The A-Team; our A-Z of hairloss...

You might have seen me announce yesterday that I'm attempting to compile an A-Z of everything hairloss, in a bid to create a useful resource for you to draw on! I KNOW I won't remember everything for each letter the first time, but whenever I remember anything extra, I will pop back over to the right letter, update it, then let you know via our social media channels!

Anyway, I'm wittering away and putting off the inevitable, so here goes 'A' in our A-Z of Hairloss . Enjoy!

Adjustable - It's a shame this is the one to start with, as it is a little bit of a stretch, but hey, that's how the alphabet goes! Anyway, it's a common misconception that wigs come in only one size, but that is simply not true! A lot (particularly synthetic) will come in multiple cap sizes AND will be adjustable! This is a great feature as you can see here...

Adjustment - hairloss is a big adjustment! From changing your routines, having to think about wig care (if you wear one), changing habits and even just adjusting emotionally, it is all an adjustment which will feel difficult at first, but you'll get there in the end I promise!

Alopecia (Areata, Totalis, Universalis, Androgenetic, Traction): A common cause of hairloss, alopecia can cause partial or total hairloss from the head and body. It is an autoimmune condition and you can find out more about it here...

Alopecia - Me and my bald head...

Alopecia UK - if you are looking for support with your Alopecia, then Alopecia UK is the official UK charity who can help. Go check them out for great information, group support and anything else you need!

Alternative Hair - another word / description for wigs, 'alternative hair' is a common term and you can search online for an 'alternative hair specialist'. As well as wigs, this term also encompasses toppers, extensions, partials, and all sorts of other things too!

Anagen - Anagen is the 'growth' phase in the cycle of a hair follicle. Depending on genetics, the anagen phase will last 2-7 years for the average person. In cases of medical hairloss, the hair fails to return to the anagen phase, resulting in baldness.

Androgenic Hair - This is the technical term for body hair that develops after puberty. Its growth is affected by the Androgen hormone which means that typically men will have more androgenic hair than women. In many cases of hairloss, including both alopecia and chemotherapy hairloss, androgenic hair will also be affected, as well as scalp hair.

Angry / Anger - Unless you are becoming a #BaldHeadedBeauty by choice, it is inevitable that at some stage you will feel an overwhelming sense of anger! Whether you are angry about the 'betrayal' by your body, by the lack of support for you and your hairloss, the reaction of others, everyone will feel angry for a different reason and it is perfectly normal! You will reach a point where you need to let it go though, otherwise you risk long-term emotional problems!

Anxiety - As with anger, unless your bald look is by choice, anxiety will be a common emotion for you to experience. I certainly did - fear people would judge me or think less of me, that my wig was obvious, that my hair would never come back (although that no longer applies) and pretty much anything else you can think of! Anxiety is common, but you need to find coping mechanisms to ensure that it passes and you can handle it!

Appearance - hairloss will change your appearance. For some people, the close cropped look is a choice and for others it won't be. Either way, it will change your appearance, whether you opt for wigs to keep it concealed, or embrace being a #BaldHeadedBeauty it will change your appearance!

Artificial - Artificial can be used in two ways when it comes to hairloss. First, as another (less common) term for wigs or alternative hair, sometimes interchanged with synthetic. Second, some people say they feel 'artificial' or 'fake' or worry other people will think them so, if they opt to wear a wig! You shouldn't, this isn't a bad thing to do and you just need to remember, it is YOUR choice!

Assumption - This is most commonly a word used with alopecia; one of the things that happens to me quite frequently with my alopecia is the assumption that I have cancer, whenever I go out and about bald. Some people get offended by this, some upset and ultimately you will feel what you feel - for me though, I TRY (but don't always succeed) to embrace these assumptions, and use it as an opportunity to educate and raise awareness of my own condition!

Autoimmune - Alopecia is an autoimmune condition which means that the immune system is attacking the hair follicles and causing loss.

Awareness - Awareness is crucial when it comes to hairloss as it is so misunderstood by Doctors and in fact a lot of people generally. What awareness does is help sufferers encounter less negativity as each year goes by, not to mention helping with fundraising, research, improved care, support and many of things besides! If you feel up to it, get raising awareness - it is so important! This applies for alopecia, trichotillomania, chemotherapy hairloss and everything else too!

