Beauty and/or Hair Tips....

Hissy_Fitz
Hissy_Fitz Member Posts: 1,834
edited March 2014 in Ovarian Cancer #1
This is such a big issue for us girls (hair and looks). I thought it warranted a thread all its own. Do you have experiences, tips, etc that you would like to share regarding wigs, scarves, makeup, etc? Or maybe you're a newbie and have questions?

I will start by saying that I finally lost it all - hair, brows, lashes - everything. I use brow powder and eyeliner to give the illusion of brows and lashes. As for wigs, I have two......one made of human hair and one synthetic. Each has pros and cons.

Over the weekend I ordered some wig tape. My human hair wig has "tape tabs" at the front, sides and back designed just for this purpose (who knew?). Has anyone else tried a similar product?

Carlene
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Comments

  • jamilou
    jamilou Member Posts: 200
    #2
    Wigs, etc...
    Carlene
    I never wore wigs but had an amazing assortment of hats. I always wore a scarf under my hats and tied in the back. Depending on the occasion depended on the hat. My girls at the time (10 and 13) didn't like to see me in the wigs. As for makeup I actually on special occasions or when I needed to feel "pretty" used false eyelashes and found that they really weren't that hard to put on. My sylist showed me how to do it. I always felt so much better with eyelashes. There is a site called www.eyeslipsface.com that sells eyelashes for $1 -$3 dollars a piece. I have heard that some cities have groups that will help cancer patients with make-up. May try to google your city to see if there is one near you. Good luck with your new look.
    Jami
  • LPack
    LPack Member Posts: 645
    #3
    make up
    During my first treatment regime I lost all hair nothing anywhere. I got stencils for my brows at Sallys and made them high or low and sometimes angry eyebrows (like veggie tales) just to have fun. You know the higher they are, the younger you look!? ☺ It was just as easy to pencil in free hand, too.

    My first wig I singed while grilling (remember not to grill with wig on) and my second wig I singed while opening up oven (remember not to wear wig when cooking)! This could get expensive! I wore the scarves more than the wig and if ordering scarves from TLC they send a diagram of ways to wear the scarves.

    I also have hats. This time around my hair is thin but still have it. I have not colored it, so is fashionably white and black or gray or whatever. ☺ Everyone says they love the color and I say if so, why not let yours go natural! Hee Hee

    I also wore skull caps under my helmet when we ride the Harley, then did not have to worry about wig coming off with helmet!

    Living for Eternity,
    Libby
  • Hissy_Fitz
    Hissy_Fitz Member Posts: 1,834
    #4
    LPack said:

    make up
    During my first treatment regime I lost all hair nothing anywhere. I got stencils for my brows at Sallys and made them high or low and sometimes angry eyebrows (like veggie tales) just to have fun. You know the higher they are, the younger you look!? ☺ It was just as easy to pencil in free hand, too.

    My first wig I singed while grilling (remember not to grill with wig on) and my second wig I singed while opening up oven (remember not to wear wig when cooking)! This could get expensive! I wore the scarves more than the wig and if ordering scarves from TLC they send a diagram of ways to wear the scarves.

    I also have hats. This time around my hair is thin but still have it. I have not colored it, so is fashionably white and black or gray or whatever. ☺ Everyone says they love the color and I say if so, why not let yours go natural! Hee Hee

    I also wore skull caps under my helmet when we ride the Harley, then did not have to worry about wig coming off with helmet!

    Living for Eternity,
    Libby

    Synthetic Wigs.......
    That's one of the downsides to synthetic wigs......they have a low tolerance for heat. Their max is approximately 160 degrees. Human hair wigs, however, can withstand much more heat, and you can use curling irons, flat irons, etc on them.

    There are several "cons" to human hair wigs, as well:
    More expensive (my insurance paid $350 of mine)
    Susceptible to humidity, etc
    Have to be re-styled when shampooed

    I wore baseball style hats until I lost all my hair. Now the bald shows thru the little hole in the back, so I have "hat hair" to wear under them. It's just a little halo of synthetic hair that peeks out from under the cap/hat.

    I tried but never got the hang of scarves. They don't stay on well for me, plus I have a very small head, so almost all of them are way too long.

