Alternative Hair Alchemist - A podcast about everything wigs, toppers and alternative hair!

There's been a lot of women experiencing weight loss as the result of taking meds such as Ozempic and Wegovy (both versions of semaglutide--initially developed with the intent to help control Type II Diabetes) and some of those women also have been noticing texture and condition changes of their hair as well as some reporting noticeable hair loss.  Could this be a side effect of the meds, too? In...

Almost everyone knows that there are such a thing as petite sizes, but what can you do when you have measurements that are larger than most brand's averages?  This week I will give you some helpful tips to try. Fit and comfort in your alternative hair unit should be just as important as how something looks.  Sometimes women aren't aware that they could use a roomier size or that one even exists. ...

Toppers are usually the first options women consider with alternative hair.  There's so many choices out there and videos and ads make it look so easy. The latest online statistics on topper returns quoted by Jon Renau in an email this week stated the return rate of toppers purchased online is a whopping 50%! I would bet that 50% is an underestimate simply because I have clients that come into my...

As you probably already know, styles and colors get discontinued from time to time.  Sometimes, without a lot of notice.  But not to worry, I am going to give you my best advice as to how to navigate the changes with confidence.  Then when the compliments start rolling in about your new style or color, you'll be right at home in the new look. Until next time, Peace, Love, and Alternative Hair Deb...

Hey everyone!  Happy June to you!   This week I am back with an episode that was inspired by the client who came to the shop today, and who left with gorgeous results that she did not expect (as I always say time and time again),   We discussed alternative hair journeys and what she experienced at other wig shops as well as what she's tried along the way to my shop.  There are many many things I c...

Long story short, I was pleasantly surprised by quality of the haul of wigs I purchased each for 12 USD or less!  I think the least expensive one was 6 USD.  I tried many colors, shoulder length or longer, hats with hair attached and one with detachable hair!  I will post a few of the pictures in the Wise Wig Advice and Support group on Facebook.  This is not a sponsored review. Other than size va...

Hey there!  Part Two I start to explain a little more about the pricing structure and how they are suggested from the manufacturer of the alternative hair for retail and internet suggested pricing plus what to reasonably expect from an authorized dealer.   Thanks for listening! Peace, Love and Alternative Hair, Debra Heim

Hey there! This is the first in a multi part series where I am going to talk about alternative hair shopping in a boutique or salon versus internet.  There is a price difference but there is also a RESULTS difference from going to a qualified alternative hair consultant or a hairdresser educated and up to date in alternative hair versus doing it yourself.  This episode, I tell you about my qualifi...

One thing I see in common with all women, no matter how much money they earn, there is the tendency to feel guilty about what they spend on their hair.  Here's the reasons why you should allow yourself to feel good and how to reframe your thinking about it. Peace, Love and Alternative Hair, Debra Heim

There's so many places to get a good deal on alternative hair that someone else purchased that didn't work for them.....if you know what to check for!  First and foremost you want to trust the seller, do your due diligence on that.  But here are a few questions you might want to ask because things like care products or perfumes used by the person selling can scent the hair.   These questions are j...

Back in 2017, practically nobody was using the term "alternative hair' for wigs and toppers. I deliberately chose that term to help change the perception of "wig" to become more acceptable.  Words have power, and it worked to an extent!  But, I got tired of explaining the term as I meant it:  alternative hair is just that....an ALTERNATIVE to hair you grew yourself.  Wigs have long been the source...

There's a lot of different variables in your choices of wigs and toppers out there to consider when choosing your next wig or topper. You want a certain style, but maybe it parts on the opposite side.  You want a certain color, but there isn't your favorite color choice in that style. It usually happens like this:  you have this picture in your head of how you want your hair to look and when you g...

One of the most common questions I get is "how long does a wig (topper) last?".  That's such an individual thing to answer😊 To me, there are four factors to consider that will help you understand how to estimate how long you will get from any wig.  Also, the fifth factor to consider when estimating the life span of your alternative hair is experience wearing and caring for it.  The more you wear...

