It’s bad enough that we end up with turkey neck, wrinkles, and saggy bits as we age. I understand that. I don’t necessarily like it, but I can sort-of accept it.
But worse than turkey neck, in my most humble opinion is the fact that our hair ages and nothing is ever done by the beauty industry to address this.
Ohhhh. It gets me so angry that there is no known cure for aging hair–or is there?
Oh yes. We color our hair in an attempt to make our tresses look the way they did when we were younger. And there are those women who are lucky enough to have hair that has aged gracefully. The women who can go gray because their gray is lustrous and shiny and thick and dense. Unlike my gray that doesn’t know which direction or hue to go into.
The majority of us do not have hair that has aged as gracefully or as beautifully as Emmy Lou Harris has! Now that I’m looking at that hair–maybe she’s wearing a wig–after all, it’s perfect!
If you are a regular reader of this blog then you know about my battle with thinning hair and loss.
The hair on my head has traveled to my chin and my toes. Yeah! My toes!!
How friggin’ depressing is it that I now have to shave my toes while the hair on my head keeps falling out!
And even though I still go to see Adam to have my hair trimmed on a regular basis, the days of a weekly blow out are over. It just isn’t worth the $50 ($40 plus tip) anymore. I simply do not have enough hair. (Although I am getting a blow out next weekend because it is my birthday weekend!). He’ll just sprinkle Toppik on the bald spots and clip one of my toppers atop my head!
So, I started thinking. And I realized something. The more my hair ages, the more wiry and porous it becomes. It is coarse. It has lost its luster. It has lost 75% of its density. Hell, I’ve lost 75% of my hair!!!
That’s me at a family wedding. Circa 1994. That head of hair–it’s mine. I liked the auburn color too. That was my reddish hair stage. I swear I could cry when I look at how thick my hair was!
There is only one solution for this aging hair!
Here’s my hair now. Receding hairline…
My part is now wider than the Red Sea that Moses parted!
It isn’t big anymore. And I LOVE Bigly hair!!!
View from the back. I sprinkled Toppik a few days back so some of the baldness is covered. It’s disgusting!
Wear a wig!
Not all wigs are fake hair. You can get a human blend or human hair or synthetic. I’m a fan of Yaki texture. It resembles my natural hair!
Why not? Women get fake titties. Women get fillers in their faces and Botox the wrinkles away. Men and women now have surgery to give them the appearance of a six-pack of abs.
This look isn’t me-I’m a bit fond of the paunchy belly I have. I’ve made a game of squeezing my belly fat into my jeans. Having abs like the ones pictured would make dressing no fun. Where’s the fat gonna go?
So why not wear a head of fake hair?
Where’s the wig love?
Think about it. For the cost of a professional dye job and cut and blow out, you can buy yourself a head of fake hair.
You don’t have to fuss with it. Oh, initially, you may have to give the part a tweeze or run thinning shears through the hair if it is too thick for you, but other than that, you just plop it on your head and go!
I picked this beauty up at a local beauty supply shop in Norristown, PA for $19.99…
I spent HOURS blow drying my natural hair for years to get it this smooth..
Fake hair makes you look younger!
My $19.99 head of Yaki Hair. So Thick. So Dense. Windy. I love you!
You can’t tell it’s a wig. Although Bonaparte is now Monsieur Bonaparte, Hair Consultant. He wants me to get a more wavy wig. He doesn’t like the straight hair. We’re not even going there! Why do Frenchmen have to be so…so…so..FRENCH!
Fake hair gives you the hair you never, ever had. You’ve never had silky hair? Well, now you can!
Here’s another beauty I picked up. Her name is “Storm”. Why do wigs have hooker names? Why aren’t they named Mary, or Margaret, or Margaret Mary?
Lived a life of frizzy hair in the humidity? A lightweight wig will take care of that one!
I wore Storm today while out and about. She’s a lace front wig with a more realistic hairline. I cut the lace and didn’t even need to tweeze the part at all. Storm looks different on the package then on me. But I’m liking Storm a lot. I think I’ll change her name to Mary Catherine.
Going to an event and can’t get a hair appointment—run to your local beauty supply place and purchase an inexpensive wig or ponytail.
Quite honestly, I’ve given up on trying to find solutions for the hair that I don’t have any more and it’s gotten worse.
That’s right! I may be a wrinkled Sack o’ Sh…..But my hair is young, vibrant and youthful. That’s because somebody made this hair!
My hair has aged and I’m making it young again with wigs!
In fact, I’m awaiting three wigs from Divatress to be delivered to my door! I think they will enjoy being a part of me!!
Yessirree! I want to feel like a Diva–even with names like Windy and Storm!
We are aging. No shampoo is going to give us our youthful hair back. No conditioner is going to work enough magic to give us baby soft tresses. And no topical product will grow your hair back.
Buy a wig! It’s fun!
Here’s Nina Simone singing about her true love’s hair. This is a beautiful performance. She was an enormous talent with a very unique and rich voice..