    I wear stretchy turbans at night and for just-out-of-the-shower cover-ups.

    Carlene
  • LPack
    LPack Member Posts: 645
    #5
    Hissy_Fitz said:

    Synthetic Wigs.......
    That's one of the downsides to synthetic wigs......they have a low tolerance for heat. Their max is approximately 160 degrees. Human hair wigs, however, can withstand much more heat, and you can use curling irons, flat irons, etc on them.

    There are several "cons" to human hair wigs, as well:
    More expensive (my insurance paid $350 of mine)
    Susceptible to humidity, etc
    Have to be re-styled when shampooed

    I wore baseball style hats until I lost all my hair. Now the bald shows thru the little hole in the back, so I have "hat hair" to wear under them. It's just a little halo of synthetic hair that peeks out from under the cap/hat.

    I tried but never got the hang of scarves. They don't stay on well for me, plus I have a very small head, so almost all of them are way too long.

    I wear stretchy turbans at night and for just-out-of-the-shower cover-ups.

    Carlene

    I too have a very small
    I too have a very small head! But I am a small person. But I made knots in the back and did some cool things with the scarves.

    Yes, synthetic hair does singe in the heat, but my insurance WOULD NOT cover the cost of wigs. So "human" hair was not an option for me. But that was okay. I could buy a second to replace the first....................and a third if I need too. (If my hair gets any thinner I will). ☺

    I too have a small hat hair to wear, but did not like it. My hats pretty much covered everything anyways! Still have most of my stuff, but did give some away to a friend who is going through chemo. But have enough in case I need it.

    For bedtime either bald or night cap. Mostly went bald. And did in the house during the day. I was most comfortable bald actually. Jerry and oldest son had hard time with that but middle and youngest son thought it was COOL! My daughter was okay with whatever and oldest grandson just called me Maw-Maw Baldhead!!

    Libby
  • Hissy_Fitz
    Hissy_Fitz Member Posts: 1,834
    #6
    LPack said:

    I too have a very small
    I too have a very small head! But I am a small person. But I made knots in the back and did some cool things with the scarves.

    Yes, synthetic hair does singe in the heat, but my insurance WOULD NOT cover the cost of wigs. So "human" hair was not an option for me. But that was okay. I could buy a second to replace the first....................and a third if I need too. (If my hair gets any thinner I will). ☺

    I too have a small hat hair to wear, but did not like it. My hats pretty much covered everything anyways! Still have most of my stuff, but did give some away to a friend who is going through chemo. But have enough in case I need it.

    For bedtime either bald or night cap. Mostly went bald. And did in the house during the day. I was most comfortable bald actually. Jerry and oldest son had hard time with that but middle and youngest son thought it was COOL! My daughter was okay with whatever and oldest grandson just called me Maw-Maw Baldhead!!

    Libby

    Purchasing wigs.......
    I suggest going to a bricks and mortar wig shop and trying on different ones. Find a brand/style you like, then check the Internet for prices. You will pay half as much if you order off the Internet.

    I bought a Renee of Paris monofilament synthetic wig (the one in my photo) for $125 off the Internet, whereas the wig shop wanted $320 for the exact same wig.

    Carlene
  • gracianna
    gracianna Member Posts: 4
    #7
    Hissy_Fitz said:

    Purchasing wigs.......
    I suggest going to a bricks and mortar wig shop and trying on different ones. Find a brand/style you like, then check the Internet for prices. You will pay half as much if you order off the Internet.

    I bought a Renee of Paris monofilament synthetic wig (the one in my photo) for $125 off the Internet, whereas the wig shop wanted $320 for the exact same wig.

    Carlene

    Wigs vs. Scarves
    I found another good place to shop for a wig is through your beautician. I went to a beautician who is also a cancer survivor and was able to buy a very nice synthetic wig for $125, all of which was covered by insurance. It is one of Raquel Welch's wigs.

    I've worn both wigs and scarves and find that I am much more comfortable in scarves. The website I enjoyed using was Headcovers Unlimited, www.headcovers.com. They have a wide selection of scarves and hats, all at reasonable prices. I found that by wearing a skull cap under my scarf kept it from slipping.