Awesome - some people (including me) absolutely love their hairloss, or at least grow to enjoy it! This takes time, but is something you can acheive! The reason I wanted to include this in the list is that otherwise, all the 'A' words like Anger and Anxiety are negative, and there are positives to hairloss too! Check out #100HairFreeDays for some of the reasons I have embraced my hairloss!

Awful - As with 'anger' and 'anxiety', awful is another descriptive words that many people will use about their own hairloss or somebody else's. It can be 'awful' and there were days (and still are now occasionally) when I struggled and this was the perfect word for it, but this too will pass if you want it to!

Phew! I think that is absolutely everything that I can think of, but there'll be something I've missed!

Have we missed something? Let us know via Facebook, Twitter or email...

Victoria x

www.prettybald.co.uk Twitter: @PrettyBald

Is wig really a scary word...?

A few days ago, I read a sentence from someone who said "wig" was a really scary word, and instead that she opted to refer to it as 'alternative hair'. Having never really thought about it before, this sentence really struck a cord with me and got me thinking about how I feel about the word "wig".

Wig is not a word that has ever really bothered me; it is what it is and my wigs are just that - wigs. When I first needed one, it's what I looked for online when I searched "buy wigs" and "wig specialist", it was what I refer to when I blog, talk or sell; in fact, it's what everyone else I know refers to them as too. Sometimes, I will use the phrase alternative hair, and indeed some of the wig brands I wear also refer to them as such, but I've never really thought twice about "wig" before.

Now that I have been triggered to think about it, the first thing I did was Google what the word 'wig' means; according to good old Google, it is defined as: "A covering for the head made of real or artificial hair, typically worn by judges and barristers in law courts or by people trying to conceal their baldness". Not what I was expecting at all - for it to be defined by its' use and not what it is. For me personally, I would define a wig as 'an alternative to natural hair, made of knotted human hair or synthetic fibres', potentially adding 'used to create the appearance of natural hair'. The use in the given definition of the word 'conceal' doesn't sit well with me, given the use of wigs and weaves to create more manageable hair, their part in disguises and fancy dress, and of course, their use by judges and barristers, but I understand the sentiment.

That definition aside however, I personally still don't get a negative feeling about the word 'wig', although I appreciate why others might. Having only lost my hair a few years ago, I have had the perks of the latest wig technology and the ones available now, whether synthetic or human hair, are exemplary giving natural hair a run for their money and providing every user with a comfortable, natural experience. In fact, whatever your wig-based preferences, there is an available and viable option for each individual need, if you want it. Roll back a decade or two however and natural-looking wigs were the privilege of the rich and famous like good old Dolly Parton. For everyone else, itchy, scratchy and thick wigs that looked stiff and were not far from the hairstyle of a lego person were far more the norm, and they didn't come cheap either. I guess for many therefore, those whose hair loss has been around far longer than mine, wig may be a more negative word, but then again, maybe not.

Looking at it a different way, if you don't call it 'wig', what else do you call it? Returning to Google and typing in 'wig synonym', it suggests Postiche, Toupee, Rug, Hair Extension, False Hair and Weave, but no viable alternative which encompasses the whole collective. Yes, alternative hair does encompass them all, but it doesn't exactly trip off the tongue. Hmmm! I'm still not convinced on the negativity of the word, but that is of course entirely my personal opinion. I guess for me, I'm not sure where the negative connotations come from, but I don't deny they exist for some people. For me, any potential negativity comes not from the word, but from certain realities, like my own terrible first wig, but the word will never put me off my love of them!

How about you guys? How do you feel about the word? Or about wigs for that matter? Don't forget to let us know!

Victoria x

www.prettybald.co.uk Twitter: @PrettyBald

What makes a good Wig Consultation?

In another post inspired by this story, (see part 1 and part 2), this one focusses on what makes a good wig consultation...

Before I launch into waxing lyrical about the benefits of a face-to-face wig consultation, it is very important to say that you CAN make good wig choices online and you definitely don't need to visit a wig consultant! That is however a different post which I promise to write...

So, back to the question in hand; what makes a good wig consultation?

Aside from the obvious, such as getting along with the person, feeling comfortable and secure, and knowing you'll get what you need, there are a number of things you can and should expect from a face-to-face consultation...

