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Hi JohnD
I am not a customer (yet) but I understand exactly what you are saying. I too thought some examples were a bit.. um.. 90ish as in what we saw in the 90's.Add to that the styles page.. all models with real hair! I'd rather see the same bald guy with all the styles
How about that HD! Is that a good idea? One guy who is balding models all the hair styles?Anyway, after seeing some of the videos and reading some of the posts you can see (and read) that it isn't like it used to be. At least not the finished product. I wore a system a long time ago and I didn't have any size choices or density choices.. it was done for me and although I thought I looked good, I probably didn't.I mean, the concept is the same, but the product seems different.Some people know how to style them better than others, some know how to keep it real so to speak (hairlines, density.. etc)
I am a bit skeptical like you, and I am asking sort of the same questions you are (didn't see this thread before I posted my last one, cofident1 answered a lot of my questions too) I am still not sure if I should do it or not, but I really don't have much choice with all my scarring.I can't go bald, so although I now inevitably I will go the HD (or similar) route, I still ask questions.Don't hesitate to ask no matter what, even if it hurts someones feelings, anyone who says they weren't scared, confused, unsure or skeptical of the look is not being "honest".
Proper density and hairline contour are two ways to increase realism, but unfortunately for those of us who have thin side and back hair, it is a much bigger challenge to obtain a realistic look from a partial unit.
The good news is that we are working to perfect the art of the full cap. A full cap that is ventilated and cut-in properly has zero issues with color, blending, and temple recession/thin sides. They have their limitations, but it is a viable option for those who have trouble with partial units. Most of the traditional markers that give away a hairpiece are all but eliminated with a full cap.
Of course there is no way to confirm this, but I am relatively sure that I have never been "busted".
I have had dinner several times with 6-8 other guys who wear hairpieces. You would think that with that many people wearing fake hair, the entire room would be staring at our table, and I can assure you that is not the case.
Is it going to be 100% perfect 100% of the time? No.
The good thing is that it doesn't even have to be close to 100% to pull off the illusion.
Also keep in mind that pictures can sometimes accentuate flaws. I can put on one of my full caps, look in the mirror and admire how great it looks, then I snap a picture for my blog and it seems to capture flaws that aren't even really there.
Jon Robertson, CEO, RemySoft Solutions LLC
JohnD,
First, everyone on this board who has gotten to know me, knows i write long posts, but if you can find the time, please accept my apologies, but i feel that a need to share my own honesty, experiences, strengths, and hopes to you, unconditionally.
Please view my links (see below) from February 2009 and later, into my hair journey with HD. Talk about being honest, and as you stated about my photos (thanks for the compliment), but i was just as scared, afraid, and I was asking questions so much on this board back then, that i feel like i know people such as some of those that have already replied to you, like Pete, JRob, Jeff, Encouraged, and now Confidenti, who has really said it all, and writes just as long as i do, and with substance, i must say.
http://www.hairdirect.com/community/forums/post/20638.aspx
http://www.hairdirect.com/community/forums/post/23391.aspx
http://www.hairdirect.com/community/forums/post/24128.aspx
I have always stated in my personal and business life that "knowledge is freedom and power" and if I didn't ask questions, be open minded to except "positive criticism" to make the necessary changes in my life, then i would not be wearing an HD24 full lace unit today.
I took a chance on HD because i have been trying to find some place, including the Hair Club (yes, i've been there and done that, too!), and was back at HCM within 24 hours because when they put that unit on my scalp and glued it on i was devastated and very disappointed that i went back the very next day and had it removed, and got my refund, (that never happened before i was told but i told them that i didn't want to get my family attorney involved) and i continued my journey but in the meantime, i used courve masking makeup, hair fibers, propecia and rogaine, and just a ton of other hair products to produce my "hair illusions" for the next few decades, until May 15 2009 when i was at HD and was being fitted for my first HD hair system and i was in awe about the QUALITY, TEXTURE, and the LOOK of this small topical hair piece that was so curly, and tight in texture and ACTUALLY match my natural hair.
Remember, i am (you already saw my photos as you mentioned) african descent and part native american, and talk about honesty, i DRILLED practically everyone, including Bill Sr. plus this board about the ends and outs and the dos and don'ts about hair systems and the real fact that i didn't "SEE" anyone on this site that "LOOK" like me!
In my case, there was no male of color with short cropped hair like mine, so i was just as scared. I didn't think HD could do ANYTHING for me, at first.
There were women of color in the Photo gallery, but no male of color for ME to compare and ask the tons of questions that i had and what you are doing now.