    Grace
  • lindaprocopio
    lindaprocopio Member Posts: 1,980 Member
    #8
    gracianna said:

    Wigs vs. Scarves
    I found another good place to shop for a wig is through your beautician. I went to a beautician who is also a cancer survivor and was able to buy a very nice synthetic wig for $125, all of which was covered by insurance. It is one of Raquel Welch's wigs.

    I've worn both wigs and scarves and find that I am much more comfortable in scarves. The website I enjoyed using was Headcovers Unlimited, www.headcovers.com. They have a wide selection of scarves and hats, all at reasonable prices. I found that by wearing a skull cap under my scarf kept it from slipping.

    Grace

    I will be bald for my cruise & it will be HOT.
    I have been shopping for the cruise we're going to in late May/early June, and have been concerned that it will be HOT at that time, and I will still be bald. Last summer I couldn't stand to even wear a baseball hat or a scarf or my 'Whisper Light' wig when it was hot. (I don't know how men run around all summer with a baseball hat on! I ROAST!) But I don't want to draw all that attention to myself by going bald, or to burn my noggin. So I've been shopping and was surprised at some of the stuff I found. They sell a 'bathing cap' that LOOKS like a Speedo bathing cap but isn't waterproof (since I have no hair to keep dry!!) and is cool and breathable (made of bathing suit like material) and tight so it will stay on in the water. I thought that was a good solution for swimming & snorkling and to protect me better from sunburn under straw hats. I figure if it's WET from swimming I can stand to keep it on.

    I also shopped for bathing suits that come up high to cover my port and also have 'tummy control' build inside since I have lost my flat stomach forever, I fear. I find I now have 'old lady' flabby thighs from being inactive for so long, so I got a pareo and a pair of 'board shorts' to wear with my suit when I am not in the water.

    As for makeup, I am again lashless and browless from my latest taxol regime. I think my most important makeup item now is the cover-up I carefully work into the dark shadows under my eyes; that takes away a lot of the 'sick' look, especially combined with a bright blush on the cheeks. I use a creme-to-powder eyeliner to draw on my brows and lashes. I've been through the baldness twice now and you'd think I'd be an expert at this, but I still find it difficult to get a consistently realistic look. Right now my lashes and brows are JUST starting to re-sprout (last taxol Feb. 2nd), so tiny no one but me can even see them, and that makes it harder to get the liner drawn on. I use a creme-to-powder mineral foundation to color up my pale complection, running it down my neck so I don't have a line. It's hard to achieve a healthy look, but a HUGE SMILE is the best beauty tip!

    PS to CARLENE: Don't be surprised if your eyebrows and lashes come back with the maintenance taxol. I got the low-dose taxol WEEKLY (as 2nd chemo line) and it took 6 infusions before my lashes and brows started to go. I'll bet you get lashes and brows back during your maintenance taxol! I know I miss my lashes and brows much more than thee rest of my hair.
  • leesag
    leesag Member Posts: 621 Member
    #9
    Hissy_Fitz said:

    Synthetic Wigs.......
    That's one of the downsides to synthetic wigs......they have a low tolerance for heat. Their max is approximately 160 degrees. Human hair wigs, however, can withstand much more heat, and you can use curling irons, flat irons, etc on them.

    There are several "cons" to human hair wigs, as well:
    More expensive (my insurance paid $350 of mine)
    Susceptible to humidity, etc
    Have to be re-styled when shampooed

    I wore baseball style hats until I lost all my hair. Now the bald shows thru the little hole in the back, so I have "hat hair" to wear under them. It's just a little halo of synthetic hair that peeks out from under the cap/hat.

    I tried but never got the hang of scarves. They don't stay on well for me, plus I have a very small head, so almost all of them are way too long.

    I wear stretchy turbans at night and for just-out-of-the-shower cover-ups.

    Carlene

    Scarves
    I found a great website for scarves, they are a bit pricey but they are VERY stylish AND made with elastic so no tying necessary! They have "bow like" tails at the back and come with a matching scrunching for versatile styling. It's called the "BeauBeau" and can be found at www.4women.com. I bought just a couple for when I'm out for dinner or church.

    They also come in multiple sizes. I wear the M/L. My facebook picture has me wearing a BeauBeau that I put on without a mirror!

