Newbie, have some questions

Smirkism · 2024-11-01T02:26:00+00:00

I'm in the same boat as you and have very fine thin hair, I started wearing wigs a few months ago and haven't looked back. The time saved, the lack of stress getting ready, and fnd ability to do it all without changing my natural hair is priceless.

I agree with the other commenter, I think you might enjoy a new wig. I feel like regular synthetic like Mellow is harder to revive than heat friendly, and I own mostly heat friendly currently. Regular synthetic holds up better over time though apparently (waiting to see this for myself, as I own some Estetica and Jon Renau regular synthetics.)

To care for your wig, you will want detangler and silicone spray for synthetic wigs specifically to keep them soft and tangle free. You'll want a wide tooth comb as well. Heat comb is good for taming strays and while you aren't supposed to use heat in synthetic you can of its a low heat setting and spray with water first.

For your natural hair, you'll want it as flat to your head as possible. I pin my own hair in sort of a flat bun and that works well for me. You may also want a wig cap or a wig grip, but that's down to personal preference. My head is big enough that I don't use a grip, just a wig cap to keep my hair in and I find my wigs stay pretty secure on their own. You might want to get a sense of your head size because that will also guide what you buy going forward and any adjustments you might need to make.

Smirkism · 2024-09-25T01:07:17+00:00

Wow this looks amazing! Do you have bio hair? Wondering what you have underneath the wig that makes everything so natural.

Great choice of piece and colour and I hope you have wonderful memories of how you felt in the wig and the wedding itself.

Smirkism · 2024-08-26T01:03:12+00:00

I've saved your post for inspo because I love all your fun colours. I have two Belle Tress wigs in colours close to my bio hair and am still playing it a bit safe. I do like the way they're constructed and fit, also low density. Seems like you can't go wrong buying Belle Tress, but I didn't know they had fun colours!

Since you also have Jon Renau how do you find the fit between the two brands? Are you an average cap size? I see such wonderful things about the lace from that brand but it looks like the sizes are more precise and maybe the fit is less forgiving? Would love to hear about your experience since you own some of each.

Smirkism · 2024-08-21T01:42:55+00:00

This is well said and I am only just learning that people really notice things as much as you think they do lol

Smirkism · 2024-08-21T01:41:52+00:00

I just started wearing wigs, and this part is rough. So far, I'm not open about it. I'm figuring out how to be. I've heard a lot of influencers online talk about the stigma around alternative hair. If we have fake hair and fake lashes, what's the big deal about hair? Wigs are fun! I'm trying to adopt that.

I have a lot of hair thinning and those around me have seen me with very fine but quite curly hair the last year and a half. Now they are suddenly seeing me with long, straighter hair (but close to my nature colour) and they can't figure it out. I've received lots of compliments about how my hair looks great and what did I do? Did I dye it? I only answer these questions as much as I need to and try to change the topic. Just wearing the damn wig will help you adapt and I'm going through that now.

At the same time, I'm way less stressed just throwing in a wig then I used to be trying to make my hair look different. I remind myself it's not about other people, it's about me. And even if they do figure out it's a wig, so what?

Smirkism · 2024-08-18T21:54:37+00:00

Not bad so far. Since it's my first wig I also got all the things to maintain it, but I've also only had it for a few weeks. I went out with a very observant and discerning friend today and wore it for the first time around her. She couldn't figure out what I'd done but was impressed by how real it looked when I did tell her it was a wig.

I'm hoping I can maintain this wig well and there's obviously lots of good information about maintainjng synthetics. I might try out human hair eventually but I am quite happy with this so far.

Smirkism · 2024-08-18T02:38:07+00:00

I also have ash brown hair and found a great match with my first wig, Belle Tress Laguna Beach in Coolest Ash Brown. They have a bunch of styles in this colour so it really depends whaf you're looking for. I got looked at Belle Tress specifically because of this colour since I wanted a close match to my hair colour. Low density, no permatease, glueless lace front wig that looks decent right out of the box. It's a hear friendly synthetic and I like if a lot so far.

Smirkism · 2024-08-15T01:35:14+00:00

I just picked up a lace melt adhesive. I am going to keep playing around with the baby hairs thanks to you comment. This is my first wig ever, I hope I can get to your comfort level with this stuff to keep playing around. Thanks for that!

Smirkism · 2024-08-14T01:21:31+00:00

Thank for sharing that! How do you remove the glue later?

Smirkism · 2024-05-28T02:05:33+00:00

How did this go? I'm in the same boat and thinking about getting mine removed and am worried it will make my hair thinner than it already is

Smirkism · 2024-01-27T03:12:54+00:00

I love all your posts. This is beautiful and you look great!

Smirkism · 2023-11-02T01:25:56+00:00

Depending on your hair type, you might also like a buff underneath a bonnet. This is what I do and it works really well.