• Expertise - One of the key things you expect from someone who's helping you to find a wig is expertise, but surprisingly not every wig consultant is an expert. There is a big difference between someone who has a wholesale account and can order wigs, and someone who actually has the expertise to help you. As you will see from this post about my first experiences, that difference can be huge for you emotionally. Before you even get to the stage of going to see them, you should chat, email, skype, tweet or somehow get in touch and see if they clearly know their stuff. There are a lot of well-meaning people who get involved in wig sales to 'help out', but the risk is a well-meaning novice will create more problems than they solve.
• A good range / choice - The number of wigs they have actually in the shop doesn't matter, but the range that they carry do! Many businesses understandably cannot afford to carry a lot of stock (it quickly gets expensive), but they should have a few different sample pieces helping you to get an idea of cap types, fibre types and difference in quality and should also carry a range of different brands and collections. This is really important because one thing I have found out along the way is that just because someone LOVES a range of wigs themselves, doesn't mean it will be suitable for you, your budget, your lifestyle or even what you are comfy with. As part of the expertise point above, they should be finding a wig to suit you, not the other way around!
• Head Measurements - They should take head measurements before ordering a wig; every wig will come with dimensions etc, and whilst some are adjustable, it is important to make sure they are near your size. I have had a wig arrive that I could spin on my head, simply because measurements hadn't been taken!
• Communication - In the majority of cases (unless you are having a specialist wig made), wigs will arrive in around 1-2 weeks. However, sometimes they could be on back-order due to a sudden rush on a particular style or problems with the manufacturing, so communication is key! Find someone who promises to keep you up to date and more importantly actually does, because trust me, there is absolutely nothing worse than waiting weeks for the phone to ring with an update, or feeling like a pain as you ring and ring and ring.
• Charges - You'll have to make up your own mind on whether or not you are happy to pay for a consultation. However, some will charge you, some will charge you a fee redeemable against the price of a wig and some will offer their time for free. Ultimately, this is your choice, but don't be surprised if you do need to cover the time costs that someone is investing in helping you!
• Education - A good consultant will share some of their expertise with you, to help you make the most of your wigs. From hair washing to styling, removal of glue (if you use it), to storage, you should leave with everything you need to know to keep your wig looking lush!
• Added bonus - personal experience - It is a little harsh to expect a wig consultant to have first-hand experience of wearing wigs, however if you do stumble across someone with hairloss who also sells wigs, you're probably on to a winner! They can give you a first-hand insight, speak from experience and offer a valuable insight about different wigs that you simply won't get anywhere else!

Ultimately, you should leave feeling happy and comfortable; hair loss or hair thinning can be traumatic, but a wig consultation should reduce that stress not add to it!

Alopecia UK do offer a suppliers' directory for you to search, but make sure you feel comfortable with them before you take the plunge!

Victoria x

www.prettybald.co.uk Twitter: @PrettyBald

What it's really like to need to wear a wig PART 2

At the end of last week I shared a story from America about one girl's experience of wigs; I also posted my first in a series of blog posts about the story and this is my second...

In the first post, I delved into the video, and ultimately my disappointment at the unsatisfactory wig consultations people face everyday! In this, I shall focus on her story, which I found a much more interesting and realistic read than the video...

"That night, instead of a blowout, my wig got destroyed. The hairdresser washed my hair wrong — you can't scrunch up hair on a wig the way you can natural hair — and it ended up in a gigantic knot. All the leave-in conditioner in the world and hours with a comb couldn't help him detangle it."

This sentence made me feel more than a little sick! Not only is a wig ruined and the poor girl has to venture out in the cold with no hair, but there was a $4,000 price tag AND to make it worse the guy apparently knew about wigs! True, accidents happen, but this story does highlight the need for you to a) understand your own wig care so that you can stop others being stupid and b) select someone that is actually qualified, not a well-wisher. Unfortunately, a lot of (not all) hairdressers start selling wigs to help out clients with cancer or alopecia or similar, without a real understanding of their individual needs. The best way to blow dry a wig is first to wet it with a spray bottle as it allows so much more control! At home, at least you are in charge and can be more assertive, but in a hairdresser, sometimes fully wetting is best avoided!

"The new wig was good enough, but it wasn't great. It still didn't fit right. It looked like a wig, which didn't make up for the $4,000 price tag or the emotional cost."

