A Beginner's Complete Guide to Choosing a Wig Base

 
The Lordhair Icon is full a fine welded mono toupee

  

 

Single

• A single knot is one that is tied in a way that the tied hairs run in the same direction.

• Gives the appearance of hair running flat on the head and can be combed into any direction

• Not so durable as compared to split knots

 

Double

• A double knot is the same as a single knot except for the fact it is tied twice.

• Can be combed in any direction.

• Suitable on skin and lace hair systems.

 

Injected hair systems

 

 

Do you want to know how to bleach knots on a hair system? Check out our post!

 

Or watch our detailed video below

 

>Knotting Methods - Durability and Realism

Let's run down the not types in terms of durability (from most durable to least durable):

• double-split knot
• double knot
• single split knot
• single knot
• v-loop

Now let's break it down by how realistic they look (from most realistic to least realistic)"

• v-loop
• single knot
• single split knot
• double knot
• double-split knot

As you can see, the second list is the inverse of the first. In other words, there is a balance to strike between the two, or if you value one more than the other, you must factor this is when choosing your base and knotting technique. V-loop bases such as the UTS have a typical lifespan of 1-2 months, but when you are wearing them, nothing is comparable in terms of how real it looks!

 

Hair System Knots: Realistic and Durable

 

Do you want to prevent excess shedding? Read out using a hair system knot sealer here to help stop shedding and make your toupee last longer.

 

Chapter 5: Variations of toupee types? How to navigate the Lordhair website

What about all of those product names you see on the site with a hyphen and a letter following the product name? What is a Lordhair Classic-C? What is a Combo-V?

Many hair systems may use a very similar base with a slight alteration or a slightly different hair. This is great for those of you who like a certain base but may want it in a medium density, or prefer the base with clips, for example.

Read our quick cheat sheet below for a quick guide to our product names:

Product Suffix	Meaning
-C	This means we have sewn clips onto our base - no glue, no tape, no fuss! N.B. This can also mean custom if found under custom hair systems.
-V	This often means that the front has used the v-loop method instead of the single-split knot.
-S	Small size, a slightly smaller base size for those who find the regular 8x10" of most of our hairpieces to be too large.
-FL	Lace front, originally an abbreviation of French lace, hairpieces ending in FL may also be made of other lace materials, but they are all pieces with lace at the front.
-L	This can also mean lace.
-M	Medium. Most of our stock hair systems contact medium-light density hairs, this is the same base but the only difference is the hair density. Read more about wig hair density here.
-Li	Light. This also refers to the density of the hair, which is a light density.
-I	Injection. This the name given to our hairpieces that, instead of the usually single or double split, we have used the injection method on the skin parts of the base. The lace areas will still use the original knotting method.
-VM	This is where we have used a V-loop and medium density hair.

 

Chapter 6: How to customize a base

When it comes to choosing a hair system, you may have looked at our website and thought, "they look cool, but I still can't find the right one for me". What can you do? Have no fear, at Lordhair we have dozens upon dozens of different types of base presents that you can pick, that you can edit and onto which you can design any type of hair and hair style.

We call this option a 'custom' option as it's not one of our ready-to-wear, off-the-shelf pieces that you can get tomorrow. We need some time to craft your perfect hair system!

But should you decide you want a mullet or the topper ponytail look, or you simply you have a particular length you like that is longer than the 5" of our stock pieces, then you can absolutely achieve such a look with a custom hair system.

You might also come to realize, you are quite expert in hair system bases and you know exactly what base material you want in a base you have designed yourself. This is also something we accomodate. However, as we've noted throughout the post, certain knot types, certain hairstyles don't suit certain base designs. Therefore, designing your own base really is an expert craft, for the most part you can leave that to us as we've already got dozens of popular bases for you to choose.

Most men wanting to customize will pick our present base designs (we have so many you are bound to find one you like), and customize their hair on top of that. With a preset base design chosen as a custom order, you can still go in and make alterations to your original base, such as adding a scallop front (read below), a different front hairline shape, etc.

 

3 different options when it comes to getting a Lordhair hair system:

 

• Choosing a ready-to-wear stock base and hair (best for first-time wearers).
• Choosing an existing base template, and altering it (base size, hair line shape etc.) and customizing the hair from scratch (best for those with specific hair requirements or base preferences).
• Creating your own base design from scratch and customizing the hair (for the expert with several years of hair system experience)..

 

Within all of these options you have the choice to get a custom hair cut and style by Lordhair, so it arrives at your door ready to put on!

 

In this section we will discuss all the base aspects you can customize and how to customize them on the website.

 

 

#1 Base Size

Definition: Base size means how big or small the material is that you will put on your head.

