Wig Studio 1 News
Do it Yourself Heat Friendly Care Restoration in Ten Steps
You will need: A wide-tooth comb, a rat tail comb, a styrofoam, or a canvas head. A steamer of some sort, flat iron with an adjustable temperature control, and a hot air brush. T pins or hat pins. Jon Renau's HD Smooth Detangler and distilled water. Optional: Silicone spray. Not Optional: a lot of patience.
- Using a wide-tooth comb gently comb through your heat-friendly wig with extra attention to the ends in conjunction with misting the hair with Jon Renau's HD Smooth Detangling spray. This product assists in the process of hydrating the heat-friendly fibers.
- Carefully turn your wig inside facing out; handling with care.
- Place your wig on a styrofoam or a canvas head. T pins may be used to secure the wig. Pins can be placed one on each ear tab and also one pin affixed to the nape area of your wig (avoid any contact with the lace front or monofilament areas, best to steer clear of the cap area).
- Begin the steaming process as demonstrated in the video, concentrating on the ends where most likely frizz and tangling are concentrated. (Consider wearing gloves as the steam gets very hot).
- Next: turn the wig with the outside facing you to continue the steaming process.
- While still damp from the steam, and if not sufficiently damp, mist additionally with distilled water. Next: use the flat iron approximately 270 degrees Fahrenheit or less for one pass through as you section the wig in small sections using the end of your rat-tail comb or fingers.
- A second pass through with the flat iron may be indicated.
- Optional: Silicone spray/product may be lightly applied to the ends, however, rub between your ungloved palms to first heat up the silicone. A dime-size amount should suffice. Simply Stylin, Paul Mitchell Super Skinny Serum, or any silicone type product that is safe for synthetic hair may be used.
- Next: Utilize a hot air brush to customize and style hair as desired. This is very helpful for straight styles for a soft, sleek, and natural-looking result.
- Optional: Mesh hair rollers may also be used when hair is still warm from using the hot air brush if desired. Secure with clips or T-pins allowing the fibers to cool down which ensures definition, then disengage the roller when completely cool. See video for technique.
I hope this blog with accompanying video demystifies the process of restoring your heat friendly/heat defiant alternative hair to its former glory. If I can do it, you can too. There are several ways to achieve this end result, however, this is what has worked for me.
Straight Press HF 18” by BelleTress in the color Roca Margarita Blonde volunteered for this video. This style and many other beautiful heat friendly/heat defiant alternative hair units are available at Wig Studio 1.
Hope to see you all in upcoming blogs and in the private Wig Studio 1 Wig Topper and Support Group on Facebook.
Best,
Michele Pearl
The Psychological Challenges of Hair Loss—and Acceptance
Hi, I hope that all of you will see this weekly blog not only as a source of information but as a place to ask questions. If I can’t answer every one of them, I will find the answer. You will get facts about hair loss, wigs, and wig care, along with my personal experience, my trial and errors, and how I learned that asking questions saves you a lot of time and money. I had to take this journey alone and I don’t want anyone else to do it that way.
As a way of introduction, I will share a bit of my journey here, but I know that everyone has a story, and your story may be very different from mine. I promise you that future blogs won’t be all about me. I want it to be about you and your stories if you want to share, and all about how wigs can help you enhance your look and give you back your confidence. There is more than one reason for wearing a wig, and for some of you reading this, you might just like wearing wigs for the convenience and to change up your look. Some of you may be going through a health challenge that will resolve and your hair loss might resolve along with it. Whatever your reason, I hope this blog will become a resource for you.
As you all likely know by now, there are many reasons for hair loss, and I will be talking about them in my blogs to follow. My loss started some weeks after I had surgery, a hysterectomy. I will never forget looking down in the shower and seeing long strands of my hair, lots of it, on the shower floor. I could hardly believe what I was seeing. Shock, confusion, worry, all those things followed and eventually led me to a doctor—the first of several visits looking for answers. On this first visit, I was told it was only temporary due to the hormonal shift post-surgery and it would grow back. It never really did. The tremendous volume of shedding eased up, but I was thirty-three years old and before that, I had a lot of hair. Fine though my hair was, I had always had plenty of it. As time went on my hair just seemed to get even more fine, and the thinning-shedding kicked in again when I was fifty. I tried a few over-the-counter things along the way, which did not help at all. I bounced around from denial to hoping for a miracle. Neither state of mind was a good one.
