Page 80 - Cosmetology

leave embarrassing stains on your face, ears, neck, and hands. You can prevent
this with a few quick, easy steps, taken before you begin.

15. How to Switch From Blond to Brunet Hair

The journey from goldie locks to mahogany tresses is a long and arduous one.
Whether you need a change of pace, need to go incognito, or feel like
commanding attention for more than your golden mane, do your research and
seek the advice of professionals

How to Buy a Wig or Hairpiece

Bald might be beautiful in the eyes of some people, but not for those with gradual or
drastic hair loss who just want to look like their old self again. With a wide range of
colors and styles, wigs have never looked more fabulous, darling.

Instructions

• STEP 1: Talk to your doctor and insurance provider and find out what's covered.
Ask for a prescription for a cranial hair prosthesis.
• STEP 2: Find a hairstylist experienced in working with wigs and ask about style
and shape. They can take your measurements and order your wig, as well as cut
and style it after it's delivered. Ask about each wig's scalp and hairline. A bad
hairline is the biggest giveaway, so ask to see and try on samples.
• STEP 3: Price out various kinds of wigs. Prices reflect whether the wig was made
by hand or by a machine.
• STEP 4: Synthetic wigs are affordable and easy to style, and cost from $100 to
$500. They're not quite as durable, and frizz more, but are ideal if you're
experiencing temporary hair loss due to chemotherapy.
• STEP 5: Human hair, of course, has the most lifelike look and bounce. You'll pay
around $1,000 for a net-based wig, and up to $6,000 or more for a custom-molded
polyurethane vacuum base. These top-quality cranial hair prostheses adhere
securely to the head and, since hairs are injected through the base one at a time,
look the most natural.
• STEP 6: Consider a partial wig if you have a few bald or very thin spots
(common with alopecia). They can be custom-made to blend in with and bulk up
your own remaining hair.
• STEP 7: Feel confident your wig won't take flight with different anchoring
options. Many wigs have adjustable fasteners or straps in the back; tape tabs at the
hairline and ears also provide security. A nonirritating head band such as the
Comfy Grip ($29) is helpful if you've lost all your hair. Custom-fit caps help
smooth any remaining hair underneath (stretch lace costs around $22).
• STEP 8: Ask if extra hair can be added to the wig later if it thins in places. While
a quality wig starts showing wear at two or three years, spot repairs can extend its
life to four or five years.