So... going Bald and Boujee was difficult. No one wants to lose their hair and have the need to wear a wig; however, this is one part of cancer that can be your own. You can find a wig that closely resembles your old look or try out a style you've always been curious about! The process of buying a wig can be overwhelming because there are so many options to choose from: synthetic vs human hair, color, highlights, crown material, etc... I am sharing how I found my wigs to give you an idea of where to start.
I immediately started googling "stylish wigs" when I found out I was going bald. As I'm sure you've seen... there is an endless amount of options and websites to choose from. During my search, I came across a program called "Back to You". On their website, you type in your zip code and it pairs you with hair stylists close to you that specialize in buying wigs. The site provides contact information so you can reach out to the stylist directly. I was connected and quickly got an appointment to discuss purchasing my wig.
I went in to this appointment excited and positive; however, it turned into a very emotional experience. It was a reminder that I was sick and I ended up breaking down when we starting discussing wigs. My stylist was caring and compassionate through my tears. Once I pulled myself together, we got into specifics. She measured my head to determine my wig size, explained the pros and cons of certain wigs, and gave me an idea of how much it would cost. Measuring your head accurately is very important. For the amount of time you will be in your wig it is essential that it fits comfortably and stays in place. I am a size petite so my options were limited.
After discussing every detail about wigs with my stylist, I decided to get human hair wigs with lace front caps. I wanted human hair because I could style and color it. Synthetic wigs cannot be colored or styled with heat. I wanted to keep the normalcy of styling and using products in my new hair. I chose the lace front caps because they have a more natural looking hairline due to the mesh in the front.
The two wigs I ended up buying were: Jon Renau Blake Petite and Jon Renau Carrie Petite. Both are human hair and color "22F16S8". My biggest advice is don't judge a wig by its cover. When I saw the wig straight out of the box I was not in love with them. Make your wig your own with style and color. I took both of my wigs to get highlighted closer to my previous hair and it completely transformed the way I looked at myself. Feeling excited about my wigs made the world of difference.
Blake Petite:
Carrie Petite:
Although I didn't look exactly as I did pre-chemotherapy, I let myself feel excited about my new looks.
Over time, the wigs became uncomfortable and I ordered something that was an absolute game changer for comfort. This wig comfort headband provides a non-slip comfortable barrier between your head and the wig material. My head feels so much better and I am able to wear my wigs a lot longer than without it.
Cancer is an out of control experience so take the rare opportunities that let you be creative. Whether you choose to wear a wig or rock the bald head don't let the change in appearance get you down. It is difficult to not let the physical appearance change upset you. I struggle with looking in the mirror and seeing a different me.
It is temporary. You will get through this. You are beautiful.
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