Human hair

Lace Frontal Closure Installation

Published By: Kennedy

Last Updated: February 15, 2022

Lace closure installs can seem a little tricky at first, but they can actually be very simple! This article will help break down the process step by step, so you can achieve the most natural-looking weave possible. 

How to do a Lace Closure Installation

A great lace closure installation can be done in 4 easy steps. 

1. Braid the hair flat

A closure install is only as good as the braids underneath. The braids need to be as flat as possible so the closure will not lift or be lopsided. You will first need to wash your hair well. If the scalp is not completely clean, it will start to itch underneath the closure and could cause hair damage. 

After the hair is washed and fully dry, it needs to be cornrowed. You should start the cornrows by first parting the hair where you are going to have the part for your weave. The easiest way to cornrow the hair is to braid straight down the side of the head from each side of the part. However, there are many different techniques you can use and explore. 

The braids need to be small, so that the closure can lay flat against the head. A closure that is very flat makes for a more natural looking weave. If you have long braids at the end after cornrowing your hair, then the braids need to be pinned or sewn flat against the head. 

2. Customize your closure 

Your closure will rarely be perfect when you take it out of the box, which is why you need to customize it to look right for you. 

Bleach the knots 

One way you will need to customize the closure before applying it to your head is to bleach the knots. The first thing you need to do when customizing your lace frontal is to bleach the knots. Knots are the dark spots at the root of the hair strands, where the hair is attached to the lace. 

If knots are visible on the closure, it will not create the look of a natural scalp when it is installed. 

The better you can make the hair look like it is coming out of your scalp, the better it will look. 

Some frontals already come with the knots bleached, which you can choose to buy. However, if you see knots on your frontal, you can easily bleach them to make them lighter and hard to see against the lace. 

Tint the Lace

Another way you will need to customize your lace closure is by tinting the lace. You can tint the lace in the part area either before or after you apply the closure, however, it is easier to tint all of the lace before. 

The lace of the closure will not always match the color of your skin. Usually, the lace is lighter than your skin color. Even if your scalp is lighter and the lace matches it, it may not match your forehead – where the lace will also show. 

You can tint all of the lace on the bottom of the frontal by using tinting spray, foundation, or dye. 

Pluck the hairline

The last thing you will need to do to your frontal before applying it is pluck the hairline. Many frontals have an unrealistic amount of hair along the hairline, which can cause it to look bulky on your head. 

You can create a natural-looking hairline by first plucking out some of the hair on the frontal. You should pluck the hairline until it is easily movable and has natural-looking gaps. 

3. Apply a nylon cap 

The most popular way to install a lace closure is to glue the lace in the front onto the forehead and then sew the rest of the closure onto the braids. By gluing the front of the closure, you can create a natural baby-hair look on the forehead.

The lace should be able to blend onto the skin after you have tinted it, which will make the hair seem like it is coming out of your scalp in the front. Before you start applying the closure on your head, many people like to create an even flatter surface on the closure area using a stocking cap. 

In order to apply a stocking cap only to the closure area, first place a nylon wig cap on your head. Next, only spray wig glue along the area where your closure would be and let it dry completely. After the glue has dried, cut the excess nylon cap that is surrounding the glued area. You can use foundation to tint the nylon on your head, to look more like your scalp. 

After the nylon cap area is in place, you can then glue the lace in the front of your closure onto your hairline area. The front of the closure will need to be pressed down as it dries.

4. Sew the closure on

After the glue has dried in the front, you can begin to sew the closure onto the cap. It is best to use nylon thread for sewing, because cotton thread absorbs necessary moisture in the hair, leaving it dry and prone to breakage.

When sewing you want to use a curved needle to make it easier to sew under and over the closure when attaching it to the cap. After you have sewn the whole closure down, you can know the thread to ensure it does not become undone. 

How Long Does a Lace Closure Last?

A closure will last for about 2-4 weeks without needing a retouch. The natural hair underneath will grow, which will cause the closure to lift. When a closure starts to lift, it will need to be retouched in order to keep it from looking unnatural. 

If you leave a closure in too long, dirt, sweat, and grease can be trapped underneath – causing irritation and possible breakage. If your closure is glued in the front, it could also cause considerable damage to your hairline if it is kept in too long.

How Much does a Lace Closure Cost?

Closures generally range from $50 to over $120. These prices depend on the type of hair it is and where it comes from. 

Closures will usually be more expensive the longer they are and the type of lace they are made with as well. If you are looking to have your closure installed by a professional stylist, those prices usually range from $80-$200, depending on the stylist. 

The Final Word

Installing your own closure may take some extra work, but it is definitely worth knowing how to do it yourself. 

Kennedy

I have always had a love for writing and have been blogging for about 3 years now. I have a passion for teaching what I have learned over the years, especially about hair. I have had almost every hairstyle - typical of a cosmetologist’s daughter- including the big chop in 2015. With all the knowledge I have gained, I feel it is my duty to help others on their healthy hair journey. I believe education can be fun, and I strive to make it fun to learn about beautiful black hair.

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