    I go tonight to pick up my new hair. It will probably sit on my dresser except for visits to see my kids at school unless my oncologist decides I can go back to work before the end of the school year.

    Hugs!

    Leesa
  • Mawty
    Mawty Member Posts: 133
    #10
    leesag said:

    Scarves
    I found a great website for scarves, they are a bit pricey but they are VERY stylish AND made with elastic so no tying necessary! They have "bow like" tails at the back and come with a matching scrunching for versatile styling. It's called the "BeauBeau" and can be found at www.4women.com. I bought just a couple for when I'm out for dinner or church.

    They also come in multiple sizes. I wear the M/L. My facebook picture has me wearing a BeauBeau that I put on without a mirror!

    I go tonight to pick up my new hair. It will probably sit on my dresser except for visits to see my kids at school unless my oncologist decides I can go back to work before the end of the school year.

    Hugs!

    Leesa

    So fun!
    Thank you, Carlene, for starting this thread. So fun to read all the ladies' ideas! I'm going on a cruise in a week and a half, and I think I'll try hats and scarves this time. My hair is coming back in very thin. I just had it shaved to a number 3 again to see if it would come in better next time. I keep losing my eyelashes over and over again. They come back all of a sudden and then they're gone again. It's like surprise! We're here! Surprise! We're gone! I don't know what in the world is causing it. I'm on Doxil and Carbo, so I guess that's what's doing it. I love Libby's idea of drawing different eyebrows especially for my grandkids. Thanks again for all your ideas, girls. I love it!

    Marty
  • Hissy_Fitz
    Hissy_Fitz Member Posts: 1,834
    #11
    leesag said:

    Scarves
    I found a great website for scarves, they are a bit pricey but they are VERY stylish AND made with elastic so no tying necessary! They have "bow like" tails at the back and come with a matching scrunching for versatile styling. It's called the "BeauBeau" and can be found at www.4women.com. I bought just a couple for when I'm out for dinner or church.

    They also come in multiple sizes. I wear the M/L. My facebook picture has me wearing a BeauBeau that I put on without a mirror!

    I go tonight to pick up my new hair. It will probably sit on my dresser except for visits to see my kids at school unless my oncologist decides I can go back to work before the end of the school year.

    Hugs!

    Leesa

    Well, I just want to say,
    Well, I just want to say, your new hair can't possibly hold a candle to your Mohawk. You should make friends with it, though. What kind did you get?

    By the way.....here's a great site for some really funky wigs. Maybe your hubby would like to surprise you with one on your next gift-giving occassion......
    http://extremewigs.com/gothpunk.htm

    Carlene
  • leesag
    leesag Member Posts: 621 Member
    #12
    Hissy_Fitz said:

    Well, I just want to say,
    Well, I just want to say, your new hair can't possibly hold a candle to your Mohawk. You should make friends with it, though. What kind did you get?

    By the way.....here's a great site for some really funky wigs. Maybe your hubby would like to surprise you with one on your next gift-giving occassion......
    http://extremewigs.com/gothpunk.htm

    Carlene

    Hey Carlene,
    My husband will
    Hey Carlene,
    My husband will love that site! There are some fun wigs there, I may have to buy one to surprise him! If you want to see one of my new wigs, check out my facebook page. I can't get it to upload here.

    I'll get used to it, I've just gotten comfortable with the scarf thing, and it's such a shock to see hair on my head that's not mine! lol. I'm half worried that I'll take it off in the middle of a hot flash without thinking about where I am!


    ;) Thanks for the website!

    Hugs!
    Leesa
  • nancy591
    nancy591 Member Posts: 1,027 Member
    #13
    leesag said:

    Hey Carlene,
    My husband will
    Hey Carlene,
    My husband will love that site! There are some fun wigs there, I may have to buy one to surprise him! If you want to see one of my new wigs, check out my facebook page. I can't get it to upload here.

    I'll get used to it, I've just gotten comfortable with the scarf thing, and it's such a shock to see hair on my head that's not mine! lol. I'm half worried that I'll take it off in the middle of a hot flash without thinking about where I am!


    ;) Thanks for the website!

    Hugs!
    Leesa

    Wigs/eyebrows
    Leesa I love the wig. I have two that are similar. Who makes that one and what style name is it?
    Carlene, I really like yours too...what style name is it?

