This story was originally published on Essence.

I came home, washed the wig and began cutting and combing it. This is what it looked like I after I installed it for the first time.

First wash and cut...

Tried applying setting lotion this time to help tame the curls a bit.

More shaping and framing...

Removing your weave and learning your texture can be a deeply emotional yet empowering experience. Read about this woman's journey below.

Why Natural Hair Extensions Are Dope:

How Natural Hair Extensions Are Installed:

Natural Hair Extension Maintenance & Upkeep:

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Product Instructions:

Pre installation

Yes, I said "Man Weave". You know I believe that people should do what they want, as long as they are able to question their decisions and identify their own problematic behaviour. Having said all this, white men have been wearing toupee's for YEARS and no one has made a big thing of this, but as soon as the black man decides he wants to enhance the hair on the top of his head, it's big news and the whole world must stop turning. Enough of my rant...what do you think?

By Charli Penn

Not every Black woman is rocking a fierce wig or weave just because she’s in the mood for something new – many suffer from such severe hair loss and balding that they have no choice but to hide it.

People often assume that wearing too many wigs or weaves is the culprit when younger women start balding in patches, but there are medical conditions like Folliculitis Induced Alopecia than can also be to blame. This condition occurs when bacteria goes down into the scalp, causes inflammation of the hair follicles, destroys them and makes it difficult for hair to grow back. Houston-based dermatologist Dr. Milton Moore is passionate about helping the Black women in his community battle hair loss and created the Moore Unique Skincare line to do just that. He says many of his clients are silently going bald, hiding it from their loved ones and just covering it up with weaves or wigs because they fear there’s nothing more that they can do. Because of this, he says, their self-esteem is suffering. Moore offers advice for these women and reveals the harsh realities of hair loss among sisters.

ESSENCE.com: What are the signs of Folliculitis Induced Alopecia?
MOORE: Folliculitis Induced Alopecia happens when a bacterial infection of the follicles cause hair loss.

ESSENCE.com: Can a dermatologist help?
MOORE: Yes, they can. My goal is to educate many of them on exactly how to treat tis type of alopecia in Black women – many just don’t know how to manage it.


ESSENCE.com: Is the hair loss damage permanent?
MOORE: A certain amount of the loss is permanent if not treated before the follicle is replace with scar tissue. If the follicle is still there, then I can get it to start producing hair again.


ESSENCE.com: Do wearing wigs/weaves do more than just mask the problem?
MOORE: Yes. Doing so allows that person suffering from this to make believe they don’t have a problem in the public eye, but meanwhile the condition worsens. Weaves are the biggest problem because they cause traction on the hair and inflammation of the root of the follicle. Tenderness is a sign that there is inflammation and possible infection. Wigs raise the temperature of the scalp, and if there is an underlying problem, it can add to the low-grade bacterial infection. There is also a problem with demodex folliculorum, which is a natural mite contaminant in the scalp but can proliferate and induce inflammation. Anti bacterial topical agents can reduce the colony. There is also sometimes a problem with a proliferation of pityrosporum ovale, which is also a resident micro flora of the piloserbaceous hair unit. I put all of my patients on a 3-day course of anti-fungal medication called fluconazole.

ESSENCE.com: Can you talk a bit more about the self-esteem issue you’ve seen with your patients?
MOORE: Hair is a woman’s glory, and if it’s damaged or unhealthy looking, their self-esteem suffers also. Several of my patients state that their husbands are not aware of their massive hair loss because they don’t take their wigs or weaves off in front of them. They wear a head scarf to bed or sleep in the wig. There is some shame involved when a peron’s appearance is less than acceptable to them.

ESSENCE.com: What are the biggest no-nos as far as wigs/weaves when it comes to women who suffer from Folliculitis Induced Alopecia?
MOORE: Putting their weaves in too tight to make the time longer before they have to come in for a touch up. Wigs should not be worn all day and night. Scalps need air to allow the scalp temperature to normalize.

ESSENCE.com: Is a dermatologist the only one who can spot this condition?
MOORE: A hair stylist should be able to at least tell the customer she is losing hair and there is redness or puss coming from the scalp.

ESSENCE.com: What’s the main message you hope to get across to women about this condition?
MOORE: This is a preventable and treatable condition when properly addressed early on. I plan to educated non-Black dermatologists about how to treat this condition effectively.

For more information about Moore’s Moore Unique Sking Care line and to ask more questions about diagnosing Folliculitis Induced Alopecia, visit: Mooreunique.com

IT'S ALL IN THE GLUE

Allergic contact dermatitis (otherwise known as an allergic response developed by contact with a substance) to lace front weaves are caused by the adhesives and glues that are used to attach the wigs to the scalp. Prolonged use can lead to irritation to the scalp and perimeter. Statistics show that 20% of lace front hair wearers will experience irritation due to adhesive glue.