One day, the day that deep down I knew would always come, I accepted that I couldn’t go on as I was because I had started to notice that people’s eyes began to look more often at my hair. Every week it took me longer to do all kinds of things to cover the thinning areas every morning before I could go to work. I couldn’t kid myself about this any longer, I was losing my hair, and likely forever. But optimists don’t even up easily. So, surely, this could be fixed somehow, I told myself. I decided to go to an expert, maybe a hair transplant was the answer. Yes, I was still in a bit of denial, and back to the doctor, I went. This time only to find a doctor who was not at all interested in me or my hair loss issues unless he could use me as a hair transplant patient. Once he looked at me for a grand total of two minutes, he decided I was not a candidate and that was it. He couldn’t get out of the exam room fast enough. I was a waste of his time. He had offered no help, hope, suggestions, or referrals, and I left there feeling more alone and disappointed than went I went in—and I was angry now, a new emotion to add to my list.
After I finally faced the fact that no one had answers or at least no answers that I wanted to hear, and that no help was coming, I did as much research as I could on my own. What I found was not good. It looked more and more as if I had the markers of male-pattern-baldness. And as bizarre as it sounds, a sense of calm settled over me that I still don’t totally understand to this day. I can only conclude that it was having an answer finally. Yes, it was a terrible answer, but at least I knew what I had to deal with, and I could go forward. I decided that if this was my fate then I would make the best of it. Yes, that old optimist gene kicked in and I welcomed it.
I started my wig research shortly after facing the facts. I first went with the topper. I learned early on that it was not for me. I did not have the skill to style it or attach it in such a way to make it look realistic. Some people do—I am not skilled in that way, and I graduated very quickly from a topper to a full wig. As luck would have it (and I felt I was due some by then), I was offered a new job at my former company. I had not seen them in years, and this was the perfect opportunity to go in with a new wig, a new look, and a new me. By then I had gone through several wigs and several styles and educated myself about fibers, caps, synthetic hair, friendly fibers-heat allowable hair, human hair, and the care of all of these. Sometimes it is helpful to be a writer and researcher.
Once I settled on the right wig for me, it didn’t take me long to get over the fact that I was “oh, I am wearing a wig.” Very soon in the process, I stopped thinking about it and wondering if anyone could tell. The only looks and compliments that were coming my way were all about how much they liked my color, cut, etc. I never told anyone outside my immediate family and best friend. No one. I had more than one person every week ask me who did my hair. I knew then that I had found the right wig. In this particular case, it was “Muse” by Raquel Welch. I have since branched out, but I still have the Muse wig in my collection, in two colors. This brings up another topic that I will address in my next blog or two. How to pick the right wig? Is it better to have two or three lower priced ones versus spending the money for a higher-end wig? I will tell you what I did and why in my next blog. One thing I will tell you now: ask the experts. When you are buying online that is so very important. Be sure that you understand the importance of cap construction, what you can live with or just can’t live with, your budget, the amount of wear you expect from a wig, and many other things that will make or break your wig experience.
That is my story, but the point of the title—the psychological challenges, well that is the “big story”, and the challenges will be different for everyone. The acceptance process will be different for everyone also. No matter if you are an introvert or extrovert, or always confident or not so much, losing one’s hair is a huge issue. Your hair has been with you all your life, it has been a part of your identity, the way people see you, and who they think you are to some degree. Now your own hair is betraying you—your body is betraying you. How you deal with that can make a big difference in your life, but you will need to deal with that, and how you do that will depend not only on the reason for your hair loss but how much support you have. I am not a psychologist, but one of my best friends is, and I didn’t even talk to her about my experience for a long time, and after I had dealt with it all myself. If you have someone to talk to it can really help, even if they know nothing about wigs. But to get real help for picking a wig.