    I have two 'bobs', one 'posh' and one that I bought at a wig store. I now hate the one at the wig store and it cost me double then I paid online. I shopped headcovers.com and wig.com. I also have scarves and one beaubeau. Personally, I like the scarves better then the beaubeau.

    The first time I put a wig on my 6yr old hated it. I was bringing him to school and he asked me to take it off. Of course I did. I wore scarves over the wig for awhile. My kids eventually got used to it. Then my 6yr old would love to tell his friends "my Mom is wearing a wig!" Then he would ask me to take it off for his class...of course I never did.

    I wore fake lashes but they were difficult to put on. The eyebrows were the toughest. I did use stencils and powder...not a pencil. I tried the eyebrow temporary tattoos. I bought them at headcovers.com. Anyone try them? Well, my daughter and I certainly had a good laugh. Any Seinfeld fans out there remember when Elaine took Uncle Leo to the doctor and she drew eyebrows on him? LOL. Well, they looked like 'Uncle Leo' eyebrows.
  • kayandok
    kayandok Member Posts: 1,202 Member
    #14
    leesag said:

    Scarves
    I found a great website for scarves, they are a bit pricey but they are VERY stylish AND made with elastic so no tying necessary! They have "bow like" tails at the back and come with a matching scrunching for versatile styling. It's called the "BeauBeau" and can be found at www.4women.com. I bought just a couple for when I'm out for dinner or church.

    They also come in multiple sizes. I wear the M/L. My facebook picture has me wearing a BeauBeau that I put on without a mirror!

    I go tonight to pick up my new hair. It will probably sit on my dresser except for visits to see my kids at school unless my oncologist decides I can go back to work before the end of the school year.

    Hugs!

    Leesa

    Carlene,
    What a great thread!!! And I remember well, all the questions I had when I knew I was going to loose my hair, so even those not responding will be able to get good info from those who are living this out everyday. I really like your wig. Is this the real hair wig?

    Leesa, you look great in your wig! I never did wear a longer one, but always wanted to try.

    I got my wig at headcovers.com. It was a fake hair one, and even my hairdresser didn't know I had a wig on. It was soooooo hot to wear in the summer, (Japan is very hot with 90% humidity in summer) I always went bald at home and often wore a baseball cap out. I didn't initially was going to get the hair to tape on, but decided I kind of liked my little bald head showing through. I am a bit warped, i'm sure but I sort of enjoyed watching people trying to politely look at my bald head showing through the cap, and figure out if it was a very short hair cut or a shaved head. LOL. Of-course, this is Japan, so no one EVER said anything or asked me about it.

    Kathleen:)
  • msfanciful
    msfanciful Member Posts: 559
    #15
    kayandok said:

    Carlene,
    What a great thread!!! And I remember well, all the questions I had when I knew I was going to loose my hair, so even those not responding will be able to get good info from those who are living this out everyday. I really like your wig. Is this the real hair wig?

    Leesa, you look great in your wig! I never did wear a longer one, but always wanted to try.

    I got my wig at headcovers.com. It was a fake hair one, and even my hairdresser didn't know I had a wig on. It was soooooo hot to wear in the summer, (Japan is very hot with 90% humidity in summer) I always went bald at home and often wore a baseball cap out. I didn't initially was going to get the hair to tape on, but decided I kind of liked my little bald head showing through. I am a bit warped, i'm sure but I sort of enjoyed watching people trying to politely look at my bald head showing through the cap, and figure out if it was a very short hair cut or a shaved head. LOL. Of-course, this is Japan, so no one EVER said anything or asked me about it.

    Kathleen:)

    Hi everyone,

    This is a great thread.

    I agree with all the aforementioned tips, I particularly like the eyebrow stencils (can be purchased @ Sallys); because on a bad day they come in so handy.

    Don't forget to experiment with heavy on the eyeliner for the illusion of eyelashes. I don't recommend false eyelashes of any kind on the eyes due to possible infections, etc., plus they just don't stay on anyway. (Yes I tried them and there's nothing more embarrassing than having your lashes fall off in public.) Yes it happened to me.