Don't accept second best! It's clear from this story that the poor girl had no choice, what with a holiday the next day, but it's your money so YOU have to be happy! A couple of times in my life when I had my own hair, I left a salon thinking the haircut wasn't quite 'me', but also knowing that with a wash and natural bounce it would probably look better, and if all else failed it would grow. A wig won't, so make sure you are happy with it, before you leave the shop or take out the label!

"Not everyone has been scared that a strong gust of wind could unseat her hair."

This makes me so sad and isn't something anyone should feel! I can categorically say that the one and only time I have lost a wig is chasing my dog under a tree and hooking it on a branch. Occasionally, sections of a wig can lift in extreme wind, but even when we've had gale force winds it has coped! This is simply because of the fit - whether synthetic with an adjustable cap or human hair with silicone sections, if it fits, it's pretty difficult for the wig to come off! If it's really that windy, then it's probably cold too, so a beanie hat is great for added security if you are that worried!

"Not thinking about my hair all the time has given me back the confidence I didn't realize I was missing — when I look in the mirror, I feel good about the person looking back at me. I've been worrying constantly about my appearance since I first watched my hair slide down the drain in clumps every time I took a shower all those years ago. For the first time in a long time, I feel like me."

Just because you wear a wig, you shouldn't have to think about your hair all the time and certainly I don't! If you are, then either you haven't found the right wig yet, or honestly and truly wigs are not for you! A wig should be like a fab pair of shoes - something that makes you feel great, not something that you wish everyday was different!

Victoria x

www.prettybald.co.uk Twitter: @PrettyBald

What it's really like to need to wear a wig PART 1

You may or may not have spotted me share this story on Twitter and Facebook yesterday, about one girl's wig experiences and the emotional and financial drain she faces. When I posted the story, I also promised to blog about it and give my thoughts (I have very mixed feelings about the piece) and it has inspired a series of blog posts, of which this is the first!

The first thing I did was watch the video, and I went from horrified to pretty angry at the content of that video! The video is inane and very misleading and whilst I appreciate the hair stylist is responsible for Beyonce's beautiful, bouncy locks, if my wig consultations went anything like that, I'd have been out the door faster than you could say 'wig'.

There are two common ways to buy wigs; first, through a wig reseller, either a hairdresser or wig specialist or second through an online store. What that SHOULD involve is an opportunity to discuss and consider your options, likes and dislikes, and second, the opportunity to see what a wig looks like before saying 'this is the one'. Upon watching the video (which takes a different tack), the hairstylist tells the girl what she will have which 'should come in at less than four grand', and then when they are ordered in and arrive, the pair decide 'this is the wig' after no more than wafting it around on a polystyrene head. Luckily for her at the end of video, she walks out with glamourous, very natural looking hair and a big grin on her face, but no thanks to the consultation in my eyes! I hope to goodness that this is just a poorly edited, low-budget video to 'add interest' rather than a glimpse at the reality of the consultation; but based on my discussions with other people, this type of experience is all too common!

Don't ever believe that just because someone sells wigs for a living they a) have a clue what they are talking about, b) understand the emotional and physical experiences involved in wearing a wig or c) resell the right wigs for you. There are a lot of absolutely fantastic wig specialists and advisers out there, but there are also many that 'fall' into selling wigs, either as a way to make money, as an extension to a hairdressing business, or because they originally tried to help out a friend. Unfortunately, the latter can often leave people with a feeling that wigs are essential but a nightmare, rather than the much more desirable accessory that fits simply and easily into your everyday life. What a good wig should make you feel is fabulous and your natural self, and in the best case scenario should make you fall in love with it! True, it isn't your natural hair, but when you can't face the prospect of being a #BaldHeadedBeauty just yet, you wig should be your absolute best friend, not an item to be tolerated.