Therefore, your post took me back to February of 2009 when i was right in your shoes, and i can relate to your concerns, fears and the unknown.
My own "fear of the unknown" and my own "irrational fears" meaning that it was really all in my head about what is going to happen or how my hair with HD is really going to look, because when i was going through all of these emotions, i had not GIVEN HD a chance at this point because of so many of my posts BEFORE May 15, about if this will work for me or NOT, just because of my ethnic background and my hair texture.
Besides my links (see above) and please, when you get a chance, read my past posts from the links, and the bottom line to this journey for me is that i have JUDGED HD in the beginning only because i just could not believe that i could be help.
But because of the women, yes, women, and the men on this board back in the beginning, walked me through this process as if i was a kid just learning the romps and practically "holding my hand", because i was so scared that if i had to cut the little bit of head i had and then the unit was not for me, then what?
I would have to go back to my day job embarrassed and have to explain and i would have had to just say that i decided to have a different style, like go bald, for example.
But behold, that didn't happen, and on May 15 2009 (my hair birthday as i call it) was the best thing that has happened to my head since i was losing my hair back when i was in my early 30s.
Now at 59 (will be 60 in jan 2010) i'm enjoying my HD24 unit so much that i even keep a personal journal about my experiences with HD and especially each and every step i take with my units when it comes to my weekly maintenance ( remove and clean every 7-10 days), it is so much easier to clean with i wear my system LESS time than longer.
I understand how "honesty" can be the best policy for you and me and others too, but i also understand from being on this earth a little while that being so "brutedly" honest can be emotionally harmful, in its own way,too, but not necessarily intentional. My point with that statement, for an example, when my mother passed away when i was only 15 and my father had another lady in his life about a year later and he moved her in with us and i was not happy at all. My mother was gone and i refused to accept.
But years later after i became an adult and went through some life changing issues of my own for the better, i understood that i was not allowing my father to do what he wanted to do and who was i to judge who he bring in the house. This lady was for HIS happiness, not mine in particular.
With that said, i know you said some of the units look "fake" including Bill's but when i first view the photos, too, and talking about being honest, some did look too thin in their density (now that i know about density (lol)) and i also have seen one fellow on the photo gallery that had his topical hair unit, but the sides and back were not matching is well. So we all have very DETAILED vision about hair systems, just like someone else said, and that is because we are the most critical of all simply because we WEAR them and are more conscious of that fact. Most people realy wouldn't know unless i tell them.
But because of my own questions and being inquisitive about everything, i have learned on this board that their is something called Back2Natural color conditioner and i also uses it to MATCH my sides and back, for instance.
In other words, for me, i know style, color, density, length, texture, plays a major role in how my unit will look, especially out in the sunlight because "mother nature" doesn't lie and i for one uses that test for my units before i go out and meet my public, sort of speak.
But back to my father, i didn't want to spoil his JOY for the love of his life, so i left his choice of women alone and allowed my father to have his peace, no matter what or how i felt. I dealt with the situation because i had no choice at the time, but i never ever said to him how i didn't like his new partner, because "being honest" for me doesn't always mean i'm helping, to tell you the truth!
Expressing my honest feelings can sometimes harm another, so i'm very careful in the WAY i state my view point, and you were very careful by making that point clear and i can relate to your sensitivity. You gave your "disclaimer" and i respect you for that because i would have done the same! You understood the ramifications of your actions, and made sure that you were making point.
As you can see i too can write just like Confident1 (lol) and and others, and i always try to "balance" my feelings when i write in this forum because i too can be harmed by someone else being "honest" about what they are writing, but we are all human, of course and feelings can be very sensitive and delicate, just because..
Honesty for me is about sharing about who i am, about what i'm feeling that may have a DIRECT effect on ME, not about what or how some else "looks" like, because for me, who am i to judge?
When i keep the FOCUS on myself, then i can speak honestly about what i'm feeling, and leave out being critical of another human being, even though you clarified your point, as i mentioned earlier.
As far as Bill Sr. is concern, i have meet Bill at least 4 times now, and i have touched his topical head and he chosed to use the density that he wanted, which is what most people do along with recommendations from the HD hair specialist, like i'm using only 55% density, were at one time i had 60% density that actually was too much hair for me and my facial look, thus alterations such as cutting, etc.
I'm learning that no matter what one saids about hair systems, it is a person's preference of what density, color, etc., that they want and the results could possibly look "fake" to someone else, but it is just the way the wearer wants it.
With Bill, i was amazed at the undetectability of his thin density and believe me, i was looking for a "flaw" but i couldn't find it, so it is also the way one want to wear their unit.
