Time for a wig, decided to go gray.

pjrufus

pjrufus

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May 13, 2009
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#1
Did a search, can't find anything fairly recent. I've had enough with trying to keep up with my silver roots. I've gone fairly light brown with highlights which blended in with the roots better, for a few years anyway. It's really looking quite blond now. (My natural hair color used to be auburn/dark red brown.) My hair grows very fast, usually within a couple days after a root touch up, the silver is creeping in again. I can use a powder on the roots for a bit, but they get so obvious, so quickly, I'd be getting a touch up every week or two. I'm lucky, I work outdoors and wear a hat everyday, so I only worry about it when I need to go somewhere sans hat.

I've recently decided to go gray. I will ask my hairdresser about doing an all over highlighting with silver/gray, so it will be a nice blend rather than a stark solid gray/silver color. I had a wig years ago that I loved, was great to throw on for those last minute things when there was no time to fuss with my hair. So, I thought about a gray wig, first, to get used to the change, adjust makeup, etc., then it would be nice to have, again, for those last minute things.

Anyway, there are no wig shops/wig specialists within 2 hours of me, and even those I'm not sure about whether they would be worth a drive. I've been looking online. There aren't many options available in gray for longer hair - I can't do short. There are a lot of video wig reviews so I have a good idea about what to look for, however, buying online is scary. It looks like Jon Renau has a few longer styles available in a couple of nice blended gray colors, so I think I know where to start. Wig websites are awful. Can't find one that looks trustworthy, professional. And the return policies are the worst, whether it's a change of heart on the buyer or a mistake by the retailer, it's going to cost. Every one that I looked up had a large amount of complaints, BBB or elsewhere. Not sure where to go.

I never spend a lot on anything, bag, fashion or beauty related without checking PF first. Would appreciate any advice or suggestions.
 
#3
pjrufus said:
Here's a quick update, I'll post more if anyone is interested (not sure, am I the only one?) My first wig arrived, I've been wearing it all day. Still have to figure out how to get my own shoulder-length thick hair flat under a wig liner, but dang, I look good in silver hair!
Click to expand...
I'd love to know where you got your wig, and I'd love to see a pic! Like you, I'm going grey, but it is a nice silver colour, not that drab grey. I'm growing my hair out(it was dyed black, and I'm naturally an ashy blonde) but it's going to take some doing as I like my hair long. Where are you buying your wigs from, as I think this might be a solution whilst I'm waiting for my hair to grow out. Thanks!
 
#4
One thing to consider, if you plan on keeping your own hair long, is wig cap size. I should have sized up. They come in Petite, Average and Large. An average would fit just fine if I had short hair, but need extra room to pack in my hair. If you have a beauty supply place nearby that carries wigs, you could try a few on, just to check your size, I know the one near me doesn't have the better brands I've become interested in.
I have a wig on order from Wigs by Patti's Pearls, the style and color I wanted won't be available until May anywhere. I first emailed thru their contact to ask if it was in stock. I received a very nice response within an hour. I ordered and will wait on that one. I also like their YouTube videos, very informative, great place to start getting info. I've read others also like CysterWigs, but I haven't ordered from them yet. Their videos are also helpful. Other videos I like are from Interpretiveoption and Tazmaniax2. It's nice to see what they look like on different, real people.
Since I'm waiting on one from Patti, I bought one on eBay from a seller called WigSecret (PF disclaimer-I have no affiliation with this site, just a customer,) I might as well try and save a little, since I don't quite know what I'm doing yet. The wig was drop-shipped directly from the manufacturer (which it seems a lot of the wig sellers do, my wig from Patti is coming direct also. My wig arrived in 3 days. I bought another from eBay, but I don't have it yet, supposed to ship tomorrow.
Vogue Wigs has a 'Search by color' option which is great to see which wigs are available in colors you like. For me, I want different shades of gray. There just aren't that many longer styles in grays/silver, but there are nice ones. The blended colors are really nice. I found a few styles and colors I think I'll like. I'm not sure what shade/shades I want my hairdresser to try on me yet, so I'm trying a few. One wig I'm interested in is probably too long, but I want to try one sort of curly/beach wavy, and this one can be trimmed up to a more appropriate length for me.
Wherever you decide to order from, read their return policy, they all seem to have a 20-30% restocking fee.
I've king of rambled all over the place here, as I think of things that I wish I knew before, hope I've helped a little. With just my first wig, I really think I look younger with silver hair, than I do with my own colored hair.
 
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#5
No more skunk-stripe! No more keeping up with roots. Hairdresser hooked me up last night, and I love it. Trying out wigs worked for me. I love the look of salt and pepper and steel grey colors, but they don't work with my complexion, brings out the red in my skin. The warmer greys worked. My hair color is now very similar to a Jon Renau color 101F48T (for reference.)
I wouldn't trust just any colorist to do it. I've been to the same hairdresser 6-7 years. I messaged her about 10 days ago with a couple of photos, and asked if she could do something similar. The usual advice for someone transitioning to grey, is let it grow out and keep cutting it. I want to keep my long hair. My timing worked out good, because it gave her time to research, and there was a hair show during this time, and she did more research there.
I had about an inch and a half roots at the crown, the rest of my hair was various shades of light brown/blonde, with very blonde highlights. My last root touchup was about 2 months ago, the last highlights were done I think about 7-8 months ago. One way to go, is bleach the entire head, then add highlights and lowlights. Since I had sort of the under/over tones I was going for already, She did whole head highlights/bleach foils (as opposed to just partial highlights on the crown,) and tried to match my root lightness, then finished with a whole head toner.
My crown is the lightest, but it now blends in really well, a little darker at the nape, almost a graduated effect, an overall combination of silver and ash blonde. I love it.
Everyone's hair is different, responds to the timing differently, and the results can vary depending on what you start with. So, you do have to have an open mind, and not expect your results to perfectly match a photo. I basically told my hd that I was excited that she was willing to try it, and as long as it didn't turn out purple or blue, I knew I'd be happy. We both agreed it's better to under-time the steps, rather than over-time, and that worked out great. You really can't see the end results until your hair is dry. She might leave the toner on a bit longer next time (she offered to add more, if I wanted, when I was there last night-but I really like it the way it is now, and I'll see how it looks after a few washes.
I do hope this info helps someone else.
 
