Ask Chavi

Jew in the City's Freeda Wig Makeover

2012-01-19T13:36:00.000-08:00

I saw this video today and I like it for a variety of reasons. First of all, an influential Jewish blogger gets a new gorgeous sheitel. (Hey Freeda, where's AskChavi's Freeda Makeover?) Secondly, I really like how it provides a good view on what a typical NY wig salon looks like and how the process of buying a new wig goes.

They highlighted a few important things.
1. Make sure you are happy with the color of the wig
2. Make sure the wig fits perfectly
3. Have an idea of how you want the wig cut and styled
4. Let a good stylist cut and style the wig on your head

When I bought my Freeda Wig back in 2009 I didn't have the luxury to buy it directly from the Freeda Salon in Brooklyn. I bought mine through a sheitel macher over the internet and did not get to see it in person until it arrived. Although I had the option to return it, its so heartbreaking to send wigs back and forth through the mail. If my out of town readers have the chance to buy a wig in person PLEASE DO. It makes such a difference to see a wig in person and to have it cut by someone who knows what they are doing. Either way, enjoy the video - its entertaining and showcases some very cute and trendy wig styles.

Good Quality Consignment Wigs

2012-01-12T12:30:00.000-08:00

Have any of my readers ever bought a used wig? I have a reader who is looking for a shop that sells high-quality used/consignment wigs and sheitels. We all know there is a huge sticker price on a wig being new and that a used wig immediately depreciates about 50% the minute you cut it. Does anyone have a referral to such a business? Ideally in the NY area, but maybe someone has a good online source as well?? THANKS

-Chavi

Does anyone know the sheitel macher Randi?

2012-01-12T12:22:00.000-08:00

A reader emailed me to ask if I knew the whereabouts of the sheitel macher Randi, who once provided an amazing wig cut. Apparently she used to have a salon on East 19 and Avenue M. Please post below if you know Randi's wherabouts.

Thanks,
Chavi

For Sale: European Band Fall - dirty blonde - SOLD

2011-12-12T15:05:00.000-08:00

Dark blond

European Band Fall

Medium Cap

Kosher hechsher

$25 + $6 shipping (within USA)

I wanted to post more pictures of the band fall that I am selling. It is a 16/10 color - dirty blonde mix of colors and is approximately 16 inches long. I bought this in 2007 and wore it on weekends for about a year. The hair feels very silky, it is not dry. The main reason I wore it so little was because the cap was too small for my head and it was uncomfortable. I am a size XL and this wig is marked a medium. It has elastic straps so it can be made even smaller. Additionally, the hair directly under the neck did knot occasionally after being worn for an entire day. I just want to be completely up front about this piece since I am selling it as is with no returns.

I bought this from SavvySheitels.com

It has been kept in good condition in a non-smoking home, and has spent most of the past 4.5 years on a wig head in a closet. It has a stretch cap made up of closed wefts.

Pictures were taken indoors with flash - hence the light streak.

There is one photo taken in 2007 that was taken in natural light in the album.

Original Sale Link: http://askchavi.blogspot.com/2011/11/for-sale-consignment-wigs-and-new.html

For Sale: Consignment Wigs and New Headcoverings

2011-11-28T11:48:00.000-08:00

Dear Readers,
I am currently cleaning out my closet and I wanted to sell some old wigs that I never wear. I am selling them at extremely low prices, which I think are fair prices considering their quality and the fact that they are used. Even if you do not plan on wearing them, they can be used to practice styling, cutting or dying or they could be turned into hair extensions or be worn as hat falls etc. Some are in better shape than others.

Additionally, I have some brand new tichels that I received from friends when I got married that I have never worn because they were the wrong color for my skin tone. The scarves and tichels are on sale for $5 each. There is also one hat for sale that I wore once or twice.

Shipping: I will ship items within the USA for $6. You may buy multiple items and I will group them together in one box for the same price. Ask me about international shipping rates if you are in a country other than the USA.

PayPal Accepted
No Returns
Wash and air dry/blow dry for an additional $5 per wig

List of Items for Sale - Pictures in Picasa Album Below:
SOLD - ~~JAP Wigs brand long band fall~~ - 16/10 color - was cut professionally and is about 18-20 inches. Large/XL cap size - has small skin top - medium blonde/dark blonde - ash/green toned - Stick Straight - Lightweight - Reviewed Here - The condition is good and very wearable. The main reason I stopped wearing it was because it got too light for my hair color and I wanted to stop dying my own hair to match it. Great for anyone who wants stick straight lightweight long blonde hair - $50

SOLD - ~~Yaffa Wigs - "Super Fall"~~ - Kosher Chinese Hair. Purchased from Yaffa Wigs Outlet in 2007, only worn once, it is about 16 inches. 16/8 color - This piece has extremely thick hair on it, and is quite heavy - Used in bump fall style review - medium/average cap size - $15

SOLD - ~~Yaffa Wigs - Wavy wig~~ - no skin top - open wefted cap. 16/8 color. Purchased from Yaffa Wigs Outlet in 2007. Pictures shown are of wig after being styled in a braid and then a bun. Hairspray has not been washed out yet. Worn only a handful of times. Can be set straight. - medium/average cap size - $15

SOLD ~~"European" band fall - 16/10~~. Purchased from Savvy Sheitels in 2007. 16 inches. Medium Cap size. Has kosher certification - Worn on weekends for about a year - medium/average cap size -$25

Paris Hilton - BandIt half fall with 3 headbands. Tried on but never worn. Brown/blonde highlighted color - Reviewed Here - cap runs on the small side - $10

Synthetic Wig that was purchased on ebay - light ash brown color with blonde highlights and blonde tips. Layered flipped style with bangs - Shoulder Length - "Honey blonde Layered Bob with Golden Highlight Wig Wigs'" - Snap clips added - medium/average cap size -$5

Various Israeli Style Tichels - Large square shape with silver stripes and some have patterns. Colors Available: Red, Burnt Orange, Navy Blue, Light Pink, and light seafoam green. - Never Worn - $5 each

Triangular orange stretchy scarf - Never Worn - $5

Black wide brimmed "Paper" hat - Worn a handful of times - $10

*Please post questions about items below in comments section so I can answer them for everyone. If you wish to purchase an item please email me at askchavi AT gmail DOT com (anti-spam wording)*

My Discontinued Freeda Fall

2011-10-07T13:51:00.000-07:00

Fall placed 1 inch back of hairline, real bangs in front

Name: European Human Hair WIG FREEDA Tape-Fall L color 16/10

Purchased in November 2010 from "thebestoutlet" eBay user.

Price: $196.99

Item came in a priority mail box promptly, but was only wrapped in tissue paper, so it probably got shaken around a lot in transfer. Seller communicated very clearly and shipped item promptly after payment was received.

Style:

L'Oreal Sally's Beauty semi-permanent dye with 10 volume creme developer. Lightest ash brown. (4A or 5A) Applied with foil highlighting technique.

Washed and conditioned with color-safe shampoo and conditioner, partially air dried, partially blow dried. After completely dried I curled every strand with a curling iron.

Conclusion: Good purchase, very good piece for the price and quality. Cap is very small for someone with a large head though, have to wear at least 1 inch back. Can be worn with headband too. Wig needs styling to look presentable, air dries with frizz. Not the lightest cap technology, but not extremely heavy either (old styles use older technology which is not as stretchy and light as wigs that are manufactured today). I did not get this cut, so that also saved a lot of money.

Discontinued Freeda Wigs on Ebay

2011-10-02T17:38:00.000-07:00

Hello Readers,

One of my readers purchased one of the discontinued Freeda wigs being sold on Ebay and she wanted to share her experience. The main difference between these Freeda Wigs and current wigs are that Freeda uses multi-directional stretch caps now, whereas many of these online are open wefts and some being mono filament (no skin part). She was very happy with her purchase and shared the following information with me:

I recently bought 2 gorgeous Freedas from an Ebayer who sells discontinued wigs. I noticed on your blog that Freeda has changed their standard cap to stretch. So these are mono top wefted caps - if that might give an indication of how long ago they were made.

I assume that the wigs are processed because the color is a *perfect* 2-Darkest brown. I hope to High Heaven that the cuticle has not been stripped, not what I would expect from a Freeda.

I've been covering my hair for 9 years, and have owned expensive Shevy's and cheap Judy''s and Yaffa's - The Freeda's I got on Ebay are at least as beautiful as my Shevy Semi-custom, and extremely comfortable. I tested for cuticle, and sure enough, there was resistance and a squeak :)

I washed and air dried the wigs (they dried slightly wavy - nice!). The hair is still silky soft and holds a decent curl from the curling iron. Would no doubt be better from a set. I am SO happy with these sheitels I can't tell you. Just like it never bothered me to have "last year's" anything - so too with the sheitels. The Ebay seller had excellent communication and unlike a sheitel macher, I could return the wigs if didn't want them after all. Please feel free to write about my experience on your blog. Attached is a photo of the sheitel the day I got it.

I paid $119 for the freeda "goldie". Actually, I bought 2 :). Its 14" ehh mono scalp. It comes pre cut to wear as a fall, but it has a full cap and I prefer to wear it as a reg sheitel. I put some layers in and it looks great. Like I mentioned earlier, its at least as nice as the shevy I got when I first got married. the seller said the retail price was 1200, and that seems right. No complaints with a 90% discount :)

Pictures of a Synthetic styled in a Bun

2011-09-13T17:38:00.000-07:00

I posted about a synthetic wig that I had bought on Ebay here and one of my readers bought it. See below how she styled it to make it look more natural, since it did have a shiny "barbie-like" hue to it, and was incredibly long.

"BTW I ordered a synthetic sheitle from the company you listed. It was so long that I braided it and knotted it into a bu at the base of my neck. I have never gotten so many compliments! PPl couldn't believe it was synthetic" - Anonymous reader

Curly Wig Wash & Set

2011-08-10T15:05:00.000-07:00

Hi-
How do I wash my curly sheitel at home? I have tons of knots. How do I get them out without ripping all the hair out of the sheitel? Also, what are the recommendations for daily maintenance of my curly sheitel? For example, how often should I brush it, gel it, and wash it? Thanks!!!!

-L

Dear L,
Well first you have to comb out the knots. BUT BEWARE, this is a very delicate process that may take a long time and you need to be patient and use the right tools. You will need:
A Wide tooth comb:

Spray bottle

and spray on detangler or conditoner.

Use sectioning clips to separate the hair into sections: Start with the lowest thin layer down.

Spray on water and/or detangling conditioner onto layer, and very gently from the ends (bottom) up, slowly and carefully comb downward until the knots are detangled. once the section is detangled, let the next thin layer down and repeat the process.
Once the entire wig is detangled, the wig can be attached to the foam head and the normal washing process can commence. CAUTION: you must be extra careful while washing to spread the shampoo and conditioner downward on the wig and never upward against the curly cuticle. That will just create large knots and tangles. You can use watered down shampoo or as little shampoo as possible. I try to just use a little close to the "roots" to clean the parts that get sweaty, and not necessarily apply the shampoo to the ends which tend to get dry, they get cleaned by nature of the water running down the hair to the ends of the roots.

Run the soapy mixture downward using a lot of water. Rinse.

Apply conditioner in the same manner but do not apply the conditioner to the multi-directional part of the sheitel because it can cause the knots (individual hairs that are handtied) to come loose and come out of the cap.

While conditioner is applied, run fingers through hair to make sure the knots are still non existent. If knots are present GENTLY try to detangle with fingers or wide tooth comb while conditioner is applied. However, knots should not be present, and its a little risky to do this while wet we can do this in the next step as well. Rinse out conditioner unless conditioner is a "leave in conditioner" which is sometimes best for curly hair.

Take wig off of head and gently place into a bath towel and enclose. Let it dry for 5-15 minutes in the towel. Then gently open towel and place on wig head, remembering to only pin near the ear clips as shown in the straight washing video.

There are three methods of drying at this point.
1. Air dry and add curling iron curls later (a little bit of Biosilk
can be added at this point)
2. Scrunch with or without product and air dry for a natural wave or (mousse, biosilk or curly hair product can be applied to hold scrunch look, I would avoid gel though because it is crunchy and sticky)
3. Blowdry with a diffuser attachment on a blowdryer (products safe for heat can be used in this instance) . While using the diffuser attachment as shown below. Scrunch sections of hair with hand upwards while blow drying with diffuser.