In my case, i wanted to create waves and have a part and with my grease gel and water and my brush and comb, and on the 15th of May 2009, i created the style that i wanted right at HD headquarters, and i'm quite please with the quality of human hair that HD has accommodated me with.
Now talk about "fake", there were 2 times that i know of, that HD had to clarify to 2 different new people on this board that I was NOT some model that HD hired!
When that happened twice it meant 2 things for me. One, i finally found a place like HD that DOES have flawless human hair that is so undetectable that, in my case, a few people didnt' believe that i was wearing a unit. Excellent test for HD, i must say!!
Now that is what i'm talking about...comfort, flawlessness, undetectability!
Bakc to February, 2009, ultimately, I took my chances with HD, inspite of NOT seeing anyone that looked like me, and you have seened my results now. If you don't take a chance for yourself, in spite of your fears, then you will never know if this is for you or not, will you?
finally, I know with all of these replies you have definitely open up a "can of woms" as they say, but you may have helped yourself more than you know, and that IS the bottomline.
Take care and check out my links that i posted,
-Donald
-Donald "Knowledge is Freedom and Power, Stay Curious"
Where do you live? If it's of interest to you, I'd be more than happy to show you my hair in person. If that doesn't work, I have a webcam and am more than happy to show you that way as well. Believe me, I know JUST where you are and I believe you are asking questions that are TOTALLY valid.
Thanks also for the compliment about my postings. I appreciate the feedback. I promise that you can rely on what I say, because I only post what I believe is totally factual.
Here is another way to look at one of your points - when you first start wearing hair, the unit may not be perfect and maybe your attachment won't be either. So it's possible for some people to be able to detect a system, just like you can - and I can too...but Blondie was right saying that "hairy people" just don't pay any attention to it like we do. After all, they have hair and the last thing they worry about is whether "we" are wearing or not. That applies to MOST people who are normal, not the ones why look for negative things to point out to others.
Anyway...as I was typing...as you become more practiced wearing hair, you have found the products that work best for you, your hair orders have been tweaked until they are just right for you, etc...then you will find the absolute best in hair that is undetectable. The problem is, you WILL NOT be able to get it ALL 100% right on the first shot. This is about learning, testing, tweaking and practicing until you get it right. You didn't learn to walk the first day you tried and wearing hair is no different. It may help that you are very detail oriented. Maybe it will give you a headstart and your first try may be better than mine was, but you will still need to go through the learning curve - just like we did.
As far as the comments on the pictures...don't assume that nobody has the guts to help the squirrel guys out! I have privately emailed some people with tips and I am sure I'm not alone. I also like to wait sometimes until I am asked for my opinion and then I will offer it. Just depends on the situation. I can tell you that if someone puts a picture in a message thread - like this one - and asks what I think of their hair density, color, attachment, undetectibility, etc., they get the whole truth and nothing less. After all, that's why we are here - to help others who want the same thing we have perfected.
I've been wearing hair since I was 20 in some fashion or another. I started with HD in 2006 and I can safely say, as great as my hair looks, I still try to learn new things all the time. If you ever stop and think you can't learn anymore and you have it perfect, you should ask for opinions just to make sure you were right! I guess what I'm saying is that you can always learn something new to make it better.
So, welcome to the boards - with your candor - I wouldn't want it any other way.
Also, Kudos to Confident1!!!!! What an awesome 1st post and I hope you stay with us and continue to "pay it forward". It's obvious you were inspired to actually post by these questions and your help and input are a VERY IMPORTANT part of what makes these boards so successful. Please keep posting - it was dead on the money and others need to hear your valuable input.
Plus...Donald T needs some company in the "length of posts" club! tee hee! (luv ya Donald)
Whew...ok, I'm done, I think this is my record recently for longest post too! Let us know if you have any more input or if you would like to see my hair in person or on camera.
Babe
Not born with hair, but I've gotthe intelligence to find it, the money to pay for it, the patience to "stick" it on just right,the will to make it work, the confidence to wear it boldlyand the smile to wear under it!
Babe,
I know you do, and i love you for your own candor and honesty. Talking about honesty!
I really do need to slow down, and do i know it! (smile) It is a good think for me to receive positive feedback and in a way that you present it.
I always say, it is about "presentation"!
So i will end by saying, I will try harder because i feel like i'm writing a book sometimes and this is NOT the forum for my memoirs! (lol)
Thanks Babe, again, it is how one say something will determines in how one will react!
