360, 13x6 and Full Lace Wigs

Some hairstyles need lace at the front only. Updos, high ponytails and slicked back buns need lace everywhere the hair is pulled up and away from the scalp, which is a different (and pricier) job. This page walks through what 360, 13x6 and full lace wigs actually cover, so you can match the coverage to the styles you actually plan to wear rather than paying for room you'll never use.

360 lace wigs: a ring of lace, not a full cap

A 360 lace wig has lace running all the way around the perimeter of the head, with a wefted section left in the middle at the back. That ring is enough to let you part hair anywhere along the hairline, pull it into a high ponytail, or slick it into a bun without the wefts showing at the edges. What it won't do is give you a totally bare-scalp look through the crown itself, since that's still machine wefted hair underneath.

13x6 lace frontal wigs: deep parting without going all-lace

A 13x6 frontal is a wide, deep lace section at the front that stretches from ear to ear and further back than a standard frontal, which is what makes deep side parts, off-centre parts and swept-back styles look natural. It suits anyone who mostly changes their part and swoops hair to one side, rather than piling it fully on top of the head, since the back of the wig is still capped rather than laced.

Full lace wigs: the whole cap, for the whole range of styles

A full lace wig has lace across the entire cap, so there's no wefted section anywhere to limit you. That's what makes high ponytails, box braids, half-up styles and full updos possible from any angle, not just from the front. It suits people who genuinely rotate through several styles and want the option open, rather than those who wear one part most days, since it's also the option that asks the most of your install and maintenance routine.

Pre-cut and drawstring designs: less lace work at install

Within any of the categories above, some wigs are built to cut down the install itself. Pre-cut and pre-plucked designs arrive with the lace already trimmed and the hairline already styled, so there's no tweezing or cutting to do before wearing it. Drawstring and elastic-band versions add an adjustable fit inside the cap, which suits anyone who wants a secure hold without glue or tape, or who is still building up confidence with lace generally.

Mystery box wigs: a lower-cost way to try a lace style

If you're not sure yet whether full lace coverage is worth the extra install effort and cost for how you actually wear your hair, a surprise or mystery box is a way to get a lace wig at a lower price point without picking every spec yourself. The trade-off is that you don't choose the exact length, colour or texture in advance, so it suits testing the format rather than matching a specific look.

How to choose

• How you actually wear your hair. If you mostly wear one deep side part, a 13x6 frontal covers it. If you regularly go up into ponytails or buns, a 360 or full lace wig covers the parts a frontal leaves wefted.
• How much install time you want. Pre-cut, pre-plucked and drawstring designs reduce the work before you can wear the wig; full lace wigs generally ask for more careful application to lie flat across the whole cap.
• Density for the texture you want. Straight and body wave styles are often listed at 150% to 180% density for a natural fall, while curlier textures can carry that density without looking overly full, since the curl pattern already adds volume.
• Whether you want to test the format first. A mystery box style purchase is a way to try lace coverage before committing to a longer or more specific full lace wig at a higher price point.

Questions people ask

Do I need full lace if I only wear one part?

Not really. If your styling stays mostly at the front and along one part, a 13x6 lace frontal gives you that flexibility without the extra lace and install time a full lace wig involves.

Can 360 lace wigs do a high ponytail?

Yes, that's the point of the design. The ring of lace around the perimeter is what lets the hairline disappear even when hair is pulled straight back and up, as long as the ponytail sits within the laced area rather than right at the crown.

What does "pre-everything" mean on a wig listing?

It means the lace has already been cut, bleached and plucked by the maker, and sometimes pre-curled too, so there's less prep work for you to do before wearing it. It's a convenience feature, not a different lace size.

Is a glueless or drawstring cap less secure than glue?

It's a different kind of hold rather than a weaker one. An adjustable elastic band inside the cap grips the head directly, which suits anyone who prefers not to use adhesives, though fit can still vary by head size and shape.