I hope that my blog can help you going forward. In the meantime, if you are new to wig wearing, or not so new and still have questions, I am here to help, this company is focused on helping you on your journey and will assist you in finding the right wigs for you and your life. Wigs are done so well now that there is no reason for you to ever tell anyone that you are wearing a wig unless you want to do that.
Until next week, I’m looking good in my “The Real Deal” by Raquel Welch. In the meantime, please let me know what questions you would like to see covered in the upcoming blogs by emailing me at vickie@wigstudio1.com.
If you have questions regarding an order, personal consultation, return, etc., please be sure to email support@wigstudio1.com.
Vickie Lynn
Basic Caps Revisted: Alva by Noriko in Moonstone and Jones by Estetica Designs in SilversunRt8
It was bound to happen sooner or later. I inadvertently ripped the lace front on one of my daily wear wigs and it was beyond repair. What a reminder as to the fragile nature of lace fronts. But such is life, mishaps shall happen and one must move on. Thinking what a nice distraction it would be to watch something good on Netflix to shift the focus. But nothing much was happening on there, so I instead opted for the latest wig reviews on You Tube. After viewing one of my favorite reviewer‘s new vid introducing a new style by Noriko, I stopped dead in my tracks. Enter Alva, a classic bob, updated and alluring.
Alva was described as having a standard, basic cap; regular synthetic, no lace front or any monofilament features. My reaction was “how in the world could I wear a wig without a lace front?”. Wouldn’t that be like driving a Ford Pinto instead of a Mustang? I had not worn a basic cap in years. Alva was therefore written off and parked in the “friend zone”. But Alva persisted on invading my YT, popping up everywhere, even in my dreams. I saw no other way around this but to reach out to my favorite reviewer and inquire “what’s the scoop on this new style?" Her response: “you have to get it”, “you will love it”. That enthusiastic endorsement was major league encouraging.
My hesitation continued until Alva was seen showcased in the new color Moonstone; reminiscent of my favorite color SilversunRT8 by Estetica Designs. This color Moonstone sported dynamic darkish rooting rumored to have a hint of blue contrasted with silver, appearing even ashier and even cooler; just up my alley. And let’s just say the opportunity presented itself for me to purchase this kind of high fashion hair unit. I took the plunge albeit with some trepidation and clicked on “add to cart”.
Next step was anxiously waiting as each and every text message tracked her throughout my google map to destination: Staten Island, NY. When I received the announcement that she was due to arrive the following day, I staked out a spot for my beach chair in 35° degrees and waited. Well not quite, I’m kidding because I know precisely my Postman’s schedule and he’s quite punctual. The poor man was almost knocked over by me when I saw him approaching with my box tucked under his arm. I absconded with my package as I bolted upstairs to proceed with the unboxing, not knowing what to expect.
It was as if I was on one of those online dating apps where you see someone’s profile and they look so good in the photos but you never know how they will really appear in person. I was thinking of all the X factors; would she be a good fit? Would she be too small or too big? Would the roots look too blue or heaven forbid would she look too wiggy?
I kept up my end of the bargain, ready to rock with my makeup on, all set to dive into the cap, drumroll please. When I came up for air I was pleasantly surprised. This girl felt terrific and looked super trendy, very fashion forward. I could hear Frank Sinatra playing in the background “Strangers In The Night”! What were the chances we’d be sharing love before the night was through....because honestly I was in love with this wig. The time had come to re-assess my attitude regarding the standard/basic cap. Alva’s cap construction is nothing short of an engineering achievement. Noriko really changed my perception about basic caps looking like helmets.
One of the features I noticed was that the hairs are spliced in at the ear tabs which have nicely placed sturdy metal stays and also hair spliced in at the wide comfort band in the forehead area. This is done in such a unique way as to soften the demarcation line where the lace front would be.
Onto the wispy bangs, which were designed meticulously so that they curve strategically into the forehead area and extend beyond into the side area, perfecting a natural appearance. Not too heavy in density yet not too sparse either and providing excellent coverage. Fibers feel realistic, appear glossy but not overly shiny in my opinion.
