I’ve always had fine hair but lots of it, so it held a style well and I received lots of compliments. I was also fortunate to be born strawberry blonde. My fascination with hair started at a very young age. My favourite doll was Tressy who had a button in her back so she could have long hair one minute and short hair the next…I wanted to be Tressy!
I’ve never been afraid to try new colours and styles, and my hair has always been pivotal in how I feel and who I really am.
However, along came the menopause and things rapidly went downhill. My hair became lack lustre thin and faded and no matter how good the makeup or the outfit I felt old and just not me anymore. I moaned to my daughter – I was fed up.
She suggested wigs – I laughed – wigs were for old people, all bouffant and fluffy. My daughter pointed out quite rightly that the younger generation wear false everything, and so my wig journey began.
I’ve made mistakes – expensive mistakes. I’ve gone down a few wrong avenues, but I’ve also made connections with some wonderful people along the way until I’ve reached where I am now.
The first time I put a piece on I felt like an imposter. Looking back, the wig was too long with lots of permatease and so very different to my bio style – a very short pixie cut – an expensive mistake. But I carried on researching and trying (I have a very understanding husband!) until I found my own style.
I won’t lie, it has taken guts and courage to walk out there and flaunt it, but flaunt it, I do!
And now when I look in the mirror, I see me…I feel 10 years younger, and it makes me feel confident again. Yes, it’s vanity but it’s also supporting emotional health.
I tell my story to anyone who will listen…us ladies have so much to manage at a certain age, when these years should be the time to shine.
Go for it girls! And if folk are staring they either do so in admiration, or because they would love to be you!
Love to you all, Julia xx
Along with other comments here, I, too relate to all she has said. My most recent purchase is a real-hair wig at last, but my last one, although not real hair, amazed close friends when I said it was a wig. They just thought I had dyed my hair a different colour. However, since I’ve started wearing hearing aids, that wig rustled like paper on the aids. The new, real hair one doesn’t. My hair loss is a genetic problem inherited from my mother, who was bald and shiny on the top of her head by the time she died…but she WAS 101 years old! My older sister has been wearing a wig for quite a few years. Sadly, it’s just come down our branch of the family, as all our numerous cousins, including the men have good heads of hair! Thank goodness for Simply Wigs and their lovely staff. X
Thanks Julia for such an upbeat approach to what feels like a disaster! Well done. Are u wearing a wig in this photo? N if so which one is it n what colour! So difficult to get natural looking red hair wigs.
The wig you are wearing, looks wonderful on you (and makes you look very young!).
It’s not vanity. It’s self respect. You look great.
Hi, great words! So true, that people might be staring either you look great or admire you!
Who cares? Wigs are so good now, who knows who’s got one on?
You look great in yours, I love it, suits you..
You’re an inspiration!
Well done you Julia. I’m sure your journey will inspire many of us to be more adventurous with our wigs and realise it’s not the end losing our hair (although sure can feel like it] but the
beginning to explore new colours, styles, change our look up anytime we wish.
I too have made expensive mistakes and i’m sure still will but sometimes it just takes a
While and a bit of styling to make things work for us. best wishes, linda
I had so many awful times as my hair got less and less. I went to different hairdressers who tried different styles but you can’t make hair appear where there isn’t any! I am bold at the front totally, as I look in the mirror I see my dad! I had thought of a wig so one day my daughter took me to a hairdressers who sold wigs. I found one that I loved and still have it. I have been buying wigs like there is no tomorrow but I’m so happy now that I have a few that I feel good in. I don’t know why they do the permatese it’s awful. I have with a few with it in, I read somewhere that you can use a wire brush! But I’m worried to try it.
What a fabulous post Julia.
You are so right!
I love my wigs and feel so much better for wearing them .
Vivvy
Wow Julia I feel really uplifted after reading your story.
I never really thought about the role my wig wearing has played in my own emotional health, but you’re so right.
After I lost my hair (cancer treatments) I became agoraphobic and would not want to leave the house.
However, eighteen months down the line, having tried lots of wigs, and now found ‘my style’ I step out with confidence, knowing that I look my best.
Even if by some miracle my hair grew back I would always prefer to wear wigs as they look much better than my biological hair ever did !!
Thank you so much for sharing your very inspirational story.
You look great.
Love Wendy xx
So good to read stories like this, thanks for sharing. What wig are you wearing in the photo? You look amazing ?
You told your story so well Julia. It sounds very much like my own story so I can totally relate to how you felt and now feel. Well done, you look fabulous ?
You’ve got a great, positive attitude. Go for it, girl!