Hi everybody,
I noticed that anytime I see a dancer picture and think "I want to look like that", she happens to have really long, beautiful hair. Thick, wavy, waist-length hair. My own hair is longish (3-4" below shoulder), fairly straight, and fine. I can get a little body out of it with velcro rollers and/or a curling iron, but it takes FOREVER, and I am just too lazy. Usually I just blow-dry it upside down and hope for the best.
So I'm thinking of either buying a hairpiece (to make it look longer and thicker) or getting a perm (to make it look thicker and add some loose waves). I'd really like some advice:
About perms:
- has anyone here gotten a loose wavy perm, and if so, were you happy with it? I'm shooting for body and *very* loose waves, not curls.
- how often does it have to be redone?
- how much did it cost you? Are touch-ups cheaper?
- what does it look like as it grows out?
- is there anything I should know / ask the stylist?
- is the damage comparable to coloring your hair? (I colored for 7 years, and didn't mind the extra conditioning, etc.)
- can anyone recommend a good perm specialist in the Boston area (preferably Cambridge)?
I'm alternatively considering getting a hairpiece. Can anyone tell me:
- what is the most secure method for applying it? I do a lot of head rolls/tosses, and could tone those down, but I don't want to be holding my head rigid the whole time.
- about how long does it take to put on?
- can anyone recommend a particular model of hairpiece? I'm specifically looking for something:
- natural-looking
- very long (I'd like it to end somewhere between the top of the bra back and my waist)
- straight with layers or very loosely wavy (not curly)
- that moves reasonably well
- that doesn't cover my entire head (I think I'd prefer a 3/4 cap or fall, but wouldn't rule out other styles)
- that has a secure attachment method (or could be adapted to be more secure)
- under $200 if possible (although I can go higher if it's exactly what I want)
- can anyone recommend a good wig shop in the Boston area?
Any recommendations? Alternatively, if you happen to have one for sale (dark brown, in good condition), I could take it off your hands...
I noticed that anytime I see a dancer picture and think "I want to look like that", she happens to have really long, beautiful hair. Thick, wavy, waist-length hair. My own hair is longish (3-4" below shoulder), fairly straight, and fine. I can get a little body out of it with velcro rollers and/or a curling iron, but it takes FOREVER, and I am just too lazy. Usually I just blow-dry it upside down and hope for the best.
So I'm thinking of either buying a hairpiece (to make it look longer and thicker) or getting a perm (to make it look thicker and add some loose waves). I'd really like some advice:
About perms:
- has anyone here gotten a loose wavy perm, and if so, were you happy with it? I'm shooting for body and *very* loose waves, not curls.
- how often does it have to be redone?
- how much did it cost you? Are touch-ups cheaper?
- what does it look like as it grows out?
- is there anything I should know / ask the stylist?
- is the damage comparable to coloring your hair? (I colored for 7 years, and didn't mind the extra conditioning, etc.)
- can anyone recommend a good perm specialist in the Boston area (preferably Cambridge)?
I'm alternatively considering getting a hairpiece. Can anyone tell me:
- what is the most secure method for applying it? I do a lot of head rolls/tosses, and could tone those down, but I don't want to be holding my head rigid the whole time.
- about how long does it take to put on?
- can anyone recommend a particular model of hairpiece? I'm specifically looking for something:
- natural-looking
- very long (I'd like it to end somewhere between the top of the bra back and my waist)
- straight with layers or very loosely wavy (not curly)
- that moves reasonably well
- that doesn't cover my entire head (I think I'd prefer a 3/4 cap or fall, but wouldn't rule out other styles)
- that has a secure attachment method (or could be adapted to be more secure)
- under $200 if possible (although I can go higher if it's exactly what I want)
- can anyone recommend a good wig shop in the Boston area?
Any recommendations? Alternatively, if you happen to have one for sale (dark brown, in good condition), I could take it off your hands...
posted by:
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Boston
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Re: Wig/Fall/Hairpiece vs. perm?
