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Wigs
How to Put On a Wig Cap Over Your Hair Download Article Keeping your long hair in place beneath a wig Co-authored by Nikia Londy
Last Updated: May 19, 2025 References
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Putting Your Hair Up
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Placing a Wig Cap Over Your Hair
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This article was co-authored by Nikia Londy. Nikia Londy is a Hair Augmentation Specialist and the Founder and CEO of Intriguing Hair, a one-stop solution for women from all ethnicities wanting to purchase high-quality human hair extensions, hairpieces, and wigs. With over 16 years of experience, she specializes in artificial hair integrations, hair extensions, hair loss, hairpieces and wigs, and non-surgical hair replacement. Nikia holds a BA in Organizational Leadership from Charter Oak State College and received her Cosmetology Certification from Blaine Beauty School. She is also a member of the American Hair Loss Council. This article has been viewed 106,249 times.
Wigs are a fun way to temporarily change your hairstyle, but they can be itchy and irritating on your head. That's where wig caps come in, which are nylon or mesh caps that protect your hair and make the wig more comfortable. We'll show you how to put your hair up to it doesn't get in the way, then how to slip that cap onto your head so it's secure and tidy.
Things You Should Know
Gel your hair to keep it neat under the cap, then pin it up with a braid, bun, or cornrows.
Spray scalp protector onto your head to protect your skin under the cap.
Align the front of the cap with your forehead's hair line, then pull the cap backward over your head.
Tuck any stray hairs into the cap, and tuck the sides of your hair behind your ears. Secure the cap all around with bobby pins.
Steps
Part 1 Part 1 of 2:
Putting Your Hair Up
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1 Apply gel to your hair to make it easier to tuck under the cap. This is especially helpful if you have short hair or a lot of small baby hairs. Run a palm-sized amount of hair gel through your hair, using a comb or your fingers to pull the product down your strands.[1]XResearch source
Once your hair is coated, you can braid it or twist it onto the top of your head and pin it into place.
Apply more gel to areas that tend to have more flyaways, like around your hairline or the nape of your neck.
If you don’t have gel, you can simply wet your hair to slick it down. Make sure you wring out the strands so that it’s damp, not dripping.
2 Wear your hair in cornrows if you don’t want it to be visible under the wig. Cornrows are incredibly tight braids that lay flat against your scalp. Part your hair in even rows from the front of your head to the back. The more sections you make, the smaller your braids will be and the flatter they’ll be against your head. Then braid down each row, picking up hair from the section as you go so that the braid attaches to the scalp. [2]XResearch source
Use small rubber bands or barrettes to hold the braids in place.
If you have trouble sectioning off the hair or if you have natural hair, spritz detangling spray on your strands as you go. This makes it easier to braid.
You can also go to a hair salon to have a professional stylist put in cornrows.
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3 Wrap 2 braids around your head if you have long hair. Part your hair down the middle and braid each side separately. Secure each braid with a hair tie, then criss cross them against the back of your head. Pull the tails up behind your ears and use bobby pins to secure the braids in place on top of your scalp.[3]XResearch source [4]X Expert Source Nikia LondyHair Augmentation SpecialistExpert Interview
For hair that’s extra thick, you can split your hair into more sections before braiding it. For example, if you make 4 braids, they’ll lay flatter against your head.
You can also try a different type of braid, like a French braid.
4 Make a bun at the nape of your neck if you have thin hair. This will only work if your hair is fine or if you have hair that's shoulder-length or shorter. Otherwise, the bun will stick out too much. Pull all of your hair to the back in a low, tight bun and secure it at the base of your head with pins.[5]XResearch source
You can also make 2 smaller buns to help them lay flatter.
If you have shorter hair that slips out of the bun, spritz the strands with hairspray to hold them in place.
