When it comes to finding the perfect look for you, we don’t have to remind you of just how many styles and choices are available. Of course, it’s great to have options, but it can be tricky to narrow them all down. You know you’re looking for a hairpiece with a natural-looking hairline, but where do you start? Maybe you’ve heard of a lace closure, but what is a lace frontal? At the end of the day, you want to know which hair piece best suits your preferences and lifestyle.
Here’s all you need to know when it comes to understanding lace closures versus lace frontals.
Closure and Frontal Similarities
First, let’s dive into how both of these hairpieces can help you create the look you’ve always wanted. Closures and frontals both include a piece of Swiss lace, which is sewn with hair extensions into the base of the wig. This piece of material gives the illusion of your natural scalp, wherever it is placed on the hairpiece. Closures and frontals are go-to styles because they let you part your hair in several ways and flaunt a natural-looking hairline. You can even add baby hair around the edges to give an added realistic appearance.
With these styles, you can braid and protect your hair, and none of your locks are left out. To get the most natural- looking scalp, we often recommend bleaching the knots to help reduce the appearance of the lace.
Now that we understand some of the similarities and benefits, let’s dig into some of the key differences when it comes to comparing a closure versus a frontal.
What is a Frontal?
A frontal refers to a hairpiece that has a strip of material which runs from ear to ear. It usually stretches 13 inches and goes about 4 inches back. It’s typically sewn onto bundles, but you can also use it to make a full wig. What is a lace frontal? A lace frontal uses lace material to blend into your natural skin and hairline.
One of the major perks of a frontal piece is that you can part your hair in nearly every way. Because the material gives the illusion of your scalp, which runs the whole length of your hairline, your part will look natural however you style it.
You can also pull your hair back into a half-ponytail or full ponytail. This is a great option for those who like to mix up their looks and change the way they part their hair. With this hairpiece, you’re not limited to the number of ways you can part or style your hair.
Do keep in mind, because frontals are so versatile and include more material, they are pricier than closures and require more maintenance.
What is a Closure?
A closure is similar to a frontal, but it has more limitations when it comes to styling. Instead of having a strip of scalp-like material that runs from ear to ear, the closure is typically a 5x5 -inch patch placed on the middle, front portion of the hairpiece. It's the same concept as the lace frontal. A closure has a lace material that creates the illusion of a scalp.
Now, because there is less material on a closure, this means there is a smaller amount of parting space within the horseshoe-sized portion. Unlike the frontal, which allows you to part your hair in an infinite number of ways, the closure only allows for a few different styles, since you’re working with a smaller piece of lace.
Typically, you can create a side part on either side of your head or go with a middle part. You can also wear bangs with a closure, but it’s not really possible to create up-dos or half ponytails with this style wig because you won’t see your scalp like you usually would if it were your natural hair.
Although these pieces don’t offer a lot of room for versatility when it comes to styling your hair, closures are great for those who like to stick to the same style every day. If you know what you like, why change it? As long as you’re comfortable with only a few different parts, this is a great choice. Closures run slightly cheaper than frontals.
The Best Option for You
At the end of the day, deciding between using a frontal vs. closure really comes down to personal preference. Both hairpieces offer realistic, natural-looking styles that allow you to part your hair in a number of ways. The major differences involve how often you like to switch up your style and what price range you’re working with.
