Mastering the Art of Buying a Hair Topper: Your Guide

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You may have seen your favorite celeb with fabulous full hair, especially at the top of their head! This is not a wig, but many celebrities wear hair toppers that blend beautifully with their own hair. We will be addressing human hair only, not synthetic.

You too can have a very full hairline, crown, and side that hair extensions can not give you. A clip-in hair topper can be taken on and off at your leisure! They work best for those with diffuse hair loss, alopecia, telogen effluvium, and hormonal-driven hair loss due to postpartum, and menopause. Unlike a wig, a hair topper is best for those with hair loss at the top of the head, a wig is better for overall hair loss.

Wigs vs. Hair Toppers

A real hair topper or synthetic hair topper is meant to blend with your own natural hair. The hair piece is intended to fill in areas of hair thinning or hair loss. For years they were known as a wiglet, but there are far more varieties to choose from. The best topper will enhance your hair while allowing you to lead an active lifestyle. Human hair toppers are offered in a variety of base sizes and can be attached with a hair clip or with our exclusive bead-in method. A mesh integration is the most secure attachment and is a great way to cover your hair concerns and add fullness to your hair.

A wig is meant to enhance your hair or cover total hair loss. Many will use a wig to change up their hairstyle and do not have any medical problems.

Choosing the Best Hair Topper Different Densities

The density of a hair topper aka hair system is the overall thickness of the hair topper. Below are common densities, and what will work to blend with your own hair.   We recommend a lightweight topper for first time wearers, once we know your scalp tolerates the hair topper, we can change the type and density.

Density Chart

100% - is meant to add some thickness, and blends best with thin hair

110% - 120% is best for for fine hair.

130% - Is the most popular density, and works well on medium thick, to thick hair. This will add a great amount of volume.

150% - 180% - Works best to blend into thick to very thick hair. 

How to Decide What Length is Best for Your Hair Topper

The length of the topper is determined by your own hair length. Toppers can be customized in a variety of lengths and are meant to sit at the top of the head. Keep in mind, that you can mix a high-density hair topper with a short length, and vice-versa.

10" - 14" Best for a bob hair style, to shoulder length hair. 

14"- 16". Best suited for shoulder length to hair resting around the bra line.

16" - 18" Best suited for hair below the bra line to just above the waist.

Hair toppers are meant to add hair at the top of the head, I do not suggest wearing a hair topper over 18" in length since it will be too heavy. If you are looking for a longer length, it is best to wear a wig since it will evenly distribute weight throughout the head.  

Hair Topper Colors and Color Codes

Hair toppers can come in solid colors, rooted colors, and highlight colors. If you are ordering a hair topper, there are codes that are affiliated with each color. Solid colors are easier to match than those with several shades of hair color.

At our salon, we can custom color your topper, it must be made of high-quality hair such as virgin, one-donor, hair. A hair topper can be glossed with a semi-permanent hair color in darker shades, or toned with a gentle toner. It is important to not bleach or lighten a hair topper, bleach may cause irrevocable damage. We stock all colors of hair toppers, as well as hair swatches to take home.

"P" Means Piano which is a mix of colors that looks similar to a highlight.

"T" Means Rooted, which is a darker base at the root, with a complimentary solid color.

"P" Mixed with "T" will give you a darker root, with highlights

Types of Hair Topper Bases

The base of a clip-on hair topper can be quite simple but must be made of strong material. The most sensible base (cap construction) is made with monofilament mesh, and the perimeter with polyurethane, strong ribbon, or may have a lace front to achieve a natural hairline.

How Hair Toppers Are Attached

Attached hair toppers that are affixed with our beaded matrix, are made of different monofilament mesh, tight lace, integration material, or a mix of both.

It is best to consult with a hair stylist, or the manufacturer of your hair topper to seek their opinion of what will work best for your hair.

A clip-on hair topper can be worn daily, but this comes with some extra effort on your part. Human hair can be washed and styled like your own hair, but like your hair, it is subject to damage with overheating from a blow-dryer, curling iron, and flat iron.

You should wash once a week if you intend on wearing it daily, if you wear the hair topper only on special occasions, then washing monthly is advised.

If you need blending or customization, seek out a salon that can help you cut the topper, tone, rearrange or add clips, and cut the front lace for you.

Different Types of Hair Topper Bases

Basic hair topper, add a center clip to hold down front. 

Front Lace is intended to be cut to create a natural hairline. This is a top closure that works best with a mesh integration hair system.

Front lace with wefted back is best for high-density hair toppers This is a great product and works well on all types of hair loss. The front lace is cut to emulate a natural hair part, or we can cut in bangs for a trendy look.

Virgin Remy Hairpiece

Please be aware that hair toppers are made in many different human hair qualities. Do not be afraid to ask the manufacturer, or salon what the hair quality is. If you are purchasing from Amazon, message the seller. Do not always go by the price point, since less expensive may be an inferior quality or a decent quality. Below is a breakdown of qualities.

Virgin hair: Offered in dark colors, and hard to find online. This hair does not contain chemicals, has not been dyed, or texturized. Most virgin hair comes from Indian temple hair and is the exact color and texture as it grew from the donor.

What is the difference between Virgin and Remy Hair?

Virgin (one-donor) hair: Derives from one person, the cuticle is aligned in one direction, and you will not experience matting. One-donor hair is gently dyed to achieve consistent color, as well as a variety of colors.

Remy Hair: Derives from many donors, but the cuticle is carefully aligned. Like one-donor hair, it is offered in a variety of colors.

The basic style hair topper (see above), is the easiest to clip into your hair. A front lace or higher density/long-length topper may need an expert to create a perfect blend with your hair. If you need some help, seek out a salon, like ours, that has years of knowledge working with hair toppers. 

Synthetic Hair Toppers

A synthetic hair topper is best used as a clip-on system that can be taken on and off. We do not attach synthetic hair since it will not blend well with your hair. Jon Renau is a great web site to shop for a synthetic topper, they offer excellent customer service, an easipart system, and vast product information.

 Hair Loss background

With Alopecia Areata, fungal infections, other autoimmune diseases, thinning hair by Trichotillomania which removes hair follicles by physical means. At Noelle Salon, we cover the various approaches to hair solutions to treat hair loss, female pattern baldness, balding spots, and other conditions to which you lose hair. At Noelle Salon, we focus on hair growth techniques. Hair systems and real human hair extension maintenance are part of the journey while wearing them. For Trichotillomania, as our hair grows both will loosen, and service is required. The difference between a hair system and hair extensions for Trichotillomania clients varies based on the location of hair loss. We know hair loss is a sensitive subject, and we encourage for you to read our customer reviews on Google from our beloved clientele. It all starts with a free consultation, feel free to reach out.