Hair extensions

Hi everyone, I am a 48 year old woman who had had TTM since I was 12. I was
also a Sr. VP at 2 large international cosmetic companies and am a makeup artist. I have always been
good with hair and makeup although when I moved to executive positions I got
away from makeup application and am not certified to do hair (I was never a
cosmetologist).

Anyway, I also have been very active in the "Look Good Feel Better Program "
for cancer patients who have lost their hair.........whether it be eyebrows or
eyelashes or scalp hair. ( usually all of the above)

As I write this I am sitting with
a full head of hair and I am not pull free by a long shot!!

There are many things you all can do depending on your particular degree of
hair loss, where on the scalp the hair is missing and your budget. I have
tried a zillion different methods I would certainly love to share with you my
successes as well as failures. This way you don't have to spend money on
solutions that simply do not work as I did.

I am sure you can understand the pressures on me to look good, being in the
cosmetics business....and yet I pulled and I pulled ...and still pull. Please
feel free to write tell me a little about your situation and perhaps I can
suggest something. For example, for the gal that wrote and said she hated her
wig, I could help you because I am sure you didn't get the right kind and
don't know how to put it on...it can't just be plopped on the
head.unfortunately the sales help in wigs stores and certainly online are not
that helpful or knowledgeable....there are many ticks of the trade so to speak
and I would love to share them.

>From something as simple as using a brush on brow as opposed to a pencil to
create eyebrows to a certain kind of hair extensions will are healthy and will
not allow you to pull because your own hair is totally braided.(I know for a fact that many models and movie star's hair is really hair extensions.  Unfortunately, I just can't name names here and I am sure you understand why..This is the most expensive
solution but there are many many solutions that cost less...however is budget
is not an issue (this is the solution I recommend) I can tell you where to go and who to got to)
See, you can see there are so man options but not each one is right for
everyone and they are certainly too lengthy to go into here. By the way, I
found the sites on the Trich home page to deal with how one looks severely
deficient, but that's because I have spent years researching and trying
methods and am in the beauty business to start with. No slight intended to the
people responsible for that site it is a wonderful source of knowledge!!!!

A fellow trichster,
Sincerely,
JoAnna

. Edie wrote:
"just wanted you all to know that I "wrote" to JoAnna ( lol....that's me)
about the braids like people of color do in corn rows ".............

JoAnna:
exactly!!!..........the only difference is that the corn rows are horizontal
not vertical the way that cornrows are normally. They are horizontal so that
the hair can be sewn in across the head in long "strips" or wefts as they are
called.

Edie:
Then you buy these real human hair extensions,
and they are actually weaved into your braids. It seems to me that this would
make it very difficult to get to your own hair/scalp.
...........................

JoAnna:
exactly!!.......you cannot get to your own hair, the only risk is as they get
loose you can get under them with much determination however even if you do,
if any damage is done it will never be seen. The only draw back is you have to
leave out a little hair in the front to cover the first row........so you cant
pull that!!
It has never been a problem for me, I always pull from the top or sides. If
you also want the option of a pony tail or wearing your hair up some days then
you need to leave some hair out at the nape of the neck so when you sweep your
hair up once again, the last row is covered.

BTW...for those of you thinking I don't have enough hair to braid, not to
worry, the tiny hairs left from the pulling are intertwined with some cheap
hair to form the micro braid.

Edie:
And in the meantime, I
could have a gorgeous head of whatever kind of hair I desire!!!!
.................

JoAnna:
Ironically, your hair becomes one of your best features, I am known for my
beautiful hair (what a joke!!!)

John wrote:
This sounds like a good possibility for you ladies who have hair long enough
to braid. If it is braided tight enough, it should be difficult to pull. I
know, I know,
but think about it! I could pull if I were in a straight jacket but we aren't
talking about extreme cases, are we? ..................................

JoAnna:
Your hair doesn't have to be long for the braids or cornrows. I also think
that for some people who don't have to have a conservative look...........(
perhaps kids) braids or cornrows is very pretty and IMHO is not as drastic as
shaving ..........so another thought is have the braids done and don't add the
hair extensions....( again not for everyone, just trying to recommend some
ideas)

One last note for those thinking of getting hair extensions..........many
salons say they do hair extensions...........DO NOT make the mistake I
did!!!!!!! .......The only method to do especially for us is the one mentioned
above, braids and hair sewn into braids.
Believe me I have tried others, avoid anyone who says they do hair "bonding"or
uses glue or anything else.
This method not only allows you to swim and do anything, looks the most
natural and doesn't let us get to our scalp. The ONLY way anyone can tell is
if they run their fingers through your hair, they will feel the little braids at
the base of what seems to be your beautiful hair.

