Advice Needed: First Hair System, Where To Start?

[Ryan1994]

Hey guys. Planning on begining to wear a system come December.

I need advice as to where to buy a system/adhesive/removal product and additionally what kind of base I should get etc.

I’ve checked out northwest lace and toplace, the latter seems more expensive to me, and I’d like to keep the bundle of the system + products to at max $400, preferably less.

I live an active lifestyle (running 5 days a week, very sweaty) and have roommates so I need a base supporting my active lifestyle and an adhesive which can stay on for a while to minimize my need to reapply when nobodies home.

Additionally, I’m looking for a longer hair system (probably like 6-inches) with a little bit of wave to replicate my natural hair.

Lastly, I could also use advice as to salons in the NJ/NYC area where I could get my piece cut-in and (maybe?) applied for the first time. Application seems doable but definitely don’t want to cut in myself.

Thanks everyone!

Pics of my loss below (not horrible right now, but diffuse and rapid so prepping for December)

 

[Noah]

Hi Ryan

I would say you are on the right track with the choice of suppliers. If you want to discuss suppliers in more detail, send me a PM. $400 all-in is just about doable I think, provided you don't splash out on an expensive cut-in.

If you are in the States the most convenient place to get adhesives and other products is probably Hair Direct. Most things are also available from Amazon. For removal and clean-up I just use 99% isopropyl alcohol (surgical spirit) which you can buy cheaply in bulk from local pharmacies or DIY shops. Don't spend money on specialist shampoo and conditioner - a mild shampoo and a rich conditioner from the local drugstore are fine

I would strongly recommend a lace base if you are an active guy. If you are very sweaty and sporty you might want to think about getting a poly horseshoe rim on your piece. You will get better adhesion and an easier clean-up, but you will sacrifice a bit of detectability to the touch (not the look though). If you use tape on the back and sides, you can probably get 10 - 14 days of good hold, so you only need to find private time once a fortnight. You might need to re-do the front once during that time, but that is a less time-consuming exercise. It would make your life easier if you had two identical systems, so that you would have one piece always clean, taped-up and ready to attach, and you could clean the used piece at your leisure. That would minimise the time you have to spend without your hair on. If finances permit you should think about that. It will take you over your $400 budget, but obviously it doesn't cost any more in the long term, and it also gives you a fallback.

On the basis of your photographs a while back I suggested just getting a front partial. But I think you will need a full top piece before too long, so you might choose just to bite the bullet now. Your choice.

To get a good color and curl match send a sample to the supplier you choose, and also a photo of your hair.

If you want a wearable piece by December you need to start the process now, and the first thing to do is to make a template. Have you seen some of the videos on YouTube on how to do that?

Noah