Lace Closures and Lace Frontals

In this article we will examine the lace closure and the lace frontal. Both of these units have improved the way we wear our weaves. Both lace closures and lace frontals have been around for a while and maybe you have used one or both. Maybe you have heard of them but was never interested in them outside of the styles you used them in. Now is your chance to learn all about lace closures and lace frontals.

A Lace Closure?

A Lace Closure is an important piece of hair extension for women who wear them. A lace closure prevents you from having to leave out any of your own hair when you wear a weave. The closure give the option of closing off your style with a piece of extension that matches the weave you are wearing in  curl pattern, colour, texture and  quality.

Wearing a closure with your weave will ensure that your hair remains protected underneath the style keeping it healthy while you rock a perfect style!  A lace closure will suit all hair types since of course your natural hair will not be on display at any time.

So…What exactly is a Closure?

A closure is similar to a Topper. Unlike a topper it does not have clips attached to it. It has to be sewn down. A lace closure is a u-shaped hair piece that is usually 4×4 inches in size.  It is made from silk or lace but mostly from lace Hair is knitted through all the spaces in the lace.

Lace closures are used with full sewn in weaves. They’re placed at the top of the head to close off the style. The lace gives the impression of scalp and so the closure can be parted as you would your real hair after it has been applied.

Different types of closures

There are 3 types of closures

1. Free part closure
2. Middle part closure and
3. Three part closure

Free Part Closure

A free part closure allows you to part it anywhere as it does not have a defined part. This is a good thig as you have more options with your style. You could chose to part it at the side (left or right) or in the middle. You could even decide not to part your closure at all but to wear your style combed back.

Middle Part Closure

The middle part closure , as the name suggests, is parted in the middle. It does not give much options since the part is very defined.

Three Part Lace Closure

This lace closure has three different parts….a left side part, a right side part and a center part. Due to these parts it automatically  the wearer with three styling options. In my opinion the free part still provides all three stated here as well as the option to comb your hair backwards.

Why Do You Need Lace Closure?

A closure helps you to wear that perfect, seamless hairstyle that looks natural Instead of leaving out your own natural hair which you would need to style daily, adding heat which could be damaging. You would first sew your lace closure at the top of your head on cornrows or attached to a wig cap. The extensions would then be sewn from the nape upwards until they meet with the lace closure. At this point the last piece of extension is sewn directly unto the closure to finish the look.

I must add here that a lace closure can also be used to make a wig. It is sewn onto the wig or dome cap in the same way you would sew it onto your hair. The rest of the extension bundles are then sewn from the nape of the wig cap up to the crown in the same way you would sew it to your hair. The section of the wig or dome cap underneath the lace closure is then cut away and the wig applied and your head and styled

Caring for your Lace Closure

Lace closures, although strong in a sense are quite delicate and must be handled with care. You definitely cannot treat it like your own scalp….you have to treat it gently as possible if you want it to last for a long time. If the lace gets torn you have lost that closure. Remember that each individual strand of hair is painstakingly knitted into the lace.

You should endeavour to comb or brush you lace closure from the ends to the root, just as you would your own natural hair or your extensions. Try not to pull on the hair on the closure because if they break you lose them permanently. If this happens you will have sections of the closure without hair and this cannot be fixed.

Wash your closure  gently by shampooing then allowing water to run through it until all of the shampoo is gone. Add conditioner and let it remain on it for three or more minutes before you rinse it thoroughly again. Hang it to dry, preferable not in the sun.

Why Chose a Lace Frontal?

Lace Frontals are chosen over lace closures due to their versatility in styling. They present styling options that cannot be achieved with a closure. A lace frontal looks so much like your own natural hairline that in some cases it is extremely impossible to tell if you are wearing a wig or any extensions at all! 

A lace frontal allows the wearer to wear their hair up in a ponytail, to pull your hair back and to part in sections you could not do with a closure. When you wear a lace frontal, none of your hair is left out. Lace frontals have taken the world of hair extensions by storm. They are the newest innovation in hair extensions and they can only get better!

So what is a Lace Frontal?

A lace frontal is similar in construction to a lace closure. Strands of hair are hand knitted into the lace but that is as far as the similarity goes. Whereas the closure is applied to the top of the head, the lace frontal is applied from ear to ear. It has a hairline so it is applied directly in front of your own hairline.

 A lace frontal can be of the dimension 13×4 inches or 13×6 inches. As you would imagine, a 13×6 inches frontal gives even more versatility in styling and parting. Some lace frontal come pre-plucked. This means that the hairline has already been customised by plucking some of the hair to make the frontal looks even more natural. Some have baby hair already made into them. This ensures that you will spend less time customising the wig. Read our article about 10 Best Lace Front Wigs Under $200

Why wear a lace frontal?

Lace frontals are the go to for many persons. Because of their natural look and the fact that they have a natural hairline, they are a great investment for those persons who are suffering from various health or medical problem such as cancer or alopecia and have lost their hair. It is also good for persons with thing hair at the top and sides of their heads. The frontal is very good value for your money.

Types of Lace Frontals

There are two main types of frontals are:

1. Lace frontal
2. 360 lace frontal

Lace Frontal

The frontals we have been discussing so far are the lace frontal .These  extend around the hairline at the front of your head from ear to ear.

The 360 lace closure

This is a step up from the lace frontal. This one extends around the perimeter of your head. Using a 360 lace frontal, you have the ability to wear your hair up in a ponytail. It is even more natural looking than a lace frontal as it encapsulates the head. As you might imagine, it is even more expensive than a lace frontal.

How Long Will the Lace Frontals Last?

The durability of the lace frontal as like any other type of hair extension depends on how you care for them as well as the quality of the lace and hair. Frontals made from 100% human hair, virgin or Remy, will last longer. If you take proper care of your frontal, treat it gently and washing it carefully, you will be able to get six months or longer use out of it.

The lace front wigs durability depends on the material used to make the hair. If you are using human hair then it may last a little longer. Nevertheless, the frontals are temporary. They may last up to a month but it all depends on how good you take care of them.

Lace closures and Lace frontals

Let us now examine the similarities and differences between lace closures and lace frontals. From what you have read so far let us see if you are able to pick out a few! Let us start with the similarities.

Protective – both help to protect your hairline since your hair is covered during the style.

• Natural looking – they clove your weave perfectly and look natural for a flawless finish

• You get a realistic hairline – especially for the frontal, most persons might not be able to tell that it is not your own hair

The differences between lace closures and lace frontals

Lace closure – 4×4 inches and made for the top of the head

Lace frontal – 13×4 (or 6) and is made to cover the hairline from ear to ear

Lace closure – made for the top of the head 

Lace frontal –made to cover the hairline from ear to ear

Lace closure – smaller so less expensive

Lace frontal – larger so more expensive

Lace closure – best sewn on cornrows at the top of your head         

Lace frontal – blest bonded to in front of your hairline

We hope you have found this article to be informative and that you have learnt all about lace closures and lace frontals. We appreciate your comments as they allow us to grow. Leave us a comment….we will be sure to get back to you as soon as possible, share this article with family and friends who you believe will benefit from it.

Until next time……

ClaudiaA