If you applied leave in conditioner you may not need an anti-frizz product like biosilk. Use very little because it can make the hair look oily. Remember shampoo is the enemy of curly hair because it encourages frizz. Conditioner is our friend but must be used in moderation and well rinsed to not appear oily.

For maintenance you can use the spray bottle and comb to remove knots, you can spruce it up with a little product and scrunch and let air dry. If you are trying to "maintain" a curling ironed wig without washing, it will be tough to fix individual curls, but it is nonetheless doable.

Please post questions below as comments. Best of luck.

-Chavi

Should I buy this wig?

2011-08-10T13:57:00.000-07:00

Dear Chavi,

I'm in the market for a new sheitel on a budget, I went to a well known sheitel mocker who sells her returns at almost half off. I looked at a long piece that was returned due to frizz, the mocker was unsure how bad the frizz would get so i did your shower test. I ran the water for 20min with the sheitel in the room the left the sheitel in the room until all the steam was gone. The bathroom was so steemy that the cabinets on the other side got wet. I am planning on moving to a humid area but the sheitel mocker said to use bio silk and use a straightener on it weekly to contain the frizz. My husband felt the extra use from the straightener would lower the life of the sheitel. I need to get the cap replaced due to size but the current cap has a hole that was repaired and another hole, making me wonder how long someone else owned it for and the abuse they might have put on the hair. The frizz wasn't so bad. Do you think I should get the sheitel?

Thank you

Dear A,

I would find out:

1. How long the person owned it

2. Why there is a hole in the cap?

3. How much it will cost to replace the entire cap.

How good of a deal is this, because size is one of the first things that should be right when trying on a sheitel. If it is not comfortable and ill-fitting, it is bad before even considering the quality of hair and the color. That being said, I am so glad that the sheitel macher let you take it home to try the frizz test.

I think the most important is a good fit, a good color match and your potential happiness. If you do not absolutely love it in the store then you won't love it once you purchase it. If you love it but are concerned about a little frizz that it definitely can be remedied easily with biosilk and the right heat products in moderation, and considering the discount price it may be the best thing to do in your budget. In humid climates ALL hair is going to frizz a little bit, unless its that stick straight fine hair, which is rarely found on sheitels these days.

Make sure that the "good deal" is still a good deal considering the amount of money you will be putting into it in order to repair the holes and replace the cap and probably the new sheitel cut. If a sheitel has holes, it must be at least 6 months old because holes do not usually form that fast, unless the wig was truly defective.

-Chavi

Setting a wig as a Pony

2011-06-19T19:50:00.000-07:00

Some of you may remember my review of my Freeda Riva which I purchased in 2008. In the past year or so I had really gotten tired of the cut and texture and starting wearing my falls instead. I didn't like how thickly the hair framed my face and I believe I look so much better with the hair out of my face like when I wear my fall. A few months ago I decided to pull it back in a ponytail to make it wearable and I realized that it actually looked kinda good. The problem however was that the wig was set in a deep side part meant for side part side bangs look. So I decided to do a full wash and set (it was dirty anyway) and to change the multi-directional scalp part of the wig to be angled backwards so the hair fit nicely into a pony tail holder.

For instructions on washing please check out my other videos found here. To change the part I very delicately combed (with a very wide toothed comb) small sections of the part backwards until the hairs were no longer parted to the sides. This video starts once the hair was parted and divided into sections. Not shown on the video is how small the sections I split the top layer into (about an inch wide) once I got to the multi directional part, to make sure the hair was blown flat. Watch the video and enjoy!!!

The finished product turned out to be great! I also changed it to be half up on Shabbat and it looked great because the top layer that was pulled back into the pony looked natural!

MyHeadcoverings Sale for AskChavi Readers

2011-06-05T22:06:00.000-07:00

Dear Readers, I recently reviewed a few pieces that I received from MyHeadcoverings. For the next week and a half AskChavi readers can receive a 10% discount on orders placed with www.myheadcoverings.com by using code 'askchavi'. Additionally, one lucky reader will be entered in the chance to win $20 credit from MyHeadcoverings! All you have to do is check out www.myheadcoverings.com and find your favorite item and then comment about the item on this post!! Double your chance of winning by liking MyHeadoverings on Facebook! http://www.facebook.com/pages/MyHeadcoveringscom/135559593151974 Comments must be posted by June 15, 2011 to be eligible for the drawing!

I received my items quickly and in a secure padded envelope. The items were nicely wrapped and very clean and presentable. They have fast and affordable shipping to the United States and Canada. They also offer international shipping.

Lurex Beret in Navy

The Lurex Beret was incredibly comfortable and stretchy. I have a large head and have to wear a large or extra large sheitel so I was pleased that the beret fit over my head and could also be worn over a fall. I actually was able to wear it with my hair tucked in and it was really cute. I like the sparkly inside and the light weight.

Blue Floral Pre-tied Israeli Tichel

The Israeli Pre-tied tichel was great because it combined my two favorite things: Israeli Tichels and Pre-tieds! This is a great option for people who do not want to bother with tying an Israeli Style tichel but want the look of one. It was very comfortable and the elastic held it onto my head securely.

Glitter Stripes Pre-tied Head band in White and Gold

The pre-tied headband is made of very stretchy material that is very comfortable and does not hurt my head, even though I have a large head. I like that it is wide but can also be folded to be narrower.

Azhur Knit Crochet Snood with Sparkle in Black

I love my new black Azhur knit crochet snood and I think it is very beautiful. I love that it is sparkly and I love that it is black so it matches everything. I wear it as a snood but showing two fingers width in the front. It also looks great covering all of the hair, as shown in the video above. It is lined so absolutely no hair will show through.

How to Bump without Showing Hair

2011-05-16T20:10:00.000-07:00

Hi Chavi,
I read your post about the "Band Fall Bump Phenomenom".
I am wondering, what falls are you able to do that with so that you dont have the net/cap in front?
I am looking to purchase my first fall.
I cant afford a hat fall and band fall, so I am trying to find one that I can use for both.
When I use the band fall, I am not sure if I will have the band all the way in the front or I will have bangs added on. So I am looking for one that I can do that also.
However, while (at first) most of the time I will not be showing any hair at all, but as time goes by (and depending on the situation), I want to be able to have my hair like you describe in your post as I think it looks much more natural. I am also looking the it should be longer (some where between 18 - 20 inches). I have ash brown hair.
Are there any sheitels that you can point me to that will be able to worn as follows (while still looking good):
1) Hat Fall
2) Band Fall - Band all the way to hair line
3) Band Fall - with sheitel bangs added in front
4) With a "Band Fall Bump"
-N

Readers, it took me a long time to think about this and then I realized I had a piece that I had not touched in years that was actually suitable to demo as a bump-fall without showing hair. It obviously does not look as natural as integrating hair in the front, but I think it can actually be worn to look natural and trendy. So I happened to have a Chinese haired processed Yaffa fall called "superfall" that I bought for about $200 before I knew ANYTHING about sheitels back in 2007. It was a thick "horse-hair" type sheitel that had wayyyy too much height on top, which made it virtually impossible to wear with a headband, also it was extremely heavy and uncomfortable so I basically thought I had wasted my money. HOWEVER, after playing around with it today, such a piece could be the answer to ladies who do not show any of their own hair and want to wear the trendy "bump" style. I had some hesitations at first. For example, falls are cut STRAIGHT across the forehead and therefore do not look natural since real hairlines have peaks and valleys, some women having larger widows peaks than others, but regardless no one's hair line is cut straight across like a wig. Here are the pictures from the initial styling, looking quite WIGGY.

Improvised without washing and setting


Side View - gotta love the hairline

Then I thought of another idea, that if a little hair was taken from the bump in the front and instead integrated as a sweeping side bang, it could camouflage the straight hairline, thus making the wig look more "natural"

Lastly, I played around by inserting a foam roller under the bump to make it dramatic and more "Lady Gaga" like with ponytail bun.

To answer your question, yes, you would need a fall that did not have the tape in front in order to bump without showing hair. However, its a complex situation in that you want the fall the serve as a hat fall, headband fall AND bump fall. This type of fall with a lot of volume on top would be terrible as a hat fall. The falls with the rim in the front actually lay much flatter when putting a headband over them and be superior for use with a headband and would also work nicely with added wig bangs in front of the headband. I am currently doing research into producing a realistic looking fall/sheitel that will cover all the hair and properly bump and be versatile.

Additionally, even though my Freeda fall does not have cap in front, the hair sewn in front is a very thin layer and does not allow for enough height because the hair behind it is wefted and thus going downward and not "upward" as we would need in order to bump. A hand sewn multi-directional fall cap would be ideal to move in all directions necessary. Also, I think its a much better idea to get a headband fall instead of a hat fall because a hat fall does not have that many uses, whereas the right fall with a hat or scarf over it can look fine as a "hat fall"

The sheitel tag says: Yaffa, 100% Human Hair, Made in Korea. Style: "Super Fall", Color: 16/8

Frizz Test

2011-03-14T14:25:00.000-07:00

I get a lot of emails during summer from women complaining about their "pouffy", "frizzy" wigs. As it turns out, wigs that seem nice and beautiful in the salon can become huge and frizzy as soon as humid summer rolls around. I heard a story of a particular sheitel shop where the woman runs a dehumidifier in the studio to keep the wigs smooth looking. That is so deceptive! As soon as that girl steps outside the wig could become frizzy.

Products can help, but sometimes its the particular hair type that is more prone to frizz than others. Wavy hair that was blowdried straight will gradually get wavier as the humidity goes on. I thought of this recently. I took me and my Milano Bandfall to Florida in February (yes, it was fabulous). Anyway, I wore my bandfall bump style, as it turns out my real hair was really frizzing up, but my processed Milano pretty much stayed the same.

Maybe it was the perfect combination of hair sprayed curling-iron-curls mixed with dirt and grime. Either way, it worked out fabulously.

Then this morning the frizz test occurred to me. I was running my shower on just hot for 10 minutes as I wasn't able to get into it as soon as I would have liked, and when I came back the windows and mirror were completely fogged and there was a thick layer of steam in there. People should ask their sheitel machers if they can take it home for a night, uncut before they commit to buying it so they can test whether it will frizz in humidity. You can create that humid environment in your very own bathroom!

Please note how much my real hair frizzed (without any product in it) contrasted with the Milano made of processed "European Hair'" and with some hairspray stayed flat.

Replacing Wig Snap Clips

2011-02-18T09:20:00.000-08:00

Most wig wearers have probably experienced the following scenario: After a year of wearing your favorite wigs one of the snap clips breaks or sometimes comes loose. Usually a wig wearer will bring the wig to their sheitel macher who probably charged $10-$20 to replace the clip, when in actuality the clips are available for less than $1.00 and all it takes is a little sewing skill. My recent situation was that I bought a wig over the internet that did not come with side snap clips, only a center comb which I found basically useless for keeping it secure on my head.

Step 1: Obtain Snap Clips
I found a set of tree snap clips from Sally's Beauty for $1.99.
Hair Extension ClipsThey had this light color pictured right, and black. I bought the light one since the wig is blond.

Step 2: Needle and Thread

First you must thread the needle. I like to use about 4 feet of thread at a time because I was always taught to double up my thread and I had threading needles so I'd rather deal with a thread tangling then having to re-thread 3 times during the process. I loop the thread through the eye of the needle, then make the 2 ends meet, I tie a knot by wrapping both ends around my finger a few times and then rolling tightly towards the end of the finger, it usually produces a little string that you can then pull on and the threads knot. Or you can just knot the ends manually, but do not do a slip knot.

Step 3: Find Proper Clip Placement

It is very important to have the combs facing into the wig. Once I spent 10 minutes sewing in a clip and I sewed them in facing out, which was incorrect, I then had to start over. Secondly, I like to have my clips closer to the ears and father from the top of the temples, because when I used to have them by the temples (especially on falls) I would get terrible headaches. Keep in mind that I do not even clip my clips, I just clip them to my head while open.

Step 4: Sew

For sewing the clips, I use the four holes on the clip and basically anchor each one to the wig. Figure out which part of the wig will hold the first hole and loop the needle and thread through the wig cap, I usually make a little knot by looping my needle through the two attached threads and pulling to the end which the end knot will be against wig cap. I then loop around the edge of the clip hole, into the cap, back up through the hole, about 3 or 4 times until it seems secure. I then tie a knot on the tread to secure it. I repeat the process for the three other corners of the clip. I find it helpful to place the wig on a wig head inside out. If you see the picture above you can see my white thread and how there are tiny knots securing each corner.

