‘So, it was the eighties. I was 15 and like everyone else wanted to transform my long, very straight, thick dark hair into an ever so trendy 80’s shaggy perm’.
Whilst sitting in the chair in anticipation, the hairdresser advised that she would have to concentrate the perming lotion on the top of my head because of the thickness of my hair and at 15, you just go along…. and, I thought I was the ‘bee’s knees’.
I don’t know why, but I started twirling my fingers through my curls and the hair started to come away from my scalp with a gentle pull. I’m not sure how things escalated but exam nerves coupled with obsessive hair-pulling became the norm until my bald patch was noticed.
The school got involved, doctors, my parents were beside themselves but I couldn’t stop ‘pulling’. My follicles were eventually irretrievably damaged. So, at 16 or 17, I did what any rebellious punk teenager would do (yes, thank goodness for the punk era) and I shaved my head! My poor parents blamed themselves behind the scenes and people, I found out years later, blamed them too, which I found devastating because, at that time, for me, life just went on.
Busy and amazing social life with the best, most fabulous friends….never a dull moment.
‘Having no hair wasn’t going to stop this girl’
College and a good job came, then whirlwind wedding following a holiday romance in Portugal with the girls. More wonderful good times and holidays, then the best, most amazing, proudest moment… becoming a Mum. And it was that defining moment that made me realise that someone else must come first for the rest of my life. I wasn’t having my gorgeous son going to school only to be teased by the other children for having a Mum with no hair.
My introduction to wigs was one of fear and trepidation. I didn’t want to look as though I was wearing a wig.
The first time I stepped out of the house wearing a wig, I was consumed with nerves. I couldn’t even bring myself to say the word for years even though I didn’t mind people knowing I was wearing one..crazy, eh?
Anyway, my Mum found me an amazing hairdresser who specialised in wigs and who taught me what to wear and how to wear them and from that first dark bob, I have been long, extremely short and a variation of colours…My husband likes to tell people that he feels like he has a different woman every day, bless him.
‘I am now 56 and I could share so many funny stories about the situations I have found myself in because of being a wig wearer’.
Great to read your story and your wonderful outlook on life as a wig wearer . You look absolutely fabulous .
Your positive outlook shines through , something I need to improve on I think .
Loved your story. I’ve ordered 5 wigs and don’t feel good in them. I hate spending good money on a wig that doesn’t do or look as promised. I love the last wig you are in. Can I have the name of who you buy wigs from. ?
Yes totally agree about rooted wigs looking more ‘natural’. I shall take a look at Ellen Wille ; it really looks brilliant! Take care.
Thank you ladies for your kind, lovely comments, I love to read everyone’s experiences, they are truly inspirational! For those who asked, the wigs in the top 2 photos are: Flip Mono (champagne rooted) and Date Mono (sandy blonde routed), both from Ellen Wille. And to everyone at Simply Wigs..I wouldn’t shop anywhere else. xxx
Wow!! What an amazing story Christine.
You look stunning by the way
.
Hi Alison, I am pretty sure its Date mono, Ellen Wille Hairpower in Sandy Blonde routed. I always go for full mono, lace front with a routed colour more a more natural look. ?
Thank you, lovely pictures. I too would love to know the name of wig in top picture, beautiful.
What a fabulous lady you are! Uplifting story , you look beautiful in all your photos…
It’s great not having to worry about putting in curlers or colouring your hair , love your confidence.
Like you I couldn’t mentioned the word wig ,when my hair fell out
Thankyou for telling us your story Christine
Take care all you
Lots of love Helen
Thank you for sharing loved yourstory
Wow Christine what an amazing, uplifting story. You took me back to the time in my early 20s when I also had a perm on my very fine hair, travelling home on the bus I ran my fingers through the top of my head and felt lots of stubble! I hadn’t noticed a lot of my hair had broken off, the perm was too strong. I am 68 now, since wearing wigs I am 100% happier. You look amazing! I particularly love the one you have with the off the shoulder dress, please tell me which one this is.
Lovely story , I pick at my scalp and have been persuaded to have all kinds of therapies which don’t work for me. Now like you Happy to wear wigs. No more fiddling around trying to style my thin hair.
Sorry should have read top not too !
Great story, the wig in the first photo where Christine is wearing the off the shoulders too. please can we know the name and colour/ shade of this wig?