Keep up the excellent work that you do, here!
x0x0x0
-D
JohnD
HD and i have created a video with me back on sept 4 2009, with my unit and off, so as soon as it is posted, we all will be able to see other wearers like myself, in the video section, soon.
hi "honest" john,
i personally think you are unfair to say that they look like wigs ..and you can spot one a mile off..
people here have been brave and posted their pics in which they are proud...
dont ruin it for them mate because the fact that you havent been specific will ruin peoples confidence on such a sensitive subject
i would say that if you are such a good wig spotter as you say then wearingt hair isnt for you because you will be too paranoid especially as you will be wearing one...
i cannot name one picture that looks like a wig..NOT ONE
SO I SAY ..TELL US ALL WHICH PEOPLE LOOK L;IKE THEY ARE WEARING HAIR
IM EXTREMELY ANGRY
JONNY
Who would have thought that this post would have stired up so much emotions?? I understand everyones feelings and sensitivity towards the comments and I get the reasonings. However don't let someones comments stir up so much inside you or get the best of you. We all know we look fine and we all know we have come out of the dark ages as far as hiar replacement. Society hasn't though because society doesn't realize how far it has come and the fact that we can walk around undetected is proof of that. I would lay out all the money i have if someone could put me in a crowd and pick me out as an HD client! It's not going to happen. 5 years ago maybe we couldn'tsay that. The more I think about the comments by the op I get a lil frustrated because I don't see wigs on anybody either but hey i put my two cents in *well maybe it was my $2* and went on my merry way! If he wants to have a cold head then so be it. haa! Thanks to everyone for the comments about my post!
Babe With a Mane
I am not usually one to post on forums but I will do my best to continue to pay it forward. I have read so many that I wanted to reply to but I figured who am i to give advice but maybe there is some value to everyones input. I will check in and try to input in a possitive way as often as I can. Thanks for the comments and I will try to keep them to one page lol!! I just get on a roll sometimes!! BTW!! You look GREAT!
Donald
If we ever get together I don't think either one of us will get a word in! If we ever meet up for drinks then we will have to bring a timer so we know when to stop! LOL! At least I'm not alone in the long winded catagory!!
Nice meeting you all!!
Have a great FRIDAY!!!!!! WOO HOO!!
Hey, Babe,
I have to agree with him. You certainly are a 'Hubba Hubba'. That's a compliment.
Jeff
AWWW...you guys are WAYYY toooo nice! Thanks so very much for the compliments! You three made my week...ok, MONTH! Yippeee!!!
JohnD - I don't just run around meeting "strange men" ha ha ha! Too dangerous these days, so I would probably bring my "bodyguard"! Nevertheless, I totally understand where you are coming from! The cam is still an option if you are ever interested. I'm very glad that you got so much out of my posts. While you have gone to the next level, there are more to go before you jump in. Just hang out here, read, ask and post when you have the time and who knows...maybe one day you will decide to give it a shot. Hair wearing isn't for everyone, but I'm definitely SO happy I found HD!
Or...Bahh haaa haa...I could just show up without my hair! That would cure anyone's temptation! LOLOLOL! Sometimes? I crack myself up!!!
Jonnyboy - Don't forget that lots of different people have lots of different opinions. You and I may look at the same picture and have different opinions. I'll give you a great example - when I was brand new here, I looked at Chris's photos:
http://www.hairdirect.com/photos/before-after/chris.aspx
I thought...handsome guy, but...ewwwww....I can tell that isn't real, look at all the glue at the edge. Now that I've been here long enough, I know it's a tan line and it makes total sense if you look at all of his pictures. Sometimes, people just see things differently. I don't think John was saying these things to be hurtful, but he is completely being honest about what HIS perceptions are. I understand how sensitive you are and also that you found it offensive, but honestly, I know how great my hair looks, so if anyone tipped me off that they saw something I could improve, I would look closely and then decide whether or not they were right. But ultimately, as long as each of us is happy with our hair AND how we wear it, that's all that counts. Other people's opinions are not that important regarding hair...or anything else! It's all about how YOU feel about it that's important.
I hope that made sense. Most of us who wear hair are MUCH more critical of our hair and our attachments than anyone else could ever be. So if we feel confident about it, that's all that matters. You are right, all of us who have posted pictures are brave...but I also believe that most are also likely to be very personally confident with the results or the pictures wouldn't be there.
Wow...I think I just brought on a self induced case of carpal tunnel syndrome - so, I'm signing off again!
Thanks again for all of the kind words guys!
Blushing Babe
Hi all-
Thanks for everyone's honesty. It's great!
I agree that there are some pics that are more obvious than others--however, that is the choice of the wearer to either choose too high of a density, an inappropriate hairline and/or a detectable method of bonding. The point is, you CAN get an undetectable look if you make the appropriate choices for yourself. It doesn't really matter if I think someone's unit looks good or bad if they are happy with it. If you think a piece looks fake then make different choices in your order. It's really customizable.