Tue, April 17, 2007 - 3:07 PMI LOOOOVE FAKE HAIR!!
you can take a peek at my pictures and see that I have a very short pixie cut. When I dance, I feel I am not in costume and make-up until I have my hair. I don't know anything about the Boston area, but I buy my $30-$40 hair piece (I believe it's yak hair) at the "beauty supply" stores. I'm not talking Sally's- no chains, I'm talking about these little shops that are usually called so-and-so's beauty supply. Ask your African-American friends where these places are.
Anyway- it takes little more time than putting on a hat. I have tried a few different things and I like the fall that is attached to a spandex headband. You brush it out, put it on your head (after tying back your hair- actually I forgot- if you have some hair underneath it will take just a little bit longer) and then the trick is, you buy a scarf or something that matches your costume (I go to the fabric store and just buy a strip of fabric that is strong and matches and doesn't need hemming) and tie THAT around you head OVER the spandex headband. That extra tie-down is what really makes a difference. I do hair tosses with this and no bobby pins and it really stays on.
OK- sorry for the length- I am just excited about my store bought hair and I think everyone else (without naturally long thick hair) ought to try it.
PS- I've been told by the restaurant workers that they didn't know it was fake until I came in not dancing- in my normal hair. They were like "oh my gosh! you cut all your hair off!" LOL -
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Re: Wig/Fall/Hairpiece vs. perm?
Wed, April 18, 2007 - 2:18 AMIve gotta say go for the fake hair...
ive seen waaay too many dancers with fried wavy hair... sure it will look great for a short while, but its usualy alot of damage also since you mention you have fine hair to start with, and more often than not in the long run the dancers I know regret it, and eventualy go through another phase of growing it out which isnt that great looking either.
So i think you will be saving your self lots of trouble, time, upkeep, money, and frustration, if you go straight for a nice piece of fake hair that can look really great, and you can keep growing out your healthy hair at the same time.
My hair is long and looks slightly wavy because i usualy go around with it rolled up in a bun through out the day, and when i let it down to dance its all wavy... not that its intentional, just practical. i also love the look of super straight long hair, but i dont bother.
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Re: Wig/Fall/Hairpiece vs. perm?
Wed, April 18, 2007 - 8:55 AMThat's my fave hairpiece too.
I buy my hair where the drag queens buy theirs.. a little Korean wig shop.
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Re: Wig/Fall/Hairpiece vs. perm?
Wed, April 18, 2007 - 8:23 AMI recently got a perm and I LOVE it!
My stylist gave me loose but still curly ringlets around the sides and back and LOOSE wavy curls on top! ( i can to finger waves like no-ones buisness now!) Its all about the rod size, the type of perm and who's doing it!
I was so afraid of it turning all 80's spiral, but He assured me that perms have come A LONG WAY. I do have short hair, but as I grow it out I will keep up with it, because I love how easy it is to care for it. Plus all the 20's and 30's and some early 40's hairstyles are just at my finger tips! -
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Re: Wig/Fall/Hairpiece vs. perm?
Wed, April 18, 2007 - 9:38 AMglad you like your perm,
its true that short hair can definately take the chemical process of a perm much eaiser than longer, older hair that tends to be more dry and often damaged to some extent with age to start with, that why if someone was attached to their longer hair, I wouldnt recommend a perm. -
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Re: Wig/Fall/Hairpiece vs. perm?
Wed, April 18, 2007 - 8:05 PMIf you choose to perm- make sure the stylist uses nice fat perm rods- the skinnier the rod, the tighter the curl. Its harder to perm long hair- it can take several rods to perm one strand of hair, and all those rods get heavy, and afterwards, the weight of the hair can pull out the curl you just spent a small fortune putting in.. And you have chemicaly damaged your hair, and too much conditioning can flatten a curl or wave
If you choose to perm, do your homework and take several pictures of styles you like. Be open to suggestions from the stylist, but be very clear in telling them what you do and do not want. Make sure you are "on the same page".
Using a hair piece, fall, switch, wiglett are good ideas and versitile as well- lots and lots of other choices and ideas and looks.
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