It is also a good idea to move your clips around every few months if you are having thinning hair or balding as a result of wearing your wig frequently. Moving the clips should give the section of hair that has thinned time to regrow. If you have a handtied cap please be very careful about not ripping your cap, it is best to sew the clips in the ear area, which is usually reinforced, they very edge of the wig should be stronger and serve as a good mounting point. Additionally clips could be sewn into the bottom of the wig to allow the wearer to wear a more natural ponytail.

Amazon Mom - Best Price for Diapers

2011-01-12T11:36:00.000-08:00

One of the most shocking things about becoming a mom is realizing how many diapers a baby goes through each day. Diapers really end up adding up! After scurrying from drug stores and Target and Walmart trying to find the best deals on diapers and clipping coupons I discovered how amazing and convenient it was to order diapers online from Amazon, not to mention cheaper.

For example, I buy Pampers Baby Dry diapers in size 3 right now. Amazon sells them for $40. But thanks to two Amazon programs, Amazon Mom and Subscribe and Save the diapers come out to a total of $28 with free shipping to my doorstep! Amazon reduces the price of diapers by 15% for members of Amazon Mom AND you get free 2-day shipping! If you order them with Subscribe & Save you get another 15% off and free shipping on items you routinely use and keeps them coming every one, two, three, or six months. You can change your delivery schedule or cancel at any time.

For example, I recently ordered the diapers shown above, and I specified subscribe and save. I wasn't sure when I would need new ones, or if my baby would grow out of size 3 so I specified delivery every 3 months. It turned out that a month later I needed a new shipment of the same size so I simply went to my Subscription page within Amazon.com and clicked on "send me more now" and in a few days the diapers arrived at my doorstep. I also made sure that the next scheduled delivery would be postponed.

Thanks to these incredible programs I get the name-brand Pampers diapers that I love, shipped to my door, tax free for a great price! I highly recommend the program and am considering trying out Amazon's Subscribe and Save program on household products such as toilet paper and paper towels. I still need to do a little research to see whether Costco, Target or Amazon is cheapest.

Video: Dying a Wig at Home

2011-01-09T12:17:00.000-08:00

Here is a video I made of my most recent dye project. The wig was a human hair Milano Collection Wigs fall. It was originally 12/14 but it oxidized. I used Clairol professional hair color in shade 5AA lightest very ash brown with equal parts level 20 creme developer in hopes to dye it to a light ash brown shade.

The project was not entirely successful, as the dye was not equally distributed throughout the hair. I should have used twice as much dye and developer and spread the mixture throughout the hair while wearing gloves. I believe the 20 minutes process time was correct.

I found a great blog post in which the author (a professional colorist) explains how hair color works here.

Wig Review: Paris Hilton Bandit Fall

2010-12-22T08:22:00.000-08:00

When I was at Sally's Beauty a few weeks ago picking up wig clips I saw that they had synthetic Paris Hilton wigs on sale for $15. I decided to buy one. It came with three patterned headbands and one plain black headband. The wigs came in eight colors and in three lengths. The fiber is supposedly heat safe to around 200 fahrenheit, but I have not tested styling with heat yet. I would say that the wig is somewhere between a 3/4 and 1/2 cap in terms of size. I like that the front has a large comb, which helps to keep it securely in place. As for the bands, they have velcro on them which allows them to attach to the front of the Paris Hilton Bandit. If I decide to not use them with the Bandit, I will probably remove the velcro from them and then they will be like normal headbands. As I state in the video, $15 is not a terrible price for four headbands, so since it was on sale I decided it was a worthwhile purchase. The retail price seemed to be $40, and I would not spend that much on this product, but perhaps a normal synthetic wearer would like it.

Cute Video about buying Custom Wigs

2010-12-19T12:12:00.000-08:00

The point of the video is to distinguish between the two types of "custom wigs" that exist in today's industry. One is the true custom, which is made to order with a custom made cap created to fit the customer's head exactly and made to specification including hair color, texture and thickness.

The out of box custom, or "semi-custom" is used to describe pre-made wigs which mimic the high end features of a true custom wig, but are not actually made to order. Often wig salons will add highlights or low-lights, adjust the cap size either through sewing or stretching and make other modifications. Unfortunately many of these pre-made wigs cost $2000-$4000. I suspect that throwing in the word "custom" justifies wig shops and sheitel machers to sell these wigs at such a high price tag.

The Band Fall Bump Phenomenom

2010-12-10T11:31:00.000-08:00

Lately there has been a lot of buzz in the Orthodox Jewish world over the band fall bump phenomenon. You may ask, what is this phenomenon she speaks of? Well to be more clear, integrating ones bangs (or fringe) with a band fall to create a more natural look. The reason that clipping bangs over a wig is so risque is because in the "mainstream" orthodox world (think typical Brooklyn yeshivish) it is seen as unacceptable to show any hair. Therefore, full sheitels have become the preferred hair covering because they cover ALL of the hair, they are more secure than a hat or scarf and less likely to blow off, and the women will feel more comfortable covering their hair in a society where most women go bareheaded. Wigs are often associated with only being worn by hasidic or ultra orthodox Jews, however this concept has certainly changed in America in the past 20 years. However, in Israel, wigs are almost exclusively associated with haredim (ultra-orthodox Jews).

Back to the point... Now we have a group of married Jewish women, covering their hair with wigs but purposely leaving out a few inches in the front. A generation ago very few Modern Orthodox women covered their hair at all. If they did, they most likely covered partially with either a hat or a half scarf. But the new generation of modern Orthodox women is rediscovering the laws of hair covering AND working in professional careers that require a polished look. Showing the bangs, or the front two inches of the hairline is justified under the idea that a woman is allowed to show a square tefach (hand breadth) of hair. (some rabbis allow, ask your LOR) Thus we get the bump fall look! or the styled forward bangs with headband look.

The second interesting trend is the appearance of toppers or kippah falls in the Jewish world. Since toppers are worn over ones hair when down, they certainly reveal more than a tefach of hair. BUT, there are a whole group of religious women who cover their head in such a fashion. They always have a hat or scarf on but the rest of their hair will be showing. (some rabbis allow, ask your LOR). Thus, the topper allows them to have a head covering on, but look "normal" if needing to attend a wedding or go to work without being stared at.

Alright, so lets see some pictures!!! The blond in this picture is doing the bump. A bunch of the wigs in this picture are actually placed a few millimeters behind the hairline for a more natural look.... And here is my lovely "perfect match" bump.

My Lovely Bump

Raffaele Mollica Wig Video

2010-12-08T22:33:00.000-08:00

Raffaele Mollica, aka owner of Ralph Wigs has a very interesting video posted on his site about his custom wigs. To watch it go to http://raffaelemollica.com and then click on the video link which is the bottom link on the bottom left of his site.

He talks about blending colors to create a natural look, creating a realistic skin top, and why the finer European hair is so desirable and hard to get. After watching the video I realized how much time and detail it must take to individually knot each hair onto the caps. Wow its impressive. His wigs are known for being in the extremely high end and expensive.

He was mentioned in a 1997 NY Times Article which can be read here.

I have never actually known anyone who actually owns a Ralph and would be interested to hear if any of my readers own or have ever owned one and whether it was worth all that money. I was definitely impressed by his artistic approach to wig making shown in the video. Seeing his custom work gives me a warm fuzzy feeling inside that a machine sewn wefted wig just doesn't provide...

Wefted versus Handtied Wigs

2010-11-21T12:09:00.000-08:00

Hi Chavi,

thank you for your wonderful website!

could you please tell me how to determine if the construction of a shaitel is well made?  i recently saw a shaitel that looked nice on but felt a little bit too light to me. i have a lot of hair, so some wigs that are thinner feel cheap to me, but the shaitel macher was trying to convince me this is a good thing. so the construction of her wigs was basically a horizontal line of hair, an inch-or two of space and another line of hair. is that normal??  my shevy is not like that at all, it seems to be just hair coming from every point of the cap, there aren't any "lines" or "spaces"

is that the reason shevy is so expensive? more hair?

is that the reason my shevy knots so much?

what should i do, im afraid of buying a shaitel that doesn't feel full, it makes me doubt how long it will last..

your insight will be greatly appreciated ! 

-Y

Dear Y,

Thank you for your questions. First, let me explain about the two types of cap construction. It sounds like your Shevy is "handtied" which means the hairs are not sewn into rows (or wefts) but rather individually weaved throughout the holes of the cap. This cap construction is usually considered "better" because these caps are stretchier and more comfortable and the hairs can be placed in individual directions. Here is a picture of a handtied wig from a Shevy review I wrote earlier this year. They are also usually custom sewn to fit your exact head shape.

Wefts of Hair

The sheitel she was showing you was "wefted" which means its construction consists of various wefts of hair (pictured on left) that are sewn in rows usually a few centimeters apart. The tops of these wigs usually have a "hand tied" section that allows the sheitel to have a multidirectional skin top. There are two types of wefts: open and closed. I have owned both types (my Milanos were open wefts and my Freeda and JAP fall had closed wefts. Both have their advantages (I was able to itch my head in between an open weft before). However, it is possible that if a open wefted sheitel is thin enough that ones real hair could actually show through. This would only happen in rare cases though.

Closed Wefts

Wefted does not necessarily mean thinner. I have owned very thick wefted wigs. It sounds like the particular piece you were shown is thin. My JAP fall was wefted and very thin( please refer to my JAP Review). The advantage to the thinness was that the wig was light and therefore more comfortable (I could barely feel it on my head). However if you like the look of really thick hair, then a thicker, heavier sheitel would be more appropriate for you.

Open Wefts

Another disadvantage to wefted wigs is that the hairs have to be sewn in one direction (which is usually down). The problem is that since the hair is headed downward it would look less natural if one tried to pull it into a low pony and could actually be hard to pull into a twist or high pony. Pony Sheitels are actually made so that the wefts on the bottom of the sheitel are heading upward so it would make a more natural pony. I have some friends who wear their pony sheitels down without problems. Also, when a sheitel macher washes an open wefted wig they often have to flip sections of wefted hair that may have become twisted through normal wear. One who is not careful about untwisting sections could cause more problems.

The reason your Shevy was so expensive is because it was handsewn, versus wefted wigs which are machine sewn. Secondly, you were paying for Shevy customer service, which usually means that they will fix any problems that arise naturally within a reasonable amount of time. Also, Shevy supposedly uses unprocessed European Hair (this is not confirmed) but they at least have more quality assurance in terms of picking "good hair" that is shiny, soft and silky. They have a reputation to uphold in a very competitive market.

I think there are great wefted wigs available that are good quality. For example, even the Shuly wig reviewed on my site is made of closed wefts, as is my Freeda. Since wefted wigs are machine sewn, they are arguably more durable in the long run. Also, a handtied wig requires much more care and attention when being washed. It is absolutely vital that it is washed by a trained professional or that the owner receives guidance from the manufacturer on how to properly wash and set it. If the wefts of hair are sewn in properly (cuticle in the same direction) there should be minimal knotting. It is possible that the hand tied cap could be causing the Shevy knotting, as knotting is the most common complaint with Shevys, but it could also attributed to some other cause perhaps the hair texture. Keep in mind that custom handtied wigs are usually $3000-4000 and a "out of box" machine sewn "custom" usually runs for about $1500-2500 if it is made of European Hair.

My advice, look for a thicker wefted sheitel (they do exist!). Also, make sure there is some kind of guarantee in case the wig you buy ends up being defective. In terms of hand tied wigs lasting longer... usually its the skin tops that thin first, necessitating the need for a new wig, not the back part that is wefted. Handtied vs. machine shouldn't affect the life of the sheitel since they both have multiirectional skin tops. FYI hair can be added to a thinning skin top to extend its life.

Short Movie about Buying a European Wig

2010-11-16T09:16:00.000-08:00

In this video our wig consumer gets no direct answers to her questions about the wig she is trying on...

Car Seat Recommendation

2010-11-09T14:26:00.000-08:00

I bought a basic Graco Snugride when my baby was born with the base and it worked great. My only complaint with it was that it did not have the tightening strap, though most Graco models now come with that feature. My Snugride weight limit is 29 inches and the weight limit is 22 pounds. The manual also says to make sure that there is 2 inches of spare space between the top of your baby's head and the top of the seat. This became a problem when I happened to have a tall baby. By her four month appointment she was nearly 26 inches tall and I knew it was time to start researching a stage two car seat.