 

You need to determine your base size for two reasons:

• STEP 1: Determine the right product type for you → frontal, topper or full cap (read on the find out what these all mean).
• STEP 2: Once you know the product type, determine the exact measurements of your head to pick the right product/customize it.

Different heads are different sizes, and the extent of hair loss is different for different men, so some men need a smaller base size, some men need a larger base size.

"What is my base size?" is the first question to ask when deciding on buying a hair system because it filters which type of products available (a completely bald head, for example, cannot wear a topper, but needs a custom base and custom hair - unless you are going for the shaved side look that is popular these days!).

 

Determine the Product you Need According to the Base Size

What are the base size options?

 

Frontal hair system

This is a little piece of hair that goes at the front of the head.

Good for: men with a receding hairline who only wear to cover the widow's peak.

Where can you get a frontal piece?

• Stock, ready-to-wear frontal hairpieces (immediate delivery)
• Preset base with custom hair frontal hairpieces (up to 3-6 months delivery)
• Lace base frontal
• Skin base frontal

Topper (the most common type of off-the-shelf hair system)

This is a hairpiece which is usually in 8x10", essentially it covers slightly more than the crown and is the most common type of hair loss pattern for men. That's why it is the most popular option and the reason we have so many stock ready-to-wear topper hair systems.

Over half of people need this type of hair system, they will shave the few sparse hairs on the head to stick this with wig glue or wig tape onto the head.

 

 

Good for: majority of men, with hair loss on the crown but that still have some hair at the nape and lower sides.

Below is an example of a perfect candidate for a men's hair topper, wearing the UTS (the thinnest skin hair system at 0.03mm)

 

 

Where can you get a topper hairpiece?

• Stock topper hairpieces (immediate delivery)
• Preset topper base with custom hair (up to 3-6 months delivery)
• Go directly to the Customize Portal and pick a base (up to 3-6 months delivery)

 

If you are confused about the many options, contact us TODAY for a customer service rep to assist you personally in finding the right hair system for you.

You can find us via email, Facebook message or Whatsapp!

 

Oversized hairpieces

If your hair loss is relatively extreme but you are not entirely bald (you still have some hair at the nape), a hairpiece that is the same as the topper but slightly larger is probably the best option.

1. Good for: men with quite extreme hair loss but some hair at the nape and sides, even if sparse.

   Where can you get an oversized hairpiece?

• NO ready-to-wear stock options
• Preset oversize base with custom hair (up to 3-6 months delivery)

 

Full cap hair system

This one is for completely bald men who want a whole set of hair at the sides and nape too!

 

 

Good for: bald men who have no hair but want a full set of hair

Where can you get a full cap hairpiece?

• NO ready-to-wear stock options
• Preset full cap base with custom hair (up to 3-6 months delivery)

Base Sizes for Ready-to-Wear Stock Pieces

Once you've established which of the above types of base you will need (frontal, topper, oversize or full cap), you will know which type of product you will need. Now you know where to go on the website you can think about the exact size of your head. Chances are you might not have hair loss that equates exactly to 8x10", you might need to cut your base slightly.

 

What can you do if you don't fit the ready-to-wear pieces exactly?

You have two options:

• Buy a stock, ready-to-wear piece but cut the hair system base down to size yourself (or go to a salon for it).
• For for a custom hair topper with the stock base design, but tell us your exact head size and we will cut your base size for you at only $10.

 

How to Cut a Toupee Base

 

If you want to know how to cut a hair system base, read our tutorial by clicking the picture below.

 

We can cut your base to your exact size requirements. Have a look how we do it!

 

N.B. it's always handy to have your measurements to hand, if you need to get in touch with us, we use this as a reference in helping you find the perfect hair system, (we are always available to help support@lordhair.com with 24hr weekday service!).

 

Chosen your hair system product type, now let's get the exact head measurements

 

Now you know if you know whether you need a front, topper or full cap, we can establish

 

• What is a base template?

  A base template as a small mold that you can make yourself at home and post to us. We use this to make a perfect fitting hair system that you don't need to cut, you simply install and go!

• Why send a base template?

  If you are finding the process of working out your exact measurements difficult, worried it wont be the right fit or simply don't want the hassle of working it all out, we can take the process off your hands.

  You simply create a template once, and we keep it on record to make it to your exact size every time.

  What could be more simple?

• How can I make and send a base template?

  You make it with plastic wrap and tape (and a few other items), it really is that easy!

  Simply tie the plastic wrap to your head, draw the shape you want your base to be on your head, tape it to make a solid base and then cut off the excess. The full tutorial can be watched below!

