How to Cut a Lace Front Wig
Cutting a lace wig is easy with the right instructions. Here are the steps you should follow to cut the lace off of your wig the right way.
Step one: Decide how you want to cut your lace
You can cut it while the wig is on your head or a mannequin head. For beginners, we recommend cutting the lace on a mannequin head - it's the safest and easiest way to do it.
Step Two: Put the wig on
Put lace front wig on your head
On your head: The hairline of the wig should be about a quarter-inch above your natural hairline. Secure the unit using its clips and adjustable straps. Make sure that the lace is lying flat to your head.
On a mannequin head: Put the wig on the mannequin head and use a few T- pins to secure it. That way, it won't slide all over the place.
Step Three: Map out the hairline
Map out hairline for cutting
Use a white makeup pencil to trace your hairline from ear to ear. All it takes is drawing a line on your skin in the shape of your hairline. Make sure that you leave about a quarter-inch of space between your hairline and the traced line. If needed, comb the wig hair backward and use clips to keep it out of the way. Use a little styling mousse or water if needed to keep the hair in place.
If you’ll be using a mannequin head, put the wig all the way on, secure it to your head, and draw the line on top of the lace a quarter-inch in front of your natural hairline. That way, when you put the wig on your mannequin head to cut the lace, you can use the line on the lace as your guide.
Mapping with measuring tape is another option to consider. It's great for anyone who doesn't have an irregular hairline and wants to cut the lace in the shape of the wig's hairline. First, put the measuring tape at the front, middle of the lace (on the wig’s hairline). Make a dot about a quarter of an inch above that point and do the same near the ears. Then, draw lines to connect each of the dots.
Step Four: Cut the lace off
Cut the lace off a lace front wig
Make sure you follow below when cutting the lace off
Use a tool that feels comfortable for you. You can use hair-cutting shears, an eyebrow razor, or even nail-cutting scissors. Just make sure that your tool is sharp. If it isn’t, it won't cut through the lace properly and can even cause damage to it.
Hold the lace taut as you cut so you won't accidentally cut off too much lace.
Make small cuts in a subtle zig-zag motion. When the lace has a slightly jagged edge, it melts easier and looks more natural—no straight lines.
Don't forget to cut the ear tabs. To cut the ear tabs, use your rattail comb to part a one-inch section of hair right above one of your ears. Let the hair you sectioned out fall downward. Grab the lace ear tab and cut away the excess lace right in front of the wig's hairline. Cut it in the shape of a C for the most natural results. Repeat on the other side.
Make sure you don't cut the elastic band near the ear tab or the construction cap of the wig.
If you did not make a mapping line, cut the lace right in front of the baby hairs.
Alternative for Beginners
cut lace into small sections
If you don’t feel confident cutting the lace off in one piece, no problem. You can cut the lace in small sections to make the process easier. Follow these steps:
Cut the lace vertically from the edge of the lace to the guide line you made. Make as many vertical cuts as you'd like. One in the middle and two more on each side should work well. You should have several small strips of lace to cut afterward.
Pick a lace strip and cut it horizontally in the shape of your line using the same guidelines in the previous section.
Repeat with the other lace strips.
Cutting your lace front wig may seem daunting at first, but if you follow all of the steps in this guide, you'll be a pro in no time.