Here's what's so wrong with this video:

1. There are probably a million different wigs on this planet ranging from synthetic to human hair with different cap constructions, styles and prices. For a good wig that's suitable for medical hairloss rather than dressing-up, you should expect to pay somewhere between £100 and £4,000 depending on your choices. £4,000 should not be your starting point and should be a very serious, considered decision as there are plenty of lower-budget wigs out there that can be just as good as a £4,000 one; trust me! 
2. TRY. IT. ON. I cannot stress this enough - try a wig on. How good they look and feel will depend on your head shape and size, the cap construction, the colour of the hair, the colour of your skin and the shape of your face. Something that looks fabulous on a friend can look entirely different on me, and just like buying a dress, you have to make sure it fits when it's actually on. True, your consultant can help increase the likelihood that it will fit, but they can't guarantee you will like it until it is on. Even if you order it online, as long as you don't wear it for hours and send it back with any obvious wear, you can give it a try to ensure you are happy!
3. Think about your lifestyle; a wig is not a direct replacement for your hair, because it is not growing out of your head! I know that sounds a tab obvious, however it does mean that it isn't repairing itself or growing, and therefore it will deteriorate over time. I have both human and synthetic wigs, but having an active lifestyle with a lot of dog walking, windy days and not a lot of spare time, it's my synthetics that get the most wear, offer the best value for money and suit me the most. Don't think that a synthetic can't be as good as real hair and make a considered choice rather than selecting the closest physical match to your original.

As I said, this seems to be just a poorly shot promotional video rather than any serious reflection on the appointment or service offered (she expands on the service in the actual article), but it does unfortunately provide unrealistic expectations and your wig experience just shouldn't be that way! If you do have any questions, feel free to email me and I'll be happy to point you in the right direction!

Victoria x


www.prettybald.co.uk Twitter: @PrettyBald

My first wig experience... A lesson in determination whatever the odds

Losing your hair can be terrifying particularly if like me you don't know the cause, trigger or likely outcomes and instead feel like you are wading through mud just trying to get through each day. Don't worry, that feeling does pass, but in the meantime many opt to select a wig in a bid to maintain a sense of normalcy and identity. That's perfectly natural and can help recreate a feeling of control, and if you're anything like me, that first wig will blossom into multiple ones, and potentially even a collection to rival the one in your shoe cupboard!

Despite my obvious enthusiasm for wigs, and my encouragement to look on the bright side of your hairloss (search #100HairFreeDays on the PrettyBald blog), it's not always been easy and my first experiences with wig shopping were a complete and utter nightmare. Before I get started telling you that story, it's probably best that you understand a little more about me - I am incredibly lazy in many ways, and growing up, that laziness stretched to the way I looked; when other teenagers became obsessed with rolling up their skirts and applying some then wonky lines of eyeliner, I could always be counted on to appear with my skirt the right length and my face make-up free, regardless of whether my spots had flared up or not. Writing it like that, I sound horrifying and a little like the class freak; but in reality for me, I simply couldn't be bothered to get up earlier to put make-up on, when an extra half an hour in bed seemed just the ticket! Even to this day I treat make-up as a luxury; something I wear for important meetings or nights out, but not as part of my daily routine - I just don't care enough what others think of me and don't need make-up to give me confidence personally.

Switch back then to the beginning of my hairloss journey; my hairloss was fairly slow and I was officially diagnosed by the Dermatologist as having Alopecia Areata. I initially underwent steroid injections into the scalp, but despite stimulation of small patches of soft, downy hair, regrowth was restricted to the injection site and the hairloss elsewhere didn't slow even marginally. The Dermatologist suggested we didn't persevere with the treatment and that in all likelihood I could expect progression to Alopecia Totalis. He wasn't wrong, but at the time that situation seemed hopeless and so I did my research and toddled off to visit a Trichologist (I can confirm not Mark Blake who wasn't a Trichologist at the time, but another local to me); I walked in and she must have cottoned on that the untreatable nature of alopecia can make sufferers desperate to try something, anything to stem the loss. I was no different and aside from starting the session with "Your hairloss is progressing and there's no sign of the follicles, so you'll lose it all", which nearly made me vomit in fear, she then progressed to talking wigs (which I "wasn't ready for yet") at the same time plying me with some expensive Forever Living Aloe Vera Juice, some specialist concealing make-up and a bottle of Minoxodil. I left that clinic hundreds of pounds worse off, and despite religiously applying Minoxodil and drinking bucketloads of Aloe Vera for two months it did absolutely nothing and I was left with a bitter taste in my mouth about this 'specialist'. I decided then I wasn't going back to her for wig advice and to this day I'm glad I didn't - I think the lack of empathy would have killed me and her commitment to high commission would have bled me dry too. 

