Lace Wigs, Closures & Frontals Guide | Arrow Exim

Oct 5

5 min read

Raw Indian Hair Lace Wigs, Closures and Frontals – Sizes, Lace Types and How to Choose

Arrow Exim hand-knots lace closures, frontals and wigs from raw Indian temple hair in our own Chennai factory, and has done since 2011. This guide explains the sizes, lace types and wig constructions we make, so you can choose the right piece for yourself or for your shelf.

Closure or frontal?

Closure (4x4, 5x5, 6x6, or a narrow 2x6): covers the parting zone at the top only. Lower cost, low maintenance, and many wearers leave it alone for six to eight weeks.
Frontal (13x4 or 13x6): runs ear to ear and replaces the whole front hairline, so you can sweep hair back, wear a high ponytail or part on either side. It needs more upkeep: edges should be refreshed every one to two weeks, and it generally has a shorter working life than a closure from the same hair.

Choose a closure for a first install, a tight budget, sensitive edges or low upkeep. Choose a frontal for updos, slicked-back looks, daily part changes, photo shoots and weddings.

What the size numbers mean

The numbers are the lace dimensions in inches. A 4x4 is 4 inches wide and 4 deep; a 13x4 is 13 wide and 4 deep. Width sets how much of the hairline is covered; depth sets how far back you can part.

4x4 closure: the everyday standard for a fixed middle part or modest side part.
5x5 closure: deeper, freer parting and a flatter fit; the usual choice for glueless closure wigs.
6x6 closure: the largest common closure, close to frontal styling at the front.
13x4 frontal: the industry standard for slick-backs, high ponytails and any parting.
13x6 frontal: two inches deeper for deep partings and swept-back styles, but needs more customisation skill and costs more.

Frontals typically wholesale at about one and a half to two times the price of a closure in the same length and texture.

Lace types

Swiss lace: the strongest and most forgiving. Best for beginners, daily wear and stock that sits on a shelf. It comes in light brown, medium brown and transparent shades.
Transparent lace: sheer standard lace that blends on fair to medium skin tones at the lowest price. It can look grey on deeper tones until tinted.
HD lace: the thinnest and most invisible on the widest range of skin tones, but the most delicate. It typically carries a premium of roughly 10 to 30 percent and is best left to experienced installers.

Size and lace type are independent choices: any size can be ordered in Swiss, transparent or HD lace. All our closures and frontals are hand-knotted on the lace type you specify, with pre-plucked hairlines and baby hair available. Buy the closure or frontal from the same hair lot as your bundles, because raw temple hair varies in texture and shade from batch to batch.

Four wig constructions

Full lace: the whole cap is hand-knotted lace. Part anywhere, wear high updos and ponytails. Most labour-intensive and highest price; handle the lace gently. Suits custom units and clients with total hair loss.
Lace front (13x4 or 13x6): lace across the front hairline with a wefted back. The best-selling construction and the best value; looks natural worn down, half-up or low, but a high ponytail shows the tracks.
360 lace: lace around the whole perimeter with wefts through the crown. Ponytails and buns with a natural edge, below full lace cost. Parting is limited to the front and perimeter.
U-part: a wefted cap with a U-shaped opening where your own hair comes through. No lace and no glue, fastest install. You need enough healthy leave-out that matches the wig texture.

As a rough market guide rather than a quote, human hair lace front wigs retail from about USD 150 to 400 depending on length, density and lace type. Full lace units often run 40 to 80 percent more than a lace front of the same length, and U-part wigs are generally the most affordable.

Wig density

Density is how full the wig looks, not how good the hair is. 130% is a light everyday look, 150% is the most popular all-round choice, 180% gives salon-style fullness, and 200–250% is for stage, bridal and video. Curly and deep wave textures look fuller at the same percentage, and long wigs of 24 inches and above need a higher density to avoid see-through ends. If you are unsure, choose 150%.

Wig cap size

Most adults wear the average cap, 22 to 22.5 inches around the hairline, with adjustable straps giving roughly half an inch to an inch of range. Petite is about 21 to 21.5 inches and large about 23 to 23.5 inches. Measure with your hair prepared the way you will wear it under the wig, take each measurement twice, and use the larger number. The three measurements that matter most are head circumference, front-to-nape length and ear to ear over the top.

Looking after a lace wig

Wash every 7–10 wears with lukewarm water and a sulfate-free shampoo, working in one direction without scrubbing the lace.
Condition mid-lengths and ends only, keeping conditioner off the knots, and pat dry with a microfiber towel.
Keep heat tools under 180°C (356°F) with a heat protectant, and have colouring or bleaching done by a professional.
Remove adhesive with an alcohol-based lace remover, never by pulling, and re-seal bleached knots every 2–3 months.
Store on a wig stand away from sunlight, and use a satin bag for travel.

With this routine a raw Indian hair lace wig lasts about 1–3 years of regular wear.

Buying lace pieces wholesale

You can order a single wig, closure or frontal as a sample first. Mixed sizes, lace types, lengths and textures can ship in one order. Custom cap sizes and densities are available on wholesale orders; send your clients' common measurements with the order. For resale, 4x4 closures and 13x4 frontals sell fastest, and lace fronts in the 16 to 24 inch range are a good starting stock. Take full lace to order rather than holding it.

FAQ

Is a 5x5 closure better than a 4x4? Neither is better. A 5x5 gives a deeper, freer parting and a flatter glueless fit; a 4x4 costs less and suits one fixed part.

Do I need a frontal for a high ponytail? Yes, or a 360 or full lace unit. A closure only covers the top, so the sides would show tracks.

Is transparent lace the same as HD lace? No. Transparent describes the colour of regular lace; HD describes an ultra-thin lace material.

Which lace lasts longest? Swiss lace, with transparent close behind. HD trades lifespan for invisibility.

Which is better, full lace or lace front? Neither. Full lace wins on versatility; lace front wins on price and durability and looks just as natural worn down.

Does higher density mean better quality? No. Density is the amount of hair; quality comes from how the hair was sourced and processed.

How many bundles go with a closure or frontal? With a closure, most installs from 12 to 20 inches use 3 bundles and longer lengths use 4. With a frontal, 2 to 3 bundles usually suffice up to about 18 inches and 3 to 4 beyond.