In a world where hair is the first thing people notice, it has become an important asset. Long healthy hair allows you to recreate multiple styles and showcase your personality. But losing your luscious mane is detrimental to your mental health and shoots your confidence down!
That's when human hair toppers come in handy. Due to the variety of alternatives available, hair toppers go by various names. Wiglets, hair enhancers, and hairpieces are some names used for hair toppers.
Various toppers require different installment methods to clip onto your current hair and cover hair loss. Some give more coverage than others, but all are meant to blend in with your natural hair when properly installed.
Read our in-depth guide to human hair toppers to learn more about what they are, their uses, advantages, and more!
What Are Hair Toppers?
Long and gorgeous human hair topper
Hair toppers are available in various forms and sizes and are designed to disguise hair loss at different phases and parts of the scalp. Some toppers provide greater coverage on top, whereas others seek to conceal the sides or back of your head. Some hair toppers are designed specifically to add volume to thin hair.
When buying hair toppers, remember that there is no universal size. Toppers are customized to provide coverage where required and blend with the rest of your hair.
Human hair toppers let you manage your hair loss concerns distinctively. For ladies with thinning hair, you could wear several hairpieces to conceal more than one section, making them an excellent substitute for a full wig.
Consider the foundation design, size, length, and color when purchasing a hair topper. It will help achieve a natural look.
Who Needs Hair Toppers?
Who needs toppers?
Anyone who wants to add volume or conceal hair loss can wear hair toppers. If you believe your hair lacks volume, human hair toppers will not only conceal regions of hair loss but also enhance the appearance of fullness to your remaining hair.
Remember, hair toppers are not only for hair loss. They are often worn to balance long hair extensions.
Different Types Of Hair Toppers
Now that you understand what hair toppers are and who needs them let's look at the different types of hair toppers available.
Part Topper
Part toppers are ideal for women experiencing hair thinning where they part their hair. They help conceal hair thinning while still being able to part their hair in multiple ways.
Crown Topper
Crown hair toppers enclose a rectangular space at the upper back of the head where the skull starts to bend downwards. Crown toppers are great for adding volume while still concealing bald spots or hair thinning.
Top Topper
These types of toppers are worn at the top and cover multiple areas based on the circumference.
3 Most Popular Topper Materials
Lace-Based Hair Toppers
Lace human hair topper
Full lace and lace front toppers are the only bases that precisely mirror the look of a natural hairline. A lace foundation hair topper is made of lace material with individual strands tied. These 4x4 Invisible Parting Toppers from Diva Divine are ideal to ensure a natural look and match your front hairline. A topper with a lace base is lightweight, and the breath-ability helps on hot days.
You need to bleach the knots with lace toppers since there's only a layer of lace under each hairpiece.
Mono-Based Hair Toppers
Monofilament topper
Individual strands are attached to a thin mesh material, allowing airflow. The monofilament base lets you modify the parting for maximum styling freedom and a natural appearance. Monofilament-based toppers are sturdy and have a long lifespan. These toppers are soft and extremely comfortable to wear. If you have a sensitive scalp, the Lady Top Head Patch from Diva Divine is a great option because it won’t irritate the scalp.
Monofilament hair toppers are comfortable, but they are not as breathable as lace ones because of the monofilament base, which is tucker than lace.
Silk-Based Hair Toppers
Silk hair topper with 4 clips
The silk base is made with a layer of lace and pure silk on the cap's upper front. Silk-based toppers provide the most realistic appearance, and you don't have to bleach the knots, thanks to silk's layer. These types of toppers provide styling versatility, and you can part them any way you want.
Due to the double layers of lace and silk, silk-based toppers won't lay flat, and you may encounter a bit of a bump on the crown. They are also slightly thicker and heavier and not the best options for summer.
The Difference Between Toppers And Wigs
The main difference between toppers and wigs is that wigs provide complete coverage. Hair toppers (unless customized) are primarily designed to cover a small area and come with clips to secure them to your hair.
How To Choose Hair Toppers?
Steps to choosing hair toppers
Choosing the right hair toppers is important, so your needs are met. Following are the steps involved in choosing the right hair toppers for yourself.
