Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Shannon on May 19, 2014 at 6:32pm

I have the same issue and would love some suggestions and photos of some successful 'wispies'.

Permalink Reply by ChrisM on May 19, 2014 at 6:46pm

Yes, I would agree.  I don't know whether it's the same thing but also difficult for hairdressers to understand are the slightly shorter hairs that should be cut around the base of the wig.  I'm not even sure about they should look or be cut.  Photos or a video would be helpful.

Permalink Reply by cindy Babs on May 19, 2014 at 7:05pm

Ummm.... yes, me third x 10!!!! My absolute biggest gripe with freedom pieces is that "they"don't offer a trained stylist working with the individual IA's so that when you receive your mop of beautiful hair you can then turn it over to a trained person that you can trust. I feel left in the lurks with respect to styling. We are also on our 3rd freedom piece and we have not had any luck getting wispies cut properly. Our next stop is Toronto.
I have asked my IA ( hi Debbi) if she could make a video of her stylist in her town that she trusts to cut freedom pieces cutting wispies and bangs. I can tell you that follea has such a video. I could then take the disc to a stylist. Personally, I think directions in cutting the Freedom piece should be part of the package.We wait too long and pay too much money for these pieces to get them cut improperly which we personally have done.
That's my personal opinion. How about a directional video on wispies and bangs?

Permalink Reply by Rose Marie' on May 20, 2014 at 2:35am

Hi Cindy Babs

I'm not 100% sure if I misunderstood your post.  I wrote a little on my other post to you, but now reading back I see that you feel very unhappy, which is really not what anyone involved with Freedom would want.  

I'm a lady with hair and I can tell you hand on heart I have dealt with trained stylist with my own hair.  In my younger days I received some doozy hairdo's that I wouldn't like to repeat and I understand that a wigstyling is like a haircut on steroids (very anxious time), so I get the issue here.  The reality is there is no absolute guarantees that a hairstylist will create what you have in your mind.  I think that the biggest thing to do is to minimise problems which can occur.  

Fringe/bang cutting is best to be taken slowly and carefully...with pictures to show the hairstylist what you are trying to achieve...no rushing.  Always make sure the wig is on straight and in the right position.  Always cut the bang/fringe on your lash line....never shorter for the first cut.  Discuss how much of a fringe you require.  The same process should be worked through with the wispies.  

Most IA's do work with Hairstylists that understand what and how to cut a Freedom Wig...keeping in mind it is not a lot different to cutting someone's growing biological hair. Not all clients want what you want...they really want to be autonomous as some have stylist that they trust and want to work with.  

I am of the mind that people can cut their freedom wigs well with thought and care and a stylist that they trust and have a good rapport with.  

You as a client have to be fully involved with the styling of your Freedom wig....that is part of the fun.  You don't have to wear 'brandi' like everyone else.  You are able to wear your hair how you want to.  

I am also very aware that there is not a woman I know that doesn't bemoan her hair and change it in some way...that is the nature of hair and stylists.  You have to do your homework on your wants with regards to styling your Freedom hair and your stylist with the help of your IA should help you get there.  I personally found this harrowing at the beginning, but now as I have a stylist that I trust, I find it fun and my daughter finds it empowering.

Debbi may be very open to helping by getting her hairstylist to do a video.  Talk with her.

I understand that Freedom Wigs aren't cheap and with longer lengths in some colours the wait can be irritating.  But please keep in mind the hair that you receive....there truly is no better.  No people farms, so we have to be realistic around cost.  I can assure you that the people who make freedom wigs do it for all the right reasons and it is so sad that your experience has not been as you hoped.  

Rosy

Permalink Reply by cindy Babs on May 20, 2014 at 8:47am

Hi Rosy.thank you ever so much for all the pics . Hopefully they will be very helpful for all of us FreedOm wearers.
I am not "very unhappy". Yes i have always been frustrated and (very) nervous with the prospect of styling/cutting fw's. We've yet to get a cut that is just right and we have also had expensive completely wrong cuts.We do have the option of driving 7 hours to the stylist in Debbi's hometown but I have wanted to find an option either in my town or closer than a 6-7 hour drive or in a town that has family to visit/ stay with
As I said I think a directional video or guide to cut the wispies should be provided along with the piece. It's a nerve racking process as you must know.
I am not very unhappy but more frustrated because I never think my daughters' hair(s) looks as natural as it should and know that it has the potential to look more natural which is the supposed foundation of Freedom.
That's my personal opinion.
Thank you again for your input.

Permalink Reply by Rose Marie' on May 20, 2014 at 4:17pm

I understand.  Can you send me piccies of what you are trying to achieve with her haircut. I'm happy to help in any way I can.  

A Freedom Wig really should look very natural and if it isn't I agree that isn't the outcome we would want for you or your daughter.  

As a mum I get how upsetting and frustrating this can be.  Pass on your daughter's name privately and let me have a wee looksee into her order to check her spec's against what ever look you are after.

I'm meeting with Debbi soon at the NAAF Conference and I think I will discuss this request with all the IA's.

