Guys, sorry for another post, but I am trying to do coloring today and I really don't know what to get or how to go about it. I believe my piece is 1b, but I need it to go just slightly lighter. What do you guys use (if you do)? I would like to just have the piece match my current hair, but I may have to dye it as well, don't want to get the different color look from top to bottom...

Here's what I've got, obviously it hasn't been cut in, just laying on my head, any suggestions on how to get it closer? Seems a bit dark, although side hair needs to be cut and has no product in it. What's my best option- color the existing hair?

ST it looks good from here but what you should do is have it cut in ,your natural hair when it has gel or spray or whatever,will look different & usually if you wash the system a couple of times it will lighten up a bit,but you really want to have it cut 1st then see what has to be done,other than just washing it

Yes, hairmeister is correct you need to wash the piece a couple of times and get it cut in. If the match isn't good after that, then I would suggest getting the ADF Cobalt Blue Color Blender, this is a coloring conditioner designed to mask red/orange tones. It also does an excellent job of blending the colors of your system and real hair when you apply to both. It is a must-have product for darker colors IMO, as the system hair will lighten over time and can have red or orange overtones.

Is that piece you ordered body wave?

Yes, it is body wave.

I've washed it about three times now, hoping it will be close. I have my cut in scheduled for Saturday- I'm really nervous because I have to shave and attach it before I go up, but if it doesn't work I'm screwed (well, worst case scenario I have to shave everything). I just don't want to have the obvious different color between the top and the bottom that is apparent in so many bad pieces. I'm almost getting cold feet here, and wondering if maybe I can just continue to work with my hair, I don't know, it isn't going to get any better. The stylist may be able to dye my existing hair, we'll see...

Also- do you mean the ADF cobalt brown? It said blue in your post, couldn't see that on the site.

ST in this situation,the best thing that makes sense is to stop washing the hair & leave it to the pro, I had relatively the same experience & sort of reminded me of when your writing an essay & you review & revise it to the point where you want to throw it out because your not sure,then when you get the mark on it ,you realise that you basically over thought everything, leave it to the hairdresser at this point & you'll be fine

Look as much of a density issue (unit too thick for your existing hair) as it is a color match issue.




Fred (StealthTJ)

Is that a 65%? I guess density is a bit too much. Your existing hair is sticking on your skin and this piece is growing out from your skin.

Yep, definitely too thick too, I'll see if the stylist can thin it a bit, I believe it was supposed to be 65%, probably should have gone 60% - any suggestions? I know a lot of people here say their biggest beginning screw up was going too thick.

You might consider dyeing your existing hair Dark Black to blend in with your piece.

From what you've posted, this is your first system? I would recommend that you try attaching on top of your existing hair without shaving first, I understand about the commitment involved in shaving your head. Several of us have done this, it won't look as good but it can be good enough to get it cut in, and for you to see how it's going to blend. You can plaster your growing hair down with G2BG hairspray, and use one of the tapes to attach on top, blue tape would probably be best on lace as you need a strong hold for this to work.

What type base is your system? If, after cut-in, you find that the color match isn't good enough then try ADF blender or one of the temporary coloring products. The system hair will lighten over time. I would highly recommend that you purchase another system before committing to wear full time.

Thanks for the posts. I've washed it 3 times, this pic was after the 2nd time, it's closer now. I'm really second guessing myself now, wondering if maybe I just should have gone with a full cap, etc.

My problem is that this was sort of my 1 shot, I'm leaving Sunday to start a summer job, and anyone there hasn't seen me in 9 months, so I could pull off the switch. Now it looks like it probably won't work, and my real hair is just not manageable anymore, so my other option is just shaving all of it and be done with it. But then if I do decide to get a piece later on, it will be weird and obvious. So it looks like I'm kind of screwed at this point.

I don't have blue tape, just ST 30.

ST30 should work fine, what material is your base? You owe it to yourself to at least get it attached in some fashion, and cut in, to have a good idea of how it will look. If your hairline is receded as mine was, I found that it could actually look very good as there is enough bare scalp in front to get a good hairline look. The density will look much different as well once it's cut short.

Thanks, yeah, I'm going to give it a shot, if it doesn't work I'll just shave it for the summer, I'm hoping the density will calm down when it's cut in. I haven't really used the tape before, I'll have to figure out how to attach it- basically just front, back, and sides right?

ST you have reached the point where all of us have been,once you cut it in you will probably just sit in the chair & stare at your reflection in the mirror,that will be where you decide if your going to stick it out & work through what it takes to achieve your goal,their is always a bit of tweaking , if it feels rite you will know,just make sure you are comfortable with it when you are in the salon,don't leave until you are satisfied with everything!& then make sure you ask everything you want or think you want to know,if you have the patience for it ?you will be better than alright!Good luck

Sorry guys, probably a rudimentary question, but if I glue my hair down with product and attach over it tomorrow with ST30, how do I get it off later? I've got lace release from Debbie and realign, but I couldn't remember what's needed for ST30?

Looks like your real hair is kind of messy and not freshly washed, so its hard to tell.

I posted a product that is a temp color rinse...adf isnt going to change color, it is merely more of a slighlty blend, orange/red tint corrector like WESB said, so thats not really going to do much good....

HOWEVER, get it cut and attached, blended then post a couple pics, when its cut it will make a world of difference.