Step 1: Specifying The Type Of Hair Loss
It is best to start your search for hair toppers by assessing the type of hair loss you are undergoing. The quantity of hair loss is used to classify the phases of hair loss.
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Beginning Stage: Hair thinning starts at the crown in a scattered pattern, resulting in little loss. Most women in the beginning stage will require toppers with small base sizes or one with adjustable bases.
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Progressive Stage: In this stage, the scalp becomes apparent, and toppers with medium or large bases are required to conceal hair loss.
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Advanced Stage: At this point, hair loss is usually quite obvious, with fully bald patches. Hair toppers with large bases are worn at this stage. Some ladies with extensive hair loss also explore buying hair wigs for complete coverage.
Step 2: Measuring The Area
- The next step is to measure the area of hair loss. Assess the width from front to back and side to side.
- Add an inch to every dimension. This provides a half-inch of hair on the side or end of the base for clips to attach to your hair.
Note: If your hair loss area is still greater than the topper bases available, you can contact Diva Divine's service center for customization or consider purchasing wigs.
Step 3: Choosing The Base Type
- Make a note of where your hair loss is located. This will assist in deciding on the sort of base to use.
- For example, if your hair loss or thinning is mostly at the part, you'll need a base that's long and slender and made of monofilament. If you are experiencing hair loss at the crown, you'll need a broader base with a classic style structure.
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Monofilament Base: Individual hair is bonded to a soft mesh layer to form a monofilament base. Toppers with monofilament bases provide the illusion of hair growing from your scalp since the hair strands are hand-tied to the base.
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Classic Base: The classic base is made of wefts or rows of hair. Generally, your hair will be pulled in between the wefts to blend with the toppers.
Step 4: Choosing The Hair Type, Color, And Length
The hair type, color, and length are 3 important elements in choosing toppers. These three factors will help you achieve the most natural-looking results.
Hair Type
Choose the type of hair
Toppers, like wigs, are available in synthetic, human hair, and heat-safe synthetic options. Many prefer heat-safe synthetic or human hair toppers. Hair toppers blend beautifully with natural hair, and heat-friendly synthetic options can be styled using curlers or flat irons.
Synthetic toppers are good alternatives since they are easy to maintain but don't blend well with natural hair.
Hair Color
Choose the color
You want your hair toppers to look as similar to your natural color as possible but bear in mind that you might not find the perfect shade. If you cannot find the exact shade, consult with Diva Divine's service center to get the toppers professionally customized. Finding toppers closer to your hair and getting them colored for the perfect blend is better.
Alternatively, if there is a slight difference in the color, you can reduce the discrepancies by heat-styling the topper and your hair. Hair accessories are an excellent choice if you struggle to achieve a natural look. Scarves, head wraps, and other accessories can help your hair topper appear more natural.
Hair Length
Choosing the length
The length of the hair toppers will depend on the appearance you want to attain. Hair toppers that mirror the length of a woman's hairstyle, from roots to tips, are popular among women with short hair. Women with longer hair can pick hair toppers ranging in length from long to short based on whether their hair is layered.
Stunning toppers will be an excellent way to incorporate the appearance of layers into your existing look. You can wear hair toppers with hair that is shorter than the length of your current hair and have a stylist trim your hair so that the toppers seem layered into the rest of your hair.
How To Wear Hair Toppers?
Steps to installing hair toppers
Hair toppers are intended to conceal hair loss, add volume, and give your hair that additional kick. If you want to know how to wear hair toppers, you have come to the right place. Here's how you wear hair toppers. Choose from any of the options below to install your hair toppers like a pro.
● Prepare And Position Your Topper
Release all of the clips from your topper's base. Position the topper's front edge roughly 1-2 inches from your hairline over the hair loss spot, and lock the clips.
● Secure And Style
When you fasten the back clips, apply mild pressure to the top of the topper and stroke your fingers through the length. Keep the foundation pulled firmly across the top as you fasten the clips on the sides. You can blend and style to your preference.
Pro Tip: To ensure a firm grip, lightly tease your hair where the clips are installed.