The only thing I disagree with is that you can spot any hair piece a mile away...the truth is you can spot a BAD piece a mile away! I can tell you that I've had to convince people that I AM wearing--even digging through my hair to try to find the edge of my unit and they still can't tell! Also, I've seen Bill Sr. up close and personal and it's IMPOSSIBLE to tell he is wearing hair. But, he's a wizard--maybe that's the difference!
Sue
hi everyone,
i was only messing john d..to be fair i dont really care .....i just hope you find what you are looking for
Hi John D
First of all, thank you for your honesty and frankness. Thanks also to Confident 1 for his friendly reprimand. Your totally right, one should be able to be totally honest about things here and people shouldn't get offended otherwise we're not being real and can address the problems which people raise.
As someone who has worn hair systems for several years now, here is my honest feedback.
Looking like a squirel or beaver has made it's home on your head - yes totally that can happen and as a number have said here there are several reasons for this.
I understand your fears about looking abnormal and odd. My only advice is to work with the Techs closely and use this notice board to help limit any potential problems and to keep trying. Few people get things perfect but overall you can achieve a natural appearance with few stares being given.
Give it a try!
Take care.
Born Again
Here is my experiences and suggestions.
As others have said seek out someone from hair direct that is local to get an idea of quality of the product installed on someone, but also keep in mind that you'll want to see if you can find someone who has the HD24 Total High Defintion Hair as that's going to show the absolute best in an undetectible hair piece. Another option might be to schedule an appointment with hair club for men if they are local, not to join, although can go under that pretense, but to see if they can show you the product installed on a client. Again keep in mind that there are different levels of hair systems and some are more detectible than others. Some are built to last and those are more detectble and then there are those that are designed for undetectiblity but they only last 1-2 months... that's the type you want to make sure you are looking at.
My first experience was with hair club for men. They were horrible on customer service and did what the could to disempower their clients so that they could create a situation of dependency. I had the exact same concerns you have about the pieces being detectible. When I met with them for the first time to talk about what they had to offer they brought out a client that just had a hair piece installed. THe client allowed me to carfeully check up close the hair on the top, front, etc. He had a short flat top style hair cut. I was really amazed, I would have never known and I was being very skeptical about it when I first walked into the place.
If the hair color is a close enough match, if the hair piece isnt too far forward on the head, if the density of the piece isnt ridiculously thick, if the hair styliest does a good job of blending the hair piece with your hair, and if the unit is attached at the front with glue, I swear most people are going to have a hell of a time figuring out you are wearing a hairpiece. I'd say its nigh impossible.
When I first came home (lived out of state) with my hair piece on and hadnt told my parents. I walked off of the plane and into the terminal where they were waiting. I literally walked right up to them and then off to their side and then stopped. They were still starring at the door leading into the terminal watching passengers come in and HAD NOT RECOGNIZED it was me when I literally walked a few feet right in front of them. About 3 seconds later they both turned their heads to me and then recognized it was me. That was an unbelievable twightlight zone moment for me.
I had the hair piece installed and then started a new job. I wore the unit for 2 years before leaving hair club and going back to shaving my head. When I went into work after two years of wearing the hair piece with my head shaved. My coworkers were blown away. No one knew I had been wearing a hair piece. Several of them made a big deal about it for months later saying they still couldnt believe I had been wearing one, etc. The shock on a lot of their faces was amazing and real. Because on days that I didnt have everything just right I thought... ah Im dead, someones going to pick up on it, etc. They never did and I know if they had they wouldnt have lied about it after I took it off.
After leaving hair club around 7 years ago I started wearing hair pieces from hairdirect for about the last year and half. In the time that I have worn the hair piece either with hair direct or hair club I've never once had a stranger point at my hair, stare at my hair, laugh at me, tell me I'm wearing a wig, etc. Not once. I'm guessing if it was obvious someone would have done that at least once.
At this point in my life I dont even care if people know. I'm actually past the point of feeling bad about being bald. I'm actually only doing it for variety. After shaving my head for years and having that being the only hairstyle I can have the hairpieces allow me (much like different clothing) to have some damn variety in hairstyle. Sorry but I just get sick of the same thing all the time. So now it's not uncommon for me to mention that I'm wearing a hairpiece to strangers. No one has ever said, "I knew it was a hair piece". Most of the time they either dont believe and think I'm messing with them or they cant stop talking about how realistic it looks and would have never imagined that hair pieces could look that good.
Those are my honest experiences.
Regards,
David
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