I'd love to talk wigs!

I finally decided to get a wig to solve the distress about my hair loss when I realized that entire subcultures of women wear wigs -- Hollywood people, African Americans, Hasidic Jewish women in NYC. Any stigma attached to wigs is the one I place there myself. There is nothing embarrassing about wigs. They are hip and fashionable. Wear them because you want to look great, not because you are ashamed of your bio hair. I've been wearing wigs so long, I forget I have Alopecia. Really.

I see no drawbacks to them, and I have a lot of fun. The only problem I've encountered is that I haven't kept very good track of all the wigs I've ordered over the years, so there are some wigs I loved and would like to reorder, but I don't remember what they were! :-(

I buy my wigs from wigs.com because they have a very liberal return policy and great sales. I usually purchase wigs ranging from $150 - $250. These, of course, are synthetic wigs. My favorite brands are Noriko and Rene of Paris, but I've also had great luck with Jon Renau.

I think the secret to wearing a wig is to 1) mess it up! 2) use styling products 3) customize it if you need to 4) have fun and be confident.

The only customizing I've done to my wigs is occasionally cut the hair in front of my ears a little shorter or cut the hair up over my ears. Sometimes my friend who is a stylist does it; sometimes I do it myself. Most of the time, I just wear the wigs right out of the box.

I love rooted colors. They look very natural, and I never stop getting compliments from women asking who colors my hair. My bio hair was dark, so the rooted colors allow me to go blond and still look natural.

I love short wigs. There are many cute styles. I've never worn and have barely tried on long wigs because I just think the little bobs are adorable.

I shave my head, accept for a little patch in the front. (This makes me look ridiculous when I'm not wearing a wig. Fortunately, no one every sees me like this) I use this front hair to secure the wig with a little toupee/wig clip that I sew on the the front band of the wig. This keeps it VERY secure. I also use a strip of wig tape on the back of the wig cap, and I've also used it at the front of the wig on occasion. I never worry about my wigs shifting or coming off, even in intimate moments (which is what many people worry about). I swim, snorkel, sail, ski -- everything -- in my wigs.

The only thing that is a little different is that my boyfriend does not massage my scalp or stroke/pet my head because I always have a wig on. This might bug some people if they really like that sort of thing.

What else can I tell you? I love to talk wigs, so if you need more advice or want to shop on line with me, that would be great. One of my favorite internet surfing activities is wig shopping! We could IM while we do it.

Take care,

Marie

Thank you for the compliment! I know what you mean about spending lots of money on treatments and hair. I think we all do! Finally we just give up. At least, I have. I've had no hair for so long it's just fine with me now!

I am not sure I have anything new in the way of wig suggestions. I have a wonderful supplier who handles the highest quality wigs and styles them, too. My human hair wigs are custom made for me at about half of what popular places like Follica and others charge. They're all European virgin hair, too. They're very comfortable and stay in place without tape, but I use tape just in case. The woman's name is Brenda Kay and she is here in Portland, but works with people all over the country. A lot of people in the movie industry use her. Her email is bkswildhair@comcast.net. I also have synthetics that I wear when I work out and travel since they wash & wear.

As far as wearing a beautiful bald head, that isn't something I want to do, either so don't feel badly about it. Not everyone wants to, or can, go bald.

When you feel up to it, I think you would like my book. It's very different from other "personal triumph" books with a lot of other women's stories, good information and fun. If you read it without laughing, I will return your money!

In the meantime, let me know if there's anything I can do to help!

Hugs, LeslieAnn

Hello and welcome, Sue!
I have been wearing wigs for many years. Although I always wear a wig in public, I don't wear them 24/7. I have a collection of both human hair and synthetic (they each have their place.) Let me know if you need some help in this regard. BTW I woudn't get a suction wig unless I was going to be hanging upside down. There are other wigs you can get that stay on and are more comfortable.
LeslieAnn

Hi Sue,

Welcome to Alopecia World

Cheryl

I remember when I was diagnosed with Alopecia and I went to see a specialist, I was sure they were going to give me 2 pills and my hair would be restored. When he told me that my best bet was to get a wig I was absolutely devastated. So I can say I know the feeling.