Step-By-Step Hair Topper Installation Process
- Start with a clean parting and de-tangle your hair.
- De-tangle your hair and open the clips on your human hair topper.
- Place it above your head by holding the front area up.
- Hold the side clips up and away from your head, so they don't catch on your hair.
- Make sure the topper is flat against the front of your hair as you install it.
- Scoop the back and secure the clips.
- Ensure it's secured and style away.
With a lace front hair topper, you can apply glue just like a regular lace front wig to achieve a natural look. If you use a hair topper without a lace front, there will be a space between your hair and the topper foundation.
Different Hairstyles You Can Try With Hair Toppers
Hairstyles with toppers
You can style hair toppers in multiple ways based on the type of hairpiece you choose. You can do a simple half-up, ponytail, and low braided hairstyle with hair toppers.
Half-Up Style With Topper
- Once you have installed your topper, finger-comb your hair and take half of the section up.
- Use a claw clip or a hair tie to secure the half-up.
- Carefully pull some strands out to frame your face.
Ponytail Style With A Topper
- After installing your topper, finger-comb your hair.
- Pull your hair towards the back with your fingers.
- Secure the hair into a ponytail using a hair tie.
Tip: you can heat-style it to add curls and waves to your ponytail!
Low Braided Style With A Topper
- Start by finger-combing your hair and blending the topper along with it.
- Gather the hair and create a chic three-strand braid.
- Secure the style using an elastic band.
Tip: ensure that you are not tugging the hair when pulling it.
How To Wash Human Hair Toppers
Steps to washing hair toppers
Step one:
First, remove all the knots! Put your hair topper down and untangle it using a soft brush. Start from the bottom and move upwards. Comb your toppers regularly to prevent knots from forming throughout the units.
Step Two:
Rinse the unit from roots to tips under running water or soak it in a container.
Step Three:
Using a sulfate-free shampoo, shampoo the topper twice (for excessive product build-up) and rinse with lukewarm water. Condition the topper using alcohol and silicone-free conditioner and rinse under cold water. Ensure that you use quality products with moisturizing properties because toppers don't have a natural oil source.
Step Four:
Towel dry (very carefully!). After washing your topper, carefully wipe it dry with a towel to eliminate excess water. Remember not to squeeze or twist the hair topper.
Step Five:
Allow the hair to dry slightly before brushing to allow the root knots to dry and to prevent placing unnecessary strain on these delicate strands while wet.
Use a soft brush or a Loop Hair Extension Brush to brush your toppers without damaging them.
Step Six:
Allow your topper to dry to at least 70% before styling with a hair dryer. We recommend applying heat protectant before heat-styling your toppers and even your natural hair. If you want to air-dry your human hair toppers, place them on a wig stand and comb the hair back– away from your face.
If you are still unclear about washing toppers or prefer them to be maintained by the pros, contact Diva Divine Service Center.
Frequently Asked Questions On Hair Toppers
● How Often Should You Wash Hair Toppers?
This is determined by factors like how long you have worn it and if you were working out with toppers. If you wear toppers daily, wash them weekly.
● How To Store Hair Toppers?
There are many ways to store your hair toppers. The most important thing to remember is to keep them away from direct sunlight. Use wig stands or neatly pack them in boxes to maintain the shape and texture.
● What Styling Products Can You Use On Hair Toppers?
It's best to use sulfate-free shampoos to wash your toppers. Sulfate-loaded products will strip the strands off of their moisture and cause drying. For conditioners, focus on products that provide deep moisture. Steer clear of products that are filled with silicones or parabens.
● Can you Sleep With Toppers?
You can sleep with toppers, but removing clip-in toppers is advised before bed. If you are wearing toppers that are attached using adhesives, then wrap your hair with a scarf to prevent slippage.
Conclusion
Toppers are great alternatives to conceal hair thinning and hair loss. They also help add volume and boost your confidence. It's no surprise toppers are popular; they are not only easy to install and remove but also durable. Head to Diva Divine's Hair Topper Collections to shop for one that suits your needs, or contact Diva Divine's Service Center to get customized.
