Glossary

Below you'll find a glossary list of wig features and benefits that will be useful to you as you become more familiar with wigs.

3/4 Wig (also known as Falls):
A 3/4 cap covers the majority of the head except for the front hairline. You can use your own hair to blend up and over the fall. Usually connects with flexible combs.

Cap:
The base gives the wig its shape and is where the hair is attached to.

Chignon:
A small hairpiece worn as a bun on the lower back of the head.

Extended neck:
An added extension sewn to the bottom of the wig cap base just below the Velcro adjustments. This feature allows more coverage of the nape hairline. Wig wearers are usually able to tuck stray neckline hair under the extended neck.

Lace front:
Lace front wigs feature a virtually sheer lace (about 1.5" long) that creates a natural growth, low density hairline. Lace fronts allows for versatility with off-the-face parting at the hairline.

Nape:
The area at the back of the neck where the bottom of a wig fits against the head.

PermaLift:
Provides volume to the wig style without adding weight.

PermaTease:
Provides volume to the fibers and overall fullness to the wig.

SofTouch®:
SofTouch® is a lightweight, non-allergenic, silicone-like gel material developed by medical professionals. The material gently cushions the scalp, allowing your wig to fit securely and comfortably, without tape or glue.

T-Pins:
Small, T-shaped metal pins, which are used to secure a wig or hairpiece to a Styrofoam or canvas head.

Wig liner:
A lightweight, stretchable cap worn under a wig that holds the existing hair flat and helps keep it from slipping on the head.

Wig sizes:
Many wigs come in multiple sizes, ranging from mini petite to large - and PaulaYoung.com carries the largest selection of sized wigs available. Sized wigs guarantee a perfect fit for the ultimate in comfort and security. The difference between a petite and an average or an average and a large is typically about 1".

Cap Construction

Basic/Machine made wigs can be broken out into a few types of cap construction:

Capless/Open:

Construction: These wigs are constructed using rows of wefts (hair sewn onto thin strips of material) attached to thin, elastic lace or fabric strips. This means there are some wefts openly visible on the top, placement will vary depending on style

Features: Capless wigs are lightweight, breathable, and allow for better air circulation to the scalp. They are usually more affordable than other types of wig constructions.

Closed /Flower Net/Traditional:

Construction: These wigs have a basic cap construction with hair attached to a solid cap made of synthetic material or lace. The wefts on the top section are completely covered by netting/lace

Features: Closed Cap/Flower Net wigs provide a natural look, with full scalp coverage and can accommodate various hairstyles. They often have adjustable straps or hooks for a more secure fit.

Exclusive Cap Constructions:

Cool Cap:

Cool max fiber within the cap construction wicks away moisture to help you stay dry. The material is lightweight and breathable adding to the weightless feel. Keep you cool, dry, and comfortable all day long. The lightweight, breathable cap allows air to circulate and wicks away moisture.

Heart of Gold:

Designed for women experiencing medical hair loss. Light WhisperLite® fibers and soothing SOFTouch® gel lining make Heart of Gold wigs incredibly comfortable. Each wig base construction has its own unique features, advantages, and considerations, so it's important to choose the one that best suits your needs and preferences.

Ear Tabs

Open Ear Tabs
Located in front of the ear forming a side burn shape. The open ear tab utilizes open construction where the fiber wefts are sewn within the fabric frame of the ear tab, creating open areas. This feature allows you to wear glasses through the openings and over the fibers for a natural look, while providing a lighter and secure fit.

Closed Ear Tabs
Located in front of the ear area forming a side burn shape. The closed ear tab is constructed with a light piece of lace within the fabric frame of the ear tab. This provides a solid foundation to which wefts are sewn and full coverage of the skin in front of the ear.

Fibers

Kanekalon Fiber – Synthetic:

A lightweight synthetic fibre known to be the best quality throughout the wig industry. Mimics natural hair movements and curl patterns.

