0–9

360-Lace – The wig cap is made entirely of lace. An expensive but highly realistic wig variant.

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A

Adjustable cap – A cap with adjustable size that follows the hairline.

Acrylate glue – A new type of wig adhesive based on acrylic instead of silicone (like traditional adhesives such as Mastix). Provides a stronger hold but requires a specific remover. Popular brands include Eelhoe and Walker.

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B

Bang – Fringe. "Side bangs" may refer to sideburns.

Bleached knots – A human hair wig where the knots holding the hair to the cap are bleached for a more natural look.

Bob – A short, blunt haircut with an even fringe.

Bobby pin – A standard hairpin.

Brazilian hair – A premium type of virgin remy human hair, not necessarily from Brazil. Known for being highly versatile. See also Peruvian, Vietnamese, and Malaysian hair.

Bundle – A unit used when purchasing hair extensions.

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C

C-pin (C needle) – A curved sewing needle used for wig-making or repair.

Cap – The base of the wig to which the hair is attached; mimics the scalp.

Clip on – Hair extensions attached with clips; can be put on and removed at any time.

Capless construction – A wig cap made only of wefts with no fabric panels.

Cosplay – Costume play, often associated with anime characters.

Cosplay wig – A wig intended for costumes, not realistic enough to pass as natural hair.

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D

Density – Indicates how closely packed the hair strands are, measured as a percentage from 100%. Average female head hair density is around 115%.

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E

Extension – A strand of hair used to add thickness or volume. Available in various types.

European hair – A variant of remy human hair, usually from Europe, with slightly shorter lifespan.

 

F

Fashion wig – A synthetic wig of believable quality that lacks a lace front.

Filament – The fabric or material forming the cap, representing the visible scalp.

Free parting – A wig without a preset part, often using a lace closure for styling freedom.

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G

Glueless wig – A lace front wig secured without glue, using clips, wig grips, etc.

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H

Hand tied – The wig is entirely hand-knotted. Usually more expensive.

Hard front – A wig with no lace front.

HD lace – Ultra-thin, high-quality lace (usually light beige), flexible and non-dyeable.

Heat resistant – Can be styled using flat irons, curling irons, or hot rollers.

Human hair blend – A mix of at least 40% real hair and synthetic fibers.

Human hair wig – Made of 100% real human hair, available in remy and non-remy quality.

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I

Isopropanol / Isopropyl alcohol – Ideal alcohol for removing glue residue from lace wigs.

Indian hair – A more premium form of virgin remy human hair, not necessarily from India.

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J

Japanese fibers – A collective term for various (sometimes lower quality) synthetic fibers.

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K

Kanekalon – A widely used synthetic hair fiber.

Kanubia – Possibly the most premium synthetic hair material.

Knot Eraser – A tool or product used to hide visible knots through the lace.

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L

Lace back – A wig with lace at the back as well as the front for natural-looking updos.

Lace cap – A cap made of soft lace, but may lack a lace front hairline.

Lace closure – A lace section (typically 4x4 inches) used to close the wig; allows free parting.

Lace front – A wig with a lace front hairline for a natural look, often 4 inches deep and 13 inches wide from ear to ear.

Lace gel – A strong hair gel meant for securing lace wigs at the front; usually water-soluble and safe for hair.

Lace melting – A technique to blend the lace into the skin for an invisible hairline. Requires lace melting spray and band.

Lace melting band – A tool used to aid in lace melting.

Lace melting spray – A styling glue in spray form that helps melt lace into the skin. Used with a melting band.

Lace tint – Dye used to darken lace. Available in spray and powder. Tricky to use without experience.

Lace wig – A wig whose entire cap and front are made of lace.

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M

Machine tied – The wig is entirely machine-stitched. Typically more affordable, but appears less natural.

Malaysian hair – A luxurious form of virgin remy human hair, not necessarily from Malaysia. Often considered best suited for curls. See also Brazilian, Peruvian, and Vietnamese hair.

