Hair bonding glue substitutes – 2022 Best Substitutes

Hair bonding glue substitutes

It was around six on a Friday evening, and I was in my apartment, getting ready for my date night. With Ed Sheeran’s perfect blasting through my speaker, you could tell I was in an excellent mood for my date. I took my time to do my makeup, and when it was time to install my frontal lace wig, I made a shocking discovery. 

My hair bonding glue had dried out. I went from happy mode to panic mode. First, there wasn’t any store nearby, and I ran late for my date. So I had to put myself together and find a substitute for my hair bonding glue because I would rock that wig. I picked up my phone and searched for substitutes for hair bonding glue. To cut a long story short, I looked flawless in my wig and had a great time with my date. The best part was that I did not even use hair bonding glue. 

If you’re interested in finding out how I could pull off my frontal wig without a hair bonding glue, read on because I’d be sharing some hair bonding glue substitutes. 

Top hair bonding glue substitutes

As you will see later in this article, it is pretty evident that hair bonding glue isn’t a perfect solution. Using the wrong hair glue can cause irritations and reactions, leading to hair loss. On the other hand, not using enough glue can make your wig slide off. Here are some tips for hair bonding glue substitutes that work just as well as hair bonding glue. 

• Bobby pins
• Whig clips
• Elastic bands
• Wig grip 

What are some reasons for considering hair bonding glue substitutes to hair bonding glue?

• Blocked pores

Generally, wig glue and any other type of glue are not meant to be applied on your scalp or any part of your body. 

According to Jacqueline Tarrant, a hair and beauty expert, hair glues do not allow your hair to breathe because they block the pores on your scalp. As a result, it damages your hair follicles and dries out your hair. Wearing heavy extensions for an extended period can pull your hair and may even begin to thin your hair. 

• Allergic Reactions

Despite its versatility, hair bonding glue contains a large amount of latex which can lead to specific reactions if you’re allergic—little wonder why most women have adverse reactions after using hair bonding glue. A great example of this type of reaction is where a 37-year-old woman developed systemic anaphylaxis due to repeated exposure to hair bonding glue. The skin test and latex allergy test conducted on her were positive. 

Other symptoms that you could have from allergic reactions include hives, swelling, and general scalp reactions in extreme cases. It can lead to trouble swallowing and breathing. You are probably allergic to it if you notice red swelling or itching on your head after applying hair bonding glue. Do not hesitate to see your dermatologist. 

• Hair loss

After blocking your pores and experiencing allergic reactions, it is only standard that you begin to lose some hair. Also, the scalp and skin reactions do not prove a healthy environment for hair growth, leading to hair loss and even bald patches. 

You might not have any allergic skin reactions, but your hair glue has probably dried out, and you’re looking for a much quicker substitute. Then these top substitutes would come in handy. 

Hair bonding glue substitutes you can use instead of hair bonding glue?

• Bobby pins 

Bobby pins are pretty popular. You’d have probably used it to hold down hair flyovers at one point in your life. However, you’d be surprised that bobby pins can help secure your wigs. They provide a firm grip that can last from the moment you put it on until you take it off at the end of the day.

To use bobby pins to secure your wigs, be sure to note the following;

1. After deciding to use bobby pins, you should note that bobby pins are not all the same. They vary in size, thickness, flexibility, and even color. When choosing bobby pins, you should select one that feels comfortable and flexible because you’d be wearing it for the whole day. If the bobby pins you have, are uncomfortable and give you a headache, you should keep them aside for other uses and get a new set of comfortable bobby pins.
2. After purchasing the perfect set of bobby pins, you should try to lay down your natural hair as flat as possible. You can do this by tying down or braiding your natural hair. Your edges should not be left out; you should be sure to smoothen them with hair gel or pomades. 
3. Start by securing your wig slowly, from the front to the back, and ensure it stays in your desired position. Double-check in the mirror to ensure your wig is in the correct position.  
4. It’s now time for your bobby pins. I’d recommend that you begin from the front. Gently lift your wig in sections along your edges and slide the bobby pins through your natural hair and the weft. 
5. Do this around your hair. At this point, you should check to see how secure your wig is. If you feel like your wig is quite unstable, add more bobby pins. You can add as many bobby pins as you feel you need to secure your wig, provided they are not visible. Ensure you get Bobby pins of matching color with your hair.
6. Slightly shake your head to ensure that your wig stays in place and you’re good to go.

Pros of Using Bobby Pins

• They are affordable and available in almost every convenience store. 
• Bobby pins do not have any form of chemicals, unlike glue, and as a result, they cannot aggravate your scalp. 
• Bobby pins are pretty easy to manage as they can be easily adjusted. 