 

#2 Base designs

 

Definition: Base design simply means the combination of different materials put together to create the base. For example if the front is lace and back skin that is a type of design.

 

When it comes to customizing the unit, as noted above you have a few options. We assume you don't want an off-the-shelf piece. Lets look at the two ways you can create your own hair system.

 

*Note that actually most people (and absolutely the majority of first-time wearers) find that they can find the perfect stock system and just get us to do the finishing touches with a Lordhair hair cut and style.

 

Chapter7: Choose a Base preset & customize the hair (most popular)

 

On our site we have present designs, onto which you can customize the hair in any color, any length, any curl.

 

1.1 How to select a preset base?

 

There are two ways:

 

1. Browse all of the custom hair systems for a base that looks good, click on the product, and then customize all the other aspects.

    

2. Click on CUSTOMIZE NOW after selecting the Customize heading on our site to create a totally blank hair system and then under base pick the preset base you want. This is a list of the most popular base presets, if you can't find one that you want, you can get in touch with customer service to help you pick one! You can then make some edits to the preset base and then pick your hair.

 

 

2. Design your own base & customize the hair (for pro hair system wearers with specific needs)

 

About 99% of needs can be met either by picking a stock unit and getting it styled, or by picking a preset base and customizing your hair. There are over 50 different bases to choose from.

 

For those with very specific needs, you can create your own base, you simply need to type in your requests/instructions when prompted and we'll be able to make it for you!

 

 

What if I want a large square piece of hair that I can cut myself?

 

Your wish is our command! We also make such pieces as some men want to cut up the base to put hair in certain patches or create their own frontal.

 

A large square piece is something we recommend for seasoned hair system wearers who know what they are doing, or those of you with very special hair loss patterns.

 

See all of our custom frontal hair here (there is a choice of lace or skin).

 

#3 Base material color

 

Definition: hair system base material color is the color of the lace or the tint of the plastic that you choose for your base.

 

Lace fibers can come in beige to brown colors. Skin base colors go from completely transparent to tinted brown and black. Some darker skin men prefer to choose a dark tinted skin to match their skin better. Most men, no matter their skin color, still usually go for the transparent, non-tinted base color.

 

When it comes to lace, there is no such thing as a plastic wrap color transparent netting on a men's toupee. So the majority of men go for the beige color lace netting. For brown or yellow skin tones beige is also a popular option and black skin tones suit brown to black lace or mono netting.

 

https://www.lordhair.com/blog/base_material_color

 

#4 Density and Base Type

 

Definition: density is essentially how much hair is squashed onto the hair system. A high density hairpiece has put more strands of hair per cm2 than lighter densities.

 

One sure-fire way to spot a wig or toupee is by the density. Google is full of memes of 'bad toupees' that are too 'heavy' on the head.

 

Caucasians, with naturally finer and sparser hair than, say, Indians, will likely need a less dense hair piece.

 

Older men will also have naturally sparser hair than when they where younger, so in order to look natural it will usually better to choose a toupee hairpiece that reflects this.

 

Hair density is a choice about the hair, not the base, so why are we talking about it in this 'hair system base ultimate guide', and not our 'hair system hair ultimate guide'?

 

That's because there are some bases that cannot 'handle' a thick hair density. If you want the heaviest density on the thinnest 0.03mm of skin bases, you might look great for a week, but it may not stand as long as you wish as it is just too heavy and dense for the delicate plastic wrap-like plastic skin. Therefore, making sure the density can bear the base is of upmost importance.

 

It only really applies to you if you want hair that is is more dense that 'medium'. So if you'd already ruled that out, then most bases are still open to you (except the UTS 0.03mm thin skin).

 

To summarize, the hair density you choose to look natural depends of a few factors

 

• Your natural hair density
• Age
• Hair style
• Base material (follow our quick guide below)

 

If you need a high density base on your hairpiece toupee, then follow our quick guide below:

 

Check out our detailed post on hair density on different bases here

 

What are the different types of hair density

 

Below is an overview of different hair densities.

 

What type of density is my hair?

 

How can you tell what you hair density is? If you have sparse hair due to hair loss, looking at your current hair will not help you in determining your hair density. You must consider what would have been your natural hair density before hair loss.

 

If you have some hair at the nape still you can conduct the following test. If you don't even have to pull your hair to the side and can see scalp, it is due to hair loss and will not be able to use your current hair as an idea of a truly natural hair density. In order to to asses the density of your hair, pull a cluster of about an inch of your hair to the side, if you can see a fair amount of scalp you will have light-medium density hair. If you see little scalp, you will have high density hair. If in between you will have a hair density somewhere in the middle.

