Wig Glossary: Everything You Need to Know Before You Buy
💡 Wig Construction & Cap Types
🧢 Cap
The foundation of the wig — like the canvas under a masterpiece. It can be made of lace, monofilament, or open wefts.
🌿 Lace Front
A sheer lace strip at the front that gives the illusion of a natural hairline. Perfect for pulling your hair back.
🌐 Full Lace Wig
The entire cap is made of lace, giving you ultimate styling freedom — top buns, braids, you name it.
🎯 Monofilament Wig
Features a mesh base with hand-tied hairs. Offers natural scalp appearance and multi-directional styling.
📏 Weft
A row or track of hair sewn into the cap. Think of it as the structure behind volume.
🌬 Capless
Also known as open wefted — it’s breathable and lightweight. Great for warmer weather.
🔀 Hybrid Cap
Combines lace, monofilament, or wefts for a balance of realism and comfort.
🎯 Closure Wig
Includes a small piece of lace or silk (usually at the top) for a realistic part. Ideal for middle or side parts.
✨ Hair Types & Quality
💇🏾♀️ Human Hair
Real human hair wigs — natural in look, feel, and movement. Can be dyed, heat-styled, and treated like your own hair.
💎 Remy Hair
Premium human hair where the cuticle direction is preserved. Less tangling, more shine.
🌿 Virgin Hair
Completely unprocessed — no dye, bleach, or chemicals. Pure and long-lasting.
🧵 Synthetic Hair
Made from fibers — more budget-friendly, holds its style even after washing.
🔥 Heat Friendly Synthetic
Synthetic wigs you can curl or straighten with heat tools. Versatile and beginner-friendly.
🌀 Fiber Blends
A mix of human and synthetic hair — gives you the look of real hair with a lower price point.
🔧 Fitting & Styling Terms
🎛 Adjustable Straps
Inside the cap, these help you tighten or loosen the fit — no slipping or headaches.
🎧 Ear Tabs
Located near the ears, they help you align the wig and adjust comfortably.
👶🏾 Baby Hair
Tiny hairs at the hairline that mimic real hair edges. Adds realism to lace fronts.
📊 Density
How thick or full the wig is. Higher density = more volume.
🔬 Bleached Knots
Knots where hair is tied to lace are lightened to make them blend into your scalp.
🔍 Plucking
Tweezing some hairs from the lace front to create a natural-looking hairline.
🔎 Other Wig Terms to Know
📌 Hair Topper
Smaller than a full wig — covers specific areas (like thinning spots) for extra volume.
🧠 Hairpiece
A broad term that includes wigs, extensions, toppers, and more.
🧢 Toupee
Typically used by men to cover bald spots. Small and targeted.
🩺 Cranial Prosthesis
Custom-made wig for medical hair loss (e.g. due to chemo or alopecia). Often insurance-covered.
🩹 Bonding
Using glue or tape to secure a wig or extension. Can be temporary or semi-permanent.
✂️ Alterations
Tailoring a wig or topper to fit your head perfectly.
✅ Save this Glossary — and Shop Smarter
Understanding these terms will help you make confident, informed decisions when shopping for wigs. Want to dive deeper? Check out our related blog posts or explore the Elxari Wig Collection to find your perfect match.
❓ FAQ
What’s the difference between a lace front and a full lace wig?
Lace fronts only have lace along the hairline, while full lace wigs are made entirely of lace for maximum styling flexibility.
What does wig density mean?
Density refers to how thick or full the wig is. Higher density means more volume.
What’s the difference between human hair, Remy hair, and synthetic wigs?
Human hair looks and feels natural. Remy hair is top-quality human hair with aligned cuticles (less tangling). Synthetic is affordable, holds shape, but can’t always handle heat styling.
Are capless wigs good for hot weather?
Yes, they’re breathable, lightweight, and ideal for summer wear.
🖤 With love,
Elxari Team