    There are pros and cons to human and synthetic wigs. If you are the type of person who doesn't have a styling bone in her body and finds it difficult to style hair in any way I would not recommend the human hair wigs, because once they are washed, you have to know how as well as have the means to dry it properly, but; most importantly style it as well. This means possible blow-drying and or curling irons. So if you are comfortable styling hair in general go for the human; if not gravitate to the synthetic.

    Synthetic wigs are great, because usually they can be purchased as cheap as $19.99 and up to $50.00. Because they are more affordable, when you have outworn the usefullness of the wig, it can literally be tossed. The other plus of the synthetic wigs is that they are more abundant and easier to obtain. As far as the care of these wig-types, it's as simple as a quick swish-swish in warm gentle shampoo water. A quick tepid rinse a prop on a mold-head to dry and they always dry back to their original style. So if you are this type of gal, I would say go for the synthetic, plus it gives you the options (being more affordable), to try different and fun styles.

    Sorry, I digress; but there is my long-winded opinion.

    I hope it helps someone. :-D

    Take care,

    Sharon
  • Hissy_Fitz
    Hissy_Fitz Member Posts: 1,834
    #16
    msfanciful said:

    Hi everyone,

    This is a great thread.

    I agree with all the aforementioned tips, I particularly like the eyebrow stencils (can be purchased @ Sallys); because on a bad day they come in so handy.

    Don't forget to experiment with heavy on the eyeliner for the illusion of eyelashes. I don't recommend false eyelashes of any kind on the eyes due to possible infections, etc., plus they just don't stay on anyway. (Yes I tried them and there's nothing more embarrassing than having your lashes fall off in public.) Yes it happened to me.

    There are pros and cons to human and synthetic wigs. If you are the type of person who doesn't have a styling bone in her body and finds it difficult to style hair in any way I would not recommend the human hair wigs, because once they are washed, you have to know how as well as have the means to dry it properly, but; most importantly style it as well. This means possible blow-drying and or curling irons. So if you are comfortable styling hair in general go for the human; if not gravitate to the synthetic.

    Synthetic wigs are great, because usually they can be purchased as cheap as $19.99 and up to $50.00. Because they are more affordable, when you have outworn the usefullness of the wig, it can literally be tossed. The other plus of the synthetic wigs is that they are more abundant and easier to obtain. As far as the care of these wig-types, it's as simple as a quick swish-swish in warm gentle shampoo water. A quick tepid rinse a prop on a mold-head to dry and they always dry back to their original style. So if you are this type of gal, I would say go for the synthetic, plus it gives you the options (being more affordable), to try different and fun styles.

    Sorry, I digress; but there is my long-winded opinion.

    I hope it helps someone. :-D

    Take care,

    Sharon

    Wigs....and hair......and bald heads
    The wig in my current photo is the synthetic one - Renee of Paris brand, Wendy is the name of the style. I don't remember the number of the color, but it's something brown.

    I recently had my human hair wig cut in a similar style and haven't taken a photo in it yet. But I will do that soon.....maybe. I tend to forget things.

    Sharon is a hairstyling pro and has great advice. I had always "done" my own hair, so I was not intimidated by the limitations of the human hair wigs. I wanted one, in fact, that could be styled different ways. Synthetic wigs, as a rule, cannot be.

    Definitely get the monofilament top. It allows you to part the hair anywhere and the part looks just like your real scalp.

    Also, your wig will feel more secure if you wear a wig cap thingy under it. It looks like a very short knee high stocking without the foot part. There is also a gel band that everyone says is great, but I had to return the one I ordered. I could not adjust it down small enough to fit my head.

    The shop owner where I bought my first wig invented a hook that allows you to hang your wig upside down to dry. I love it. Especially since my Spring Break trip, when I had to find a spot to rest my wig for the night. I ended up using the hotel's ice bucket. It also perks up the top of your wig, so it doesn't dry into a flat-on-top style.

    Human hair wigs have about 4 times more hair in them than you really need/want. Resist the temptation to go from bald to bushy and have it thinned out when you first get it. I have had mine "de-bulked" twice. Looks much more natural.

    I haven't experienced any discomfort from wearing either wig, but then, it's not summer yet, either. Ask me in August, as I live in Texas. Both my wigs have a mono top, and that's supposed to be cooler, too. We'll see.