ALLERGY TESTS ARE YOUR FRIEND

Allergy tests are recommended for all hair chemicals, so hair glue should be no different. First, apply the glue or adhesive to your forearm and keep it covered for three days. If the area becomes red or raised after the three days, you have an allergic reaction to the adhesive glue. If there is no reaction to the glue on the forearm, it does not mean that prolonged use won't create a problem later down the road.

SCHEDULE

Keep a hair schedule. Your weave/wig and scalp should be washed weekly. The adhesive glue should be removed from the perimeter of the head during this time. The weave/wig should be replaced after 3 months.

DERMATOLOGIST

If you do develop a reaction while wearing your lace front wig, please remove the hairpiece and see a dermatologist as soon as possible. An allergic reaction can quickly turn into a infection if left untreated. This infection could lead to permanent damage to the skin and hair. Don't take chances!

OTHER METHODS

If your skin just can't take the the glue adhesive, consider using other methods such as clips, hair thread and tape to secure your lace front wig. They may turn out to be just as secure as traditional glue.

I followed Wendy Williams on the radio while I was living in the states, and I always loved that way she 'brought the heat'! Now she is bringing something else to us in the form of hair. Wigs to be exact! She has a new line out and it's sure to make waves and get the people talking.

By Allison Samuels via http://www.thedailybeast.com


Talk show host Wendy Williams has only in recent years become comfortable discussing what she calls her "magic hair." Magic hair is any additional hair used for the simple but often necessary purpose of giving more volume, length and variety to one's own locks.

The New Jersey native says she had no choice but the learn the intricate details and inner workings of wigs, weaves, and hairpieces after she was diagnosed with thyroid disease some 15 years ago.
"I had to learn about 'magic hair' because my own hair became so thin as a result of my disease," recalls Williams. "I have long hair, but it's too thin to do anything with it. Hair and skin are the first two things people see when they look at woman. Those two things have to be on point to be really in the game from my point of view."

After years of wearing and studying all details related to the 'magic hair' market, Williams concluded that it was time to put her own mark on an industry that generates almost $1 billion annually through the sale of synthetic and human hair.

"Wendy Williams' Hair World," will launch September 1 on Wig.com, and EspeciallyYours.com. The hair line will offer women who want more follicle options 40 wig styles, 5 unique weave looks, 6 hairpieces, 5 headbands, and 1 clip-on hair-extension style.

At 5'11", Williams has a towering presence that she says her "barely there hair" just didn't complement.
"I'm a big woman with a big personality," she says. "A big woman with a big personality cannot have little hair."

She also does not believe that anyone these days is completely natural when it comes to hair or weight loss. "Most women of a certain age need a little help with their hair as time goes on," she says. Williams, 49, maintains women should use a variety of beauty enhancements as they age. "When I say most women, I mean black, white, and whatever.  After 30, our hair begins to thin and it takes more work to look the way we want. Why not get some help?" Williams says she understands the stigma often associated with wearing wigs and other hairpieces, but she encourages women to ignore their "hating ass girlfriends" and do what makes them feel and look their best.


"Hating ass girl friends—and that's what they are, hating ass—are exactly why I stayed in the wig closet for so long," admits Williams. "I would never admit to wearing wigs early on. I said I had a weave instead because they are bit more acceptable. Wigs have too long been considered just for those who are baldheaded or for the old lady who sits in the fourth pew in church every Sunday."
Williams added that men, particularly black men, have contributed more than their share to unflattering conversations about women, particularly black women, who wear hair extensions.

"Chris Rock and his film about hair aside, most black men as a rule have a real problem with fake hair for some reason," said Williams. "They want us [black women] to have a certain look that includes long hair, but then complain about you being fake and not natural. Natural is for personalities, not hair."
Black hair is often fragile and grows in a curly pattern, making it difficult to maintain hairstyles that require extended length without using damaging chemicals and heat. Frequent straightening can damage black hair and cause breakage. Protective hairstyles such as wigs and weaves offer alternative options for women.
Williams says she advises fans of her show who admire her hairpieces to actually experiment with hair extensions before judging them or stepping out in public with them on.

"I rarely wear wigs just out of the box," says Williams. "I buy them, cut them, and then add additional highlights and a few other tricks so that they fit me, and the look I'm going for. Women sometimes get confused, you have to work to get the look and style you want."

"The Wendy Williams Hair Collection," offers wigs priced from $49 to $1,000 and includes both synthetic and human hair versions in varying lengths. Though always a fan of big hair, Williams confirms she likes Beyoncé's new short haircut. But she does have one request for the superstar singer.
"I don't want to see that on Sasha Fierce (Beyoncé's alter ego on stage)," said Williams. "When I go see her in a show on stage, I want the diva fan blowing and the long hair flowing. That short hair is good to take Blue Ivy to the CVS or to the park. But it's not showgirl hair and Beyoncé is a showgirl!"