I decided to go with the Britax Roundabout 55. I am sure there are plenty of other wonderful car seats but I didn't have a lot of patience to learn about them all. Britax has a great reputation and the seat has 3 seat recline position, one of which allows the seat to go rear facing. The Roundabout is the basic Britax car seat, and retails for $199.99, but I found it online for $159.99 They also make the Marathon, Boulevard and Advocate, which have higher weight limits and more padding including their advertised "true side impact protection" but are also much pricier.

I love that the Roundabout has pads on the shoulder straps and the convenient tightening strap which easily lets you loosen the slack to unload your baby and tightens after securing your baby. After watching some online videos of proper car seat fitting on the internet I realized how important it is to have no slack in the child harness and am happy that I can tighten each time she rides. The Roundabout also has a rubbery material on the bottom of the seat which prevents sliding. I test the seat with a lot of force and the seat does not slide around. It is pretty simple to change the strap height, but it does require re-weaving the harnesses. The Roundabout can be installed with latch or seat belt.

The only downsides of moving my child out of her infant car seat is that I can no longer "snap and go" with her. Every time we go on an errand I have to open her harness, remove her and then put her back afterward. Sometimes it gets annoying. Also, if she is sleeping I have to wake her up whereas babies can stay sleeping in their infant car seats and moved without trouble. The third problem is that stage 2 car seats do not have the convenient sunshade so I had to get window shades for my back windows. Depending on the time of day and angle of the sun, the light can still shine in her eyes. However, once she got to 15 pounds it became really heavy to lug her and her car seat out of the car. So its debatable which was more annoying to deal with. The good news is that this seat will turn to forward facing and has a forward facing limit of 55 pounds which should last her a long time. Additionally, the rear facing limit is 40 pounds. A lot of states are recommending leaving babies rear facing past 1 year old (they are suggesting until 2!) and this high weight limit would allow me to do that.

If I had bought a larger infant car seat initially like the Snugride 35 I could have kept her in an infant carrier longer, since its height limit is 35 pounds and 32 inches. BUT the car seat itself is 16.7 pounds. That means if I had a 20 pound baby I would be lugging almost 40 pounds if I attempted to "snap and go" with it. So ultimately, The Roundabout should last my child for a long time and work nicely in forward facing mode when we get there...

Synthetic Wigs?

2010-11-01T19:06:00.000-07:00

What is the deal with synthetic wigs? Why are they so cheap? How do they compare to human hair?? In the video below I discuss a $30 synthetic that I bought on Ebay.

The color of the wig turned out to be very different from how it appeared in the listing. However, I still enjoyed trying it on and I may wear it some night soon.

Original Listing

I think synthetics are a great way to try out a new color, hairstyle, length or texture. So many of us spend a lot of money on a wig only to realize later that we hate how we look in it. More information in my 8 minute video... LOL i get carried away!

Anyway, I bought the wig from Ebay seller fashion1658. It shipped immediately after payment and arrived promptly.

What are your thoughts on synthetics??

Good Sheitel - Gone Bad

2010-10-13T10:14:00.000-07:00

I am sure many of you have been frustrated with the following scenario: You find a gorgeous looking piece in a wig shop, you try it on and decide to buy it. You get a fantastic cut and the sheitel macher styles it beautifully. Then a few months later you realize it has lost its lusther, that it is literally falling apart. Here are some pictures from my own experience.

My Milano was purchased in 2007. It became necessary to buy a new sheitel when it started looking like the second picture just a year later. I paid $1100 for the sheitel which is a lot considering how quickly its quality deteriorated. Full review can be viewed here.

					I purchased the Yaffa Human Hair (probably contains a lot of Chinese) in 2007 off of Ebay from the Yaffa Wigs Outlet for under $100. When styled it looked pretty good as seen in the picture on the right. However, the wig was extremely knotty, thick and heavy and uncomfortable and did not even have a skin top. Upon getting it wet myself I saw what its natural texture was: tangly waves and the pic below shows how it looks today.

So there you have it ladies... buyer beware. Just because a wig looks good in the picture or in the wig studio does not mean that it is good quality or that it will last for a long time. If the hair is treated eventually the silky luster will wear off and you will be left with dry, brittle processed hair. If the cap is not good, you will be left with wefts that are coming apart.

I would love to hear your own stories in the comments below.
-Chavi

Wig Review: Milano Freedom Cap Wig

2010-10-03T09:10:00.000-07:00

I was fortunate enough to receive an email from one of my readers offering to review their new Milano Collection Freedom Cap, which is designed to work without clips or combs for a more comfortable fit. I really enjoyed her thorough review and I am sure you will too.

-Chavi

=========
DKG:

Like a lot of sheitel junkies, I was very interested in Milano's new "Freedom Cap." Revolutionary! Patent pending! No more headaches! No clips! No combs! No bald spots! But also like a lot of sheitel junkies, I was much less interested in Milano sheitels themselves, having seen the poor-quality hair, the incorrectly-sewn patches, the overall "cheap" vibe that I got from them.

But you know, a sale is a sale...

While I wouldn't travel from Monsey to Brooklyn (an hour and a half) just to see what the fuss was about, 10 minutes to the local sale was reasonable. I looked, I felt, I inspected for sewing errors and then ... I tried it on. And believe it or not, the Milano Freedom Cap is everything it's cracked up to be. I want to tell you about the cap, the quality of current Milanos, and my later experience at their Brooklyn salon.

Inside of Freedom Cap

The best advice on buying sheitels I ever got was, "Try it on with your eyes closed." Or at the very least, away from the mirror, because we concentrate on the image and tend to either ignore or excuse an uncomfortable, ill-fitting, heavy or scratchy cap. But let's face it, it's the cap that really matters for the 99% of our day that we are not in front of the mirror. If it fits poorly, gives you a headache, or annoys you around the edges, it can be the most expensive, gorgeous hair in the world, and you'll still be miserable. When Milano does an out-of-town sale, they bring in boxes and boxes of sheitels that are "arranged" (barely) on tables by color. They bring mirrors, but there's a good chance you're not in front of one the entire time you're shopping. So the first time I tried on my shaitel-to-be, I went purely on feeling. I chose a closed stretch cap, but I'm told most of them are made with the open wefted cap. (They can be special-ordered with the stretch as well, which is a $50 upcharge.) In the picture, you can see that the multi-directional skin top area is lined with a velveteen fabric, similar to the material a lot of Shabbos robes are made with, but thinner. The nape of the neck also had a thick band of the same material, and the cap is tightened with a pull tab, as opposed to some sheitels which tighten with little bikini top-style hooks. The stretch material is comparable in quality & stretchy-ness to other companies. I found no defects in it. The ear tabs are especially reinforced with boning that gives them a more rigid feeling. And as you can see, no clips, no combs.

My concerns (and maybe yours too) were: Will the extra layer of velveteen be hot? Will the cap be too tight? Will the boned eartabs press so hard I get a headache, even without clips? Will that thick band at the nape drive me crazy (and sweaty)? My honest answers are no, no, no and no! I tried on three or four similar sheitels, and the one I chose felt as though they had literally used my measurements -- I'm entirely unaware of the eartabs, the nape comes down just far enough, the forehead fits flat and the skin part is both a natural color for me and wide enough that I can make a deeper part (I always part to the left) and have room to work with. The velveteen is very soft, comfortable and most importantly, breathable.

But does it STAY? As a mother of KA"H active kids, I need to know that my sheitel will not fly all over the place, and can't be easily whisked off my head by a baby reaching up and randomly grabbing it. Well, girlfriend, I can attest that I can turn my head upside down and the thing DOESN'T BUDGE. I don't mean flip over and flip back so the sides will feather. I mean turn upside down and stay there. Not a millimeter! Amazing, really! The first thing I thought of was, Wow this would be great to dance in at a chassuneh!

In speaking to one of the saleswomen, I mentioned that the caps and hair seem to be of a much higher quality than they were even a few years ago. She said that, in fact, a year ago, Milano switched to a different factory. It shows. Could be that they're buying their hair elsewhere as well.

Color before lowlighting

As to the hair, while it is not the super-fine quality of virgin European (of which I've owned several over the years), it is European, although almost certainly treated. (As always, expect more evidence of this in lighter colors than darker.) The hair is soft, silky, shiny, and washes beautifully. I always wash my sheitels myself and air dry them, and the sheitel (and the second one I subsequently bought) dries straight & true, with absolutely no frizz or wave, but not the telltale stick-straight of Asian hair. It adapts well to round-brush blowing or hot rollers. There is no knotting whatsoever at the nape, as some companies (like Shevy) are known for. It was a 12 color, but I added lowlights myself so I guess I'd call it a 12/8 now, and the color did nothing to damage either the hair or the cap. The velveteen inside got a bit of dye on it, but this washed right out, as did any dye that got on the skin part material. The photo of the inside of the cap is post-color.

Milano, originally a 12, with
lowlights added at home

My cost was $900 including the $50 email coupon. There is a $50 upcharge each for the stretch cap (open wefting is standard) and the Freedom Cap. I took advantage of the payment plan, in which you pay 25% upfront, then the rest over 6 months on the credit card. You can choose to be billed at the beginning or end of the month. There is an additional $5/month added as a service charge for going through a credit card. Not everything comes in with the Freedom Cap, and I don't know if Milano plans to eventually make everything with it or not. At the sale, I would say about a third of the pieces were Freedom Caps, and maybe a quarter of those had the stretch cap as well. The pony sheitels are not available with the Freedom Cap on the website, but a call to the salon may get you a different answer (perhaps a custom order).

Finally, my experience at Milano's MacDonald Avenue salon in Brooklyn. Having fallen hard for my first Freedom Cap, I decided I needed another, shorter model for everyday. (Cue my husband sighing in the background.) I had another coupon and the kids are all in school full-day, so it was now worth it to travel in. The fact that they do payment plans was the only thing that made this possible -- I haven't bought two sheitels in close succession since my kallah days (when an orthodox Jewish woman prepares for her change in married status by buying hair coverings)! I wish more companies did this; it would make good sheitels more within reach to families that are trying to get their daughter introduced to kisui rosh with the best possible experience, while also paying so many chassuneh expenses. I don't know how parents do it sometimes!

After lowlighting and overall coloring to medium ash brown

The salon is a tiny shoebox of a place, located next door to ShopRite and Amazing Savings, so I was able to park in the large lot behind the store and go thru ShopRite. They have a very large number of precuts on display, in blondes and brunettes, very little in redheads however, like most sheitel companies. I was used to salons with neat stacks of sheitels in labeled boxes arranged on walls or in a back room. Not here. At Milano, the standard (non-precut) pieces are piled together in drawers labeled by shade range. I knew exactly what I was looking for, but because of this lack of organization, the saleswoman and I had to go through a few drawers' worth of sheitels, turning each inside out for evidence of a stretch cap and Freedom Cap. Not the most efficient way to do things. What I did like about this, however, was that I had the chance to literally get my hands on every piece they had in my shade range. I was able to put aside whatever looked and felt good, and try on several. Personally, I enjoy the thrill of the hunt, and because I have some experience, I'm not overwhelmed by it. If I were a kallah or simply an inexperienced shaitel-buyer shopping alone, however, it would be a bit of sensory overload. I strongly recommend anyone who matches that description go with a friend who knows sheitels well, whether shopping at their salon or one of their out-of-town sales. The saleswoman was helpful and did not pressure me in any way, and was pleasant throughout, even though my requirements meant so much digging. Although they wouldn't wash the sheitel for me on the spot so that I could see how it behaved wet (I know, I know...) they let me spray it with water and play around with the part to get a better sense of it. There were a couple of stylists, but I didn't get the sheitel styled or cut there.

The piece I purchased on that visit was a 14 color, a dirty blonde, which I chose knowing that I would lowlight it to the ashy medium brown I wanted (but can rarely find because the brunettes are usually quite red). It is almost shoulder-length, with some very long layers, and has not required any cutting. (I had the first sheitel, which was about a yard long, cut by my usual sheitel macher.) I wash it, air dry it, and put in several hot rollers for body. It takes and maintains a curl quite well, and the hair is shiny, strong, and in good condition. I use Moroccan Oil products on my sheitels are sulfate- and paraben-free. My cost for the second piece was $800, including the coupon and the upgrades for stretch & Freedom Cap.

