FAQ
What is a hair topper?
A hair topper is a modern human hairpiece easily attached to your hair with clips and a front comb. They’re worn to enhance volume, length, and density to existing hair, as well as disguise bald, balding or thinning patches. They are also known as crown toppers, half wigs, and wiglets, and are designed to blend naturally with your own hair and scalp line.
I just received my first topper, what should I expect?
- When you first receive your topper it will have been sitting in the box for a few days and will need some adjustments and reshaping.
- I recommend you shake the topper and detangle it by running your fingers or a wide tooth flexible comb gently through the hair.
- If the cap appears puffy, gently dampen the cap (inside and out) and blow dry to flatten.
- The topper will arrive parted on your desired side, and may require further customization to conform to your individual style. The silk area is multi-directional and the hair parting can be changed in either direction. Simply spray some water to fully wet the silk area and adjust the parting to your desired section. Gently blow dry the hair down.
This is my first experience with alternative hair. What should I expect?
If you are a first time alternative hair wearer and your new topper does not look right, consider the following:
- It is normal to feel like you have too much hair on your head all of a sudden. We've all been there! It is a big change and you need to give yourself some time to adapt to it. I recommend you first wear it around your home and in your comfort zone for some time to get used to the feeling and your reflection in the mirror. Try blending your hair piece with some of your own bio hair if available.
- Purchased toppers that have not been customized have been produced to cater to a wide range of people. To achieve a more natural look you will need to personalize it to your needs and style. I highly recommended you work with stylists who have extensive experience with toppers and alternative hair, and ideally have it cut whilst on your head. A hair piece can completely transform once styled and customised to your needs.
Which products should I use to wash and care for my topper?
- When washing your topper, it’s vital you use a good quality sulphate free shampoo and conditioner. An occasional hair mask will hydrate, nourish, and increase the longevity of your piece.
- I do not recommend leave-in conditioners or strong hair repair products. Those can coat the hair shaft, build up residue, and make your hair look heavy.
- Always apply heat protectant to help your topper to last longer. Be sure the topper hair is completely dry before using heated tools.
- I recommend working in a few small drops of argan oil every few days, especially when the hair is worn every day. Use sparingly and apply from the middle down through the ends.
Which products should I use to wash and care for my topper?
- When washing your topper, it’s vital you use a good quality sulphate free shampoo and conditioner. An occasional hair mask will hydrate, nourish, and increase the longevity of your piece.
- I do not recommend leave-in conditioners or strong hair repair products. Those can coat the hair shaft, build up residue, and make your hair look heavy.
- Always apply heat protectant to help your topper to last longer. Be sure the topper hair is completely dry before using heated tools.
- I recommend working in a few small drops of argan oil every few days, especially when the hair is worn every day. Use sparingly and apply from the middle down through the ends.
How do I wash my topper?
- Fill your sink or a separate container with lukewarm water. Add some sulphate free shampoo to create a soapy mixture.
- Brush your topper. Make sure the hair is tangle-free, and that no hair is trapped inside the clips and comb. Close all clips before washing.
- Hold your piece with your thumb outside where the part is, and your inner palm on the inside of the cap. Dip the hair piece in and out several times while squeezing the water from the cap to the ends.
- Empty the sink or the container, then rinse your piece with lukewarm water, thoroughly removing all shampoo. You might need to repeat this process.
- Depending on the condition of the hair you may want to apply a hydrating or repairing mask before applying conditioner. In both cases, make sure the mask or conditioner does not come in contact with the cap as the knots might loosen. Rinse thoroughly and gently squeeze out all excess water.
- Place your topper in a towel and pat dry. Allow it to fully dry before styling.
- Occasionally, the cap fabric may puff up. To reshape it blow dry the cap either on your head or mannequin while the cap is slightly stretched. This process is most effective when the cap is slightly damp. You may need to mould the cap to sit comfortably on your head after each wash.
How do I style my topper?
- Hair may become fluffy and slightly textured after each wash. Styling is recommended to keep the hair smooth and healthy.
- To prevent damage, always make sure the hair is completely dry, and an oil-free heat protectant is applied prior to heat styling. No higher than 185 degrees F is recommended.
- After styling, you may work a couple drops of argan oil through the hair avoiding the roots. Coconut oil and hair repair products such as Olaplex should be avoided as they can harm the quality of your topper. Leave-in conditioners are not recommended as they can build up residue on the hair shaft and deteriorate the quality of the hair.
- The cap is made out of fabric and may become puffy after washes. This is normal. Simply dampen the cap (inside and out), slightly stretch the perimeter of the topper on a mannequin head, and secure it with pins (staying away from the silk). Blow dry with moderate heat.
How do I store my topper?
- After each wear, properly brush out your topper. Start with the ends while holding the cap to prevent pulling the knots. Gently work your way towards the cap. Make sure no hair is trapped in the clips and comb and all clips are closed.
- Use a brush with flexible anti-tangle bristles to procure a smooth and gentle detangling process and protect the cuticles.
- Store your hair piece away from direct sunlight to prevent colour oxidizing or fading.
- For frequent wear: store your topper on a mannequin or foam head nightly to preserve its shape.
- For occasional wear: store your hair in its original silk bag and box. If the topper has been stored for a while, re-shape by shaking the hair, blow drying the roots, and/or dampening the cap to achieve a more natural look.
- To extend the life of your topper use a good quality hair oil (e.g. argan oil) when needed.
- Longer hair should be brushed every few hours to prevent tangling. Friction between hair and fabric may cause hair to dry out and tangle more easily.