

Stylist Top Tip: It's always better to start with less cutting—you can always trim more if needed, but you can't replace the lace once you've cut too much. Create the illusion of hair growing directly from your scalp by cutting up to, but not into, the hair. Leave a small amount of lace for a seamless and natural transition.

Now you've done all your prep, it's time to actually cut the excess lace. We recommend making small cuts with your scissors and holding the lace taut while you cut. If you're unsure about your cutting skills, make sure you cut below your cutting lines.

When cutting your lace front, try to avoid cutting super straight lines along the front hairline. A slightly wavy edge can make the whole thing look more natural.

Lace front wigs offer a superior level of realism that sets them apart from other wig types. The intricate sheer lace at the front allows for an incredibly natural-looking hairline.

The lace blends with your skin, making it nearly undetectable and giving the illusion that the hair is growing directly from your scalp.

Our stylist loves lace front wigs because they provide versatility in styling; you can pull back the hair to create various hairstyles that remain realistic. They're also lighter and more comfortable than many other wig constructions, making them ideal for extended wear.

To ensure that your lace front wig looks stunning and natural, here are our stylist's top tips for the perfect prep:

• Maintain the wig's shape: Always store your wig on a wig head or stand to retain its shape and style. It also helps to reduce tangling and matting.

• Keep it clean: Regularly wash your lace front wig with a gentle shampoo formulated for wigs. This helps to remove any product buildup and keeps the wig looking fresh and vibrant. We recommend the RiRi Hair Extensions Shampoo & Conditioner Duo.

• Stay cool: Avoid exposing your wig to high temperatures, especially synthetic wigs. If using styling tools on human hair wigs, opt for those with adjustable temperature settings and never exceed 180 degrees C. Always use a heat protectant.

• Use makeup to blend the lace: Applying a bit of foundation or concealer around the edges of the lace can help to blend it seamlessly with your natural skin tone. This creates a more realistic look and helps to conceal the lace for a flawless finish.

• Gentle brushing: To avoid wig hair shedding, use a wide-tooth comb or the RiRi Signature Deluxe Hair Extension Brush for detangling. Start at the tips and gently work your way up to the roots.

• Use high-quality care products: Choose styling and hair care products specifically designed for synthetic wigs if your wig is not made from real hair. Avoid oil-based products on lace fronts, as they can increase the risk of slippage.

• Avoid heavy styling: Minimise the use of heavy gels and sprays, as they can weigh down the wig and diminish its natural movement.

• Customise conservatively: Be cautious when customising your wig. Over-plucking or over-trimming the baby hairs can ruin the natural appearance, so always err on the side of less is more.

By following our expert stylist's step-by-step guide we're sure your new lace front wig will be looking fire!

As with anything, practice makes perfect, so don't be afraid to make small cuts first to get the general shape and feel for cutting the lace.

Read our favourite ways to style a synthetic wig to achieve beautiful-looking hair!