Kanekalon WhisperLite® fiber:
The lighter the wig, the more comfortable it feels! Many wigs feature our revolutionary WhisperLite fiber, which is softer, finer and half the width of traditional fiber, resulting in an exceptionally light and more natural-looking wig.

Kanekalon VersaFiber:

Heat-styleable synthetic fiber, can take heat up to 350 °F.

100% Human Hair:

Human hair, non remy, gives you the natural look and feel of styling your own hair but on a wig or hair piece.

Hand-Tied

100% Hand-tied:
Wig fibers are 100% hand-tied to a micro-mesh cap. This provides the most natural look and ultimate styling versatility.

Mesh Cap:
100% of the cap is constructed with a thin, micro-mesh, stretchy fabric to which wig fibers are 100% hand-tied. A second layer of mesh is sewn over the crown area.

Benefits of a Mesh Cap: The thin mesh fabric allows the color of the skin to show through and gives the illusion of hair growing from skin - over the entire head. The elasticity in the fabric provides a secure comfortable fit and can conform to the shape and size of the head. The second layer of fabric over the crown area provides a smooth comfortable layer next to the skin. This technology eliminates the need for elastic ribbons and lace within the cap resulting in an extremely lightweight, airy, comfortable wig.

Mesh Cap (with Lace Front):

A lace front is added to some of our mesh caps to add even more of a natural look on the front hairline.

Monofilament

Monofilament Front:
The front edge of the cap, across the forehead area is constructed with a fine poly, silk mesh material. Wig fibers are always hand-tied to this cap material. This feature provides a very natural hairline, allowing skin color to show through and giving the illusion of hair growing from skin.

Monofilament Part:
The part center of the cap, which could be positioned on the right, left, or center of the wig, is constructed with a fine poly-silk mesh material. Wig fibers are always hand-tied to this cap material. This feature provides comfortable and breathability, as well as a very natural hairline, allowing skin color to show through and giving the illusion of hair growing from skin. It also provides greater styling flexibility at the part.

Monofilament Top:
The top area of the cap between the front hairline and the crown of the cap is constructed with a fine poly-silk mesh material. Wig fibers are always hand-tied to this cap material. This feature provides comfort and breathability, as well as a very natural hairline, allowing skin color to show through and giving the illusion of hair growing from skin. It also provides greater styling flexibility at the part.

Monofilament Crown:
The crown area of the cap (behind the top area) is constructed with a fine poly-silk mesh material. Wig fibers are always hand-tied to this cap material. This feature provides comfort and breathability, as well as a very natural hairline, allowing skin color to show through and giving the illusion of hair growing from skin. It also provides greater styling flexibility at the part.

Velvet Band

Velvet Band – thin:
A narrow, soft velvet-like band, 1/4" to 3/4" in width, stitched inside the front edge of the wig, across the forehead area. The thin velvet band provides softness next to the skin. Perfect for sensitive scalps.

Velvet Band – wide:
An extra wide, soft velvet-like band, 1" to 1 1/4" in width, stitched inside the front edge of the wig, across the forehead area. The thin velvet band provides softness next to the skin. Perfect for sensitive scalps.

Velvet Band – seamless:
The extra wide, soft velvet-like band has reduced stitching to offer greater comfort. This provide ultimate softness next to the skin. Perfect for sensitive scalps.

Velcro® Adjustable Strap:
Elastic straps with Velcro closures are located on the right and left sides of the wig behind the ear tabs. The adjustable straps allow you to adjust the wig's circumference up to 1" smaller for a more comfortable fit.

Wefting

Left/Right Wefts at Crown:
A band of short fiber wefts, which are sewn vertically across the crown of the wig, extending down the right and left sides of the crown area. This feature is sometimes combined with hand-tied fibers to camouflage the wefts. It can be featured in open-cap or lace top cap wigs. This feature provides a natural-looking crown and allows fibers to fall naturally at the crown to both the left and right sides.

Weft:
A weft is an ensemble of individual hair fibers sewn or machine-woven along a thin, horizontal seam. These tracks form the foundation of wefted wig caps.