How To Make a Hair Topper Look Natural
Is your confidence suffering because of bald spots or thinning hair? You’re not alone. According to Cleveland Clinic, over 50% of women experience noticeable hair loss.
Hair toppers are a great solution to this problem. A topper that blends with your natural hair can make you feel confident in your appearance and free to enjoy life without worrying about your hair.
But you may be wondering, can a hair topper really look natural? We’re here to tell you, you can achieve a seamless and realistic look with your hair topper. It’s something we do every day here at Judi’s Wigs! In this article, we’re going to cover what hair toppers are, how to choose the right one, how to blend your hair topper into your natural hair, and how to style and embrace your new look. Everything you need to know to make your hair topper look natural.
What is a Hair Topper?
Hair toppers are partial wigs used to cover balding areas on the top or sides of the head by attaching to the scalp via clips or tape. They are available in different sizes, depending on the coverage needed, styles, colors, and hair types, so they blend discreetly into your natural hair.
What are the benefits of a hair topper?
Hair toppers have many benefits. Often most important to women is the immediate full coverage they offer. When you place a hair topper on your head, it covers any balding or thinning areas.
Hair toppers are easily removable and can be worn at your leisure, unlike extensions tied or sewn into the hair. Hair toppers can be worn constantly, on special occasions, or in a rotation. Change your look as often as you want!
Those who find traditional wigs hot and uncomfortable will find a happy change with a hair topper. They allow your scalp to stay cool and comfortable.
If you're looking for a realistic appearance, look no further. Hair toppers can be made with human hair and styled to flow with your natural locks, making them difficult to detect.
Lastly, toppers are more cost-effective than wigs. They are an excellent option for those who want partial coverage without breaking the bank.
Learn more about hair topper pros and cons in our other blog post.
Choosing the Right Hair Topper
First, define the location of the hair loss. Would you like the topper to cover your hair part, hairline, crown of your head, or all of the above?
Next, find the correct size. Measure the hair loss area from front to back and side to side. Choose a hair topper with a base dimension large enough to cover the area of your thinning hair. Remember, the clips on the base of the topper need sufficient hair to clip into. If you are applying a fringe piece to your hairline and lack enough hair to insert the clip, remove the clip and add adhesive.
Next, choose the hair topper that matches your hair color. Judi’s Wigs offers many colors to suit your natural hair, but if your shade isn’t in our online selection, our stylist will happily order it for you!
You don’t want your hair topper looking disconnected from the rest of your hair. To match your hair length, measure your hair from roots to ends. Choose a topper long enough to reach your ends or just above.
Hair toppers can be made of synthetic fiber, high-heat synthetic fiber, and human hair. You can style high-heat synthetic fiber and human hair with hot tools, not synthetic fiber. Choose the topper that fits your styling desires. If you want to change your topper style, choose one made with heat-friendly materials. Choose one with synthetic fiber if you would rather have a topper already styled and ready to go.
Watch this video with the hair experts at Jon Renau for a visual on how to pick the best hair topper based on the dimension of the topper base, curl pattern, hair type, and length.
Hair Topper Maintenance and Care
Carefully maintaining your wig topper keeps it in optimal condition throughout its lifetime. We've assembled a hair topper care guide below to keep your hair topper looking fresh and natural.
Remove bacteria and restore moisture and shine by washing and conditioning your hair topper with wig-specific shampoo and conditioner. Before washing, gently detangle the wig with a detangling comb or brush to avoid breakage. After washing the topper, gently blot it with a towel to remove excess water. Place the topper on a wig stand to let it finish drying.
If your topper is made of human hair or heat-friendly hair, you may add more volume to your look by blow-drying the topper on low heat. If the topper is made of synthetic hair, leave it on the wig stand to air dry back to its original shape.
Once your hair topper dries, gently comb it with a wide-toothed comb or a specialized wig brush. A detangling wig spray can do the trick if you encounter stubborn tangles.
Your topper is now ready to style. For extra volume, use wig styling cream or mousse. If you have a heat-friendly or human hair wig topper, you can apply gentle heat with a curling wand or straightener, but make sure the heat setting is no higher than 135 degrees Celsius to prevent damage.
Pro Tip: A professional trim can ensure the hair blends seamlessly into your natural hair.
Applying and Securing the Hair Topper
The most likely options to secure a wig topper are clips, combs, and adhesives.
If the hair topper has clips:
Lightly tease the hair that the topper will clip into for extra hold.
Line the hair topper up with your natural part to cover the hair loss, generally one to two inches behind the natural hairline.
Clip the front first or slide the comb into place.
Fasten the back and side clips by keeping the base flat and taut against the head.
Blend with hair by using a paddle brush.
Brush face-framing pieces of your natural hair up into your hair topper to blend.
If you use wig tape:
Ensure the area is clean and dry.
Cut and prepare the tape.
Peel one side of the double-sided wig tape and apply it to the wig topper cap.
Place the topper on your head and peel the other side off the tape when ready to place it on your skin.
When it is in the desired position, apply pressure to the tape.
To apply wig glue:
Ensure the skin is clean and dry.
Apply glue with an application brush. Avoid touching the adhesive.
Carefully place the wig on your head.
Apply pressure to the wig on top of the bond once it is in the desired position.
Wait a few minutes to ensure the glue is completely dry.
To remove wig tape and glue:
Apply adhesive remover using a cotton ball to the seam where the adhesive and your skin meet.
Gently remove the wig.
Wash with soap and water.
Hair Topper Styling Techniques
When styling your hair topper to look natural, don't begin while it's on your head. It is best to pre-style your topper on a wig stand to prevent additional hair loss.
First, shampoo and condition your hair topper.
Next, pin your topper on the wig stand through the clips - never through the hair.
Carefully towel dry the hair, blotting instead of rubbing.
Detangle with a paddle brush.
Blow dry the hair at medium to low heat.
If you desire a straightened look, run a straightening iron over the topper until it matches the look of your natural hair.
If you want a fuller look, curl the hair in the same direction your natural hair curls using the same tool- you want the curls on your topper to look the same as the curls on your head.
Apply a root concealer to your hairline and part to further conceal the hair topper and prevent thinning spots from showing through.
Secure the topper in place. Hold it still at the top of your head and run a paddle brush through the hair to blend it into your natural hair.
There are very few styling limitations with a hair topper. You can pull your hair into a ponytail, updo, or braid by blending the topper and your natural hair into the fastener after you have secured it firmly to your head.
Leave the look loose to make sure the topper doesn't distort. If your hair is thin, you can disguise it with a low ponytail, updo, or braid instead of a high one. If thin spots persist, you can conceal the area with makeup or dry shampoo.
Follow the above technique and you’ll be well on your way to making your hair topper look natural.
Pro Tip: Only use heat tools on your hair topper if it is made of heat-friendly materials.
Love Your Hair
Don't let hair loss and thinning keep you from enjoying your life to the fullest. With a high-quality wig topper and proper maintenance, application, and styling, you can disguise hair loss and feel confident and comfortable wearing a hair topper that looks natural. Explore the possibilities of hair toppers and regain your confidence.
Judi's Wigs offers Top Billing by Raquel Welch in on our online store. This hair topper is the #1 bestselling top-of-head solution! Long, tapered lengths blend well into longer, layered hairstyles, making Top Billing the perfect choice for extra volume. This piece provides ample coverage and can easily be styled with bangs or without. TRU2LIFE® synthetic fibers give this piece the luxury to be heat styled to achieve your perfect look!
Visit Judi’s Wigs in-store at our Tulsa and OKC locations to shop our complete collection of hair toppers with the help of a professional stylist.