Q: How long can you wear these and don't you have to keep going back for
reweaving?

Johanna: I guess that varies a bit with the individual, but I redo mine every 4
months or so.

Q: Can I color my own hair with these in? I have so much gray and must
color every 2-3 weeks.

Johanna: You should color your hair before you have it done. Then (remember your
own hair is braided closely to the scalp) you only need to color the tiny bit
of hair that is showing in the front because no one can see your hair
underneath. This hair is maintenance free, so any costs you would normally
incur do not apply. When you have them removed, say in 4 months, you should
color all that gray (you will be amazed at how much has grown and how gray it
is) Then reweave. I might add that the when the weave is taken out the
operator, a good one, will go very slowly to remove each stitch and not cut or
damage your own hair in anyway. A word of caution, these takes time!!! A
second weave takes about 8 hours, since they have to take out the old one,
color your hair, and then reweave a new one. Again if the operator is good
she can use your same extensions many times before you have to buy new hair.

Q: Also, I have very straight, long hair, and prefer not to
perm because it takes really strong chemicals to get my hair to curl. Will
this
look OK with straight hair? On a 46 year old woman?
Thanks for the help.

JoAanna: I get hair that is called Bone Straight" and that is what you need too.
If you are familiar with the model Naomi Cambell, although she is a woman of
color she is known for her silky bone straight hair, of course that is a
weave.

SOME MAKE-UP TIPS

Hi ...................I think I might be able to help with the brows.
NEVER use a pencil........LOL....(oops IMHO)
It is waxy and will not allow you to blend the color with what brows you may
have. Here is what has worked.............
First of all you need to buy a Brush on Brow...essentially what this is, is a
type of eyeshadow but not as powdery. If you are in a pinch an eyeshadow will
work too.
I suggest a product by Clinque called Brow Shaper, I have mine for years so I
don't know if they still make it. This is the type of product you are better
off buying in a department store so you can try it. If you have black, dark
brown, or medium brown hair, you should be looking for a taupe grayish brown,
( in fact the one I think I own is called Charcoal, but it is so old the label
is worn off) If you are light brown to blond you should be wearing a light
tan.( you will see when you look there aren't many colors.)

Anyway, next you need either an eye brow brush or a toothbrush. Usually if you
buy a Brush on Brow it will come with a brush of its own (So that makes 2
brushes one to set the direction of the brow another to apply the powder.( I
know it sounds like a lot but once you get the process down it should take no
more than 30 seconds)
Oh by the way, Adrien Arpel (sold at Sears and online) also makes a good
one....its called simply Brush on Brow and has 3 colors so you can mix them.
Never use black under any circumstances.
OK now:
1. With your eyebrow brush or your toothbrush............ brush whatever hair
you might have upwards. Normally I would say if there are a few hairs that
seem way too long trim them but with us I will just say brush them up and to
the side If you think you can make a small snip and some hairs are too long by
all means feel free.

2. Take the Brush on Brow brush ( it should be a totally slanted brush) and
take a swipe of the color, make sure there isn't too much product on the
brush, remove some on your hand if you have to before you applying to your
face. Remember (as in all makeup,) you can always add more, once you have
applied too much you cant remove it.

3. Gently draw a line along the top of your eyebrow with the slanted brush you
wont notice much color but that is good.

4. Then gently draw a line along the bottom of your brow (or where you would
like it to be)

5. Now apply a bit more powder in between, then take the toothbrush/eyebrow
brush and brush the color sideways into the hair or into the skin a bit. (
whatever hair is there will catch it). You should have a natural look. Go through
the process again if you feel you don't have enough definition.

Wow applying makeup to people is easy.............describing how to apply it
without a demonstration is harder than I thought..LOL)
If you are not too self conscious the best idea is to go to a department store
and go into cosmetics, ask one of the sales associates what line carries a
brush on brow, then find out when a makeup artist will be there (there is
always someone who can do a makeover, whether it be a sales associate or
makeup artist, and let them do your brows)
After 20 years of avoiding hairdressers I know this is not as easy as it
sounds, but as I said recently in an email, Tell the professional (whether it
be a makeup artist or hairdresser) that you are sure that he/she will be
discrete in their interaction with you, Put on your snootiest voice ever and
say, "I am sure that you can understand that other than to discuss the nature
of the service I really don't care to discuss the hair loss situation"
Remember they work for you!! You are the client!

Good Luck with the brows, let me know if you have any problems at all
Best,
JoAnna