Advertisement Part 2 Part 2 of 2:
Placing a Wig Cap Over Your Hair
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1 Spray scalp protector onto your head if you have sensitive skin. While wig caps protect your scalp from the wig itself, the caps can still be itchy. To prevent any irritation, spritz scalp protector all over your head and let it dry completely before putting on your wig cap.[6]XResearch source
You can buy scalp protector from a beauty supply store or online retailer.
It should take the spray about 20 to 30 minutes to dry.
2 Align the wig cap with your natural hairline on the front of your head. This will make sure all of your natural hair is completely covered by the cap and eventually the wig. Position the edge of the cap so it sits exactly on your hairline on your forehead. It shouldn’t be in front of or behind your hairline.[7]XResearch source [8]X Expert Source Nikia LondyHair Augmentation SpecialistExpert Interview
You can buy wig caps from a costume store, a beauty supply store, or an online retailer.
Wig caps come in nude or black. Choose one that matches your hair or skin tone. For example, if you have fairer skin or hair, pick a nude cap.
If you have an uneven hairline, like if you have a widow’s peak, place the edge of the wig cap along the lowest part of your hairline so that none of your hair is showing.
For wig caps with a lace closure in the front, line up the front of the cap about 1⁄2 inch (1.3 cm) back from your hairline. This will prevent the cap from being visible when you put on the wig.
3 Pull the wig cap over the back of your head to the nape of your neck. Once your cap is lined up properly in the front, stretch it snugly over your hair. Continue pulling it down until the bottom of the cap hits right where the base of your head and the top of your neck meet.[9]XResearch source [10]X Expert Source Nikia LondyHair Augmentation SpecialistExpert Interview
It helps to use 1 hand to hold the front of the wig cap in place on your hairline while you use your other hand to stretch the cap down.
4 Tuck the sides of the cap behind your ears. When you stretch the cap over your head, it will be covering your ears, too. Adjust the wig cap so that your ears are exposed by pushing the sides up so it rests behind your ears instead of over top of them.[11]XResearch source
If any strands escape from the sides while you do this, tuck the hair back under the cap once it’s in place around your ears.
5 Insert bobby pins around the edges to hold the wig cap in place. To keep the wig cap from sliding off or slipping, push bobby pins under the edges of the cap, securing it to your hair. Place as many pins on the cap as you’d like, using at least 1 to 2 pins on both the front and back of your head.
You can also use snap clips instead of bobby pins.
If you have thicker hair, you’ll need more pins than someone with thin hair.
All you have to do now is put your wig on top of your wig cap—then, you'll be good to go![12]X Expert Source Nikia LondyHair Augmentation SpecialistExpert Interview
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Co-authored by: Nikia Londy Hair Augmentation Specialist This article was co-authored by Nikia Londy. Nikia Londy is a Hair Augmentation Specialist and the Founder and CEO of Intriguing Hair, a one-stop solution for women from all ethnicities wanting to purchase high-quality human hair extensions, hairpieces, and wigs. With over 16 years of experience, she specializes in artificial hair integrations, hair extensions, hair loss, hairpieces and wigs, and non-surgical hair replacement. Nikia holds a BA in Organizational Leadership from Charter Oak State College and received her Cosmetology Certification from Blaine Beauty School. She is also a member of the American Hair Loss Council. This article has been viewed 106,249 times. 7 votes - 60% Co-authors: 5Updated: May 19, 2025 Views: 106,249 Categories: WigsArticle SummaryX
If you style your hair ahead of time, it will make putting a wig cap on much easier. Before you put a wig cap on, run a palm-sized amount of hair gel through your hair to keep it in place under your wig. Once your hair is coated, braid or twist it onto the top of your head and pin it in place. You can also wear your hair in cornrows to keep your hair neat and out of the way. When your hair is secured, align the wig cap with your natural hairline on the front of your head. Then, pull the back of the wig cap over your head so it rests on the nape of your neck, and tuck the sides of the cap behind your ears. To secure the wig cap, insert bobby pins every few inches around the edge, which will keep it from sliding. To learn how to protect your scalp if you have sensitive skin, read on.Did this summary help you?YesNo
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Reader Success Stories
Penelope Stanforth
Dec 14, 2020
"I put on a wig cap on for the first time after I read this article and it was so easy! Thanks, wikiHow!"