Cons of Using Bobby Pins

• When bobby pins are used too tightly, they can aggravate the scalp and leave you with a headache.
• You might require a lot of bobby pins to hold your wig securely. If you use too few, your hair might tilt to the side without you realizing it. 
• Taking off and putting on a wig with too many bobby pins can be time-consuming to secure it. 
• To use bobby pins, you’d need a decent amount of natural hair as the pins need something to hold on to for support. So if you’re wearing a wig to cover your lack of natural hair, bobby pins are not an option to help secure your wig.
• Bobby Pins are not an excellent option for bobby wigs as they tend to create holes in the wigs. 
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• Wig Clips

These are plastic or metal combs sewn into wigs to provide a long-term holding solution. They are a permanent option and, once sewn into your wig, can be used for the entire lifespan of your wigs. This sowing makes it a more manageable solution but requires few sewing skills. 

To use wig Clips to secure your wigs, kindly note the following;

1. The first step is to purchase a pack of clips from any local beauty shop around you. 
2. Sew the clip by hand, placing each clip about 1 inch apart, and do this all around. Generally, you should use at least six clips, two along your hairline, one at the top, two on each side of your ear, and one at the back. However, you can add as much as you need to secure your wig correctly. 
3. Tie down or braid down your natural hair to provide a flat surface to install your wig. Be sure to use hair gel to smoothen your edges and any stray strand. 
4. Slowly place the wig on your hair, securing each clip into your natural hair one after the other. You should start from the front and avoid putting in the clip too tightly to prevent headaches. You should be very careful at this point to prevent the wig clip from breaking. 
5. Check to see if your wig is straight, and shake slightly to ensure that your wig is well secured. Then you’re good to go.

Pros

• They slide into your natural hair and, as a result, provide a secure hold for your hair without any risk that comes with the harmful chemicals contained in glues. 
• They are a more permanent option and an excellent substitute for one who doesn’t want to struggle with bobby pins. 
• They are pretty invisible because they are sewn inside your wig cap. Be sure to use a tread that is the same color as your wig cap. 

Cons

• Wig clips require a decent amount of natural hair to hold onto it. As a result, it’s not an excellent option for people with very little natural hair. 
• Installing the wig clips requires sewing knowledge, so a newbie might leave some visible thread while sewing. 
• There are not fully secure if you intend to do some rigorous exercise. Be sure to use a few bobby pins for extra hold.

• Elastic bands

Elastic bands are essentially a stop sewn into your wig from ear to ear. It doesn’t require a particular type of elastic band, so you can always use any elastic band you find comfortable and one that would not tightly pull your scalp. 

To attach an elastic band;

• Measure the elastic band from ear to ear while pulling it. 
• Add two inches to the desired length and cut out. 
• Place it on the sides of the wig and sew it in with a thread of the same color as the wig cap. 
• Apply the wig slowly to your head and check if it fits appropriately. 

Pros of Using Elastic Band

• Elastic bands are more accessible materials to work with and are suitable for beginners. 
• The best part of elastic bands is that they do not require any natural hair to hold onto for support, unlike bobby pins and wig clips. 

Cons

• Elastic bands require firmness and securing the elastic tightly enough.
• A beginner-like wig clip can easily mess up, requiring a little sewing. 

• Wig Grip

A wig grip is another excellent way to wear your wig without glue. They are easy to wear and do not require natural hair to hold on to them. The velvet on each side makes it a great choice to hold and not irritate your scalp. Also, the gripping material holds on to your wig, while the other part holds on to your hair. 

To apply,

1. You need to make your natural hair as smooth as possible, either by braiding down or tying it down your hair. 
2. Place your wig grip directly after your edges and secure it by connecting the Velcro end. 
3. Carefully place your wig on your hair to your desired position.
4. Be sure to double-check to see if they stay correctly. 

Pros

• They are pretty easy to put on and take off.
• They are gentle on your hair and help reduce the chances of headaches. 

Cons

• They are not a permanent substitute and would usually slack over time.

FAQ 

Can I use eyelash glue for my hair extensions?

You should never use eyelash glue on hair weft. This reason is that eyelash glue is not strong enough to hold your hair weft in place.

Conclusion

You can slay effortlessly with a wig when you know several hair bonding glue substitutes that can replace the bonding glue. For me, bobby pins came to my rescue just when I needed a way out on my date night. And since then, I have kept a few hair bonding glue substitutes around just in case. I’ll be waiting to hear when you try one out.