Your real hair doesnt look that far off to be honest, so I would do what I mentioned before, and have them cut it in, and if they still see it as being "off" to color your real hair to match, the piece really isnt that dark, in sunlight it will appear much lighter.

As far as density, it is prob fine, the cut will make a HUUUUGE difference, get it cut, see if there is ( or the stylist thinks there is) a huge color difference, and they can color your real hair there to match. I wouldnt have them do the wig, most prob do not understand how to to be honest unless they have worked in theatre or with wigs, like for the love for locks program...

You can even use the rinse daily,both your real hair and the wig...until you can get the color sorted...

Here is a pic, for my hair, which is essentially 1B I use the chocolate kiss in both my real and fake hair, matches great! good to use until you find a more permanent solution



Clairol nice n easy is good for newbs for a more perm solution and less guesswork, my fav is the more professional wella products, but the rinse or the clairol if not by the stylist is an excellent solution. BA had recommended to me when I first started and he can advise on the color, since its been so long I dont really remember, I think it was something like 120...but you can always check the boxes, remember color you own hair not the piec....UNLESS you use the rinse...then you can just run it through both...and that will be just fine for your situation....especially starting that new job so soon.

For release, you can use, I order both through amazon, is 99% alcohol (your pharmacy can order it if asked, or you can see if they have it in, just tell them you need it for sterlizing for a baby or something), and desolvit (also at walmart, but some report that they dont have it anymore or they have difficulty finding it, the release you have is essentially a variation of desolvit, you can use an eyedropper to squirt indown into the lace and let it set, after a few minutes it should start to come up, if not squirt some more until it comes up easily. What I do is wrap something like a bandana or old shirt around my head to keep stuff from dripping into my eye, pull back the hairs inthe front, or hold them back, and I use either desolvit or alcohol ina spray bottle, hold it close to the front where the lace is and spray some there tiliting my head back a little to keep some running back, the front will start to come up, as you pull the front up and back start squirting underneath and gently pull up if it allows you to, or just wait a moment squirt some more til you can, and I do this til the whole piece comes off from front to back.

" I have my cut in scheduled for Saturday- I'm really nervous because I have to shave and attach it before I go up, but if it doesn't work I'm screwed (well, worst case scenario I have to shave everything). I just don't want to have the obvious different color between the top and the bottom that is apparent in so many bad pieces.

How many bad pieces have you seen here? I understand anxiety, and post, at least for me, all you want til you get it, but as most will say, do it, then come back with questions We wouldnt say do it, if we didnt think things will be fine.

Dude dont worry, you will be fine, the guys here know their stuff, wesb and Hairmeister are clued up, get it cut in...

Dont worry about it being off color or different and so on, its an easy fix, just see my post above...

Once you have it cut, then come back and we can tweak it, but I have a feeling you will be more than pleased...

You have my email

Jake

Jake, thanks man, you guys have all been extremely helpful- this board is great, everyone goes above and beyond to help out newbies like myself. I think I can get the color thing worked out with these tips, it's really pretty close at this point (like I said, above pic was a washing ago).

I talked to my wife about it last night, so it's going to be based a lot on what she thinks today (you married dudes know what I mean:). She's still fine with my current hair, but she doesn't get what a pain in the ass it is to make decent and how much toppik I use (which she hates, because it gets all over the bathroom).

So, I'm heading up for the cut in a bit later- but I didn't really understand on the ST-30- is 99% alcohol or desolvit the only products that will make it unstick? I think I'll be more comfortable just plastering down my hair for the cut in, but if it looks good, I'll want to get it off and shave. So I can't wait for an Amazon order, but I think this "lace release" I have from Debbie will get it off - I think it has 99% alcohol in it?

Once it is cut in and blended and the density thinned out it will be a different game. Do that then see the reults, For blending youre own hair and the hairpiece hair apply ADF to the end of the hairpiece hair and into your own hair this gives the same colour at the join, ADF is brilliant for this and I recommend it to everybody if the piece hair and the natural hair are not a 100% perfect match, This way you have the same colour dye on both.

Regards BA.

Thanks BA, it blows my mind how much support you give on here to all of us neurotic newbs But as to my last question - Will Lace Release from Debbie get the ST-30 off?

"Thanks BA, it blows my mind how much support you give on here to all of us neurotic newbs But as to my last question - Will Lace Release from Debbie get the ST-30 off?"

yes

K guys, after a 30 min battle and half a roll of St30, I think it's on and will hold. Parted and plastered the existing top hair down w/ hairspray and gel. Heading up to Portland right now for the cut in, wish me luck. Oh, Snipe- that wax paper trick saved my ass!

Yes the lace realease will release the ST tape just might have to spray a little more on thats all.

Regards BA.

Guys, I want to preface this by saying that everyone here has been incredibly helpful since I started researching this a month ago. This is a great board, with a lot of great people.

So I went to a good salon yesterday and got it cut in, but I think it was Hairmiester who said that "once you have it cut in you'll look at it and decide if it's right for you". I looked at it for a while, as did my wife, and I decided that wearing probably just isn't for me. Color was actually right, it was a bit too dense, but overall I just didn't think it would work for me long term.

We talked about it on the way home, and now I'm currently sporting a 1/2 inch cut all over- it actually looks pretty good, I haven't done it in a long time because I didn't have the balls. I still have some hair, and it seems to look better short, it will also be a lot less of a pain in the ass.

I want to thank everyone again who has assisted in my threads, answered questions, and helped me out.