Shame there’s not a LOVE button to click, brilliant post and you made me laugh. The wigs look awesome too, have fun with them, could be the answer for many many women. I’m not at that stage yet but I wouldn’t hesitate now I’ve read this. Thank you.
Thank you Steph! I do think that any helper hair, whether extensions, toppers or wigs are a great way to disguise hair loss, thinning hair and many other issues. But wigs are also great for the lazy woman who does not want to spend hours blow drying her hair. I swear if I knew about wigs when I had that huge head of hair I would have thought twice about the two hours it took me with a blow drier!! XOXOXOXO!!!
You are so funny! You look beautiful in your straight hair. It really suits you.
Hi Jane! OMG! Thank you! I’ve always wanted straight hair and these days I can get it out of a package!! LOL! BTW, your hair is gorgeous!!! XOXOXOXO!!!
Hi Catherine, i have been thinking of going the wig route for awhile now. I appreciate your posts regarding hair loss options. I am amazed at the lack of attention the beauty industry pays to hair loss solutions. I am turning the big 60 very soon, maybe a trip to a wig store will be my present. I can only try, right? My hair stylist is very supportive in helping me too. Thank you!
Hi June. You know what really bothers me? All the false promises the beauty industry makes with potions and lotions they say will grow your hair back. It won’t. Once the root is gone, nothing will grow the hair back. I think you will have a great time at the wig store picking out that perfect head of hair. And you are lucky to have a supportive stylist!! XOXOXO!!!
Can you explain how to put a wig on? Is it difficult to put on and keep on, do you have to fiddle with it throughout the day? Is it comfortable? Do you need to use clips to attach it to your head?
Hi GK. I put a wig on like I put a hat on. I plop it over my bio hair. I don’t do a wig cap nor do I put my hair up. I just plop it on. I also sew wig combs into the top and sides if the wig doesn’t come with combs. I use clips on my toppers but I’ve been using toppers less. I don’t fiddle with my wig during the day at all. I’m too busy at work. If I notice that it is looking a bit flat when I go to the ladies room, I’ll fluff it up with my fingers. The caps are very comfortable. The Vivica Fox wigs have incredibly comfortable stretch caps. Its all good my dear. XOXOXOXOXO!!!
Can you please explain how to put a wig on? Do you use clips? Is it comfortable? Does it feel like it is slipping off during the day? Is it difficult to make it look natural with your hair or does your real hair get bundled away beneath it?
Hiya! See the reply above!! XOXOXOXO!!!
If you search the atypical 60 archives, there are several excellent detailed, step by step descriptions of wigs, toppers, how to wear them, how to adjust them, etc. Here’s my favorite:
https://atypical60.com/2016/10/30/a-hairy-piece-of-change-i-am/
Thank you, thank you, Cathe!
Thank you darlin’! XOXOXOXO!!!
Hello Catherine dear. Iam so impressed on reading ur blog. Ur words r so beautiful. Even I was searching for a wig to buy. This blog helps me to choose the wigs. U r courageous lady . Sending lot of love to u 😘😘😘😘😘😘
Thank you Bhuvana! I don’t see myself as courageous, just blunt and to the point. There is no reason that wigs should not be a part of every woman’s routine!!! XOXOXOXO!!!
Oh my you make me smile! I have just about had it up to my ying yang with bloggers lamenting perfect body parts ie bitching about their wide hips and then casually drop that they need a XS pant. So many women will relate to this post because thinning hair is one of THOSE issues that usually isn’t discussed when girrls get together around a bottle o’merlot of a Friday night. It’s an elephant in the room sort of thing. No one wants to ask Maude about her balding cranium and Maude sure as hell is hoping nobody brings up the sujet:( Good on you girl for bringing this issue to front and centre. Hope Maude is reading this and knows she is not alone. If women don’t think wigs are sexy check out Raquel Welch who built a second very successful career with her wigs.
I have seen a more recent photo of La Harris and while her hair style has changed her silver locks remain perfect. You look perfect in your bio and non bio hair. BTW the straight style is very becoming and with wigs you can change it up as you please:) have fun with it!
OMG! Momcat don’t even start me with that garbage. I cannot STAND when bloggers do that! Or they complain that their “hair” isn’t behaving as it cascades in Rapunzelesque waves over their shoulders and down their backs–and the hair is most likely extensions! There is so much smoke and mirrors in blogging today and it sickens me because it must make normal women like me and mostly everyone else feel like–WTF is wrong with me? That’s why I like to keep it real!
I swear Harris is more beautiful now than she was back when she was younger. I think Raquel has made more money with hair than with acting–and good for her. She’s a smart businesswoman!
Thanks so much. I’m glad that you enjoy the way my fake hair looks! XOXOXOXO!!!
I want to give a shout out for an awesome hair product I just discovered and have used once so far. It is Redken ph-Bonder. It has taken my thin, dry, frizzy, fly away, dyed hair to smooth shines hair that lays nicely in place and is shiney!! I feel like I have the hair of my youth back (though much thinner since one of my medications has caused a great amount of hair loss.).