Summary: Two terrifically comfortable and well-made sheitels with lovely hair, purchased on payment plans, total cost together equivalent to or less than what I normally pay for one virgin European of lesser comfort and requiring combs. Even if their lifespan is no more than a few years [and for hashkafic (Jewish custom & outlook which varies from family to family) reasons I wear my sheitels from the time I drop the kids off at school until I get ready for bed, I never leave the house without wearing a sheitel -- yes I cook in them too!], to enjoy and be comfortable in a sheitel for the time it's in good shape, the price looks that much better. But from initial inspection, my hunch is that, with proper maintenance, they will last. If you're wondering what the big deal is about the Milano Freedom Cap, I think you should try it for yourself and see!

Umbrella Strollers: A Thorough Review

2010-09-20T16:41:00.000-07:00

I am sure many of you have read my thread about how I decided on the Bumbleride Indie, but today I wanted to write about an entirely different class of stroller. My Indie is great. I keep it in my house (in my dining room during the week) and use it for taking walks (I walk about an hour each week day). It works great for walking and handling bumpy sidewalks, grass, gravel etc. However, it is rather bulky and inconvenient for the car. When folded, it takes up much of the trunk space in my Pontiac Vibe, and it is heavy and awkward to lift in and out. Additionally, it takes a little too long to fold and open when trying to get errands done and requires two hands to fold.

As I started to plan my Sukkot vacation, I realized that I would be flying with baby, and therefore wanted a more convenient stroller for travel. I read a number of air travel horror stories about expensive strollers breaking from gate checking and how the airlines will not replace your broken stroller. Therefore, I wanted to find a stroller for under $100, that had some basic features, was light enough to travel with and that I wouldn't be devastated about if it happened to get damaged during travel. Additionally, I happen to have a really tall baby who grew out of her Graco Snugride car seat before she was even 5 months old, hence I was not able to use my snap and go anymore.

$60 and Under:
The problem with the strollers under $60 is that they do not recline, they do not have canopies that remotely shade ones child and the handles are much too short to be comfortable for tall parents. If you just need a cheap stroller to get through an airport and are not planning on using it outside at all, then I suppose this could be sufficient. Since it does not recline, do not plan on depending on it as a place where your child could fall asleep. The First Years Strollers below do recline, but they lack some other essential features. You can also find a cheap no whistles umbrella stroller for under $30 much like the Cosco Umbrella stroller.

Over $150: The Luxury Umbrella
In this class of umbrella, the strollers really shouldn't be called umbrellas except that they have the easy compact fold and lightweight design. Maclaren is known for their easy hands free fold, good maneuverability and sleek design. The Maclaren strollers have a much better canopy than the bargain umbrellas, but the strollers weigh more. The Maclaren Triumph comes in at a pricey $170, where as their Techno XT comes in over $300. (To be fair the Techno XT functions as a complete travel system with car seat adapter, reclining seat, larger basket, larger canopy, better quality wheels etc.) Many people swear by their Maclarens and say they are well worth the money. The Triumph handles were taller than most, but still a little too short than I would prefer in order to be comfortable for me at 5'8''. I was hesitant to spend over $150 on a second stroller (third if you count my snap and go) considering I paid over $450 for my Bumbleride.

Another stroller I tried in this price range was the UppaBaby G-Luxe. Its most striking features were its extremely low weight at 11 pounds, carry strap, reclining seat back and extremely large canopy. When I tried it out in stores, I was disappointed that the stroller quality seemed cheap and it did not look very durable. The colors are very vibrant and attractive, but it wasn't enough to justify me paying $160 for an umbrella. Additionally, the strap that controlled the recline was poorly made and did not even function properly on the sales floor.

The Peg Perego Aria (not an umbrella style, but lightweight) took me by surprise when I saw how compactly it folded with one hand. It is the only stroller I'm reviewing in this section that has a snack tray which is a must for some moms. It was extremely light and easy to fold, but I did not like the plasticy appearance of the stroller. If its appearance does not bother you, and you want to have a snack tray, then it could be a great stroller for you.

Around $100: The Sweet Spot

The Chicco Liteway was recommended to me by a friend. It has an amazing recline feature that can be done with one hand (instead of a strap method). It folds quickly and compactly. It weighs a little more than other umbrella strollers, coming in at a whopping 17 pounds but handles extremely well. It has a carry handle, but no carry strap, adjustable leg rest. I tried it in the store and liked it, but really wanted something lighter and something that had a carry strap.

The UppaBaby G-Lite looks extremely similar to the G-Luxe except it is lighter at only 9 pounds, has a tiny canopy comparable to the size of the under $60 category strollers and does not recline. It did not fulfill any of my desired criteria except for being extremely light weight.

The Maclaren Volo is extremely popular and weighs 9 pounds. However it does not recline, hence not suitable for children under 6 months old, the seat back is thin mesh and does not provide great back support, so if your child likes to sit forward in the stroller this is not the umbrella for you. It apparently holds up very well, but does not have many features except that its canopy is larger than other strollers in its weight class.

I ended up purchasing the Britax Blink which was only $99 on Amazon and included the travel bag (a $20 value). The Britax Blink has all the bells and whistles that the Maclaren Triump has, but is at least $70 cheaper and included the bag! It has a strap recline, that reclines near flat (about 30 degrees) which my baby can comfortably fall asleep in. It has a basket that is easily accessible when the seat is up, or can be accessed from the side if the seat is reclined. It has a one touch break that breaks both back wheels, and the front swivel wheels can be locked into place with ones foot. The canopy is much larger than many of the other umbrellas and even has a little extra lip for sun protection and also has a peek-a-boo window. It has a 5-point harness which I imagine will be extremely difficult for an older toddler to open. It has a 55 pound passenger weight limit which is excellent. The seat back is very tall and will accommodate a tall child. The handles were also tall and are very comfortable for me to push. Its folding system is almost identical to Maclaren (pull up on carry strap, step on side latch and stroller collapses). To open you just release side lock and press down on a lever with your foot (Hands free!). It takes up much less space in my car than my Snugrider Snap and Go and even though it is 16 pounds I can easily lift it in and out of my car with one hand holding on to the carry strap which will also allow me to carry it through the airport on my shoulder if need be.

The stroller originally retailed for $149 and I think the reason it was reduced in price was to make way for the Britax B-Nimble which looks even better than the Blink. It will be only 14 pounds and will actually have a car seat adapter to make it compatible as a complete travel system from birth to early childhood! It isn't coming out until the end of October 2010 and it is retailing at $200 (Take THAT Maclaren XT!!!). I am excited for Britax's further entry into the stroller market, and I hope they bring the same value, quality and safety to their future strollers that their car seats are known for!

Please leave comments or email me if you have any questions,
Chavi

My Experience at Buy Buy Baby

2010-09-05T22:10:00.000-07:00

So today I decided to check out Buy Buy Baby (yes they spell it obnoxiously like that). I had to drive for about 30 minutes to get there, but I was curious to see what it was all about. It was next to a Bed Bath and Beyond (their parent company), there was a large parking lot so I was able to park easily.

Okay so first impressions. I walk in, the signs and displays look almost identical to BB&B. The really tall ceilings, the shelving filled up all the way to the tall ceilings, the strategically placed "impulse buys" placed on section endings etc. Same layout, where one has to walk around the whole store to get back to the front. Everything is organized into sections like Toys, Bath, Feeding, Clothing, etc.

My main reason I went there was to try out umbrella strollers, as I had recently tried some at a Babies R' Us but wanted to try some additional options. They carried Bugaboo, Baby Jogger, Bumbleride, UppaBaby, Maclaren, Graco, Combi, Inglesina, Peg Perego and some others I am probably forgetting. They did not have the full lines of each brand. For example, they had the Bumbleride Indie but not the Flyer or Flite. They had the UppaBaby Vista but not the G-Lite or G-Luxe. I was disappointed because I really wanted to try out the G-Luxe and they did not have a display model. The employees pretended to know what they were doing, but some didn't really know how to fold the strollers and I actually knew more about the specs then they did! The only upside to this was that I got to try the Inglesina Swift, which I had never tried before. I decided its a pretty solid umbrella, but it is $119... I still really want the UppaBaby G-Luxe as my travel umbrella (to be decided soon).

BBB had a very large selection of car seats, bouncers, walkers, jumpers toys etc. Their furniture section was comparable to Babies R' Us and their clothing section was smaller than Babies R' Us. Their formula selection was really lacking, as they did not carry a good selection of specialty formula. In the same section was diapers, and it seemed like Pampers must have made some kind of deal to have their diapers receive the most shelf space in the store.

Prices: I spend a lot of time online shopping and I noticed a lot of the prices at BBB were inflated from what you can get online with NO TAX and free shipping. The strollers and car seats were priced at standard retail, but other things were inflated a few dollars. BB&B has a similar model where nothing ever goes on sale, but they get people to come to the store by sending them these alluring 20% off coupons. About the coupons, BBB has their own coupon system which they do send out if you can manage to get on their mailing list. They will accept BB&B coupons, but ONLY if they are not expired. And another thing on BBB coupons: there are EXCEPTIONS on basically anything you would want to buy: diapers, wipes, or formula... Additionally, most of the "name brand" Strollers, carseats, and highchair brands are excluded and listed at the bottom of the coupon in small print.

Also annoying, the chatty lady who tried to strike a common chord over the fact that I was using my snap-and-go stroller frame by discussing how she couldn't believe the price of some of these strollers. I had to politely nod and didn't want to tell her that I had a Bumbleride Indie folded up in my car and that I was planning on spending over $100 on an umbrella stroller. She was explaining how she traveled all around Europe with one of those $20 umbrella strollers. These big box stores are put in places far from city centers where land is cheaper, and people are friendlier *sigh*.

So basically, if you live close by and have a coupon and are planning on buying something like a toy or swing, it may be worth it to go. However, if you can wait a few days I would recommend just ordering online, where you will probably will get a better price and not have to deal with the hassle of crowds, lines and obnoxious names that wreak of the consumerism culture such as Buy Buy Baby.

Wig Review: Shuly - Dark Brown and Wavy

2010-09-03T07:07:00.000-07:00

What made you decide to purchase a Shuly? Where did you hear of the brand?

My friend worked for Shuly and a bunch of other wig companies and she told me that of all the wigs she’s sold, Shuly is one of the best. She took me to the store and I saw firsthand what amazing quality they are.

How many other sheitels did you try before deciding on it?

Probably around 10

What color is your Shuly?

Dark Brown

Was it custom made or pre-made?

Pre-made

How would you describe the texture of hair?

Loose natural waves

Did you have a specialized wig cap size?

They had to do some work to the cap to make it fit my apparently oddly shaped head.

Did you purchase it from the Shuly salon or from a sheitel macher?

I bought it through my friend who is a sheitel macher but we went to the Shuly salon when I tried on sheitels.

If from a sheitel macher, how did their involvement in the sale help your overall kallah experience?

It helped me tremendously to narrow down from the vast choices to find a sheitel that was perfect for me. As a kallah, I needed someone to guide me since buying a first sheitel can be a daunting and overwhelming task.

What is your favorite aspect of the sheitel?

How natural it looks and feels, and how good it looks all the time, whether I’ve just washed & set it or not.

What is your least favorite aspect ( or what could you change if you could)?

Nothing

What was the hardest thing about finding a sheitel as a kallah?

Finding a sheitel that looked as good on me as it did on the sheitel head in the store. It's one thing to see a sheitel all styled and perfect looking on the shelf but each person has a different shaped face and coloring and it can be a whole different story when you try it on.

Does the cap fit you well, is it comfortable?

Yea it fits well and it comfortable

Does it give you headaches?

Does the hair knot?

Not in general, but at the end of a long day there might be a few tangles near the neck which are easily brushed out.

Have you ever washed it yourself? If so, did the hair knot when wet?

No way, I would never attempt to wash it myself unless I was 100% confident that I knew what I was doing (which I’m not- I’d rather pay a professional to wash it then risk damaging it myself).

What quality hair was advertised to you and do you feel the hair was the same as advertised?

Great quality and I am very satisfied with it.

How much did the Shuly wig cost??

The retail price was $2600.

How was the Shuly/sheitel macher customer service?

