Wig Terminology: Guide to Common Wig Terms
Your Guide to Common Wig Terms
When reading about wigs, you might come across some terminology that you are not familiar with. This can be overwhelming at times and very confusing for newcomers to the wig buying experience. Hearing terms like wefting, lace front, and hand-tied can be confusing, and remembering the definition of each term can be just as tricky. This list of common wig terms should help guide you through your wig research, and will help you understand the details needed to make an informed wig buying decision.
Wig Fiber Types:
Kanekalon: Kanekalon is the world's finest wig fiber for easy care and quick styling. All wigs and hairpieces from The Wig Company brands are made with Kanekalon synthetic fibers. Creating the natural look of human hair, these synthetic wigs are amazingly lifelike and durable. Styles stay in place, and colors remain vibrant.
LiteLife Fiber: An exclusive fiber made from Kanekalon. This is an ultra-light fiber combined with traditional fiber, resulting in more coverage and volume, and a wig that is up to 25% lighter.
Tru2Life, Excelle, HD Heat Defiant Synthetic Wig Fibers: Innovative new fibers that are heat-friendly synthetic fibers. They allow for thermal styling tools such as curling irons, flat irons, and electric curlers to be used to change the style of a wig.
Types of Wig Cap Construction:
Extended Nape: An added extension sewn to the bottom of the wig cap base just below the Velcro sizing adjustments. The extended nape allows more coverage of the nape hairline. Wearers are usually able to tuck stray neckline hair under this extended nape. This is the most common neckline feature.
Flexible, Open Ear Tabs: A soft inner wire that allows ear tabs to adjust and contour to the face at your temple.
Hand-tied Hairlines: Intricate hand-stitching of individual fibers at the front and side hairline that gives the look of a more natural appearance.
Inside Wefting: An economical alternative to a hand-tied hairline. This machine-sewn fiber weft softens the wigs front and side hairlines.
Natural Look Neckline: The standard ½" nape extension is eliminated completely. If you have a short neck and experience discomfort at your neckline, try a wig with this feature.
Natural Skin Monofilament: A section of extra-fine-grade nylon monofilament with hand-tied fibers usually in the top of a wig. It duplicates the look of the human scalp.
Perma Lift: Shorter teased fibers sewn at the base of a cap that provides lift for built-in height and volume where needed.
Perma Tease: "Crimped" fiber at the base of a cap that adds body without teasing and tangling.
Stretch Ribbon Lace: The foundation frame of a wig cap with added stretch and security.
Total Capless Construction: Open wefted base all over cap, with no closed fabric sections on the cap. The result is a cooler and lighter weight wig.
Velcro Sizing Adjustments: Velcro tabs (one on each side) that allow you to adjust your wig up to 1" larger or smaller for a comfortable fit.
Velvet Comfort Band: 1" to 1½" of soft velvet-like fabric at the inside front of a wig cap for increased comfort and security.
Velvet Lined Front: An economical alternative to the Velvet Comfort Band. The ¼" to ½" velvet-like fabric is sewn to the front underside of the wig.
Soft Flex Combs: Tiny, flexible, weightless combs for added security.
Lace Front: A natural growth, low-density hairline is achieved with this 1½” virtually sheer lace front. Style versatility allows for off-the-face parting at the hairline.
Soft Stretch Ear Tabs: Soft, expandable fabric attached to the ear tab, resulting in a contoured custom fit.
Soft Stretch Hairline: A lighter, cooler front hairline with moderate, soft stretch.
Soft Stretch Sides: A special fabric that eases tension between the ear and nape.
Soft Weave Wefting: A cooler cap design that provides more air flow to your scalp and better fiber movement for added styling versatility/