Going through my camera and I just realized that I snapped a couple of macro shots right after I did my attachment for the Full Cap DVD the other night.
This particular hairline isn’t the *best* I’ve had, but it looks great semi-exposed
Archive for August, 2009
Semi-exposed Hairline Shots
Aug 31
DVD Shoot Day 2
Aug 31
I’ve spent a fair amount of time behind the camera writing and directing t.v. commercials, but I found out yesterday that things are a lot different in FRONT of the camera! Actually, I didn’t get much camera time last night. My producers and I spent most of our time discussing different avenues that might help us to present the information in a manner that is easy to understand. This project is taking a lot of time, but at least we are making progress! Here I am stumbling over practicing some of my lines, hehe
A Sneak Peek
Aug 27
Finally, after a year of planning, setbacks, starting, stopping, and overall aggravation, I have once again resumed production of my Full Cap DVD. So far we have managed to get all of the video footage for the template section and even managed to film an attachment and styling.
There is still LOTS of work to do. We still have to shoot the rest of the material that is covered in my Full Cap eBook, and I have to do the voiceover for the entire DVD, some narration shots, etc., not to mention the fact that I will have to sit in on all of the editing, so I have my work cut out for me over the next couple of weeks.
Here is a shot of the template I made
Templates are EASY to make!
I also shot a little behind the scenes just because I’m so excited that this thing is finally coming together. Here’s a ROUGH edit if you want a peek
Reader Mailbag
Aug 27
I just received this email from a reader who is seeking solutions to his hair loss issue. As per his suggestion, I am posting my replies in the Reader Mailbag section for the benefit of my other readers. Personal information has been redacted to respect privacy.
Shaving my head isn’t an option for me. I have a terrible head shape which resembles that of the guy who appears on the Toplace.com homepage (see attached photos of my head essentially shaved from a couple years ago). Even with my head buzzed to a number two, the ridge gives my head an unattractive shape. By the way, two surgeons have offered to surgically shave the bone that comprises the prominent ridge on the top of my skull. This would make my skull look more rounded, but it would leave a two centimeter scar on or near my crown. I’m not sure I want to do that. Even if I did, I’d like to be able to fall back on the hair system option in the event a surgical repair doesn’t look good.
With a good hairpiece you won’t have to worry about skull shape.
All of my remaining hair is ***rapidly*** turning white. Not grey, but white like John McCain’s. If I were to wear a topper, I have no idea how I’d ever get my own hair to match that of the hair system. My white hair is very resistant to coloring, and all the coloring kits I’ve tried have been unable to turn my white hair to a shade that looks like my remaining brown hair. At best, my white hairs have changed to a lighter, metallic brown for a week to ten days.
At first I was going to recommend you try a topper, but it sounds like even with strong temples and sides you would have a lot of matching issues due to hair color.
Finally, I am planning on returning to school [edited for privacy]. Naturally, I’m very concerned how a hair system would look in this setting.
So, you can see that I’m basically backed into a corner. I feel like my options for looking presentable and feeling comfortable in public have run out. I am desperate to put this problem behind me and get on with my life. The emotional toll it’s taken on my life can’t be overstated.
The only thing that you have to be careful of is not falling into the trap of “letting the hair wear you”. If you are trading one insecurity for another you aren’t doing yourself any favors. That said, a full cap gives you a different attitude toward wearing. Hard to explain, but even as open as I am about it, I feel better about wearing a full cap than I ever did wearing a topper.
Is it possible to wear a full cap hair style that looks undetectable from very close range, but isn’t “a mop?” I’m not sure some of the longer styles I’ve been seeing on Toplace.com are age appropriate for me. Also, if I’m going to be working in a [edited for privacy], I need a style that can pass as professional looking, that won’t block my field of view, but will still be undetectable. The photos you posted to your blog look good, but is the lace detectable under brighter light?
Yes and no.
It will not be 100% perfect 100% of the time. But, you do have some degree of control over this based upon how well you maintain your attachments, keeping it styled, etc.
The shorter you go and the thinner the density, the more critical everything becomes. If you are able, I would start out with a comb forward style, leaving it as long as you think you can get away with. Doesn’t have to be 3 inches long, but when you start getting down to 1/4-1/2″ you have to make sure your template and attachments are done just right.