Now in terms of permatease, Alva has it all in the right places, volume is easily attained. A smoother look can also be achieved if that is preferred. The permatease is not overdone and not visible from my vantage point. She fits a petite average head for sure, I would venture to say 21” to 22.25” comfortably.
Furthermore there are no lace front concerns. This opens up additional options in terms of ease of wear, affordable price point and durability. Not that I was going to throw the wig around like yesterday‘s newspaper but I did not have to go overboard in treating her like a fragile glass figurine. This led me to explore other trendy basic cap styles.
I happened to notice Jones by Estetica Designs, on clearance in SILVERSUNRT8 and snatched it up. I was now feeling more positive as per my recent basic cap acquisition of the now coveted Alva spurring me onward.
Jones arrived and took up residence on my kitchen table for a few days before the un-boxing. Turned out she was super roomy and frankly the largest cap I have ever encountered in the Estetica Designs collection, clearly perfect for a head larger than mine, I would venture to say from 22” to 23.50”. Out came my trusty Godiva’s Secret wig grip.
Jones is a regular synthetic basic stretchy cap with open ear tabs with sturdy metal stays, a comfortable velvet wide band at the front and an open extended nape with bra hook adjusters.
I have watched many reviews on Jones. She looks completely different on everyone. No surprise that she would look crazy casual right out of the box. This is a spunky, very unstructured style with textured shattered waves of medium density. Fibers are soft and silky. No one would ever think this is a wig because it looks completely messy but with permatease mindfully placed. My only challenge was which product to use to shape the style to flatter my face shape. After shaking the wig to separate the fibers I utilized Estetica Designs Shape and Hold Wig Spray and the Jon Renau Piece Out Contour Fiber Creme to achieve my look.
As with the color Moonstone, SilverSunRT8 is also darkly rooted giving the impression and appearance of parting space. Noting that the color SilversunRT8 being more of an Ice Blonde with a warmer tone and a touch of gold on the brown root.
In conclusion, the bottom-line here is that there is something for everyone. Please check out additional photos and the accompanying video for further intel on these two beautiful basic cap styles.
Thank you for reading, and I hope to see you in upcoming blogs and in the private Wig Studio 1 Wig Topper and Support Group on Facebook.
Alva by Noriko
featured in the color MOONSTONE
Cap: Feather Light Machine Made
Fringe: 3.9”
Crown: 9.4”
Nape: 3.9”
Weight: 3.7-3.9 oz.
Jones by Estetica Designs
featured in the color SILVERSUNRT8
Cap: Pure Stretch
Bang: 4.25”
Side: 7”
Crown: 7”
Nape: 4.75”
Weight: 2.86 oz.
Best,
Michele Pearl
Ellen Wille Blues Silverblonde Rooted
MY HAIR LOSS STORY 8 YEARS LATER | THE HAIR LOSS COMMUNITY
Hello and welcome to the Wig Studio 1 Blog. My name is Andrea, and I've written a few posts regarding Trichotillomania (a Hair Pulling Disorder) in the past. I'd like to provide an update on my hair loss and what I've learned about myself and hair loss in general over the past eight years.
When I started Wig Studio 1, I knew I would need to share my story. That was not something that I was comfortable with 8 years ago, but I was determined to step out of my comfort zone to find purpose in my hair loss journey and help others the best that I could. I felt that sharing my story would help others feel more comfortable in sharing their journey, which would allow me to potentially help them with wigs or toppers or even just as someone who understood the struggles with self-confidence due to hair loss to provide support.
At the recommendation of a friend of mine, I started a private group on Facebook called Wig Studio 1 Wig and Topper Support Group about 3 years ago. Although I wasn't expecting it at the time, I was accepted into this sisterhood of loving, caring and hilariously funny women who were very similar to me. They had the same struggles with confidence and wearing their wigs / toppers. Many of them had a number of questions and some of them were even more experienced than I was. They wanted to help others in any way that they could, by sharing information, knowledge and even swapping (and donating to those in need) their wigs!