It was a good experience.

Would you buy a Shuly again?

Yes absolutely, they are definitely pricey but if you can afford it, it’s totally worth the money.

Are you happy with your sheitel cut? Would you get a different style next time?

I’m happy with the cut.

How would you rate it on the following scale? A-F

RATING:

Weight/comfort: A

Hair Quality: A

Skin top: B

Durability: A

Appearance: A

Cap Construction: A

and Overall: A

Going from Curly to Straight without Wash??

2010-08-31T15:46:00.000-07:00

Hi Chavi,

If i want to straighten my shietel is it best to just use a hairdryer like in your video or can you use a hot straightening iron? If i were to leave it to dry naturally and then curl it say for a function or shabbat can i then straighten it afterwards without washing it or is that not advised. if yes can i use an iron or should i use a hairdryer?

Also, when blow drying my full sheitel do i have to worry about melting the skin?

Thanks so much for your great website. it's been really useful.

I've not yet styled my sheitel myself but i did watch my sheitel machar do it the other day so i'd know how. she didnt' spray it with hairspray after styling it - should I do that? Would it hold much better? it actually went a bit frizzy as it was raining when i went out. would hairspray help prevent that or serum perhaps? my natural hair was always really easy to manage that i never had to put products onto it!

Thanks,

RC,

Anytime you apply direct heat (i.e straightening or curling iron) there is a slight amount of damage put on the hair.

It is recommended to let a wig air dry when you are going to be curling. If you try to flat iron the curls then you will be fighting against the hair cuticle which was set with a curling iron, thus, it will be harder to get the hair straight and could cause more damage than necessary... I would wash it after the curls..

About the blow drying. It will not melt the skin, but it could burn it. Make sure when you are blow drying the cap that you constantly move the blowdryer around as shown in the video so it doesn't burn it. Also, you can hold the blowdryer a little farther away to help this. Refer to the blow drying video for more information.

Finally, treat your sheitels better than you would treat your own hair. For example, if you had your own hair styled curly in an updo for a wedding with hairspray you would certainly wash it before blowdrying it straight. So, you should give your sheitel the same treatment as one would do to their own hair. I've never heard of someone just using a flat iron over their styled updo in order to fix it without a wash in between.... The hairspray would start smelling bad from the heat of the iron and become sticky... GROSS!

Hairspray will help the curl/wave stay longer and prevent frizz. However, it will make it a little more prone to knotting when there is spray on it. I used a soft brush on the wavy styled sheitel after I take it off to keep it from knotting. It has been holding up really well and doesn't look frizzy yet... but I don't live in a humid climate. I prefer a little hairspray so the wavy style lasts longer, which ultimately means less washes and less exposure to heat.

Serum could work but if you put too much on the hair it can look oily. You want to put hardly any on at all and make sure its well spread over your hands before putting it on. This should be applied as a final step after either blowdrying or ironing is complete.

To answer the first question. Blow drying to achieve straightness is recommended. It would be bad form for a hair stylist or sheitel macher to make their living by flat iroing air dried hair. Usually a good blow dry will work extremely well. Environmental factors such as humidity and hair texture could mean that it is poofier than desired, but for the most part someone who knows what they are doing should be able to set it properly with a blow dryer. There are some people who desire the "flat ironed look" and would ask their stylist to iron AFTER doing a complete blow dry, a sacrifice that does inflict slightly more damage on the hair, but can look oh so sleek...

Take care,
Chavi

Alternative way to Dye - from AskChavi Reader

2010-08-27T10:04:00.000-07:00

Hello Chavi,

I read your blog and watched the videos and I just loved all of it! I do my own sheitels and I am always looking for ways to do it better :) I have colored my sheitels and I have found a way to do it without ruining the skin part. I have colored almost all my sheitels :) I just colored my Milano sheitel and it came out so nice and natural :) it was Naomi color (very, very blond with lots of highlights) and now it is dark blond with light blond highlights. My fall oxidized and became too light and I colored it light brown. So here is how I do it. I either buy professional hair color and peroxide separately or a hair coloring kit. I mix the color according to the instructions & then I mix it with 1 quart of warm water and stir until color is mixed really well (make sure there are no globs of color or they will adhere to the hair strands and make a sheitel appear blotchy). Then I put my sheitel in and make sure it is saturated throughout with the mixture. I usually leave it in the mixture for 15 to 25 min depending on the desired effect. If I want to just slightly darken a really blond wig, I leave it on for 15 min, if I want it to saturate well with color and the wig is darker blond, then for a bit longer. Afterward I rinse it well and then wash it as usual. I did lighten one sheitel and it came out nice as well. I would not recommend using ashy colors as they tend to turn hair greenish tint. I usually use natural colors and they work really well. I hope this info is useful.

Here is the website from where I got the info on wig coloring:

http://allaboutwigs.wigwiz.com/allaboutwigsresults.asp/topic_COLORING+HUMAN+HAIR+WIGS

All the best,

Wig Review: Milano Band Fall 12/14 Makeover

2010-08-19T21:48:00.000-07:00

Back in September 2009, I bought a Milano band fall from one of their "out of town" distributors. The color was a 12/14, which looked like a dirty blonde but not that reddish. The hair looked thick and nice and so I decided to purchase it. I believe it was $950 because it was on sale or something. Anyway, it has been a pretty good piece. The few problems I had with it: cap size too small and color oxidizing to this weird shade, I fixed. This post is not only a review of a fall, but a story of how I optimized my wig.

So here it was. My dull fall, turning into a dry oxidized piece...

Before

My review: This wig is fairly typical. It has machine wefts. It is a fall, so there is no skin top. The hair on the crown is sewn in to fall backwards like a good fall too. The hair on this wig was much nicer than my first Milano full wig. It never knots, which is a plus. It is definitely treated hair and far from "Virgin European". Because it was treated and dyed and probably originally partially Chinese, the blonde hair oxidized pretty fast. Let's see... I worked in an office and probably only experienced 5 hours of direct sunlight in this wig per week, and it got pretty badly oxidized within months. My definition of badly oxidized is: the top turned a mono-chrome shade of blonde while the under-layer remained darker. The cap being too small was always uncomfortable so I decided to do something about it.

FIRST I took care of the color. I bought a box of light ash brown dye and weaved low-lights through the entire sheitel using the technique pictured below. Note in the picture how the base color of the wig started to look really red. I chose an ash shade to minimize the redness. Then I rinsed the wig and applied conditioner and let the wig dry.

Okay, a few weeks later I decided to re-wash the sheitel and to set it in curls. The other reason for me to wash it was to stretch the cap. Because it is constructed of machine wefts, it is quite a durable piece. While wet, I placed the wig on the styling block and used 4 T-Pins to stretch the four corners to its limit (near the ears, and near the back corners of the neck area). The stretching was a GREAT success, it fits extremely comfortably now. Then I let the wig air dry and curled my wig as per the instructions in my video.

A week after curling the wig and spraying with just a quick drop of hairspray. Here is a picture of the finished product: dyed, stretched and curled a week after the set. It does hold curl rather nicely, eh?

On a side note, I integrate about a 3 inch x 3 inch section of my bangs into a "bump" over the front when I wear my fall and have told that the hair is a "perfect match".

RATING:
Weight/comfort: C before stretching / B+ now
Hair Quality: B
Skin top: N/A
Durability: B+

Appearance: A-
Cap Construction: B

Overall: B

Wasting Money on a Bad Wig

2010-08-13T12:42:00.000-07:00

Dear Chavi,

I enjoyed reading your blog… just wondering how to avoid getting railroaded on a wig. I have been wearing wigs for ten years since I am married and have had nothing but problems with them…. Junky quality…… balding in the back .. see through in the back and it has to have hair added… how can I protect myself as a regular consumer and NOT a sheitel macher.. I m really tired of wasting so much money….. please provide any pointers that you can I appreciate this.
DA

Dear DA,

Here are some pointers:

1. Do not rush into a wig purchase.

Salespeople often use the tactic of making you feel that if you do not make the purchase today the wig will not be available later. Don't buy into it. There are thousands of wigs available for purchase and if you do not feel 100% satisfied in the store you will not feel satisfied when you get home.

2. Reputation is important.

If you have a friend who bought from a particular salon and had a bad customer service experience, it is likely that you could have the same customer service situation. I think customer service (i.e. return/exchange policy is more important than the reputation of the wig brand itself)

3. Inspect the piece inside and out.

Don't be fooled by the wigs perfectly styled appearance. How the wig is manufactured is much more important. How are the wefts sewed in? Is it hand sewn or machine wefted? What does the inside of the skin top look like? Turn the wig upside down, does the hair on the wig immediately knot. I know someone who inspected a wig on a showroom floor and found that one of the hair wefts was coming off! Does the hair knot? If it knots in the back it is more likely to tangle and fall out.

4. Ask your friends for recommendations.

If you start realizing that the vast majority of people who own brand X love their wigs and have had them for years, the chances are that you will also have the same experience.

5. If the price seems too good to be true... it probably is.

There have been a lot of new wig companies marketing affordable "European Hair Wigs" with prices in the $500-$1000 range. While I do agree that $2500 is VERY expensive for a wig, there has to be a reason that these companies can afford to sell their wigs for much less. Perhaps they do not have a return policy, perhaps they mix Asian hair into their European hair, perhaps the European hair is heavily processed, which is easier to obtain. If one compares the texture of hair from one of the cheaper "European companies" to the expensive top of the line brands, there is a notable difference in how the hair feels.

For example, I have a friend who bought two Milanos when she got married. Four years later she had gone through five mediocre wigs and was not so happy. She splurged on a Shevy ($2600) and wishes it had been her only wig all along! She would have spent less overall,

6. Avoid Buying Online

Purchasing a wig sight-unseen is a pretty bad idea. You have no idea if it will fit or what quality the hair will be. If the seller agrees to free returns and/or exchanges it is workable. But remember, with exchanges you can never get your money back if you realize the quality of the brand is low, it would just be shuffling pieces and dealing with the shipping costs.

7. Marketing

Does the salon spend a lot of money on marketing and less on actual quality? Find a wig maker who values wig making as an art and truly cares for making her customers happy rather than some fancy trendy salon with expensive interior design.

8. Ask the sheitel machers direct questions about the piece.

Tough questions such as: Where was it made? Is it 100% European hair? Can you show me what one of your pieces looks like when air dried? The wigs in the showroom could be sprayed with hair product to make them look shinier. If she gets really defensive she might have something to hide, if she seems cooperative her pieces probably ARE good quality.

9. Make sure your wig is being washed properly

If your wigs are falling apart, it could be caused by harsh washing and setting.

I hope this helps. Read as many reviews as possible. Hopefully wig salons will become aware that their pieces are being rated on the internet and hopefully they will become accountable for what they sell.

Good luck,

Chavi

Help! My wig REALLY hurts me.

2010-08-04T10:21:00.000-07:00

Dear Chavi,
I get terrible headaches from my fall. The clips are so tight and I feel uncomfortable all day. What can I do?
R

Dear R,

I have a few suggestions. Guess what... I don't clip my side clips on my fall! I put the center comb in and lightly place the open side clips lightly into my hair. The placement of the side clips on the fall can also make a big difference. I once sewed them in at 2 o'clock and 10 o'clock and found them very uncomfortable. I moved the clips to 3'o'clock and 9'o'clock and the comfort was like night and day!

Another suggestion, if you always wear your fall with a tight headband it can actually function to keep the fall in place, so you don't really need any side clips.

It could also be uncomfortable because it could be the wrong size for your head. If it is too small see if you can wear it further back from your hairline. You could also have the cap stretched. Some sheitel machers suggest wearing it over wet hair to stretch out the cap if it is too tight. Any other fall wearers have suggestions??

Chavi

Wig Review: Dark Brown Wavy Yaffa Wig

2010-08-01T20:50:00.000-07:00

AK was generous enough to share her kallah (bridal) sheitel saga with AskChavi. She had such a horrible experience with her first wig purchase that it caused her to stop covering her hair for an entire year! Although the wig appeared to be made with beautiful European hair, the wig was so heavy and uncomfortable that she couldn’t wear it without getting awful headaches. I hope all wig wearers learn the importance of having a well-made light cap that fits properly from this post. Some women are happy with their Yaffas but I have also heard from a number of women who had bad experiences with their Yaffa wigs. Keep in mind when purchasing a wig that you need to wear it for long enough in the salon in order to see if it will be comfortable long term. Also, its normal for long wigs to be heavier than short wigs so keep that in mind when selecting a style.