Honestly, I don’t think you will have any problems.[edited for privacy] Swiss lace is VERY undetectable, even under bright lights, as long as it is attached properly.
Do the temples always have to be combed forward to hide the lace? If so, it seems like it would be difficult, if not impossible, to maintain forward pointing temple angles 24/7.
Actually no, the lace will disappear just fine. The issue is with the way full caps are being made at the moment. This is a weak point of full caps. The way they are being made at this time they aren’t taking enough care in the temple area with the ventilation, and the hair isn’t being tied in the most natural way possible. I use styling product to get around it.
I know you said it looks better if you grow side burns, but I don’t have enough sideburn hair to blend with a hair system at a length that will make a cosmetic difference. Also, this sideburn hair will likely turn white within a couple years. So is it possible for the system to look good using only the built-in sideburns?
Yes, but I would only use “stubs”. They don’t tie the right kind of hair into sideburns. Facial hair is a different texture, so if you can’t use your own sideburns, I would just build your template with “mini” sideburns, maybe dropping about 1/2″ or so below the level of the ear arch. It will look fine. Using your own sideburns is just a finishing touch.
Can you exercise (cardio, weighlifting) comfortably and have the piece still look realistic when you’re done?
With a lace piece that is no problem. Plus you can always throw a hat on when you get there.
Has anyone (who either knows or doesn’t know you wear) ever detected your full cap? How close can someone get to your hairline or side hair without seeing the lace?
Not to my knowledge. I have had women who work with lace front wigs who didn’t believe that I was wearing after I told them. Two of them as a matter of fact, the latest was yesterday. If your knots are well bleached and the unit is attached well, nobody will see the lace, even being a couple of inches away.
Assuming a full cap is a viable option, I am not at all comfortable making my own template to get started. I would really like to have someone help me with this important step, as well as with selecting a color, style, etc…. I live in [edited for privacy]. Do you know anyone in this region who could help me with a full cap? Obviously I would also need help with a cut-in, and doing the initial attachments. I would consider traveling to have the template made if necessary.
Let me know if you are able to make it to Orlando. It would definitely get you on the right track very quickly.
[Editor- I am planning to add consulting and other personalized services for people who are looking for more hands-on, personalized instruction. I am working on the details. Check back for updates!]
New Developments
Aug 25
Full Cap eBook
I have gotten quite a few emails from readers thanking me for my Free Full Cap eBook. I know there is quite a bit of helpful information there, but over the next couple of weeks I am planning on making it even better. I will be adding full color pictures and illustrations directly to the online version of the eBook (no downloading required), so you will be able to see step by step the process for designing, ordering, wearing, and maintaining a full cap.
Full Cap DVD
I am also happy to announce that beginning Thursday, production of my Full Cap DVD will officially resume!
I know it has been a long time coming, but I have finally managed to set aside the time to devote to finishing the project. I have enlisted the help of a video professional that I have worked with on numerous projects in the past. He is very talented, and I am excited to have his input. With his input I will be able to produce an even better quality finished product.
If all goes well, the DVD should be available within the next few weeks. Sign up for my newsletter on the left side of your screen or click here to go to my sign-up page for updates!
My Latest Full Cap
Aug 20
Here are a few pictures of my latest unit.
It looks pretty good overall. Not sure why it looks like I have “a lot of forehead”. Maybe because I have a big head, haha.
Seriously though, I don’t take very good pictures, but I think in this particular cae if I would have had the hairline attached about 1/8″ of an inch forward it would have made a big difference. I personally have to get my attachments “just right”, or I look like I have too much recession or I look like a werewolf. Or if I nail it, it looks great. Nothing in between. Maybe I’m a little picky too….
Here are a couple of side shots.
Here is a full-on side shot. You can see the ventilation issues where the hair in the temple area tends to point out instead of back and down. Styling product helps to control this.
And a couple from the back. Note- I use a little concealer in the nape (also on my sideburns from time to time) area, since we are still in the process of getting the ventilation straightened out to allow for a short cut in the back. This eases the transition line, since the multi-strand hair knots tend to make the hair “fork” out in the back, exposing the skin underneath. This was a quick jo0b I did with concealers, but it defintiely helps to improve the illusion.