So, here I am, a little over 8 years later after creating www.wigstudio1.com. In my daily life (in part due to my work - I work a lot of hours but I truly enjoy it), I oftentimes wear my baseball hat. Its comfortable for me and hides my hair loss for the most part. I have my favorite wigs (can't wear toppers any longer due to advanced stage hair loss), and I love to wear as many wigs styles as possible! I've gone from brunette to blonde to red and even grey! Who knew that I could pull off all those colors? Hint: Neutral make up and clothing color allow you to wear almost any color!
I personally prefer human hair over synthetic hair fibers simply due to my skin sensitivities, but I've worn many synthetic styles over the past eight years and had AMAZING HAIR for special occasions and received such positive feedback (if they even knew!)!
Emotionally, I'm at a much different and more confident place than I was 8 years ago. I am able to speak openly about Trichotillomania or other types of hair loss freely without shame and sadness. I find excitement wearing new styles and colors, and I want the same for others.
My hope is that those of you who are feeling shame and the need to hide your hair loss, find comfort in the fact that I lived over 40 years of my life trying to hide my hair loss. I hated myself for pulling for so many years. I took responsibility for my Trichotillomania, even though I had little control over it. I blamed myself, instead of being kind to myself.
After encouraging myself to be who I am and who I was meant to be, just as you are who you are, and are meant to be, I found hope, peace and inspiration. I hope that you find the same inspiration to share your story and not hide your struggles. Not all of us are ready to be open about our hair loss and that is okay. Just know that you are not alone. There is a wonderful community of people with hair loss that are excited to provide encouragement, support and a sisterhood.
I hope you'll join us in our closed Facebook Group when the time is right for you!
Hugs!!
xoxo
Andrea
A BIG THANK YOU TO AMY DEWITT! | PROMOTION
Just a quick note to say thank you to our very own Amy DeWitt! Amy joined us as a Personal Hair Consultant in March of 2020.
As a Personal Hair Consultant, Amy focused on educating herself regarding wigs and toppers very quickly. She truly wanted to provide her customers with the best service possible. Her demeanor is kind, calm and professional, and she always goes the extra mile to provide excellent communication and resolution to every client.
I'm pleased to announce that Amy has been promoted from Personal Hair Consultant to Customer Service Supervisor at Wig Studio 1! In her new position, Amy will still provide guidance to our customers, but her focus will be resolving more challenging and time sensitive concerns. She will also ensure each of our Personal Hair Consultants are properly trained and provide answers to any questions that may arise, in addition to providing performance related feedback to each of our Personal Hair Consultants to ensure the highest level of efficiency and customer satisfaction!
Thank you Amy for your efforts! We value and appreciate you very much, and I am proud to have you on our team!
Wishing you all a wonderful day!
xoxo
Best,
Andrea
EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH DECEMBER 2020
Straight Press 18” by BelleTress VS Show Stopper by Raquel Welch
CrazyWigLady's Blog Tressallure Lana Frosty Blonde HL
CrazyWigLady's Blog Henry Margu Naomi 27AH
Hey everyone and welcome back to my blog here at Wigstudio1.com! I can't wait to show you this new style for 2020 by Henry Margu, this is Naomi in the color 27AH. Beachy wave bobs have been all the rage this year and this one is no exception! All I did was run some water through it and scrunch the curls and go! You could also use some styling cream to create some texture for a super casual style! Naomi is available in 27 shades, the one I would love to show you today is 27AH.
27AH is described as a dark strawberry blonde with dark blonde highlights. Keep in mind that most colors appear brighter with our box lights we use for filming, that is why I think it is so important to show you the color in outdoor and indoor lighting.
The specs for Naomi are, bang 7.5, top 4.5-7.5, back 2-6 and a 2" nape.
Naomi has a nice deep lace front and a left mono part, there is some permatease in this style to provide lift on the top; notice how wide the part is, this allows you to move the part around anywhere within the mono area.
Naomi by Henry Margu is open wefted with closed felt ear tabs.
There is an extended felt nape and velcro adjusters, remember the adjusters allow you approximately 1/2" of adjustability.