It's true, there is a grief associated with lots of things, and hair loss is one of those. In coming to terms with hair loss or an alopecia diagnosis ( or ANY diagnosis for that matter), you can expect to go through phases of anger, denial, bargaining, depression and acceptance in no particular order.  So the healthy thing to do is to acknowledge your feelings and surround yourself with supportive...

One of the things I see often is someone having a difficult time making a decision between two favorites.  Find out why second guessing happens and why you ultimately can't make a wrong decision.  First of all, you learn from each time you try.  Second, no choice is permanent, there will always be another style for you. Remember, it's a journey to finding what works for you.  It's a process that i...

Change is not easy for everyone.  Ideally we all want everyone to absolutely love our new look and the truth is, someone may say something that hurts your feelings.  Sometimes boyfriends, family, friends and the people closest to you will need some time as well to get used to the change and might say "I don't know' or "it looks different" and take it from me, that doesn't mean you are choosing the...

Hello! This week's episode is based on fear a loved one may have with taking action on their own hair loss situation. Every year around holiday time like it is here in the USA, I will get a flurry of calls from daughters of moms and moms of daughters that have hair loss wanting to make an appointment for them.  I explain the fears running the show behind the situation and how I suggest dealing wit...

One thing I wanted to discuss this week was that you can have two of the same wig in the same color and although overall the same, there will be individual differences piece to piece.  Also, did you know about clip on bangs? Milano, Jon Renau and HairDo all make versions.  You can try bangs without the committment!   Peace, Love, and Alternative Hair, Debra Heim

It's a sad, sad day anytime your new wig or topper starts to show wear.  But, just like shoes, alternative hair will wear out with use.  I have come up with some pretty clever hair styles just based on trying to hide something on a wig that didn't look 100% fresh and here are some hacks for hiding the wear. Thanks for listening.... Peace, Love and Alternative Hair, Debra

It's a sad, sad day anytime your new wig or topper starts to show wear.  But, just like shoes, alternative hair will wear out with use.  I have come up with some pretty clever hair styles just based on trying to hide something on a wig that didn't look 100% fresh and here are some hacks for hiding the wear. Thanks for listening.... Peace, Love and Alternative Hair, Debra

This week I would like to address something that I pick up on from women who call the shop that want to come in and see about natural looking alternative hair but feel that because they have their own hair, they might be not allowed to come to the shop.  It's something I never thought about until I noticed that many women seem to feel a sense of guilt/resistance/reluctance (or something?) about wa...

If we are going to talk alternative hair, we would be remiss to overlook men and their choices! Did you know that there are men's full wigs in addition to top pieces?  The selection of the styles in the heat friendly synthetic fiber has doubled in choice since I opened the shop!  The thing that may be of interest to you is that the men's cap on the average is quite roomier than the ladies.  Check...

When you are an empath (deeply sensitive, loyal, giving) some times 'friends' won't respect your boundaries.  Sometimes too, their opinion on whether you look good or not isn't entirely accurate.  Find out why this week as I discuss how insecurities can affect what someone says to you when you ask them for an opinion on your hair or clothes...plus be prepared ahead of time with these comeback repl...

I see in my shop people coming in with something that doesn't work for them simply because they were embarrassed to say 'no' or the sales tactics unscrupulous. Often people buy things that they don't want just to avoid saying "no".  Here are some tips to spot manipulative sales tactics and a few responses to be prepared with to empower you to say "No" gracefully. It's ok to say "No" and not to hav...

In my five years of having the shop, I see firsthand how beautiful, intelligent women get caught up in these five areas with overthinking things that really don't matter in the long run.  As someone who wears alternative hair and an overthinking "worrier' myself but also a confidence coach, here's some tips on how to not overthink it and just wear that wig or topper knowing you look gorgeous! If y...