QQ: What's the Difference Between a Closure and a Frontal Wig?
I haaate to be the bearer of bad news, but your protective style might not actually be that protective. Think about it: If you opt for a sew-in weave or a wig with hair left out (either on the crown of your head or along your hairline), you have to style your natural hair to match the extensions. That means you'll probably need a flat-iron to get them super straight or a wand to match the curl pattern on your extensions—either way, you’re stressing your edges TF out. There is a way to rock weaves and wigs without having to manipulate your natural hair on a regular basis though, and it all starts with getting a closure or frontal wig.
Closures and frontals are hair pieces that blend in with your skin, giving the ~illusion~ that your natural hair is growing from your scalp and not a wig or a weave. You can switch up your look while also keeping all of your natural hair tucked away from any heat or style manipulation. But how do you know if you'd do better with a closure vs a frontal? Well, to help answer all your questions, I reached out to Yummie O, founder of Yummy Extensions, to get the lowdown on both options.
What's the difference between a frontal and a closure?
First things first: A frontal usually covers the entire front area of your head, says Yummie. It goes from ear to ear, so it covers your entire hairline too, making it super versatile. Because a frontal has a lace or silk base that blends the hair piece into your natural skin and hairline, you've got hella style options (think: deep-side parts, half-up ponytails, messy buns). If you get bored with your look after a few days, Yummie says you'll probably do well with a frontal.
That said, there are some drawbacks you've got to consider. Frontals are more expensive than closures—a solid lace frontal ranges from $150 to over $400, while lace closures typically go from $50 to over $120, depending on the type of hair, where you buy it from, and its length.
Closures are v similar to frontals, but they give you fewer styling options. That's not necessarily a bad thing though, especially if you like to stick to one or two looks (I mean, if it isn't broken...). Instead of a strip of lace or silk that goes from temple to temple, a closure is usually a 4x4-inch patch that's placed on the front of the hair piece, says Yummie. Closures are also less expensive than frontals, which might make them more appealing to you and your bank account.
P.S. Silk frontals and closures are more $$$ because you don't really need to customize them as much. With lace hair pieces, you can see where each strand of hair connects to the base. These points are called "knots," says Yummie, and people will bleach the knots in the lace so the closure or frontal looks even more natural. Silk frontals and closures already come with the knots hidden, hence the steeper price point.
Is it better to get a closure or a frontal?
Well, if you're a complete newcomer to the wonderful world of wigs and weaves, Yummie recommends starting with a closure since frontals can be a lot of work. When you first install a frontal, you've got to do some tweaking to get the natural look you're trying to achieve. You'll need to bleach the knots, tint the lace so it matches the exact shade of your scalp, and trim, tweeze, and pluck the hairline until it blends in seamlessly.
And even though, yes, you can get a stylist to prep your frontal for you, you'll still need to put in some work at home. Frontals can only be applied with glue, says Yummie, which means you'll still have to deal with re-applying it correctly about once a week and making sure that it blends into your hairline perfectly. On the other hand, Yummie says closures can be applied effortlessly without any glue at all. TL;DR: If you're a beginner (or, tbh, lazy), a closure might be your best option because they're wayyy easier to install and maintain.
Can closures and frontals damage your edges?
Unfortunately, yes—but that's only if your closure or frontal isn't applied correctly. According to Yummie, proper placement is a major key. "If you place the hair piece too far behind your hairline, you might end up applying glue to your natural hair, which could cause breakage when you remove the frontal or closure," she says. To avoid this hair emergency, Yummie recommends booking an appointment with an experienced stylist who can help you out.
If you're set on DIY, be sure to apply the glue to your skin—not your hair. You also need to be extra careful when you're removing your frontal or closure. Yummie recommends using a wig glue remover to gently lift the hair piece off of your skin.
How do you take care of a closure or a frontal?
Because closures and frontals are typically made from human hair, you take care of them just like you would your natural hair. Use a wide-toothed comb to smooth out any tangles, apply a leave-in conditioner regularly to keep your hair hydrated, and spritz on a heat protectant spray before you bring any hot tools near your extensions.
And when it comes to taking the glue off your hair piece, Yummie says you should apply 99% isopropyl alcohol on a clean hand towel and gently rub the soaked cloth on the lace until the adhesive is completely removed. Once all of the glue is gone, Yummie recommends deep conditioning the closure or frontal and air-drying it.
If you have a sew-in closure or frontal, be sure to tie a satin or silk scarf around your hairline—not only does this keep your hairline from shifting while you snooze, but it also helps you avoid unwanted flyways and frizz.
The final word
When it comes to deciding between a closure and a frontal, it really depends on what's important to you. Frontals will give you so many style options, but there's a ton of upkeep involved. And while closures are less expensive, they're not perfect for people who like to regularly switch up their look. Either way, you can't really go wrong—if they're installed and maintained correctly, both options are great for protecting your natural hair from potential heat damage and breakage.
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