    I am a bit phobic about my bald head. Once my hair got really sparse, only my husband was allowed to see my uncovered head. Since I lost it all, even he hasn't seen my shiny chrome dome. My husband is bald on top (he has the traditional "monk's look" with fringe hair around his ears and back of his head). He has lamented the loss of his hair for years, so that makes it even harder for me to unveil mine, I think. If he hates his own bald head, how can he love mine?

    Carlene
  • Tina Brown
    Tina Brown Member Posts: 1,036 Member
    #17
    msfanciful said:

    Hi everyone,

    This is a great thread.

    I agree with all the aforementioned tips, I particularly like the eyebrow stencils (can be purchased @ Sallys); because on a bad day they come in so handy.

    Don't forget to experiment with heavy on the eyeliner for the illusion of eyelashes. I don't recommend false eyelashes of any kind on the eyes due to possible infections, etc., plus they just don't stay on anyway. (Yes I tried them and there's nothing more embarrassing than having your lashes fall off in public.) Yes it happened to me.

    There are pros and cons to human and synthetic wigs. If you are the type of person who doesn't have a styling bone in her body and finds it difficult to style hair in any way I would not recommend the human hair wigs, because once they are washed, you have to know how as well as have the means to dry it properly, but; most importantly style it as well. This means possible blow-drying and or curling irons. So if you are comfortable styling hair in general go for the human; if not gravitate to the synthetic.

    Synthetic wigs are great, because usually they can be purchased as cheap as $19.99 and up to $50.00. Because they are more affordable, when you have outworn the usefullness of the wig, it can literally be tossed. The other plus of the synthetic wigs is that they are more abundant and easier to obtain. As far as the care of these wig-types, it's as simple as a quick swish-swish in warm gentle shampoo water. A quick tepid rinse a prop on a mold-head to dry and they always dry back to their original style. So if you are this type of gal, I would say go for the synthetic, plus it gives you the options (being more affordable), to try different and fun styles.

    Sorry, I digress; but there is my long-winded opinion.

    I hope it helps someone. :-D

    Take care,

    Sharon

    Wigs & things
    This is such a useful thread - thanks Carlene.

    When I knew I was going to loose my hair I vowed I would ALWAYS wear my wig, even at home on my own. Ha Ha I can't believe how wrong I was. I do love my wig but I find it hot and itchy after I have had it on for a while. I am having hot flushes (don't know why they are called HOT because they are more like cold sweats!!!) so having a wig on is so uncomfortable during them. So I discovered scarves. One day I wore a scarf at home and thought "I don't care about what people think" and I went out with my friend to the pub. As it was my local people did stare because they knew me well but that was OK because one person said "I much prefer the look". So now I am confident to wear either my wig or a scarf :) Yea I feel a sense of achievement.

    Make up - this was always a big thing with me as I always used to wear it. Losing my lashes and brows has been hard but I experiment with eye shadow & eye pencils and manage to create a "not too bad look". I like to wear dark brown shadow or deep pink on my eye lids and will put on loads. I will also line my eyes with a brown eye pencil. I had black hair & I may try a black pencil to see what it looks like.

    I am having a party next week. It will be a James Bond theme so it will be a glamorous affair. It is to celebrate my 50th birthday & end of chemo & I will certainly be using false lashes as a one off and wearing my wig. Eye brows - I use pencil but I have to be so careful not to look like a painted doll and match the colour to my complexion as my hair was always so dark.

    Lipstick, I always wear lipstick so if all else fails I will put on lipstick and a smile :)

    My chemo (carbo/taxol) regime has now finished so I am quite excited about my hair growing back.

    Thank-you so much to everyone who posts on here - it has always kept me going

    Tina xxxxx
  • leesag
    leesag Member Posts: 621 Member
    #18
    Tina Brown said:

    Wigs & things
    This is such a useful thread - thanks Carlene.

