“To put on your chosen wig cap, apply scalp protector spray, flatten your hair, align the cap with your hairline, and place the wig on top, ensuring optimal alignment.”
Before you transform your look with a fabulous new wig, you might want to read up on how to put on a wig cap. Wig caps are optional and they have their pros and cons, but many wig wearers like to put on a wig cap for the additional comfort and security that they provide.
If you’re new to wigs or just need a refresher, in this blog we will explain how to apply a wig cap, with a step-by-step guide.
How to Put on a Wig Cap for Beginners
To put on your chosen wig cap, apply scalp protector spray, flatten your hair, align the cap with your hairline, and place the wig on top, ensuring optimal alignment. But before we get into the details of these steps, make sure you have all of the products we have listed below:
Step 1 – Choose Your Wig Cap
Wig caps typically come in nude or black, but you can find wig caps in various shades as well as different sizes. We advise choosing a cap that matches as closely as possible to your skin tone.
Alternatively, you could put on a wig cap similar in colour to the roots of your wig. This means it will be less noticeable if your wig moves on your head.
Step 2 – Apply Scalp Protector Spray
While this step is optional, many wig-wearers find that the scalp protector spray helps to minimise skin irritation, particularly if you have a sensitive scalp. You can purchase scalp protector spray from most pharmacies and supermarkets.
Step 3 – Prepare Your Hair
It is crucial that you properly prepare your hair before you put on your wig cap to ensure that your wig looks as natural and feels as comfortable as possible. How easy this step is will totally depend on the amount of hair that you have.
If you have a bare scalp, putting on a wig cap will be much more straightforward, as you won’t have to worry about concealing your hair underneath it. However, if you do have hair, you need to figure out the best way to keep it flat on your head. We have included a few suggestions below:
o Short Hair – Twist small sections of your hair into tight bunches, then use bobby pins to flatten them to your head.
o Shoulder Length Hair – Use hair ties to pull your hair into a low ponytail or bun at the nape of your neck.
o Long hair – Split your hair into four sections and create four braids using the cornrow braiding style. If your hair is longer, wrap the extra braided hair around your head and hold it down with bobby pins.
Step 4 – Align and Put on Your Wig Cap
Once you’re ready, put the wig cap on your head and align it with your natural hairline as accurately as possible. This is a crucial step if you want the most realistic finish.
Then, simply stretch the wig cap towards the back of your head and your nape until it feels secure and comfortable. Don’t forget to tuck the cap behind your ears so it doesn’t cover them up.
Top Tip: For those who have uneven hairlines, for example, a widow’s peak, you should place the edge of the wig cap at the part of your hairline that is the lowest down, so none of the natural hair is showing alongside the wig.
Step 5 – Secure Your Wig Cap
Many wig wearers are comfortable wearing a wig cap on its own, but if you are having issues getting your wig cap to stay on, you can always slide some bobby pins around the edges. Just make sure it’s not too tight!
This would also be the right time to check for any flyaway hairs sticking out from the edges of your wig cap. Carefully tuck them back underneath to conceal them.
Step 6 – Put On Your Wig
Once your wig cap is securely in place, it’s time to put on your wig! Place your wig on top of the wig cap, aligning it with your natural hairline. However, if you have a lace front wig, you should line it up approximately half an inch or so from your hairline instead.
When you’re happy with the positioning of your wig, you need to secure it into place.
Why Do You Need a Wig Cap?
Wig caps are pieces of material that stretch over your head to separate your scalp from your wig. Typically made from bamboo viscose or nylon, they are stretchy and thin so that they can easily mimic the shape of your head to achieve a comfortable fit.
As some wig-wearers choose not to put on wig caps with wigs, you may be wondering whether you need a wig cap. At Simply Wigs, we find that our customers choose to wear wig caps for two key reasons:
Wig caps are an inexpensive wig accessory, so they are worth trying if you have never had one before. Check out the different cap constructions to discover the most comfortable options.
Pros and Cons of Wig Caps
Here is our full list of pros and cons of wig caps, which may give you a better idea of whether they are for you.
For our customers with complete hair loss:
Pros
1. If you wear a wig cap and have complete hair loss, the cap can provide a protective barrier against that scratchy and uncomfortable feeling against your scalp that can sometimes occur when you wear a wefted wig.
2. A wig cap will give you an extra layer of comfort if you have a sensitive scalp. Depending on what wig construction you opt for, the extra layer that a wig cap provides will ensure that your scalp can breathe and doesn’t become irritated by the direct contact of a wig.
3. Many of our loyal wig-wearers also say that wearing a wig if you have complete hair loss helps prevent the wig from slipping. It gives some structure for the wig to sit against and helps you feel confident that your wig won’t move while you wear it. The wig cap serves as a base layer for your wig and the foundation for a look that will stay firmly in place.
Cons
1. Some wig wearers comment that a wig cap can feel warm and, combined with the weight of a wig, this heat can feel uncomfortable. As many wig caps are made from nylon liners, this fabric can sometimes react with the skin and cause the scalp to sweat more than usual.
For our customers with hair:
Pros
1. For customers with partial or no hair loss, wig caps are a handy tool to keep your natural hair under wraps. Again, wig caps provide a vital extra layer of comfort, effectively hiding your existing hair and stopping any misbehaving hairs from escaping from under your wig.
2. For customers with no hair loss, wig caps are great for flattening your natural hair and keeping it as close to your scalp as possible so that your wig will look completely natural with no visible lumps and bumps.
Cons
1. Similar to the feedback of complete hair loss customers, there are a sprinkling of clients who state that wig caps can make their heads feel warm and a bit sweaty.
2. Some customers also comment that a wig cap can sometimes feel a bit restrictive and give them a bit of a headache if worn too long.
So, that’s a wrap! Once you have mastered the six above steps for putting on a wig cap, and know how to put on a wig cap, you are one step closer to transforming your confidence with your fabulous new wig.
If you have any questions about how to put on a wig cap, be sure to contact us. One of our wig experts would love to help you feel as fabulous as you look.
For more ‘how to’ guides, explore the rest of our blog. Or why not have a browse of our range of wigs today? There is something for everybody, from human hair wigs to bob cuts to long locks and everything in between.
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THE AUTHOR
Hi, I am Emma. We began as our family was thrown into the world of hair loss, and we wanted to create a company where support, education, and hair loss options, were available together in one inclusive place
Hi Grace,
You can view the different sizes here, just click i=on the link to view 🙂
LARGE
PETITE
AVERAGE
I hope this helps x
Thank you for all the information regarding the wig cap, I love my wig and all the help that you give me but the wig cap made my headache, I did not realise that the can buy different sizes…can you tell me where to buy them. I am having difficulty in securing my hair just using Bobby pins
Thank you,
Grace Parks.