Wig Cap
Wig Cap Selection: A 2023 Beginner’s Guide for Finding the Ideal Fit
Looking to buy your very first wig cap for an easy protective style but not sure where to start? This complete beginner’s guide has you covered on how to select the ideal wig cap match for your hair type and preferred style. After investing many years searching for that flawless wig grip, I’ve compiled my proven tips for newbie wig wearers on securing comfortable wig caps that stay firmly in place all day.
Through trial and error across dozens of shapes, fabrics and sizes, I’ve finally mastered narrowing down the perfect wig cap. Take my hand as I walk you through the foundational how-to’s for new wig heads – from measuring your dome properly to picking breathable versus non-breathable materials. Achieve wig styling success by avoiding the pain points I experienced early on! Here are the top rules for beginners on landing awesome wig caps for your crown in 2023 and beyond.
Measure Accurately Before Buying Any Wig Cap
The foremost guideline that can make or break your entire wig experience revolves around properly gauging your head’s size before purchasing any wig cap. Whether opting for full lace, frontal, 360 lace, or headband wig styles – accurately measuring ensures picking a snug (not too tight, not too loose) stretchy wig cap for keeping styled hair securely atop your head without discomfort.
Start by measuring the circumference of your head above the ears and over the forehead using a soft tape measure. For the most customizable stretching capability, I suggest the following size guidance matching your dome’s measurement:
- • 20” to 21” Head Circumference = Medium Size Cap
• 21.5” to 23” Head Circumference = Large Size Cap
• Over 23” Head Circumference = Extra Large Size Cap
Precision measuring removes all guesswork so you can feel confident the wig cap ordered will conform nicely to your unique head shape and hair volume needs without being baggy.
Evaluate Your Hair Volume When Selecting Best Wig Cap Fabric
Along with precise head measuring, hair volume stands equally crucial for filtering wig caps to find your perfect match. Those with thick, voluminous natural hair need extra stretch capability and breathability from their wig caps versus low density hair types. Otherwise you risk unsightly lumpy bumps or overheating beneath caps lacking enough give.
Here’s a helpful fabric wig cap selection guide based on your current hair volume:
Thin/Low Density Hair – Nylon/Spandex Blend
Medium Density Hair – Swiss Lace & French Lace Options
Thick/High Density Hair – Stretch Jersey & Mesh Materials
Thinner hair gains sufficient grip and security from smooth nylon/spandex wig caps without being too constricting. People with abundantly voluminous domes prevent uncomfortable flattening by sizing up for roomier mesh or jersey wig caps allowing better airflow circulation. Those in the middle nicely balance stretch needs with wig cap fabrics like Swiss lace.
Analyze Your Activity Level When Wig Cap Shopping
Imagine finally sitting down to dinner after an exhausting day when suddenly, your fabulous wig starts subtly sliding backwards. Or halfway through rooting on your favorite sports team, your previously flawless wig begins gradually creeping above your natural hairline. The culprit? Failing to pick a wig cap meeting your daily movement and activity needs.
Hustling high energy bosses and busy parents require more non-slip wig grip security than less active wig wearers. Similarly, regular gym goers or outdoor enthusiasts need extra traction wig caps over those working primarily indoors at desks. Analyze your lifestyle first when shopping to rule out wig malfunctions.
Here’s my cap advice for different activity levels:
- Sedentary (Desk Work, Limited Mobility) = Standard Nylon/Spandex
- Moderate Activity (Light Exercise, Regular Walking) = Textured Grip Caps
- High Intensity Activity (Sports, Manual Labor Jobs) = Super Grip Options
Adding this aspect to your personal wig equation makes a game changing difference in long term styling satisfaction.
Learn Key Differences Between Wig Cap Shapes
Did you know wig caps come available beyond the standard round dome shape? In fact, several cap shape varieties exist intended to better align with certain skull contours. As you venture into your inaugural wig shopping, keep these key fitted wig cap shapes on your radar:
Oval caps help narrower heads lacking much width for a gap free feel. Heads measuring longer front to back than side to side gain better proportions from oval wig caps preventing sideways sliding.