Bangs are integrated with wig in picture.

AK’s wig was a pre-made 22-inch wavy wig in #4 (dark brown). It had the standard Yaffa wig cap and advertised as European hair.

What made you decide to purchase a Yaffa? Where did you hear of the brand?
I was offered a deal through a friend of my mother’s and I thought they were a good brand.

Did you purchase it from the Yaffa salon or from a sheitel macher?
Yaffa salon.

What was your favorite aspect of the sheitel?
None LOL. It was shiny and the color was nice.

What was your least favorite aspect (or what could you change if you could)?
Everything - it was an uncomfortable disaster.

What was the hardest thing about finding a sheitel as a kallah?
Not knowing anything and not having anyone to properly educate you.

Did the cap fit you well, was it comfortable?
No it was so tight and uncomfortable.

Did it give you headaches?
All the time. I was still in school when I first got married and I got such bad headaches that I used to have leave class sit in the bathroom stall and take it off for 5 minutes and just let my head throb.

Did the hair knot?
That was the biggest problem. It knotted so badly and when I tried to detangle it clumps of hair came out. When I told the people at Yaffa this, they claimed it wasn’t being washed properly because it was a handmade cap which is garbage because they only make machine weft...

Do you think the skin top was really realistic?
The part was pretty good although the very front where it started could have been better.

Did you ever wash it yourself? If so, did the hair knot when wet?
The hair didn’t knot so much it just came out in clumps. within 6 months it was half bald....

What quality hair was advertised to you and do you feel the hair was the same as advertised?
It was supposed to be virgin European. It did look and feel like it but based on how it stood up I doubt it. Some gay guy in California is wearing it now hope he’s enjoying it. lol

How much did you pay?
In the end because my mom’s friend knew them, I got a raw deal like $350 but it was supposed to be $900 and I think originally $1800. The entire situation dissolved the friendship between my mother and this woman. Never buy a sheitel through an arrangement like this.

How was the Yaffa customer service?
Awful! They were so mean to me and took forever to “fix” it the times I brought it in after, even though I told them it was the only wig I had.

Would you buy a Yaffa again?
Hell no.

Are you happy with your sheitel cut? Would you get a different style next time?
It wasn’t included through Yaffa so I went elsewhere it was ok for what I paid.

RATING:
Weight/comfort: F
Hair Quality: B
Skin top A-
Durability: F
Appearance: A
Cap Construction: F

and Overall: D-

Bangs are integrated with wig in picture

Wig Review: Jacquelyn Blond Band Fall

2010-07-29T11:47:00.000-07:00

This review is about a blond band fall manufactured by Jacquelyn Wigs which is based in New York. Based on their website, they manufacture everything from Custom European Wigs to Synthetics and they also make integration pieces (Toppers, clip on ponytails, hat falls). A lot of their styles pictured on the website look like they were photographed in the late 1980s or early 1990s, but they have added some newer styles as well. Also, I couldn't find any wigs on their site with multi-directional skin top, so I am curious to know if they make them. If you know anything about them please comment.

Thanks,

Chavi

I heard you had a terrible experience as a kallah before finding the wigs and falls you were happy with. Would you care to elaborate on this?

I first bought a Yaffa on Ebay for my sheva brachot which was pretty but very tight on my head. I wound up selling it to someone else on Ebay about 2 months later and purchasing a Milano. That was a disaster for multiple reasons and I went a while without wearing any sheitel due to the trauma of it all. I finally decided to buy a Shevy last year and invest the obscene amount of money that I knew it was going to cost because only spending that much money would force me to wear a wig!

I am so sorry to hear about your mishap. I actually also bought a Yaffa on Ebay and a Milano when I first got married!... I’ll elaborate on it later. I am glad that you finally feel comfortable and happy in the wigs you own now. Let’s talk about one of your headband falls. What made you decide to purchase a Jacquelyn? Where did you hear of the brand?

It was purely by chance that I bought this fall. I happen to go into the store of a local Los Angeles sheitel macher last summer and saw that she was having a sale on long Jacquelyn falls and Galit Italia wigs.

How many other sheitels did you try before deciding on it?

The color of this fall immediately caught my eye so I gravitated right to it. I tried on a full Galit Italia wig just for fun but I wasn’t in the market for a full wig at the time.

What color is your Jacquelyn?

Dark Blonde with blonde highlights-I had cut the tag out since it was itching so I don’t have an exact color number.

Did you have a specialized wig cap size?

No-the one problem I had with this fall was that the cap was too large. I had to take it in to be fitted smaller. The sheitel macher sewed up a bit of material on the sides to make it conform better to my head. The cap is my least favorite part of the fall. Although it was sewn to be tighter, it isn’t great. Since it is a fall and not a full wig it doesn’t bother me to wear it. Were it a full wig it would have been more uncomfortable.

Please describe the hair texture and quality.

The hair is silky and straight. I am very happy with the hair quality and I receive many compliments on how my fall looks. I have even washed the fall myself a few times and let the hair air dry and had no problem with knotting while wet. I do prefer to have it professionally washed and styled though.

Would you buy a Jacquelyn again?

I think I would go with a Tori or an Elka for my next wig but I do like this fall. Since it was on sale, it was only $800. I love my fall’s highlight pattern. I had the fall cut elsewhere but am extremely happy with the cut.

RATING:

Weight/comfort: B+

Hair Quality: A-

Skin top: N/A

Durability: B+

Appearance: A-

Cap Construction: B-

Overall: B+

Wig Review: SHEVY Wig (semi-custom) in Dirty Blond

2010-07-26T10:42:00.000-07:00

I conducted an interview with a fellow dark blonde in Los Angeles on her stunning out-of-box (semi-custom) Shevy wig. Shevys are best known for their customs that have been popular among kallahs (Jewish brides) for at least the last 5 years. Please note that by semi-custom I refer to "high-end custom quality" but that Shevy Wigs manufactures for retail sale without a custom order. The term semi-custom became most prevalent when wig companies decided to manufacture high quality wigs resembling their customs but to be available for immediate purchase. This is an 18 inch style number Shevy MB 17951. Enjoy the review!

Chavi: How did you go about purchasing this Shevy? Did you have to go to their NY showroom?

LA: No, I actually got it through a local sheitel macher (wig stylist and distributor). She ordered 4 Shevys from New York from me and I got to try each of them on in her studio. I selected this one from the bunch.

How much did you pay for this piece?
$2600

I noticed the wig has highlights. Are those highlights from a mixture of natural virgin hair or color treatment?
The hair came from a mixture of natural virgin hairs but I recently had a few more highlights put in by somebody I really trust and I was very pleased with the result.

Do you wash it yourself or have it washed by a sheitel macher?
While some women wash their own wigs by themselves, I know better than to treat a $2600 wig with anything less than professional hands. In other words, no!:)

Do you think the skin top is really realistic?
Yes-the appearance of the skin top is the best on the market.
I especially like how flat the wig lays on top of your forehead!

Does it give you headaches?
Surprisingly no

Does the cap fit you well, is it comfortable?
This is by far the most comfortable cap I have ever worn. I have tried about 5 different brands and this cap is truly unique in its construction.

Shevy sometimes has a reputation of having hair that is prone to knotting. Have you found this?
This is a tough question. I know that Shevy wigs have a reputation for knotting but I think that may occur when the wig is worn for an entire day which I have yet to do so I can’t comment. I can say that when it is worn for several hours/half a day I have not experienced knotting.

Would you order from them again?
In retrospect I think I paid too much but that has more to do with the fact that I am not a daily wig wearer (or at least as of this point). As far as prices for Shevys go, that is within the ballpark of what ladies pay but when I think of what else I could have gotten for that money I would not have done it again. For example, I hear wonderful things about Tori Wigs in New York which run about half the price of Shevys for excellent European hair quality.
I have also heard praises of Tori Wigs and I hope to review some of their pieces soon.

RATING:
Weight/comfort: A
Hair Quality: A+
Skin top: A+
Durability: A
Appearance: A
Cap Construction: A

Overall: A

Wig Styling Tools Online

2010-07-25T14:21:00.000-07:00

Chavi,
Where can I get styling blocks and clamps online?
E

Dear E,

Here are some various options at different price points.

Canvas Wig Heads:

Styling blocks or canvas heads are helpful because you can pin your wig securely to them. Thy come in various sizes so you can buy one that is the proper size for your wig. They resemble a head so that the style will look the same when you are wearing your wig after the styling is done. Clamp head bases come in two varieties: a clamp that adjusts to fit on a table or counter and suction cup. The suction cup model has a chance of coming loose, but will hold if installed properly. It is important to have a tight fit so you can get the proper tension with the wig while blow drying. T-Pins are used to secure the wigs onto the heads and they can also be used to place side bangs over when storing your wig so they are "trained" to be out of the face. Please watch my video series on washing and setting a wig to see how to properly pin a wig to a head and utilize a styling block and clamp.

Wig Clamps:

T-Pins

Blow Dryer for Human Hair Wigs

2010-07-25T12:59:00.000-07:00

Dear Chavi,
I would like to purchase a new blow dryer for setting my sheitels. Do you have any recommendations?
Thank you,
Jessica

Dear Jessica,

Throughout my single life I struggled with wavy frizzy hair that could only be straightened with a proper blow dry and perhaps occasional straightening with a flat iron. Therefore, I spent a lot of time trying out various types of blow dryers. I think it is important to have a "salon-grade" blow dryer. They will make the appearance of the wig setting better overall, should minimize frizz, and are apparently less damaging. I have noticed different outcomes of hair depending on the quality of the blow dryer. The professional dryers have more wattage, hence more power and therefore a quicker and better set.

BaByliss PRO

I personally own the BaByliss PRO BAB2000 Professional Ceramix Xtreme 2000 Watt Hair Dryer which is one of the most reasonable at under $40. There are obviously better blow dryers than this one, ranging upwards of $200, but I think in terms of buying one that is reasonable it does the job. It has cool, warm and hot temperature settings and high, medium, and low air speeds so you can find the setting that you are most comfortable with. Also, recently my mother treated me to a haircut at a salon and the cosmetologist had this BaByliss, the same one that I owned at home! It made me feel great that I was using a blow dryer that professionals use. My hair came out great, and then I covered it and went home =) One of the downsides to this blow dryer is that its loudness and that the handle can get hot if you have it on too long, however neither of these "issues" have ever bothered me. It is VERY powerful and hot.

If money is no issue then I would get the Sedu Revolution Pro Tourmaline Ionic TGR 4000i Hair Dryer which is much quieter and has many heat levels and choice to blow dry with ions or without ions. It will dry your hair or wig faster and is advertised to reduce frizz. I have not tried it myself but it has received raving reviews from both customers and magazines. It looks fabulous, but it is over $150...

Also, before attempting to blow dry your wig, please refer to my video on blow drying a wig straight to make sure that you do not damage your wig when drying: Blowdrying a Wig Straight.

Best of luck,

Chavi

Dear Chavi: Summer Frizz... HELP!!!

2010-07-21T15:32:00.000-07:00

I am having problem with 2 of my sheitls lately.I cant get them straight!My hair stylist says she cant get them flat and straight like I like, I called my s.m. who told me she has been habing problems and reciveing calls lately from other customers having the same problem. The hair is untreated and natural, and has no chemicals in it, so apparently the humidity of the summer is creating these problems. Does this make sense? Is it happening to you? Could I have over styled them and they will never be the same again?Help!

I have owned my sheitls for just over a year now and have washed 1 about 6 times and the other 2x. Could I have ruined the wig by doing so/ they r both pouffy now,and can't be bothered to wear them.Should I wait till the end of summer and then rewash and style.
Thanks for taking the time to read this.

Best,
NP

NP,

Usually a wash and set won't ruin a wig. What kind of wigs are they? Did you wash them yourself? Do you live in a humid climate?
Thanks,
Chavi

virgin russian hair. I send them to my stylist. Its been very humid and muggy. More so then usual is 6 times a year too much? I got nervous bc my stylist told me she can't get it stick straight. I called my s.m and she told me she has been having the same issues with her hair(the wigs)and had to bring a de-humidifier into her show room. My shetils are made by a lady named yonit. She uses only virgin unprocessed hair.

