Hey dudes, haven’t made a post in a minute and with the one year mark since I started wearing approaching, I wanted to write out some quick thoughts for anyone who may be on the fence about this.
Transitioning:
long story short, I did not have awful hair loss when I transitioned. I was maybe a NW3, thin temples and a crown starting to go — both were covered by concealers, which I was excellent with. I wanted to switch to a system before anyone noticed, and it worked. As it turns out, people don’t notice nearly as much as you think. Nobody even knew I was losing my hair, so they definitely didn’t notice when I switched to a piece. I do get a few comments about how my hair looks good but nobody would ever know it’s a wig. And at this point idc if they do
Cost
I went to a NYC salon for my initial change and got a custom piece because my hair is a little curlier and a unique color. Paid 1100 total for the system and cut. Good results, will post pics below. I was using a .03 Mm unit with good success. 2 week holds with ultra hold full bond, barely redoing the hairline (and I wear it exposed). Eventually I cut the maintenance out so I was attaching myself. Not that hard to do, especially if someone can help you out. My sister helps me. Pricing at this place was pretty ridiculous in my opinion. I habe since switched to an online supplier and a new stylist in NJ. The total cost per unit is now 360 instead of 1000+.
Products
A huge point of anxiety for me to start was knowing the right products to use. For most of the past year, I was using the Shea moisture hydrating repair shampoo / conditioner (light blue). I used a leave-in from Ulta that had some
UV protection, no silicones, sulfates or parabens. I have pretty long hair but usually would only do one or two sprays of my leave in. Don’t overdue it. I wash the hair every day with water, and spray with conditioner. Now that I reattach myself once a week, I only wash the piece with shampoo when it’s off my head. I recently switched to the 3-4-5-6 olaplex line. Expensive but my new stylist swears by it. Seem results are good but has silicones which I’m weary about.
Bond/Sports
Since I started wearing I habe actually become a lot MORE active because I don’t need to worry about concealers running down my face when i sweat. Since the beginning of Q I have been biking about 10 miles a day, lifting weights and playing basketball a few times a week. I am a profuse sweater. The bond usually holds pretty well. It’s important that you let the bond recure before say, pulling back on the hairline. But overall the hairline touch ups have gotten very easy for me so I don’t mind. I may touch up the hairline once in between my weekly de/re.
Dating
This ones funny. I got out of a 5 year relationship RIGHT before I started wearing so I was obviously extremely nervous about dating and the impact this could have. Long story short, the impact has been zero. I believe i have told 6 romantic partners that I wear (at this point I’m reallt casual about it. “Yea it’s a wig but look how f***ing great it looks” is my attitude) and not a single one has cared. Continued to have multiple dates / keep talking after.
no, it has not come off during sex. It HAS been pulled on. In general I ask girls to not touch my hair. It’s ok if they do occasionally just minimize if u can. I saw someone say you can say “goodbye to going down on women forever” — just no. Trust me lol.
General psychological well-being
Its great. I was very depressed by my hair loss. Felt like there was always this inevitable doom. Now I don’t think about my hair as much. Yes I want it to look good, but I don’t think I have that hypersensitivity to it anymore. I habe hair! A lot of it! It’s a great feeling.
it was a little hard to adjust at first for me, but once I realized that nobody else cared (I habe told a lot of people) it stopped being this huge secret I had to hide. Free yourself from that!!
will drop some pics of the evolution. Have gone through a lot of styles. Different hairline placements. I have gradually lowered it a decent amount since I started wearing but I like it much better now.
Pics:
1st: first system ever. Custom from salon
2nd: same salon, a stock piece with a permed front. Dyed.
3rd: first regular stock. No curl.
4th: my previous system was rocking for most of quarantine
5 and 6: my current system, a stock lace piece with higher density from NWL.
7: my hair with concealers before i transitioned to wearing. I’m really good at concelears lol.
Transitioning:
long story short, I did not have awful hair loss when I transitioned. I was maybe a NW3, thin temples and a crown starting to go — both were covered by concealers, which I was excellent with. I wanted to switch to a system before anyone noticed, and it worked. As it turns out, people don’t notice nearly as much as you think. Nobody even knew I was losing my hair, so they definitely didn’t notice when I switched to a piece. I do get a few comments about how my hair looks good but nobody would ever know it’s a wig. And at this point idc if they do
Cost
I went to a NYC salon for my initial change and got a custom piece because my hair is a little curlier and a unique color. Paid 1100 total for the system and cut. Good results, will post pics below. I was using a .03 Mm unit with good success. 2 week holds with ultra hold full bond, barely redoing the hairline (and I wear it exposed). Eventually I cut the maintenance out so I was attaching myself. Not that hard to do, especially if someone can help you out. My sister helps me. Pricing at this place was pretty ridiculous in my opinion. I habe since switched to an online supplier and a new stylist in NJ. The total cost per unit is now 360 instead of 1000+.
Products
A huge point of anxiety for me to start was knowing the right products to use. For most of the past year, I was using the Shea moisture hydrating repair shampoo / conditioner (light blue). I used a leave-in from Ulta that had some
UV protection, no silicones, sulfates or parabens. I have pretty long hair but usually would only do one or two sprays of my leave in. Don’t overdue it. I wash the hair every day with water, and spray with conditioner. Now that I reattach myself once a week, I only wash the piece with shampoo when it’s off my head. I recently switched to the 3-4-5-6 olaplex line. Expensive but my new stylist swears by it. Seem results are good but has silicones which I’m weary about.
Bond/Sports
Since I started wearing I habe actually become a lot MORE active because I don’t need to worry about concealers running down my face when i sweat. Since the beginning of Q I have been biking about 10 miles a day, lifting weights and playing basketball a few times a week. I am a profuse sweater. The bond usually holds pretty well. It’s important that you let the bond recure before say, pulling back on the hairline. But overall the hairline touch ups have gotten very easy for me so I don’t mind. I may touch up the hairline once in between my weekly de/re.
Dating
This ones funny. I got out of a 5 year relationship RIGHT before I started wearing so I was obviously extremely nervous about dating and the impact this could have. Long story short, the impact has been zero. I believe i have told 6 romantic partners that I wear (at this point I’m reallt casual about it. “Yea it’s a wig but look how f***ing great it looks” is my attitude) and not a single one has cared. Continued to have multiple dates / keep talking after.
no, it has not come off during sex. It HAS been pulled on. In general I ask girls to not touch my hair. It’s ok if they do occasionally just minimize if u can. I saw someone say you can say “goodbye to going down on women forever” — just no. Trust me lol.
General psychological well-being
Its great. I was very depressed by my hair loss. Felt like there was always this inevitable doom. Now I don’t think about my hair as much. Yes I want it to look good, but I don’t think I have that hypersensitivity to it anymore. I habe hair! A lot of it! It’s a great feeling.
it was a little hard to adjust at first for me, but once I realized that nobody else cared (I habe told a lot of people) it stopped being this huge secret I had to hide. Free yourself from that!!
will drop some pics of the evolution. Have gone through a lot of styles. Different hairline placements. I have gradually lowered it a decent amount since I started wearing but I like it much better now.
Pics:
1st: first system ever. Custom from salon
2nd: same salon, a stock piece with a permed front. Dyed.
3rd: first regular stock. No curl.
4th: my previous system was rocking for most of quarantine
5 and 6: my current system, a stock lace piece with higher density from NWL.
7: my hair with concealers before i transitioned to wearing. I’m really good at concelears lol.