Round caps best suit evenly proportioned head shapes without significant length versus width size differentials. If your head measures nearly equal all the way around, round caps bring the closest cut matching natural contours.
Flat caps prove ideal for super thick, voluminous natural hair needing extra room without squeezing strands. Those desiring fuller, natural density hair appearance beneath their wig style benefit most from flat cap space.
Contoured caps add differentiated left to right skull shaping for closely hugging every unique head’s natural shape. Contoured wig caps follow asymmetrical head detailing with greater precision.
All wig heads deviate slightly from “average” in small ways that standard one size options fail addressing. Beyond measuring accurately, analyzing your unique skull topology helps make the final call on ideal cap shape.
Ask Yourself: What’s Your Ideal Wig Cap Color?
Although often overlooked initially, settling on your preferred wig cap color also warrants consideration when making your first purchase. While the interior wig cap remains largely hidden once styling the full hair piece, glimpses of the cap material color along the hair part or perimeter hairline still peek through on most wigs.
I learned the hard way that an ill-matched wig cap color contrasting strongly against my scalp threw off the entire look unpleasantly. Suddenly my fabulous jet black wig looked weirdly incongruous with the white mesh cap edge framing my brown complexion.
Ensure your flawless wig glam Always appears seamless by selecting a wig cap hue closely matching your skin tone. Those with fair skin nicely complement blonde/tan caps. For medium to deep skin, wig cap options in various brown shades blend in beautifully. Dark mahogany caps best suit very rich skin tones needing darker cap contrast underneath silver, gray or blonde wig colors poppin’ against the darkness.
Finding accurate skin matching wig caps prevents that jarring mismatched effect for instantly enhanced hair realism. Don’t be afraid to order multiple color options to compare in person if unsure of ideal wig cap color pairing.
Learn Key Differences Between Wig Cap Materials
Want additional assistance narrowing your first-time wig cap selection outside of fit, fabric type and color? Developing awareness around the merits of specialized wig cap material makeup further simplifies securing the best option for your hair goals. Don’t just hastily grab any wig cap without understanding the unique advantages certain caps offer over basic varieties.
Ventilated Wig Caps
This more advanced wig cap style utilizes tiny perforated holes covering the surface allowing maximum airflow to your scalp beneath wigs. If prone to overheating or sweaty roots, breathable ventilated wig caps promote enhanced comfort ideal for warm weather or all day wear. Those physically active or in professions exposed to high temperatures get ultimate ventilation from hole-filled cap materials.
Protective Wig Caps
You’ve likely heard horror stories of wig glue seepage accidentally damaging hair and scalps. Enter the protective wig cap barrier shield! Comprised of smooth silk or satin-like fabric lining, protective caps create an anti-stick layer keeping harsh bonding adhesives safely away from skin and strands. Use them before applying liquid wig glues for avoiding traumatic hair loss and scalp injuries.
Compression Wig Caps
Never underestimate the importance of a perfectly secure fit snugly hugging every scalp contour without shifting. Where standard caps often fail fully compressing thick hair, compression wig caps‘ incredible grip capacity takes hold keeping wigs firmly stationed in place. Made of ultra slim elastic material with adjustable drawstrings, compression wig liners deliver unbeatable traction no matter how much hair exists underneath.
Lace Front Wig Caps
Partial wig wearers solely integrating lace frontal pieces or customized hair toppers vibe awesomely with specialized lace front wig caps. Only covering from forehead to crown without enclosing lower head sections, the lace front cap foundations boost comfort for partial hair. Lace front caps cut specifically to the lace piece shape prevent awkward bulk and visible edges from standard full dome caps.
Hopefully these essential beginner’s guidelines for picking stellar wig caps aids tremendously in creating amazingness atop your head on the first try! Let me know in comments if you have any other questions. Until then, get ready to slay every room you walk into with show stopping wigs built upon the right caps!