Melting the lace is the most critical step in wearing a lace wig. Your lace melting technique will determine how natural your wig will end up looking. So it's in your best interest to learn how to melt the lace on your wig, and we're going to tell you exactly how to do it in this article.
Before we get into the lace melting step, you need to know a few things that affect how well the lace is melted:
Lace quality: Lace is not created equal. The thinner the lace, the easier it will blend into your skin. Transparent lace and HD lace are among the thinnest types of lace available.
Lace color: Be sure to choose a lace that perfectly matches your skin tone. It will save you a lot of time during the lace melting process. You can also choose from sheer lace or high-definition lace, which will blend with any skin tone.
How to melt the lace on a wig?
Step 1: Bleach Knots
Bleaching the knots of your wig is the first step in getting your wig to look natural and ready for the melting process. Unbleached knots look like tiny black spots, they're a clear sign that your wig isn't growing from your scalp. Knot bleaching helps make these knots nearly invisible for a more natural-looking finish.
Step 2: Pluck your wig
Pluck the wig on top of the wig stand or mannequin head, then get out the tweezers - it's time to pluck the hairline of the wig. A wig will look more natural if its hairline follows the contours of your natural hairline.
Step 3: Braid your hair and put on the wig cap
Step 4: Clean your hairline
When melting lace, you must start with a super clean base. This means your skin needs to be free of oil and dirt. Melting lace onto dirty skin may cause the lace to not stick well. Dip a cotton ball in the rubbing alcohol, and dab across your hairline from ear to ear, avoiding natural hair. Once your skin is clean and oil-free, you're ready for the next step!
Step 5: Color the lace
Coloring lace involves applying paint to any exposed lace to give it the scalp-like appearance. Most people do this with makeup or lace tinting spray. Here's what you need to do to color the lace:
Buy a lace shade or foundation that matches your skin tone perfectly. Apply the dye to the lace where the hair parted.
If you use a toning spray, follow the directions on your toning product. They will most likely tell you to hold the can a few inches from the lace and spray until the paint is completely covered.
If you use foundation, load the large brush with foundation and press it into the inside of the lace until it looks like your skin tone.
Step 6: Cut the lace
You need to use very sharp scissors and make a zigzag motion while cutting. Serrated edges make for a better overall lace blend.
Step 7: Glue the lace
You have several options for attaching the lace, including glue spray, gel, or wig tape.
Step 8: Secure the hairline with a head tie
Place the headband where the lace meets the skin and leave it on for at least 10 minutes. When you remove the headband, your hairline will be super smooth.
Step 9: Remove glue residue
To remove adhesive residue, you can simply apply rubbing alcohol or adhesive remover to the areas to be cleaned. Then use your fingers to loosen the residue and remove with a wide-toothed comb or paper towels. If you don't want to use alcohol and adhesive, you can use a toothbrush and some conditioner to remove excess glue, then wipe it off.
Step 10: Apply foundation at the hairline
To complete the lace melting process, you may need to apply foundation on your hairline. If the lace is already the same color as your skin tone, you can skip this part. But if your lace looks too light or dark, get out your foundation and apply it directly to the exposed lace along your hairline. Make sure you use the same shade of foundation as the skin on your forehead. Use a fluffy brush for a smooth application process.