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#6
Glad it is working out! I hope to go gray one day but I am not ready yet (will be 47 this year) but I am SO sick of the maintenance. I go every four weeks which is fine for now. I fear that as I move towards being more gray I will have to go every 2-3 weeks.
 
#7
trigirl said:
Glad it is working out! I hope to go gray one day but I am not ready yet (will be 47 this year) but I am SO sick of the maintenance. I go every four weeks which is fine for now. I fear that as I move towards being more gray I will have to go every 2-3 weeks.
Click to expand...

I'm 67, it was time. I was using using powder on my roots within a week of having my roots done. Joan Rivers Great Hair Day is the best.
 
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#10
I've been coloring my hair since 2000. I was 34 when diagnosed with ovarian cancer and after chemo my formerly dark blond hair came in mousy brown/gray. Our children were quite young (7, 4 & 3 months) and this whole cancer battle was already upsetting, so I set about trying to recreate my old color as my hair grew in. That's 17 years ago now. I still color my hair myself about once a month. Loreal 9A. Our children are now young adults and don't really care what color my hair is but I'm not sure I'm ready to go gray yet. The thought is intriguing but I don't even know what color my hair is anymore.
 
#11
can_do_mom said:
I've been coloring my hair since 2000. I was 34 when diagnosed with ovarian cancer and after chemo my formerly dark blond hair came in mousy brown/gray. Our children were quite young (7, 4 & 3 months) and this whole cancer battle was already upsetting, so I set about trying to recreate my old color as my hair grew in. That's 17 years ago now. I still color my hair myself about once a month. Loreal 9A. Our children are now young adults and don't really care what color my hair is but I'm not sure I'm ready to go gray yet. The thought is intriguing but I don't even know what color my hair is anymore.
Click to expand...

My hair issues are so frivolous compared to your story. You are still young, have whatever hair color makes you feel your best, at any age.
 
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#12
pjrufus said:
No more skunk-stripe! No more keeping up with roots. Hairdresser hooked me up last night, and I love it. Trying out wigs worked for me. I love the look of salt and pepper and steel grey colors, but they don't work with my complexion, brings out the red in my skin. The warmer greys worked. My hair color is now very similar to a Jon Renau color 101F48T (for reference.)
I wouldn't trust just any colorist to do it. I've been to the same hairdresser 6-7 years. I messaged her about 10 days ago with a couple of photos, and asked if she could do something similar. The usual advice for someone transitioning to grey, is let it grow out and keep cutting it. I want to keep my long hair. My timing worked out good, because it gave her time to research, and there was a hair show during this time, and she did more research there.
I had about an inch and a half roots at the crown, the rest of my hair was various shades of light brown/blonde, with very blonde highlights. My last root touchup was about 2 months ago, the last highlights were done I think about 7-8 months ago. One way to go, is bleach the entire head, then add highlights and lowlights. Since I had sort of the under/over tones I was going for already, She did whole head highlights/bleach foils (as opposed to just partial highlights on the crown,) and tried to match my root lightness, then finished with a whole head toner.
My crown is the lightest, but it now blends in really well, a little darker at the nape, almost a graduated effect, an overall combination of silver and ash blonde. I love it.
Everyone's hair is different, responds to the timing differently, and the results can vary depending on what you start with. So, you do have to have an open mind, and not expect your results to perfectly match a photo. I basically told my hd that I was excited that she was willing to try it, and as long as it didn't turn out purple or blue, I knew I'd be happy. We both agreed it's better to under-time the steps, rather than over-time, and that worked out great. You really can't see the end results until your hair is dry. She might leave the toner on a bit longer next time (she offered to add more, if I wanted, when I was there last night-but I really like it the way it is now, and I'll see how it looks after a few washes.
I do hope this info helps someone else.
Click to expand...

I'd love to see pics! It sounds like we have similar hair woes. I'm 33 and fully grey, attempting to lighten it up from my natural color of black. My grey is actually all white - there's no pigment whatsoever. I want to let it grow out and rock it, but my stylist disagrees because of my age. I'm so incredibly sick of going in every 2 weeks for touch ups, plus it's not cheap!
 
#13
coconutsboston said:
I'd love to see pics! It sounds like we have similar hair woes. I'm 33 and fully grey, attempting to lighten it up from my natural color of black. My grey is actually all white - there's no pigment whatsoever. I want to let it grow out and rock it, but my stylist disagrees because of my age. I'm so incredibly sick of going in every 2 weeks for touch ups, plus it's not cheap!
Click to expand...

Go for it. It's your natural color, it was meant to be. Head on over to Pinterest or simply do a web search for gray hair, or growing out gray hair.
 
#14
coconutsboston said:
I'd love to see pics! It sounds like we have similar hair woes. I'm 33 and fully grey, attempting to lighten it up from my natural color of black. My grey is actually all white - there's no pigment whatsoever. I want to let it grow out and rock it, but my stylist disagrees because of my age. I'm so incredibly sick of going in every 2 weeks for touch ups, plus it's not cheap!
Click to expand...

All white could be so cool and young with a really well done, funky cut. The white look is actually pretty a pretty popular style right now, you can have it naturally!
 
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