Rosy

Permalink Reply by Rose Marie' on May 19, 2014 at 9:45pm

Hi Everyone

I hear you loud and clear and while I understand the issue here I do have a slightly different view. 

This is my take on wispies.  In New Zealand I do my very best to help clients make decisions around the hairstyles they want.  As you all know this is an integral part of what IA's do to help clients become empowered through the process of getting a Freedom Wig and turning it into them.  This is not a boxed wig, with set sizes, colours and curl preferences.  Freedom is a wig that requires absolute input from the wearer and the person who is helping you choose your hair for your required hairstyle (the IA), right through to helping the individual have the tools required to talk to a hairdresser. The point I'm trying to make is this is about individual choice and working with each personality to achieve the best result. I have often thought about getting a dvd made that shows how to do the 'undercut' or 'wispies', but in my opinion a good stylist who you and the IA have a good rapport with should have absolute knowledge around what can be achieved and what can't.  

Freedom does have photos to help with wispies, but everybody has a personal view on what they feel suits them and their hairstyle the best.  Anna Fitzpatrick (freedom wearer in NZ) and my daughter choose very different looks when it comes to wispies.  Anna likes quite a full wispy look, my daughter prefers a finer cut with her wispies.  There are no set norms or requirements.  It really is about what suits you and what you want. My personal view is it needs to look as realistic as possible...again this is up to the individual.  Freedom is about freedom of choice as well. That choice is always tempered with as much information as possible to help the process.   

I'll pop a few photo's up here in the hope that it will help.  If you are working with your own hairdresser (which you can with freedom) then ask your IA to call them and explain what they feel is appropriate for wispies...making sure that they understand your particular needs with the hairstyle you have chosen.  No matter how good the stylist I personally would always encourage people to discuss their wants (not just what you don't want), while being very realistic about the end product, This includes the wispies.  Cindy Babs I would contact Debbi with regards to what you have written here...maybe she could do as you have suggested.  I'm not sure about the costs involved with a video and whether that is something that you and her would like to work out together, so you could share it with your hairdresser and pass it on to others to help.

Rosy 

 

Permalink Reply by Sarah on May 19, 2014 at 10:08pm

Thank you  Rosy! I completely understand people's different requirements in terms of styling.  Not only that, but the type of hair also makes a difference. However, a video would be a good idea to give guidelines to your hair stylist, and he/she will have a clue of what you're talking about. 

Adding to that, it would be nice to start something like recommended freedom wig hairstylists around the world. At least you know you have an option :)

Permalink Reply by Rose Marie' on May 19, 2014 at 10:29pm

I do truly understand the anxiety around this.  I felt as you all do the first time my daughter got her Freedom Hair styled.  I was just sitting here thinking what else I could pass on to help.  

Here are some points that may:

* On a Freedom Wig there is hair implanted under the hairline and on top of the hairline (have a very close up look at your wig) this is around the whole perimeter of your Freedom wig.  When you get your wispies cut you must take hair from above and below to achieve a good effect.  

* There is a balance around the amount of hair to be cut...(and this is where personal preference comes into play).  But I will say if you cut too little it will disappear into your longer hair and will not do a you are hoping.

* My hairdresser always goes slow and easy...making sure that the cutting is reasonably long creating the look that growing hair has.  You DO NOT want to cut up close to the cap creating very short wispies.  Thinning scissor, razoring and very good scissor skills are required. Long and thinned out is what you want to achieve. 

All Freedom IA's do work with recommended hairdressers.  These hairdressers are recommended by them and by those Freedom Wearers who use their services.  It is not imperative that you use them as some clients feel more comfortable with their own hairdresser.  If that is the case talk to your IA so she can have a chat to your hairstylist to pass on her knowledge about styling a Freedom Wig. 

I can't impress upon you and everyone else enough the importance of having a very good rapport with your hairstylist and also having an extremely good idea of what you are trying to achieve.  Photo's are key for my clients when they come to see me and when they go to the hairstylist.

I truly feel that cutting a Freedom Wig is similar to cutting real growing hair , so this means that a good hairstylist should be very capable of turning your Freedom Hair into you.  It really is just wispies that make the difference.  Getting into the hair and creating that look that you want is the scary bit, but go in armed with as many photo's and as much information as possible and I know you will get the desired result. 

Rosy

 

Permalink Reply by Rose Marie' on May 20, 2014 at 2:00am

Hi 

I had a wee look through my files and found a couple of side views for undercuts.  I'm still browsing around so I will put up as many as I can find. :)

Rosy

Permalink Reply by Rose Marie' on May 20, 2014 at 2:08am

Hi 

...and a few more piccies to help.

Rosy

Permalink Reply by Sarah on May 22, 2014 at 3:39pm

Another quick question, hair density? My last 2 pieces were light density ( I'm in the process of ordering a new one) so I was thinking of shifting to extra light, 12", dark hair similar to the first picture Rosy added but a little of bit of wavy hair.  Any input?  Thanks

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