Silk top full lace wigs are becoming increasingly popular however, there seems to be a lot of confusion surrounding what exactly sets them apart. I’ve done some research to finally be able to answer this.
A silk top full lace wig is the most realistic looking wig available on the market. The hair is knotted beneath a layer of lace and then the silk fabric, matched to your skin tone, is placed on top of the knots. The hair is threaded through the silk hiding the knots and giving the illusion that the hair is growing from your scalp.
Sounds amazing, doesn’t it? Though I’m sure you’re wondering how silk top wigs differ from high-quality lace wigs. In other words, are they really worth the hype? Keep reading to find out!
Silk Top Wigs Vs Lace Wigs
If you know me then you know that I love a good lace wig, whether is full lace or just a frontal. However, since I discovered silk top wigs, it really tested my loyalty.
Silk tops look a lot more natural and realistic compared to lace wigs as the knots in silk top wigs are hidden under the silk, so it looks as though the hair is growing straight from your scalp as the silk cap also has a flesh tone. Whereas lace wig has the knots exposed, you often need to bleach them yourself, which adds extra costs.
Silk top wigs are just so much better and here’s why:
| Silk Top Wig: | Lace Wigs: | |
| 01. | Knots are hidden under the silk | Knots are noticeable |
| 02. | A bit more expensive | Affordable |
| 03. | Natural appearance | Can look unrealistic |
| 04. | Thicker at the crown | Thinner at the crown |
| 05. | Frontal starts with lace | Seamless frontal start |
01. Hidden Knots
When we discuss knots on a wig, we are referring to where the hair has been sewn onto the wig base, the hair strands are secured with small knots.
Silk Top Wigs: The knots on silk top wigs are hidden from view as they are beneath the silk. Beneath the silk layer is a layer of lace where the knots have been sewn through. This gives the wig a more realistic appearance as though the hair is growing from your actual scalp.
Lace Wigs: More often than not, lace wigs come with knots that haven’t been bleached. This means that you can see the knots that have been made on the lace. You either rock your lace wig and hope no one notices (people will always notice) or you have to bleach the knots.
This is a process that is not only time consuming but can also damage your wig if you do it wrong. Not to mention the money it will cost to get the knots bleached by a hairstylist, on top of the money you spent purchasing the lace wig.
02. Cost
If you’re in the market for a good quality human hair wig then you already know that it’s going to cost you quite a bit of money. It’s totally worth it though when you realize how versatile they are when it comes to styling and maintenance.
Silk Top Wigs: These wigs usually cost anywhere from $100 upwards. I know, it’s a hefty price to pay. However, if you’re looking for a wig that’ll last as well as look realistic then silk top wigs are the way to go.
Lace Wigs: Whilst human hair lace wigs usually start off at around $50, you often get what you pay for. What I mean is, you’ll often find that you’ll still need to do a lot of maintenance before you can wear your wig, like bleaching the knots for example. These little changes to make your wig look more realistic will end up costing you more money.
03. Natural Appearance
When you’re wearing a wig, the last thing you want is for people to be able to tell that you’re wearing a wig. The goal is to look as natural as possible. That can be difficult to do with some wigs.
Silk Top Wigs: When it comes to achieving a natural, flawless appearance, silk top wigs are the way to go. Not only are the knots hidden, but the silk is flesh-toned so it matches your scalp perfectly. It literally looks like the hair is coming straight from your scalp.
Lace Wigs: With lace wigs, the lace used is often swiss lace which unfortunately only matches with certain skin tones. This means that when you get your lace wig, you will often have to color-correct the lace to make it match your skin, this can be done by applying a small amount of foundation (that matches your skin tone) to the lace part. If you’re new to wig wearing this may be a lot more work than you signed up for when purchasing your lace wig!
04. Thickness Of The Crown
The crown of your head is the highest point on your scalp, it’s towards the back of your head. Usually, when you wear a wig, this is the part of the wig that often sticks up if you have not installed your wig correctly.
Silk Top Wigs: The crown on silk top wigs are generally thicker than on other wigs as they have a double layer of material. The first layer is the lace, the second layer is silk. If you have experience installing wigs then this may not be an issue for you. However, if you’re new to wig wearing, it may be a bit challenging to get your wig to lay flat after numerous wears.
Lace Wigs: The crown on lace wigs is a lot thinner as there is only one layer of lace. This makes it easy to keep your wig laying flat even after numerous wears when your wig isn’t as fresh and easy to maintain as before.
05. Seamless Lace Transition
When we speak about a seamless lace transition, we are referring to the front of the wig, where you’re likely to part the wig or glue the edges down.
Silk Top Wigs: These wigs have a 1cm piece of lace in the front of the wig before the silk top starts. This makes it convenient when gluing the wig down though it can look a bit out of place if you’re new to wearing wigs and aren’t sure how to install your wig properly. I recommend going to a hairstylist you trust to help you install your silk top wig.
Lace Wigs: These wigs have a seamless transition and frontal start as the base is completely lace, the lace in the front of the wig is just an extension of the lace on the wig.
Now that we’ve compared and contrasted the differences between silk top wigs and lace wigs, I’m sure we can all agree that silk top wigs seem to be winning. If you’re like me and are very comfortable wearing lace wigs, making the switch to silk top wigs can be daunting. Especially if you’re not sure how to install them correctly.
This is why I’ve compiled some tips and tricks to help you make your silk top look more natural to suit your style. Keep reading!
How To Make A Silk Top Wig Look More Natural
Each wig company makes their wigs differently. You may purchase a silk top wig from a certain store and be able to wear it immediately, then you may purchase another one from a different store and may need to tweak it a bit to make it look more natural.
The easiest and safest way to make your silk top wig look more natural is to ensure that it has a density of between 100%-120% and is high quality like Remy human hair. You may also need to make the part wider if it does not match your natural part; this can be done using a hair razor; use it to cut away at the hair closest to the part.
Here’s a step-by-step method of how can you make your silk top look more natural:
Step 01. Purchase silk top wigs with a density of between 100% to 120%. This will make it look more natural
Step 02. Stick to Remy human hair silk top wigs
Step 03. Line the part of the wig with the part in your natural hair that is secured under your wig
Step 04. If you find that the part of the wig is smaller than the part of your natural hair, you can fix this by using a hair razor to make your part slightly bigger. If you’ve never done this before then I suggest you take your wig to a hairstylist and let them help you
Step 05. You can then install your silk top wig as you would normally install your lace wigs