From there I was at a loss where to go, but speaking to people I knew in the area, a number of people mentioned a male wig specialist who seemed to be the only one in Cheltenham. His mainstay day-to-day work was hair extensions including many of the ladies who work in Stringfellows, but he also offered a wig consultancy service to help and support those with hairloss. He seemed really positive and seemed to know his stuff, and most importantly his focus was on me, my hairloss and how I felt, not on the commission he could gain from me. We talked through a number of options, from a full wig (synthetic or human) to a hair piece, and even extensions to fill out my thinning hair. In the end (after adamant support from him), I opted to purchase an off-the-shelf human hair wig to be cut up and formed into 'patches' to be glued in place on my head. At the time, it sounded perfect - my natural hair wouldn't be covered, the patches would blend in and most of all, it could be maintained just like my own hair!

Despite my initial positivity, this 'low-maintenance' option was anything but. The human hair wig wasn't the perfect shade, and needed to be dyed, the patches of hairloss grew faster than the patches of hair could be made and don't talk to me about the glue which was oozy, slimy and took 3-4 hours to take off, clean and reapply. I was devastated. Far from feeling my glamourous, normal self, I was left feeling bereft and helpless, and this was incredibly higher maintenance than my own hair had been. I was gutted, but at the time, couldn't blame his advice, so decided to return for 'solution' number two. This time, the hairloss was too bad, so a 'cover' was the only option - it was a lace-fronted synthetic wig, into which clips were sewn for added security. It was hot, bulky, changed the shape of my head, itched like hell and generally made me feel even less comfortable and at that stage I entered my 'social recluse' phase, avoiding situations with people I didn't know and operating a 'zero camera' policy wherever possible.

This was one of my lowest points and it was directly linked to my wig. The unnatural appearance of my locks, coupled with the discomfort of the wig, not to mention the 'tugging' sensation on my scalp from the clips and I was pretty much at rock bottom. From here, I didn't know where to go and I wasn't sure there was a solution for me! Still, when it reached the stage where there was barely enough hair for the clips to cling on to, I returned again, this time looking for a more permanent solution - a human hair one preferably.

This time, a custom-made, hand-produced, European Remy hair wig was proposed and I went with it - finally, hair that would look just like mine, on a cap that fitted my head so perfectly it would be like a second skin. What's more, the cap would feature a silicone strip which would not only grip my head naturally, but which would enable tape or glue to be applied for added security - I was in my element! The only thing left to do was wait eight little weeks for it to arrive and I'd be happy!

Sixteen weeks later, the wig still hadn't arrived - there was no sign of it and the factory 'couldn't trace it'. I was devastated. My synthetic wig was loose, uncomfortable and in very bad repair and my confidence was at rock-bottom! When it finally arrived, the worst possible thing happened - it was wrong! The cap was far to big - in fact I could put it on my head with my hand up inside and even worse, it was 8, not 18 inches! I was gutted and refused to pay for it, and that's when I realised, no matter how well-intentioned the individual, it's very little use when they're not qualified.

Despite a pretty poor start to my wig journey, I did eventually find someone who was qualified and well informed in all things wig. They also talked me through each different type and then combined with a lot of my own research, I finally felt in control of my own destiny. As a result, I now have a small addiction (14 wigs and counting) and have a full range of synthetic and human hair ones that give me a lot of variety and choice! The best thing of all? Even though every one of mine is an 'off-the-shelf' one, they fit like a glove and still look incredibly natural - nothing like my very first ones!

For me, what I have learned from this experience is not to give up in pursuit of what you want. If a wig is the right way for you to go, then be honest and don't give up in finding and gaining what you want. What's more, if you are opting to visit a wig shop and not to buy them online, then check out the reviews and ask how they are qualified! It just might save you a whole heap of heartbreak!

Victoria x

My first wig - bulky, frizzy and unnatural

First wig - not doing well in the heat either

Loving my synthetic bob!

...and this curly one too!

www.prettybald.co.uk
Twitter: @PrettyBald

#WigWorry? Nights out...

A lot of people have a #WigWorry, from whether it looks good, to whether it's secure! Along the way, we'll try to avert your wig fears and tell you of our own experiences! If you've got one you want to share, or want us to talk about, please tweet us or email us.