Mannequin cap – A wig cap with a rounded hairline that does not follow the natural hairline.

Mastix – The most commonly used silicone-based wig glue. Available in alcohol- and water-soluble forms. Well-known brands include Kryolan, Grimas, and Eelhoe.

MBM – A solution used to remove glue residue from the skin (not from the wig).

Melting – See Lace Melting.

Melting spray – Adhesive in spray form that both styles and "melts" the lace front into the forehead. Used with a lace melting band.

Memory cap – A cap that molds to the shape of the head and retains it.

Monofilament – A material that convincingly mimics human scalp, used in parts of the cap.

Name brand wig – A wig made by a recognized brand (e.g. Jon Renau, Ellen Wille, Noriko, Raquel Welch, etc.). Often high-quality and heat-resistant, with HD lace and handcrafted finishes. They usually come with a warranty, but can be very expensive.

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N

Non-parting – A wig with no fixed part; hair is implanted to allow styling flexibility.

Non-remy – Real human hair where the strands are not aligned in the same direction, resulting in lower quality.

Non-virgin – Human hair that has been chemically treated (dyed or permed) prior to being made into a wig.

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O

Ombre – Hair colored in multiple tones or shades, often resembling natural regrowth.

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P

Parting free – See Non-parting.

Permalift – Short extra strands sewn in at specific areas to add lift and volume.

Permatease – Teased roots at the base of the wig to add lift and full-body volume.

Peruvian hair – A premium type of virgin remy human hair, not necessarily from Peru. Best suited for sleek, straight styles. See also Brazilian, Malaysian, and Vietnamese hair.

Pixie (cut) – A short, layered hairstyle with a casual, carefree look.

Pluck – The act of removing hairs to create a more natural-looking hairline on a lace front wig.

Pre-plucked – A marketing term claiming the wig has a pre-customized, natural hairline. Often exaggerated and not truly plucked.

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R

Remy – Real human hair with strands aligned in the same direction. Usually from one donor. The term comes from the French word "remettre" (to put back). True remy hair is often faked and hard to verify, especially after chemical treatment.

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S

Side-parting – A side part; hair directed in two directions from the part. Can be hard to restyle.

Size combinations (e.g. 13x6) – Indicates the lace area's dimensions in inches.

Smelting – See Lace Melting.

Stretched length – The length of curly hair when pulled straight.

Spirit gum – An old term for silicone-based wig adhesive.

Swiss lace – A thin lace fabric that is hard to detect. Comes in various tones but cannot be dyed.

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T

T-pin (T needle) – A T-shaped pin designed to hold wigs in place on a foam or canvas head during styling.

Tail – Refers to a ponytail; a hairpiece that adds volume or length.

Top(per) – Hair added at the top of the head to cover bald spots or enhance fullness.

Toupée – A partial wig designed to cover thinning areas or bald spots.

Toyokalon – A widely used synthetic fiber.

Tupé – See Toupée.

T-parting – Typically refers to a middle part. The hair is directed to both sides from the parting, which can be hard to restyle.

Transparent lace – A very thin, see-through lace that can be tinted to match skin tone.

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V

Vako hair / Virgin hair – Hair that has not been dyed or permed before being made into a wig.

Velcro sizing – A construction allowing the wig size to be reduced by up to 1 inch on each side without altering the cap.

Vietnamese hair – A premium form of virgin remy human hair, not necessarily from Vietnam. Known for its durability and tolerance to styling. See also Brazilian, Malaysian, and Peruvian hair.

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W

Wig – Another term for a hairpiece or peruk.

Wig brush – A brush designed specifically for wigs and extensions. The curved bristles are gentler on fibers than regular brushes.

Wig grip – A silicone band used to hold the wig in place, even during movement; an alternative to glue.

Wig tape – Adhesive strips used to attach wigs, best for toupées or lace fronts that don’t require melting.