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Yes No Advertisement Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Co-authored by: Nikia Londy Hair Augmentation Specialist 7 votes - 60% Click a star to vote Co-authors: 5Updated: May 19, 2025 Views: 106,249
Penelope Stanforth
Dec 14, 2020
"I put on a wig cap on for the first time after I read this article and it was so easy! Thanks, wikiHow!"
Sharon Willams
Nov 10, 2019
"I now feel more comfortable about wearing my wig outdoors, thanks." Share yours! More success stories Hide success stories
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Download Article Keeping your long hair in place beneath a wig Co-authored by Nikia Londy 
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Co-authored by: Nikia Londy Hair Augmentation Specialist This article was co-authored by Nikia Londy. Nikia Londy is a Hair Augmentation Specialist and the Founder and CEO of Intriguing Hair, a one-stop solution for women from all ethnicities wanting to purchase high-quality human hair extensions, hairpieces, and wigs. With over 16 years of experience, she specializes in artificial hair integrations, hair extensions, hair loss, hairpieces and wigs, and non-surgical hair replacement. Nikia holds a BA in Organizational Leadership from Charter Oak State College and received her Cosmetology Certification from Blaine Beauty School. She is also a member of the American Hair Loss Council. This article has been viewed 106,249 times. 7 votes - 60% Co-authors: 5 Updated: May 19, 2025 Views: 106,249 Categories: Wigs Article SummaryX
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1 Apply gel to your hair to make it easier to tuck under the cap. This is especially helpful if you have short hair or a lot of small baby hairs. Run a palm-sized amount of hair gel through your hair, using a comb or your fingers to pull the product down your strands.[1] 
2 Wear your hair in cornrows if you don’t want it to be visible under the wig. Cornrows are incredibly tight braids that lay flat against your scalp. Part your hair in even rows from the front of your head to the back. The more sections you make, the smaller your braids will be and the flatter they’ll be against your head. Then braid down each row, picking up hair from the section as you go so that the braid attaches to the scalp. [2] 
3 Wrap 2 braids around your head if you have long hair. Part your hair down the middle and braid each side separately. Secure each braid with a hair tie, then criss cross them against the back of your head. Pull the tails up behind your ears and use bobby pins to secure the braids in place on top of your scalp.[3] [4] 
4 Make a bun at the nape of your neck if you have thin hair. This will only work if your hair is fine or if you have hair that's shoulder-length or shorter. Otherwise, the bun will stick out too much. Pull all of your hair to the back in a low, tight bun and secure it at the base of your head with pins.[5] 
1 Spray scalp protector onto your head if you have sensitive skin. While wig caps protect your scalp from the wig itself, the caps can still be itchy. To prevent any irritation, spritz scalp protector all over your head and let it dry completely before putting on your wig cap.[6] 
2 Align the wig cap with your natural hairline on the front of your head. This will make sure all of your natural hair is completely covered by the cap and eventually the wig. Position the edge of the cap so it sits exactly on your hairline on your forehead. It shouldn’t be in front of or behind your hairline.[7] [8] 
3 Pull the wig cap over the back of your head to the nape of your neck. Once your cap is lined up properly in the front, stretch it snugly over your hair. Continue pulling it down until the bottom of the cap hits right where the base of your head and the top of your neck meet.[9] [10] 
4 Tuck the sides of the cap behind your ears. When you stretch the cap over your head, it will be covering your ears, too. Adjust the wig cap so that your ears are exposed by pushing the sides up so it rests behind your ears instead of over top of them.[11] 
5 Insert bobby pins around the edges to hold the wig cap in place. To keep the wig cap from sliding off or slipping, push bobby pins under the edges of the cap, securing it to your hair. Place as many pins on the cap as you’d like, using at least 1 to 2 pins on both the front and back of your head. 