I have never been able to use hair conditioner after shampooing as it makes my fine hair very limp. But the Redken product does not do that. And the texture and shine has lasted over a week now. I cannot sing praises loud enough for the Redken ph-Bonder. I hope others having hair issues similar to mine give it a try. It is a great product! 🙂
Hi Anne. Thanks for the shout out for the Redken ph Bonder. As our hair ages, we all have different issues and hopefully someone will read about the product and it’ll be a tremendous help to them!! Thanks again!! XOXOXOXO!!!
You are looking gorgeous – then and now and better “fake” hair than fake human. Honestly if you bought it and it’s on your head it’s no owns business but yours – so you wear it as straight as you like young lady
Hi Juliet! Hey, you’re correct. It really is nobody’s business once you own it! Thanks for supporting my getting wiggy with it!! XOXOXOXO!!!
Isn’t it itchy? I can imagine having a poke at it in an odd moment and finding it all lopsided!
Hi Mary. Surprisingly, the wigs aren’t itchy. It may be because the caps are very soft and stretchy! Hahahaha–that’s why I sew extra combs into the caps–so they don’t get all lopsided! XOXOXOXO!!!
Oh and on this occasion Bonaparte is wrong- straight hair looks fantastic on you
Thank YOU Juliet!!! Yeah. I like it straight better too. And in the end, I will wear it straight!! XOXOXOXO!!!
Catherine, as always, you have made me smile. Until now, I have never really thought about hair pieces. I love your confidence and style. keep the posts coming I read everyone and I really love hearing your news.
Mel
Thank you Melba! Yeah–hair pieces are a great way to get your hair “done” when you don’t want to sit in a salon or don’t have the time too!! Thank you again!! XOXOXOXO!!!
Have u tweezed the part ? I couldn’t not find ur wig line .wow it’s a great job. Could u pls make a video on tat ?. Bcoz iam worried about wearing a wig for not knowing to hide the wig line. Which wig has more natural hair line ?
Hi Bhuvana. I didn’t tweeze the part on the Storm wig. There was no need to. I did tweeze a tiny bit off the Windy wig. Watch the youtube wig videos on wig reviews and you will see links to hiding and altering a hair line. The videos are incredibly helpful and educational! I think a lace front wig does have a more natural hairline though! XOXOXOXO!!!
Thank you so much Catherine. I can’t wait for Ur next blog 😍😍😍
Love your wig! I read that many of the actresses in tv shows wear wigs (i.e. The Good Wife). It was an aha moment for me because I wondered how their hair looked the same perfection in every show. I know they have hair people but still. Great post!
Hi Lisa! Yeah. My “aha” moment was when I read an interview with Keira Knightly, the interviewer asked her about her perfect bob and she said she wore wigs because her own hair is too thin! I was thrilled she said something!! I think wigs and helper hair need more love and positivity!! XOXOXOXO!!!
Those wigs look great on you and they blend into your hairline really well. I have hair loss on the whole top of my head, including at the hairline, so it’s hard to find even a topper that looks right. It’s a shame how the “wig world” is so hush-hush, it’s time for some of these companies to get commercials on tv and ads into magazines.
Margaret! Woman–you nailed it!! There SHOULD be ads in magazines and TV about wigs. And I think the more women come forth with hair issues, perhaps the industry will fill in the niche. I literally trashed two toppers that were 4X4’s this weekend because they no longer “work”. I can still get away with the 5X5’s but not for long. That’s why I’ve been wig shopping. I’ll be reviewing three more that I ordered as soon as they are delivered and they were not expensive! You said a mouthful my dear!!! XOXOxOxO!!!
Thank you for talking about this!! I am almost a young 65 and about 3 years ago I noticed my front hairline was seriously receding (just like my Dad’s). Then I noticed thinning and breakage. Talked to my doctor and dermatologist…no answers, no help at all. Talked to my hairdresser and she suggested human hair topper which looks great…no one knows it isn’t my hair. If my hair keeps thinning I may have to go full wig…but that’s ok!!…And yes, I have tons of hair growing everywhere else except my head 🙁
Hi Theresa! That’s pretty much my story too! I started using Toppik and sprinkling it on my “spots” and it worked like a charm. Then as more hair was lost, I went to toppers, which I still use but now the time has come to realize I need wigs. Wigs are the best choice for me at this time and this is an important subject that needs to be broached!! Thank you for your honest comment!! XOXOXOXO
Isn’t it hot wearing a wig?
Hi Sandra. Actually–it isn’t. I’m from the former head of bio hair that was so incredibly thick that I would break combs and brushes trying to get them through my locks! I didn’t even need a hat. My hair was heavy and dense and ridiculously thick. No wig that I wear could ever be hotter than my bio hair was!! XOXOXOXO
My niece has a wig from alistlacehair.com . It is so silky, lace cap with a wide snug band that hols it on really well. I am thing of ordering one too. I’m 61 and my fluffy thinning hair has me down.