Hair toppers have gained popularity among women with thinning hair, and with good reason too, and our team at Custom Hair Company has noticed more women dealing with severe hair loss in recent times.
The causes range from stress and illness to environmental factors and health conditions, and it's not just as you get older. These clever hairpieces naturally blend with your natural hair and add volume where you need it the most.
What's more, hair toppers work differently from full wigs. They let your natural hair show while covering only the areas that need help. The size options are flexible - from small 2-3 inch pieces to larger 11-inch sections.
Women throughout NZ love these lightweight alternatives to full wigs. Natural human hair toppers give you room to experiment with colours and styles. You can add length and volume to your existing hair without much effort. This detailed piece covers everything you need to know to choose your first hair topper.
These specialised hairpieces cover specific areas where you have thinning or hair loss on your crown and top of the head. Hair toppers blend seamlessly with your natural hair and target only the problem areas, unlike full-coverage solutions.
Hair toppers are quite different from wigs and extensions in how they work and what they do. Wigs hide all your natural hair and cover your whole scalp. Hair toppers focus on specific spots and work best for localised hair loss. You'll find toppers helpful if you have partial hair loss, but they won't work if you've lost all your hair.
Hair toppers and extensions both boost your natural hair, but do different jobs. We used extensions to add length, and they come in smaller strands. Toppers are bigger pieces that cover thin spots and add fullness to your crown.
Hair toppers work great for women who have:
You don't need to have hair loss to use toppers. Many women with fine hair want toppers to add volume or try new styles without long-term commitment particularly for special events like a wedding or ball.
Our clients across New Zealand share several common reasons for choosing toppers. These hairpieces provide an instant confidence boost by filling in specific thin spots while looking natural and blending seamlessly with your own hair to create fullness without the need for a complete wig.
Hair toppers cost less than full wigs because they need less material and time to make. You can wear them comfortably all day thanks to their light, breathable design.
Human hair toppers are great as they let you style them just like your natural hair. You can curl, straighten, and even colour them to match your desired look. This flexibility helps you keep your style even when dealing with thinning hair.
Women across New Zealand find hair toppers to be the perfect middle ground. They work better than extensions, especially if thinning is on top, but aren't as full-on as a full wig. And at the end of the day, hair toppers give you practical and emotional support during those tough hair changes.
The perfect hair topper depends on several key factors. At Custom Hair Company, we help clients find their best match through a step-by-step process, both in our Hamilton salon and across New Zealand with virtual consults. With wigs we look at things like face shape and other aspects.
The first step is to understand your hair loss pattern. Specialists use the Norwood scale to measure male pattern baldness. This scale ranges from no hair loss to severe baldness across seven stages. Women's hair loss patterns, however, differ, with thinning typically occurring at the crown or along the part line. Therefore, the type of topper you need will depend on whether you have early thinning or advanced hair loss.
When it comes to achieving a comfortable fit, it's important to take exact measurements. Using a soft measuring tape, measure the dimensions of your thinning area. The width goes from side to side, while the length runs front to back at the widest points.
Add approximately 2-2.5 cm to these measurements. This extra space lets your topper attach to healthy hair follicles beyond the thinning area and prevents hair loss from tension.
Different base materials for your topper will give you different benefits. Lace bases look natural and breathe well, which makes them light and comfortable while mono bases last longer and can hold more hair which is great when you want fuller coverage.
When it comes to skin bases, they will give you the most natural-looking scalp but might not breathe as well if you lead an active life.
Your hair topper should blend naturally with your own hair by matching the following elements.
Checking in natural daylight helps you see your hair's true shade and any underlying tones, while the density should match your natural hair too, because if it's too thick, it will look bulky, while too thin might not cover enough.
At Custom Hair Company, we specialise in low-density hair toppers and wigs, which means they look more natural and sit much better, giving you the confidence that they are virtually undetectable.
Your daily routine can help determine the best way to attach your topper. Many people like pressure-sensitive clips because they're easy to use and hold well, while some prefer tape adhesives as they work better for longer wear.
Then there are active individuals who may want to use tape or a combination of methods to provide them with some extra stability.
Moving ahead, you've picked your perfect hair topper; now it's time to become skilled at proper attachment and styling techniques. At Custom Hair Company, we know that proper application and styling can make your hairpiece look completely natural, rather than obvious.
The topper should sit at your head's crown and line up with your natural hairline. Let's look at the steps:
Let some of your natural hair fall over the topper's edges to create a smooth blend, especially with longer hair. Your bio hair can provide better grip with a texturising spray before attaching the topper. On top of that, styling both together creates a unified look such as when curling, wrap both your natural and the topper hair around the barrel at the same time.