This photo shows the back of Naomi, as you can see it has a fun short stacked nape and the longer layers provide movement. 
The highlighting is very subtle on this color, 27AH, this is not a shade with vibrant highlights. This style is meant to be worn fun and sassy, just run your fingers through it to create an easy out the door style! To see the full review of Naomi click here and be sure to subscribe to our YouTube Channel we are uploading almost daily. Thanks for stopping by the blog today, I'll see you next time!
xoxo
CrazyWigLady
CrazyWigLady's Blog Henry Margu Iris 38/56GR
Welcome back to my blog here at Wigstudio1.com! I had the opportunity to review a new style for you this month, Henry Margu Iris in the color 38/56GR. Iris is a fun carefree style with lots of layers, a true out of the box style. This pixie cut is right on trend with all the layers and carefree style! The color 38/56GR is silver white highlighted with light grey, light brown and off black roots. Here are some photos in outdoor lighting.
This shade 38/56GR is such a nice soft blended shade, perfect salt and pepper. Also, Iris is available in 30 different shades so there is something for everyone. The specs for Iris are, top 2.5-4.5, back 2.5 - 4, sides 2.5 - 4 and a 2" nape, as you can see this style is very layered. You can either wear this more professional and sleek or use some styling cream to create some fun texture!
I like the rooting on 38/56GR, it is not too dark or too stark but blended well for a totally natural look.
Next I will show you the inside of the cap for Iris.
Look at this large mono top and deep lace front. One of the advantages of a mono top is the ability to change your part to either right or left or the middle, this of course changes the look so you can change up your style from day to day!
Iris is open wefted for coolness and comfort there are adjusters in the back if you need to tighten or loosen the fit.
In my opinion Iris looks adorable with a headband, just another way to change the look! Don't forget to add a few inexpensive hair accessories to keep your look updated and stylish.
For a full view review of Iris click here, and be sure to visit our YouTube channel often, we upload almost daily! Also, don't forget to join us in our private FaceBook group, Wigstudio1 Wig and Topper Support Group! Thanks so much for joining me today, I'll be back soon with more fun reviews and blogs!
xoxo
CrazyWigLady
CrazyWigLady's Blog Noriko Emery Moonstone
Hi and welcome back to the Wigstudio1 Website and my blog! I was thrilled to get the opportunity to review this new style and color from Noriko, Emery in the color Moonstone! This chin length layered bob is classic but with a modern twist due to its long sweeping fringe and slight wave! This style has lots of front sweeping layers that show off the slight angle of the wig.
The back of this style is beautiful with its gentle wave; this is what really gives Emery an updated look. Now lets take a look at the cap construction for Emery. This style offers a lace front and left mono part. I must admit I was not overly impressed with this lace front, in my opinion the lace is a bit stiff and scratchy, if you have sensitive skin this might be an issue. The left part is generous offering approx. 1 to 1.5 inch of parting space.
Emery's cap is open wefted with closed ear tabs with stays and pull type adjusters.
Now lets discuss permatease? Do you like it? If not, then this is not your wig as there is a huge amount of permatease in Emery. I however don't mind permatease at all, I'm part of the big hair generation and love it! If you like Jon Renau Ignite you will probably like Emery, they are similar in style but Emery has more permatease, it is also similar to Gabor Sheer Elegance. The specs for Emery are, Fringe 7.1, crown 6.3 and a 2.4 inch nape, it weighs 2.9 oz.
The color Moonstone, it is a WOW color, you could call it a fashion color I suppose, however I would say it is a very wearable fashion color. Moonstone is a medium grey with blue-toned silver/white highlights and a dark root. Yes, the root is dark on this color but I think it provides a wow factor! There are times when a dark root is just too much, I don't think that is the case with Moonstone due to the fact Noriko has blended the rooting beautifully, making it a very wearable shade. To sum it up, Emery is a fun layered bob that is just trendy enough to be wearable for all ages! See all the Noriko styles at Wigstudio1.com. If you would like to see the full video review of this style and color I will link it below. Thanks so much for stopping by the blog today and I hope to see you again soon!
xoxo
CrazyWigLady
