Inspect Before You Install
Before you cut the lace, apply glue, wash, pluck, or style — spend ten minutes on this inspection. It takes less time than unboxing. It protects your entire purchase.
In This Article
A clean, well-lit inspection area is the starting point. Natural daylight or consistent artificial light lets you accurately evaluate color, lace, and density.
Once a wig's lace is cut, the cap is washed, or chemical services are applied, determining the original condition of the unit becomes significantly more difficult. Many common concerns — shedding, color variation, lace condition — look different before and after installation.
This inspection takes ten minutes. It gives you a clear, documented record of your unit at arrival. If everything is correct, you proceed with confidence. If something concerns you, you have photographic evidence and an unaltered unit — the strongest position from which to contact support.
Natural daylight near a window is ideal. If not available, use consistent white artificial light. Avoid warm-toned bulbs — they make dark colors appear warmer and can mask color discrepancies.
Inspecting the wig flat on a table limits your ability to assess density and drape. A stand lets you evaluate how the hair falls and how the lace lies.
You'll photograph each stage of the inspection. Clear space in your camera roll before you begin.
This step takes thirty seconds and creates a timestamped record of the package's condition at delivery — before you have touched the product.
Show all six sides if possible. Note any visible damage — dents, tears, wet spots — in the photos before opening.
Before opening the burgundy box or removing any wrapping, photograph it intact. This establishes the product arrived sealed.
Remove each item from the packaging carefully and lay everything out before assessing the wig itself. Confirm that all included items are present. For a full list of what should be in your AA WIGS package, see What's in the AA WIGS Box.
Photograph the full unboxed contents before handling individual items.
The lace is the most delicate part of the wig and the area customers most frequently question on arrival.
Swiss HD lace is designed to be very fine and sheer. When held to light, you should be able to see through it. This is normal — it is not a defect.
Run your finger gently along the lace area from ear to ear. Tears or holes in the lace that were present at delivery — before cutting — should be photographed and reported before any alteration.
The lace should have a clean, consistent edge. Slight waviness is normal. Note any fraying or uneven edges in your photos.
Turn the cap inside out and examine where the wefts are sewn onto the cap. Stitching should be even and secure. Loose or missing stitches at arrival — before any wear — should be photographed.
Confirm that all adjustable straps move freely and that any combs or clips are securely attached to the cap.
The elastic band around the perimeter should be intact and consistent in tension. No breaks or gaps.
Color in photographs can appear differently depending on screen brightness, lighting, and post-processing. Evaluate color under natural light against your order confirmation, not against your phone or computer screen.
Take the wig to a window. Natural daylight is the most accurate reference. Compare the color of the weft to the color shown in your confirmation photos under the same daylight.
The color should be consistent from root to tip and consistent across all wefts. Natural human hair has tonal variation — this is expected. A significant shift from a cool-toned color to a warm-toned result is worth photographing.
Wig length is measured from the crown of the cap to the ends of the straightened hair — not in its natural wave pattern. Body wave wigs will appear shorter than their stated length when the wave is intact, because the wave compresses the hair.
Measure from the top center of the cap down to the ends of the longest hair using a soft tape measure. Gently straighten a section of hair to measure — do not pull.
Human hair length is measured from one natural growing point to another and trimmed to a consistent length. A small variance of up to one inch from the stated length is within manufacturing standard.
Place the wig on a stand and assess the overall fullness. At 180% density, the wig should appear full from root to mid-length. Hold a white sheet of paper behind sections of hair — sparse areas will be clearly visible against white.
Hold the wig from the cap and give it one gentle shake over a white surface. A small number of loose hairs — typically fewer than 10 — is within the normal range for a new wig as manufacturing-loose hairs work free. Photograph what you find.
Human hair wigs can carry a faint manufacturing or packaging scent, particularly around the wefts. This is common and typically resolves after the first wash.
Adjust the internal straps to fit your head. Hold the lace flat against your hairline without securing it permanently. Assess cap fit and comfort.
Take front, side, and back photos while wearing the wig unaltered. These create your pre-installation reference.
If you are satisfied with the inspection, you may proceed to installation. If anything concerns you, remove the wig without cutting and follow the guidance below.
Work through each item before proceeding to installation. Photograph each step.
If something concerns you: Do not alter the wig. Keep all original packaging. Photograph the concern clearly under natural light. Then contact the AA WIGS support team at the contact page with your order number and photos. Having an unaltered unit and clear photographs is the strongest position from which support can be provided.
Once your inspection is complete and everything checks out, you're ready to install. Read the care guides below to get the most from your unit.
Why should I inspect before installing?
Once you cut the lace or wash the wig, determining the original condition of the unit becomes significantly more difficult. This inspection creates a clear record before any permanent changes are made — the strongest position from which to request support if needed.
Is a slight smell normal?
A faint manufacturing or packaging scent is within normal range and typically resolves after the first wash. A strong chemical odor that does not improve after airing should be documented and reported before any alteration is made.
How much shedding is normal at first?
A small number of loose hairs — typically fewer than 10 — on the first gentle handling is within the normal manufacturing range. These are hairs that were not fully secured during construction working free. Shedding that continues in larger amounts after the first wash or that comes from entire sections of the weft is outside normal range.
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