My first #WigWorry is appearance...

Is a wig realistic? Will people notice? Will I still look as nice? Now obviously, I can't comment on the wig you are opting for / actually wear, however wigs are definitely something you should invest time, money and effort in; a good one will look ultra-glam and it's unlikely that ANYONE will notice it's a wig! Most people will simply comment on how nice your hair is and where you had it done - the biggest challenge you'll face is how to answer this and how much you're prepared to reveal!

This weekend, I went out clubbing with the bestie - I opted for my red fitted jumpsuit (think Wonder Woman or The Incredibles), my sleek brown bob and a fairly natural make-up look! In I strolled in my four inch, silver killers heels, feeling confident and glam and uber swish!

About halfway through the night, a particularly bubbly and happy chappy started staring at me! The stare went on a few seconds longer than was comfortable; I started to be concious - had my wig slipped, was it obvious, did I look somehow odd? A quick glance in the mirror confirmed it was still in place and looked as I expected, so did it just look fake? A few seconds later, all was revealed - over he strolls and says how lovely look (*blushes*), then he has the cheek to ask my age! Being the honest person I am, I tell the truth (the grand old age of 25 folks) and he looks at me in astonishment - "I didn't expect that" he says "I'm 19. Good on you for still being out at your age!"

So there you have it folks; my worst fears about my wig weren't realised! Nope, it's not about the way my wig looks; it's not that I didn't look like me! Instead, now I have something new to focus on - the fact that frankly, I'm apparently too old to venture into a club!

Victoria x

www.prettybald.co.uk Twitter: @PrettyBald

Having a BALL !

Welcome one and all !!

On Saturday the 28th of February , I was invited to a very classy charity ball by my partner, whose sister had worked very hard in organising.
So, a charity ball means looking your best. Beautiful dresses , fabulous stillettos, flawless makeup and the perfect  hair.......Oh boy.

Not only did I have to look the part, but it was the first time meeting a lot of friends/family of my other half's. So looking good was important ..... no pressure then.

At this point all I was concerned about was my hair,well lack of it. When I had my own locks, I would of most likely, flipped and clipped and curled and twirled it everywhere . But now ... I'v got a standard brown wig to play with. Yay.

To start with ,i was lucky enough to get myself a hair cut by my boyfriends mother. She cut me a stylish fringe and then thinned out the ends of the hair , to make it less wig like and more like real hair.
After, I took the straightners and started going over the hair to defrizz the synthetic curls. (Which were not attractive) making sure Im flicking the ends to shape my face.
As someone who absolutely hates having hair in their face, I pulled back a few strands of hair from the front and clipped them to the side . Given me ,what I like to call , my ethereal look . ( don't ask.)
Feeling pretty proud of myself , I looked in the mirror ...... 'This still looks like a wig' I moan to partner in frustration.

Kieran, who is my partner, being the clever man he is ,came up with the idea of trying to create a parten! 'Yes!' I squealed. Using a concealer stick , he parted the hair to the side , (how I like it). He then dabbed a few spots of concealer on to the lace which was now on veiw. Then, using only his fingers, blended the concealer onto the lace and the hair line, creating  a realistic parten........It worked ! It looked so much better.

Knowing I had the hair just the way I wanted ( with what I had. ) I felt confident to walk down the stairs and show of my look with a smile !

I will add a tutorial soon .

Danielle x

How do you dry yours?

Washing wigs is a commitment! On the upside you never have a bad hair day, have to wash and care for them considerably less than natural hair, and don't have to worry about greasy roots; but on the downside it's a bigger commitment of time when you do wash them and if they're synthetic, they need time to condition and enough time to dry naturally! Hmmm! Brings new meaning to the phrase 'I can't come out tonight I'm washing my hair'!

That aside, there are generally agreed guidelines for the washing of wigs, but are there really any for drying them?! I've met those who use a polystyrene head, a wig stand, a hat stand and lots more random places! I on the other hand favour an upside-down approach! I love the way it adds volume to the wigs, ensures any curls are nice and springy and enables the cap itself to dry quicker as that always takes the longest! How then to hang them the wrong way up? Well personally, I engineered my own hanging system (I promise it's not complicated). Take one triangle trouser hanger and hold it upright, then take one shirt hanger (not triangle) and tip it upside down! Thread one through the other and voila a ready made wig hook which will hang basically anywhere!