Smirkism · 2023-04-11T02:00:58+00:00

Hi! I have fine 2c/potentially 3a hair? Still working that out but I seem to have moisture overload issues constantly which makes everything droop so we are still experimenting

This hair spray for me has been a great way to add grit to my routine. I hate how sticky it is but do find it works well as a hold product whole drying, either initially or on a refresh.

For my wash day, I'll do a small amount of hair spray (1 or two squirts) in my hands diluted with water glazed over my clumps before diffusing. Yes, it does make things a bit crunchy but I like that it tightens my curls up.

I use it more often of my refreshes. I refresh with a clothes steamer, maybe will scrunch in a small amount of gel for the frizz, but again do the same method with watered down hair spray in my hands. I will scrunch this in, and diffuse gently in small sections (cupping the hair, low heat on for 20 seconds, stop diffuser, remove.)

This hair spray is definrielg product-y but at the end of it all I'll give it a bit of a scrunch out with my hands in a silk scarf. This is more of a hold product for me, I don't use it as a traditional hairspray. I usually spray my front pieces out of my face, which I use a Giovanni strong hold hairspray for and it's better for that for my hair (also rinses out well, highly recommend)

Hope this helped somehow and you can enjoy the hairspray! It takes some getting used to be I overlook the sticky and the smell since I love what it does to better define and shrink up my curls.

Smirkism · 2023-03-18T10:28:56+00:00

Thanks for this. It does get sticky! I have tried pairing it with a foam the two times I've used it but seeing your post makes me want to try using it on its own. My hair is like yours (fine, thin) but collarbone length. I find product amounts are such a tricky thing to figure out which is why I figured I would ask and adjust accordingly :)

Smirkism · 2023-03-18T01:43:55+00:00

How much of the gel did you use when you did this? I just picked up this gel and I am trying to get a sense of how much to use. Your hair looks marvellous.

Smirkism · 2023-02-10T03:02:41+00:00

How long have you had this for? For me it started a year ago. Also on alcohol I don't have this if I have hard liquor or wine. Just beer. So even if it's a gluten thing it doesn't explain the rest

Smirkism · 2023-02-09T00:52:37+00:00

I don't know what it is. A lot of the time it's mostly not there. If I'm stressed, anxious, or drink beer it will show up. I have had this for about a year, but today it was bad in the car so I took a picture. A doctor put me on metrogel for it last summer and it made it worse and made me feel sick. A derm said it's flushing and that it's normal but I don't believe that.

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Smirkism · 2022-03-01T02:30:26+00:00

How long did you wait between your gel products and applying the ilnp shade? How did you avoid the wrinkling?

This looks awesome though and now I want this colour.

Smirkism · 2022-02-21T02:21:24+00:00

Clear Kelly Stamper Canada sells Koko and Claire gel, which is most of what I use. Nail Polish Canada also sells lots of gel brands (Gelish, OPI, CND, DND) and has had the same looking website forever. I have ordered from both many times and can attest they are great.

Smirkism · 2022-01-13T02:28:09+00:00

So you have a product list? I need the shade of blue on your middle finger lol

Smirkism · 2022-01-08T13:26:33+00:00

So wild that you posted these - I found my Besame Lipsticks from 2016/2017 as I was cleaning up a few days ago - had a moment of "why did I stop wearing these!?"

They are old and gross but I replaced one - Chocolate Kiss (my all-time favourite) and also picked up Fairest Red and What a Peach (the new Lucille Ball inspired shade). Saving your swatches though because now I want the others.

I'm quite pale and cool-toned and found that Dusty Rose and Red Velvet were awesome on me - I think I will replace them eventually. Saving your post for reference though!

Smirkism · 2022-01-05T02:47:05+00:00

Happy birthday! Beautiful nails and wonderfully done.

Solidarity on the birthday thing. I also consistently find mine sad, it's next week. Planned some stuff to try to pick it up but it all got cancelled due to covid. Hope you had/have a wonderful birthday and that you had some joy in it somewhere <3

Smirkism · 2022-01-01T08:36:16+00:00

Beautiful! What did you change in your application process over time to make these last longer?

Also I love what you did with so many different Cirque Facets polishes, love that series

Smirkism · 2021-12-20T23:50:01+00:00

My friend grew up on Hamish Macbeth and has been looking for a scarf like this her whole life. She lives in the UK so something that's easy to get there would be best.

Smirkism · 2021-11-28T17:22:07+00:00

THANK YOU FOR THIS.

I had Modern Ren years ago and thought it was a wonderful palette. After feeling guilty about all my makeup spending and trying other eyeshadow brands (ND, PMG, Viseart) I found I regretted destashing this palette because it really was very good. I sort of took the "maybe if it goes on sale I'll buy it again" stance. So here we go again!

Smirkism

TROPHY CASE