Unless you’re new around here you know the struggle I’ve had with my hair. I bought my first hair topper in 2016 or 2017 – it’s a blur now. I wore it until late 2019. Then last September I bought another one. I stopped wearing it when the color wasn’t matching my hair. I let awful too-blonde highlights grow out and the topper seemed like too much blonde to me. Fast forward to June.
I noticed my hair was really thinning. There was a spell it seemed to be growing again but that was no longer the case. Eventually a wig will be in my future – this I know – but for right now I can use a hair topper.
Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow! Affordable Hair Toppers
The hair toppers I’ve enjoyed in the past were pretty pricey – the last one was $900. I found that I was frustrated with the topper because the hair wasn’t smooth. I had a heck of a time using flat irons and oils only to have it get frizzy in the humidity. Needless to say I wasn’t ready to spend another $900 so I started researching a more affordable option. Which led me to TikTok and my search for affordable hair toppers.
Frankly I enjoy TikTok so much more than Instagram. I found so many women wearing wigs and hair toppers and I was inspired by what I saw. I took a chance buying this one on Amazon. I figured I had nothing to lose since I could return it for free.
It’s synthetic and wavy – and I love it! It was longer but I had my hair stylist trim a few inches off. The color is Brown Blonde with Dark Root. I was absolutely blown away by the color match and how good this topper looked for only $37! So what did I do? I bought another one – a straight version. I love it too! Absolute perfection!
You can check out my TikTok videos here and here to see how I apply them. I have an Instagram Reel here as well. A hair topper is honestly so easy to wear! My TikToks got a lot of views – which I certainly wasn’t expecting. Because of that, the brand Star Luck asked if they could send me one of their human hair toppers. Out of curiosity I said yes but my expectations were very low.
Last Sunday my topper was delivered and I tried it on immediately. What a surprise! Dare I say this one is better than the toppers I had paid hundreds of dollars for? I am saying it, this one is better! Why? Well it doesn’t react to the humidity so there’s no frizz. I’ve literally done nothing to style it – with the exception of running my curling iron over the bangs to get them going in the right direction. This one is in the color Ash Blonde.
My old toppers needed the curling iron each day and I was always spraying a little hair spray to keep my hair blended with the topper. This meant the hair was dulling and had to be washed more frequently. As much as I really enjoyed wearing my expensive toppers I had no idea that I could actually wear one that required no additional styling.
Synthetic vs. Human Hair
Fr anyone who wears hair, there seems to be pretty strong opinions over which is best, synthetic or human hair. I’ll honestly say I like both! I see the pros and cons to each that may help you decide what will work best for you.
Synthetic hair always looks the same. No matter what you do to your synthetic hair, once you spritz water on it or wash it, it will go right back to it’s original state. Some synthetic hair is not heat friendly so be careful if you plan to try and style it a different way. It can be shiny but that is easily fixed with a little dry shampoo. The biggest difference is the price – synthetic hair costs far less than human.
Human hair is heat friendly and can be styled and changed to suit your needs. I try not to use any heat on mine to keep it looking good because just like the hair on your head, it will get damaged. Unlike the hair on your head, it won’t grow back so be careful! It certainly looks natural and rarely requires dry shampoo to take the shine away. It will cost you more but if you feel more confident in it, then it is worth every penny.
Of the three toppers I now have, the human hair topper seems to look the most natural. It has far less hair than the synthetic toppers and it’s a bit blonder which seems to suit me. At least this is the feedback I have been given. But I still really like the synthetic toppers. The color is such a good match to my natural hair color – I don’t have grey hair yet and I am enjoying not having to keep up with highlights and color like I did when my hair was so blonde (which btw I did not like but I could not break free from). I plan to wear all three depending on my mood!
How Do You Know You Need a Hair Topper
No one needs a hair topper. It’s a completely personal decision. I find it laughable when someone tells me I don’t need to wear that hair. I feel the same way when I know people get botox, eyelash extensions, get GLP shots, etc. but I respect their decision. I know I have value and worth beyond the thinning of my hair but I choose to wear helper hair. I feel better in it and why shouldn’t I enjoy my hair?
What really led me to know that a hair topper would make a difference was when I would touch my head and feel my scalp. Does that make sense? I go to scratch an itch and feel like I’m drawing blood. Also? Hot rollers. I don’t use them anymore because they sit directly on my scalp and burn it. Last Thanksgiving my almost 2 year old great niece left a ponytail elastic at our house and it was the perfect size to hold my hair. That was crazy! I used to put my hair up in a scrunchie to go to the gym but now they just slip right out of my hair. I use bobby pins instead.
This is happening to me for a few reasons. I have a form of alopecia that will continue to make my hairline recede. I was prescribed a medication by my dermatologist but I did not like the side effects so I stopped taking it. He had explained to me that taking it meant the hair loss would slow but not stop and that nothing would make the hair grow back. I do take collagen every single day and will continue to do so but not because it will benefit my hair. I’ve made peace with my hair thinning and loss and I am embracing it.
What I Want You to Know
I really want you to know that if you are suffering from thinning hair or hair loss that so many of us are and that there is nothing to be embarrassed about. The confidence and joy that comes from attaching my topper and recognizing the face that is looking back at me in the mirror is so worth it. Also? I could not care less what anyone thinks. Honestly. I’m not trying to fool anyone into thinking ‘this is my natural hair’ when they see me. If someone compliments my hair I say thank you. If they ask what I did differently I tell them it’s a topper and sometimes I’ll take it off and show them. Borrow my confidence if you need it!
You should know that there are rude, unhappy people you’ll encounter no matter what. They don’t bother me but I know it can be hurtful. I would NEVER say to a friend, hey your wrinkles are gone, did you have a procedure done? But I know plenty of people who won’t think twice about asking if I’m wearing a wig or something. Actually it did happen on Facebook. I bought a wig and wore it out to my mother’s birthday dinner. My sister’s best friend asked on Facebook where my wig was from – ha!!! Not because she needed a wig herself mind you. She was just taking a shot at me. It’s okay, I expect this. I let her know it was from wigs.com. The bottom line is this – who cares???? The only opinion that matters is yours.
Since owning these three toppers I have only had one friend – when I asked – tell me she doesn’t like the topper and it was first synthetic one. Sure it stung but when you ask you need to be prepared for an answer even if it’s one you don’t like. I love my friend and I appreciate her honesty – it also says a lot about our relationship that we can be honest with one another.
I want you to know that if you feel good wearing a topper or even a wig then do it! It is amazing how feeling more confident in your appearance impacts the rest of your life. I have enjoyed honest conversations on TikTok with women who have shared that they don’t allow themselves to be photographed because they feel so insecure about their hair. It’s heartbreaking but I understand it completely.
Are You Ready?
If you or someone you know might be ready to try a hair topper I say go for it! I’d start on Amazon quite frankly. Read the reviews and be sure you can return the piece. Most have a 30 day return policy. You may have to try several to get the right color and style. Read the reviews and check out the photos – lots of women upload photos wearing the piece and this can be very helpful.
One Last Thing
What you won’t be seeing on my blog or social media anymore are collabs with hair brands. I have had to politely turn down that work. As much as I loved the products and they have worked to help me in the past, I just can’t do it anymore given the progression of my alopecia. When they reach out and I decline and tell them why they thank me for my honesty. So I hope you know that when I share in this space I am doing so honestly.
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