I've used that very technique tonight when washing four wigs (The Amber, Two Codis and an Amore - all synthetic):

Getting some deep conditioning:

Drying for the morning:

We'd love to know how you all dry your wigs (there are some great tips out there) so please share them with us via Twitter or email. Even better if you can post a pic!

Victoria x

www.prettybald.co.uk Twitter: @PrettyBald

What a difference a wig can make...

Just because I love them, doesn't mean I wear wigs all the time, nor do I feel that everyone has to wear them. Nope; instead I believe that 'looking on the bright side' of alopecia, it gives a great deal of flexibility! I go bald as often as not, have wooly hats for winter and cotton headwear for summer, own 12 different wig styles (all in chocolate brown) and generally mix and match as the mood takes me!

One thing I have learned about wigs is that just like natural hair, different styles can change your mood, but it can also affect your choice of outfit...

Last year, I headed out with my best friend for a night of retro tunes at a local night club. I stood in front of the wardrobe and selected a dress I hadn't got round to wearing yet; a grey and black fitted number with block panelling. On it goes with my favourite pair of heels in a silvery bronze colour, then in walks my boyfriend. 'What do you think?' I ask. 'It's alright I suppose, but you've looked better!' he replies. Now I know many of you will have audibly gasped at that but one thing about my boyfriend is he is always 100% honest! Sometimes it drives me bonkers but actually it means when he compliments me (which he does often) he actually means it. Anyway, back to the story and I said 'give me a minute to finish getting ready and then if you still don't like it, I'll change'. Off I pop into the bathroom and I stand in front of my wig collection and pick out the Spicy from Jon Renau HD Smartlace Collection. It's long, curly and very glamourous and looks really sophisticated. On it goes with a pearl necklace and back I go to my boyfriend. 'Wow he says! You look absolutely stunning!' Phew!

Now as I said, I'm all for going bald, but sometimes, you just need hair to pull off an outfit. I have different outfits which go with different hair and some dresses do not suit some styles! All I can say is 'what a difference a wig makes' and isn't it nice to have the flexibility!

A bald move...

Rocking the spicy...

Excuse the sticker on the mirror

Victoria x

www.prettybald.co.uk Twitter: @PrettyBald

How do you store your Wig / Alternative Hair?

If you only own or wear a single wig then storage is pretty straightforward! A head or wig stand available from most places will suffice and shouldn't take up too much room. I on the other hand own twelve different styles (with a desire for more), which I switch regularly and match to my outfit. Short, long, curly, straight, synthetic and human hair, I've got it covered; but with all of those wigs, just where do I store them?

When I lived with my parents and had plenty of my own space, my wigs were everywhere; you'd find wig stands, heads, probably one over a lampshade* and one on the banister knob*! Then, I moved into my boyfriend's one bedroom flat where things were a lot less spacious! T is very supportive of me; my alopecia doesn't bother him and he still tells me I'm beautiful. He also won't stand in the way of me having wigs - as many as I want - but he drew the line at having twelve heads around his flat to store them. Apparantly it just isn't his kind of decor 😉 Anyway, when I moved in, I had to find a neat, compact and stable method for storing my wigs and one which kept them safe and secure! I puzzled and pondered but no matter how long I thought about it, I couldn't come up with a solution! Then I searched online for neat storage and came across a store fitting shop which offered gridwall in all sorts of formats, along with millinery hooks to support hats or similar items! As I couldn't drill holes to add gridwall to the walls, I opted for a freestanding metal unit; it has a wide foot and can support racks on both sides. I've bought millinery hooks (usually used for hats) and these fit nicely into the cap of the wig. Eh voila!

I can adjust the height and distance apart and adapt it exactly to my wigs! T and my landlord were happy and my wigs are accessible! Thankfully, we've bought our own house together and things are a little less cramped, so I'm looking at some more stylish storage solutions, but if you're looking for an affordable, compact and accessible storage solution, gridwall can be great!

My gridwall:

I'll keep you posted if I find or opt for anything different in the near future! 

Victoria x

*P.S. these aren't recommended wig storage methods 😉

www.prettybald.co.uk Twitter: @PrettyBald