 

What is the best toupee density for me?

 

In order to fully asses, you can take into consideration your ethnicity and age too. For references follow these rules below:

 

• Caucasian = extra-light to medium-heavy
• Latin American = light-medium to medium-heavy
• Indian/Arab = medium to heavy
• East Asian = medium to heavy
• Black = medium to heavy
• 50+ = 1 or 2 densities lighter than what you would choose at 20
• For 95+% of wearers (even East Asians etc.) heavy is still too heavy and the majority of wears will go for medium.
• Heavy and extra heavy is usually used for costume/theatrical purposes as opposed to everyday life

 

If in doubt and you care about a realistic look above all else, go down a density level!

 

#5 Choosing the Front Contour

 

Definition: The front contour is extent to which the hairline recedes. Older gentlemen, even who have no real hair loss to speak of, tend to have a slightly receded hairline, and not a dead straight hairline.

 

When you pick a base design for a custom order, you can actually continue to make adjustments to it, such as the front contour. They come in 4 different styles: C, CC, A, AA. Let's take a closer look.

 

The CC is the most common type of front contour, used on most of the stock hair systems at Lordhair. Named so because when turned inside out, the base takes on a C shape. On the head, it takes on a straight hair line. The different between the C and CC is that the C has an even straighter look once on the head. The CC is the most popular choice for men in their 20-40's.

 

CC contour shape

 

The next most popular contour shape is the A, it has a very slight 'widows peak' look, that does not look extreme but suits those who prefer above all else a natural look. For older men they also often prefer a slight recession as a dead straight hair line may not look real on them.

 

The Lordhair Hollywood French lace and skin hair system is the only stock hair piece that uses an A-shape, meaning you can get this look in less than a week!

 

Below is a reference that will tell you what are the common toupee front contour shapes.

 

How can I choose my front contour?

 

• Choose the ready-to-wear Hollywood stock hair toupee for an A-shape or any other stock piece for a CC-shape contour.

• Choose a base design in custom hair systems, and then select 'customize' to customize the front contour

   

• Create a template and post it to us, we will cut the template exactly to the template specifications, so you don't need to worry about choosing the shape. You simply draw the outline of your head, and we'll do the rest!

 

#6 Scallop Front?

 

Definition: the design on the edge on the base, that can be cut straight, or 'frilly' (aka with 'zig zags'). The frill or scallop size can be chosen.

 

A scallop is cut by Lordhair on NPU (that thicker plastic material we presented at the beginning of the article). We DO NOT recommend scallop on thin skin or lace bases, only on bases that have NPU all around the edge, such as the Lordhair Royal (mono crown with NPU perimeter)

 

The most common selection is, in fact, no scallop and if you are a dab hand, you can cut the edges yourself if you buy a stock hairpiece toupee.

 

When you buy a lace toupee or skin toupee, you may want to cut a slightly zig-zagged edge to achieve a more natural look at the front. We in fact advise against this as it can impact the lifespan, and it can become more prone to ripping when you remove it to clean. Of course many wearers are delicate and accept the impact this may have on lifespan to achieve their perfect look. But in fact, the hair style will still look great with no scallop too!

 

To review:

 

• Scalloped edges are only available/advisable on hair systems with NPU (aka PU, aka poly) around the edge.
• If you don't choose a scalloped edged, the default is no scallop, but you can cut it yourself.
• A scallop (frill or zig-zag) can be cut by yourself, but it's not advisable. If you desire a scallop on the front hairline, it is possible but can impact longevity of the toupee.

 

Chapter 8: How to create a custom hair system

 

Have a look at the whole process of just how a custom hair system is created in this exquisitely directed video:

 

 

Chapter 9: How to choose a base according to your life style

 

Now that you have understood all the constituent parts of a hair system, you may still be thinking... "but still, what hair system is best for my lifestyle?"

 

To answer this question we need to look at: how sweaty your scalp gets; your preference for how natural you look over how long your hairpiece will last; and how much you are willing to spend on a hair system.

 

Let's break down some important factors:

 

• #1 Scalp Sweating

  • Your natural scalp oiliness
  • How much exercise or sport you do
  • What climate you live in

  If you're forehead often sweats, your scalp likely easily sweats. If you do a lot of sport, your scalp likely sweats. Therefore you should consider a lace hair system over skin or mono (or pick a primarily lace based mixed hairpiece).

  If you are not prone to sweating on your scalp, you have the pick of the bunch!

• #2 How much you value realistic look

  There is a reason the UTS (ultra-thin skin men's hair system) is one of Lordhair's most popular toupees. It is the least fuss, most natural of our ha