Place your topper slightly behind your natural hairline for the most natural look. This placement lets your own hair frame the front and creates an illusion of natural volume. With a lace front topper, you can gently pluck a few hairs using tweezers to soften the look. Also a small amount of concealer along the part line that matches your scalp's tone can add extra realism.
Quality hair toppers can serve you well with the right care. Our experience at Custom Hair Company indicates that high-quality human hair toppers can last 1-2 years with daily wear, while the lifespan can extend to 2-4 years with proper maintenance.
Human hair toppers are incredibly versatile. They respond to heat styling just like natural hair does; you can curl, straighten, or blow-dry as needed. In spite of that, its important to protect your topper with quality heat protectant and lower heat settings so it lasts longer.
When it comes to colouring, yes, it is possible to 'dye' human hair toppers, but professional colouring works best and ensures better longevity. The best results come from professional demi-permanent colour with a low-volume developer.
Generally, your hair topper needs to be washed after 6-8 wears; however, daily wearers should clean it once a month. Too much washing can strip the natural oils, which reduces your topper's life. The best choice is salon-grade, sulphate-free shampoo, conditioner and leave in conditioner. We stock an essentials range here at Custom Hair Company. Also, it's important to stay away from protein-based products, which can make the hair brittle.
If in doubt give us a call and we can help you to know what's best for your hair topper or wig or take a look at our Custom Hair Company Care Products range on our website.
A mannequin head or wig stand helps maintain your topper's shape. The original box or a silk/satin bag works well for flat storage. And don't forget, your hair topper needs a cool, dry spot away from sunlight and heat. These elements can dull the colour and harm the fibres.
Heat protectant spray should go on before any hot styling tools just like you should do with your own hair. Keep styling tools on low or medium heat settings. The hair fibres shouldn't be compressed and regular breaks from heat styling help to preserve your topper's quality.
Hair toppers need replacement despite excellent care. Watch for signs like stubborn tangles that won't smooth out with conditioning. Other red flags include visible thinning that can get beyond repair, damaged base or clips, and some loss of it's natural look.
Q1. What is a hair topper, and how does it differ from a wig? A hair topper is a partial hairpiece designed to cover specific areas of thinning or hair loss on the crown and top of the head. Unlike wigs that cover the entire scalp, toppers blend with your existing hair to provide targeted coverage and volume.
Q2. How do I choose the right size and colour for my hair topper? To choose the right size, measure your thinning area and add about 1 inch to each dimension. For colour matching, examine your hair in natural daylight to determine its true shade and underlying tones. It's crucial to match both the size and colour for a seamless blend with your natural hair.
Q3. Can I style and colour a human hair topper? Yes, human hair toppers can be styled with heat tools and coloured just like natural hair. However, always use a heat protectant before styling and opt for professional colouring to maintain the topper's quality and longevity.
Q4. How often should I wash my hair topper and what products should I use? Wash your hair topper every 6-8 wears or once a month for daily wear. Use salon-grade, sulphate-free shampoos and conditioners that aren't protein-based. Avoid products with high silicone content or those that can strip colour to maintain the topper's quality.
Q5. How long does a hair topper typically last? With proper care, high-quality human hair toppers can last between 1-2 years with daily wear, or even up to 4 years. Synthetic toppers generally last 3-6 months. Regular maintenance, correct storage, and limiting heat styling can significantly extend a topper's lifespan.
Hair toppers are changing lives for women who experience hair thinning or loss. Our team at Custom Hair Company has helped countless clients across New Zealand boost their confidence with these versatile hairpieces.
A properly selected topper provides the perfect middle ground between extensions and full wigs. This solution works great for postpartum hair loss, stress-related, alopecia or age-related thinning such as caused by menopause, or anyone wanting more volume.
The right topper needs careful thought about your specific needs. You should measure your coverage area accurately. The base type, colour, and density must match your natural hair. This approach will give a smooth blend that looks natural.
Your attachment technique matters just as much to achieve a natural look. Note that you should tease your natural hair slightly before securing clips. Press downward instead of pulling to attach your topper. Style both your topper and natural hair together to create that unified, authentic look you want.
Good care will extend your topper's life. Human hair toppers last 1-2 years with daily wear. With excellent maintenance, they can serve you up to 4 years. Using sulphate-free products, proper storage, and minimal heat styling will keep your topper looking great.
Getting fuller, more confident hair doesn't have to be hard. Hair loss might feel isolating, but you're not alone. Thousands of women in New Zealand have found how hair toppers can change their lives.
Our team at Custom Hair Company is 'hair to help' you through each step. The right hair topper does more than change your look, it transforms how you feel about yourself every day.
Get in touch now with us at Custom Hair Company now, we are 'Hair to Help' with Hair Toppers, Wigs Hair Pieces, Skin/Hair patches and Men's Hair Systems both by in-studio and virtual consultations no matter where you are in New Zealand.
Ph: 07 929 1258