“No it’s not!”
Aug 18
Last weekend I attended the Bronner Bros. Hair Convention in Atlanta. One of the booths at the show caught my eye, and I stopped to look at their products.
One of the girls approached me and started to explain that their products were designed for maintenance of something called “lace wigs” that women wear.
I soon realized that not only did she have no idea that I was wearing one, but she thought I didn’t even know what they were!
She was a nice girl and was doing a great job of explaining their product to me, the guy who had probably never even heard of lace wigs, hehe.
I couldn’t keep a straight face so I told her I was indeed wearing a full lace wig. At first she didn’t believe me and asked me to turn around so she could see the back. She then asked if she could take my picture, and asked if I could stop back by a little later to show her boss, and I happily obliged.
They were very nice people. I got to meet the chemist and the marketing director. They spent several minutes staring at my hair in amazement before I had to move on and finish my rounds.
It’s a great feeling when you can even fool the pro’s!
Contact Me!
Aug 3
The past several months things have been pretty busy for me with the launch of the RemySoft product line, the new blog, the final editing of my Full Cap eBook, and plans to continue with the production of my Full Cap DVD. So far I have been able to keep up with answering all of my emails, and as long as I have the time I will continue to help anyone who has questions regarding Full Caps or hair replacement in general.
For the benefit of all of my readers, I have introduced a new category entitled “Reader Mailbag” where I will post questions that are sent to me via email, along with my answers in a blog post, if I feel that it might be of benefit to other readers. Keep in mind that I will not include any of your personal information in the post, but if you wish to not have your question answered on the blog itself, please let me know when you contact me.
One more thing-
With all of the transitions and transformations recently, I have ended up with several different email addresses. I still receive email at all of them, but I am trying to consolidate, so if you need to contact me please use one of the email addy’s below.
For questions regarding the RemySoft line of products, please contact:
sales@RemySoftHair.com
For all other inquiries you can reach me at:
JRob@HairJive.com
Look forward to hearing from you!
Reader Mailbag
Aug 3
In an effort to be able to help as many people as possible, I have decided to post some of the emails that I get (anonymously, of course) so all of my readers are able to learn from the interaction. Here’s the first of what I am sure will be many!
Hi Jon,
I know you recommend a french lace base for newbies, but what if someone works out and sweats a lot? Would the french base still be a good choice for that, or would another base type be more appropriate? I’m not sure whether it’s best to have more ventilation with the lace bases or more sturdy security with the skin/poly bases, or even a combination. I’ve been avoiding swimming for a long time, so I’d like to know what the most secure base is for swimmers too.
Definitely, 100% without question, French Lace for your first unit. See my blog post from yesterday about my first time wakeboarding. Blue liner tape provided the bulk of the strength of the attachment, and Ultrahold glue gave a great finish in the front. It held solid as a rock, and I got dunked three or four times….fully submerged.
I can’t stress enough the importance of an all French Lace unit for your first. Not only can you get a rock solid attachment, but it is comfortable, breathable, and very easy to customize.
Also, some sites have a measurement method of building a template for full caps. Have you heard anything about how accurate this method is?
My first two full caps were ordered with measurements only. Subsequent orders have all been with templates.
The biggest issue with ordering from measurements is the fact that the temple points and hairline shape are left to the ventilator’s discretion, and usually end up looking unrealistic. This is less of an issue if you are planning a longer hairstyle, but I always recommend a template. If you order an all lace base as I suggest, you can still easily cut these areas to shape and pluck individual hairs to acheive a good looking hairline, but the closer the factory gets the better.
What is the length of the hair and density for this image you posted? It looks really good without any cut or styling added to it.
I believe this is about 6″ hair length, light or body wave, and the density would be based upon the company that you order from. This would be a little above average density on the top (and even higher in the back) for a 30-40 something male. Actually, this unit was just cut-in and the density is pretty heavy all the way around. Maybe suitable for a guy in his 20’s, but too thick for me!
I know this blog is fairly new and I haven’t yet officially announced it, but if anyone reading has any questions or comments please feel free to post them in the comments section!
Also, be sure to sign up for my newsletter so I can keep you informed of any new and exciting developments 