    When I knew I was going to loose my hair I vowed I would ALWAYS wear my wig, even at home on my own. Ha Ha I can't believe how wrong I was. I do love my wig but I find it hot and itchy after I have had it on for a while. I am having hot flushes (don't know why they are called HOT because they are more like cold sweats!!!) so having a wig on is so uncomfortable during them. So I discovered scarves. One day I wore a scarf at home and thought "I don't care about what people think" and I went out with my friend to the pub. As it was my local people did stare because they knew me well but that was OK because one person said "I much prefer the look". So now I am confident to wear either my wig or a scarf :) Yea I feel a sense of achievement.

    Make up - this was always a big thing with me as I always used to wear it. Losing my lashes and brows has been hard but I experiment with eye shadow & eye pencils and manage to create a "not too bad look". I like to wear dark brown shadow or deep pink on my eye lids and will put on loads. I will also line my eyes with a brown eye pencil. I had black hair & I may try a black pencil to see what it looks like.

    I am having a party next week. It will be a James Bond theme so it will be a glamorous affair. It is to celebrate my 50th birthday & end of chemo & I will certainly be using false lashes as a one off and wearing my wig. Eye brows - I use pencil but I have to be so careful not to look like a painted doll and match the colour to my complexion as my hair was always so dark.

    Lipstick, I always wear lipstick so if all else fails I will put on lipstick and a smile :)

    My chemo (carbo/taxol) regime has now finished so I am quite excited about my hair growing back.

    Thank-you so much to everyone who posts on here - it has always kept me going

    Tina xxxxx

    Eyelashes
    I visited an alopecia site and found that many women recommend an eyelash product called "Blinkies".

    http://www.blinkiesonline.com/


    I haven't lost mine yet, so I can't recommend personally, just thought I'd throw the website out there!

    The wig I'm wearing in the picture is "Petite Persuasion" by Revlon in Cinnamon Toast. It looks good and they tell me it looks real, but at this point, I'm pretty comfortable going out in a scarf, especially when it's warmer!

    Chemo tomorrow. Happy happy joy joy.

    ;)

    Leesa
  • nancy591
    nancy591 Member Posts: 1,027 Member
    #19
    leesag said:

    Eyelashes
    I visited an alopecia site and found that many women recommend an eyelash product called "Blinkies".

    http://www.blinkiesonline.com/


    I haven't lost mine yet, so I can't recommend personally, just thought I'd throw the website out there!

    The wig I'm wearing in the picture is "Petite Persuasion" by Revlon in Cinnamon Toast. It looks good and they tell me it looks real, but at this point, I'm pretty comfortable going out in a scarf, especially when it's warmer!

    Chemo tomorrow. Happy happy joy joy.

    ;)

    Leesa

    I know that wig
    I loved that wig online but I never ordered it because it only came in petite. Do you have a small head? LOL, seems like an odd question. I don't have an especially large head, average I guess. Well, I dont' have to worry about wigs at this point but who knows in the future.
  • leesag
    leesag Member Posts: 621 Member
    #20
    nancy591 said:

    I know that wig
    I loved that wig online but I never ordered it because it only came in petite. Do you have a small head? LOL, seems like an odd question. I don't have an especially large head, average I guess. Well, I dont' have to worry about wigs at this point but who knows in the future.

    I think my head is average?
    I think my head is average? I'm wearing m/l beaubeaus, and the wig is adjustable. The American Cancer Society Representative pointed me in the direction of the Claudia Mayer Cancer Center at Howard County General Hospital, and that's where I ordered it. You might want to call around and see if any local wig salons have one in stock you can try on. It was an extra $30 at the wig salon, but that included the "cutting to suit me" when the wigs came in. The stylist awesome and really helped bring out the best in the wig (and me!). So, I figure the $30 extra covered the shipping and handling and the cost of taking it to have it cut/trimmed for me.
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    #21
    leesag said:

    I think my head is average?
    I think my head is average? I'm wearing m/l beaubeaus, and the wig is adjustable. The American Cancer Society Representative pointed me in the direction of the Claudia Mayer Cancer Center at Howard County General Hospital, and that's where I ordered it. You might want to call around and see if any local wig salons have one in stock you can try on. It was an extra $30 at the wig salon, but that included the "cutting to suit me" when the wigs came in. The stylist awesome and really helped bring out the best in the wig (and me!). So, I figure the $30 extra covered the shipping and handling and the cost of taking it to have it cut/trimmed for me.

    This comment has been removed by the Moderator

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