Behind the Wig: Lace Front Wig Styling in Melbourne Australia

How to Apply Your Wig
(Without Wrecking It.. or cracking it!)

1. Trim the lace.

Before the first wear, carefully trim back the lace in a semi circle around the forehead. Leave about 1.5cm to 2.5cm of lace — or whatever you feel comfortable with. It differs for everyone.

2. Prep your hair.

Section your hair with plaits or pin curls, as flat to your scalp as possible, avoiding the dreaded “egg head” under your wig. This also gives you anchor points for your bobby pins to grab onto, ensuring your lace front wig holds firm.

3. Put the wig on properly.

When putting on a lace front wig, DO NOT flip it upside down over your head — it’s the quickest way to ruin a styled wig or turn a shake & go wig into a frizz ball. Lower it gently onto your head, keeping the styling intact. Position the hairline of the wig over your natural hairline so it looks as natural as possible.

4. Secure the wig.

Use the combs inside the wig, sliding them through your wig cap and into the anchor points in your hair. Then add as many bobby pins as you need, hidden in the wig fibres, pushing them through the net and into your hair to hold everything firmly in place.

5. Set the lace with spirit gum.

For extra hold, apply spirit gum at the temples. Wait until it’s tacky, then use a piece of stocking or soft fabric to gently press the lace into place. This not only avoids gluey fingers but also helps blend the lace seamlessly into your skin.

6. Final touches.

Gently comb the wig into place so it sits how you want it to… then plaster it with hairspray. And just like that — you’re fabulous!

How to Style a Lace Front Wig

If your wig is already styled by a wig stylist, lucky you, your work is done. But if you’re fresh out of the bag or going for a custom look, here’s what you need to know.

First things first… check if your lace front wig is heat-safe. Even then, it’s risky. Heat tools over 140°C can easily melt synthetic fibres, so unless you know exactly what you’re doing, it’s not worth the gamble. We always recommend steam over direct heat — it’s safer, more forgiving, and won’t destroy the structure of the wig.

To add volume, backcomb carefully at the roots and build the shape with clips before setting the style. Spray generously with a firm hold hairspray — we use Got2B Glued as our go-to. Style, shape, set… and repeat if needed.

Wide-tooth combs are essential. They let you shape and define without dragging through the fibres or frizzing out your style. Start at the ends and gently work upward. No yanking, no brushing it like real hair. It’s not real hair.

For a fast fix, shake & go wigs can be fluffed up and sprayed into shape. But don’t expect miracles. Even a shake & go benefits from a little lift and love.

And here’s the truth — custom wig styling is an art form. If you want it to look picture-perfect, get it professionally styled and set. Wigs styled by a trained wig stylist don’t just hold better… they look better. The shape, the silhouette, the way it frames your face — all of that comes from experience.

Better yet, let us do it for you. Bring in your wig or choose from our collection and we’ll style it in-house to suit your character, event, or aesthetic. Whether it’s vintage glamour, villainous drama or screen-accurate perfection, we’ll make sure it looks as good as it feels.

Book an Appointment with Our Wig Stylist to have your wig applied

Not confident applying it yourself? Or just want that flawless, pro finish? Book an appointment with our wig stylist at the in-store Makeup Salon & Wig Parlour and we’ll apply your lace front wig for you — properly, securely, and styled to perfection.

We’ve had plenty of clients over the years who’ve struggled to get it right. Some have put their wigs on backwards… others told us it looked like a dead raccoon on their head. Trust us — it happens more than you think. But that’s exactly why we offer professional application. So you don’t have to second guess it.

We’ll trim and position the lace, blend it into your skin tone, secure it in place, and gently shape the hair so it sits exactly how it should. No sliding, no awkward gaps, no panic in the mirror before your event. Just seamless application and a wig that holds all night.

Appointments are available at our Mornington salon, inside Little Shop of Horrors Costumery & Pop-Culture Emporium. It’s a private, one-on-one experience in our dedicated Wig Parlour… no rush, no chaos, just expert care and proper prep.

We apply custom wig styling principles to every install, even if it’s a shake & go wig — because let’s face it, you’re not here to look average. You’re here to look iconic.

Bookings are essential, especially leading into weekends or big event dates. And if you’re not sure how much time you’ll need, just give us a call. We’ll talk you through it and make sure your wig application runs smoothly from start to fabulous finish.

Need your wig posted instead? No problem — we offer postage Australia wide.

Wigs Styled by a Cinematic Wig Stylist

Whether you’re after a quick transformation or something more permanent, we’ve got the wig for it. Our range includes shake & go wigs that can be fluffed, sprayed and out the door in minutes, or you can go all the way with custom wig styling for a show-stopping finish.

We stock brand new Shake & Go Wigs for purchase in a variety of colours and lengths — sleek, curly, classic or bold — all heat-safe and premium quality. If you’re not ready to commit, we also offer pre-styled wigs for hire, carefully prepped by our in-house wig stylist and ready to wear out the door.

Every hire wig is cleaned, sanitised, restyled and inspected before it goes back out. No crusty curls or leftover bobby pins here — we take it seriously.

From 1920s vintage sets to character wigs like Poison Ivy and the Bride of Frankenstein, we’ll help you find the perfect match for your costume. Don’t see the exact style you need? Just ask. We can style something just for you!

The right wig is the crown on top of your character. And when it’s been prepped by someone who understands shape, silhouette, and story? That’s when it really comes to life.