6 times a year is not too much. I know women who get their sheitels washed monthly.
I think the problem here is absolutely the weather and the humidity. I wouldn't worry. Did the hair look stick straight when you first bought it?

It was straighter, but i think b/c it was not as hot as it is right now...All my sheitl from the lady i bought are pouffy now, the only one that isnt is a processed one from another company...I will retry again in late aug to wash it again. Thanks so much! -NP

I would purchase some Biosilk Silk Therapy Serum. This stuff is amazing. A little goes a LONG way. It is great for de-frizzing. All you do is put a pea-sized drop in your palm, rub it with your hands and spread evenly over the sheitel. I would avoid the root area. You can also then brush and comb through to evenly distribute. If you use too much the hair can end up oily. It helps smooth fly-aways down. I used to use it on my natural wavy/curly hair and it worked wonders whether air dried curly or blow dried straight. Keep in mind that VIRGIN unprocessed hair is going to react to humidity the same way as the hair that grows on our heads does. Using salon-grade products as directed will not damage your sheitel and can provide the look you desire.

Question: What kind of curling iron should I use?

2010-07-14T14:44:00.000-07:00

Hi Chavi,
What kind of curling iron do you recommend to curl a human hair sheitl?

When it comes to working with human hair sheitels we should try to treat them as well as possible. Therefore, it is worth it to spend the extra money to invest in professional styling tools, rather than just buying the cheapest curling iron on sale at CVS. I recommend the

BABYLISS PRO Nano Titanium Spring 1" Curling Iron (Model: BABNT100S)
This irons use titanium and ceramic barrel technology that provides smooth, easy curling control. The results are shiny, frizz free curls and waves. Available in four barrel sizes.

far-infrared heat penetrates hair quickly, heats hair evenly from the inside-out, curls hair in a fraction of the time with superior results and with far less damage. They are pricier but work faster and have better results that traditional curling irons that penetrate hair from the outside-in, exposing hair to moisture loss and damage.
Good Luck,
Chavi

Dear Chavi: My Poor Freeda

2010-07-13T15:55:00.000-07:00

DISCLAIMER: Every wig is different, and every sheitel macher has sold amazing, good, fair and bad pieces. Every sheitel company has produced amazing, good, fair and bad pieces. Unfortunately buying a sheitel requires mazal (luck). Every woman will probably end up with at least wig that she is unhappy with in her lifetime. None of my posts are intended as loshon hora towards a company or sheitel macher, rather just to discuss problems people have had with particular pieces. Mentioning the brands are necessary in order to provide context into price and reputation of each individual wig.

Dear Chavi,

When I was a kallah 8 yrs ago, and as a clueless BT, I was persuaded to buy 2 custom Freedas (a full and a band) for a small fortune. I never loved them, simply because I never ended up with a style that felt comfortable for me til a couple years ago when, the hair and hairline of the full sheitel were already way too thin. There was a hole in the cap, too, and the hair was really oxidized, even after being dyed twice over the years. But the hair on both sheitels was still amazing, just thinner, after all those years. Silky, natural, gorgeous hair. But with a cut that was more "me" I knew what to look for when getting a new one.

I think most kallahs have this problem with their first sheitels. It is hard to get used to ourselves in a wiggy style, as opposed to how our hair looked before marriage. It looks like you spent a lot of money but they lasted for a long time. You must have worn them a lot if you ended up with a hole in the cap! Was that from washing or from general wear? Have you considered adding more hair into the full sheitel and repairing the cap and maybe getting it cut? You wore your two kallah sheitels for 6 years!!! and the fall still looks good?? That is INCREDIBLE

So, for my second attempt at buying a sheitel, I went back to the Freeda warehouse, no sheitel macher this time, and thought I would just get a precut. I got the Riva Long in a medium brown. I tried to get one that had as little red as possible. Oxidation is a problem with Freedas. It has some natural highlights in it - I never dyed it. Who knows how much they processed it though before i got it. Also, I think it dries straight but I've never washed it myself. I never noticed any texture or frizzing problems til now. I don't need a special size, but i wanted the Freeda quality. I got a great sheitel. Hooray for me....then got a cool cut. A couple inches below the chin, angled bob with the front a bit longer than the back. Kind of modern looking. The problem? It's only been washed a few times over the past year and a half since I really only wear it 4 times a month but I just noticed that it is full of split ends and the actual ends feel a bit rough. My 8 yr old band fall has better looking hair at this point. The split ends go all the way up the locks.

When did you first notice the split ends? How was it cut? If it was cut with a blade on the ends instead of scissors it can cause split ends to form faster.

1. I just moved and tried out a new sheitel macher, who is a friend so i would feel bad of accusing her of anything - but did she do something unintentionally? Was she too rough on the sheitel?

Do you think it is possible that maybe she just isn't a very good sheitel macher? If you noticed in my videos, my sheitel macher pointed out that an improper blow dry can make the hair look frizzy and appear to have split ends which could be minimized if set well. How many times has she washed it? When did the problem start?

2. The climate here is hot and humid - is that making the split ends show? The band fall looks totally fine but maybe b/c it hasn't been outside in this weather is why it looks better. But i think it started to look like this in NY; i honestly was so stressed and busy about moving i just wasn't paying attention. But at a wedding I wore it to in November, it definitely didn't have this issue...

The humidity could be causing the frizz to show.

3. Is my sheitel a lemon? Is it slowly getting "straw" hair? No $1700 Freeda should look like this after a year and a half!

As I stated above, every brand produces good and bad pieces. Afterall, it is a sewn item and there can be defect. MAYBE the current condition is a combination of how the sheitel was cut, how it is being washed, the weather and back luck? I agree it seems like a lot of money spent if the piece is actually headed towards an early retirement after a year and a half.

I could call Freeda but it's not like they could fix one small part of the wig. The whole thing has split ends. They're not going to replace it at this point, so long after the sale and after 2 sheitel machers have handled it. The color and cut and fit still look great so people still think it looks nice but when you look up close you see all the split ends and when i run my hand up the hair, against the grain so to speak, they feel so rough. What do i do??? And I'm no longer in NY so I can't go to them in person....

It doesn't hurt to ask. I mean, they can say no, they may not do anything, but maybe some good will come of it. Maybe they can sell you a new one at cost or something or half off. Again, maybe it just needs to be set with a certain hair product to make it look sleeker. I used to put hair serum on my naturally wavy/frizzy hair.

I'm really upset over this. I hate sheitel shopping, I hate the expense and I was so happy to have something i liked wearing after all these years. If I spent so much on a sheitel that's not gonna last more than 2 years, I'm tempted to buy a cheap one next.

Advice?

Cheap sheitels seem like an option. You have a darker hair color so you may be happier paying less money. Also, you are wearing a shorter bob style which would only cost about $500 in a cheaper brand. When we pay over $1500 we expect our sheitels to last at least 3 years, so I understand your concern. However, a cheap sheitel might only last one year or less. I really hope that the Freeda customer service comes through.

Another thing to consider: sheitels lasting 8 years is unheard of these days. I only know a few people in that boat and they had really expensive custom sheitels ($3500-4000). You should consider yourself lucky that your fall and kallah sheitel lasted for 8 years. Maybe they aren't making them as well as they used to. Or.. you could have just been unlucky with your purchase. I would love to hear what happens and if styling products can help hold the style better. Another comment: longer sheitels have more room to be trimmed after split ends form, whereas shorter styles like your bob do not have much wiggle room in case the ends do become broken.

And don't worry, the sheitel doesn't look that bad in the pics you sent....
Regards,
Chavi

Guest Post by West Ender Rebbetzin

2010-07-13T10:58:00.001-07:00

My friend and fellow blogger, West Ender Rebbetzin wanted to write a post about her new "pony sheitel". The post was originally on her blog and is re-pasted below with some extra pics of the cap!

A Sheitel Story by West Ender Rebbetzin

I have a pretty sweet Yaffa sheitel that is made from high-end “virgin” European hair (i.e. never treated, dyed, or processed). It was marketed as a “semi-custom” / “out-of-the-box custom”, which I’m pretty sure is just a buzzword in wig marketing because there’s nothing custom about the cap or hair of this wig-- it's just a very well-made wig that was cut out of the box. A true custom sheitel is for women with large or hard-to-fit heads, or other special needs.

I paid a lot for this semi-custom business, but in the end was unhappy with the cut. I didn’t find it particularly youthful or flattering, and the front layers were shorted than I would have liked.

I wasn’t sure what to do. I looked into reselling it, but there’s practically no market for used wigs, and it’s not hard to understand why. When you can get a really awesome-looking Milano for $400-$600, why would you pay even $300 for a used wig? Like a car, apparently, a wig loses its resale value as soon as you wear it out of the shop. So, I was reluctant to give up the tangible asset, a very fine wig, for $300 or even less.

Then I started thinking about what my next sheitel purchase might be, when the time came to get a new one. I looked around at what style of wigs I liked on other young women, and I was charmed by the pony sheitels.

I think pony sheitels are “the new fall”—I see tons of young marrieds wearing them, they are often sold cheap (“kallah special-- buy 1 European wig, get a pony for free!”) They are advertised heavily in frum as as a great alternative to a fall when you want a casual sheitel. A pony has even more advantages over a fall, because it’s quite cool for the summer to have the hair off your neck.

A Milano pony sheitel sells for about $500, but it occurred to me that possibly, just possibly, I could bring my Yaffa wig to my sheitel macher and see if it could be converted into a pony! I did, and indeed, to “convert” a wig into a pony involves an investment of a whopping $5-$10 to have a wide comb sewn in at the nape of the neck. This extra comb anchors the wig at the bottom, which gives a more realistic appearance that the hair is growing out of your head when pulled upwards into a ponytail.

Here is what my new pony looks like! It’s been SO cool and breezy and fun to wear for the summer. In my humble opinion, I think the hair at the neck looks quite natural when pulled upwards into a pony. I left the original side bangs as they were; the front layers that are too short to fit into the pony, I clip back with one snappy clip each. I am quite happy with how this turned out!

A few last words about picking a brand of sheitel:

Yaffa isn’t generally considered one of the “better” or “higher-end” sheitel brands. I think they are better known for their cheaper lines of wigs, like human/synthetic blends. But as my sheitel macher told me: “a wig is always mazal,” meaning you never know when you’ll get a winner or a lemon, since they’re hand-made and hair sometimes misbehaves.

I won with this particular Yaffa sheitel. Despite being unhappy with the cut, it is a gorgeous and beautifully made wig. The virgin hair is silky in a much richer, more natural way than my sheitel made from processed hair from South America. The woman who does my wash and sets has said that my Yaffa is a “very nice piece”, and she sees a lot of sheitels! So don’t be too afraid to go with a brand that isn’t the hottest in sheitels these days. My Yaffa rules, and I have friends with Shevys (the most high-end brand that I know of in Brooklyn) that are losing hair after just a few months.

Have an awesomely wiggy week, ladies!

*****

Thank you for that awesome post. Considering the wig was not cut originally as a pony I think it looks great! Those long side bangs really make it look natural. I do not even notice that the front layers are being clipped back. Also, usually pony sheitels have the hair near the back of the neck sewn upwards so it makes a more natural pony, but I think yours works just fine. This is a great example of working with a wig you already own instead of giving up, trying to resell and taking a gamble with something new. I think we can all learn from her example.

Not a very large skin top, which makes it even more suitable as a pony wig. The comb they sewed in at the bottom looks excellent and allows the pony tail to be made properly.

How to get curls to hold longer

2010-07-09T08:38:00.000-07:00

Dear Chavi,

What product should I use to keep my curls from falling out when I set my wig?
Thanks,

R

Dear R,

My sheitel macher recommends Tresemme Hairspray for setting curls. The best part about her recommendation is that Tresemme is a very affordable hairspray. When applying, don't spray too much, it can cause hair to become sticky and clumpy. Each hair texture requires a different amount of product to keep it curly, and some will not hold curl no matter how much hair product you put in it. Also, do not spray the hairspray before curling with the curling iron...

Best of luck,
Chavi

Wig Review: Custom Brown Allegria Sheitel

2010-07-07T16:19:00.000-07:00

I interviewed my friend to find out more about her custom Allegria wig. Her shaitel is a medium brown color. My questions will be bold, her answers in black, and my comments in purple.

Does the cap fit you well, is it comfortable?

The cap is too small on me. They charged me $200 (!) to get an XL cap, which was a bit of a ripoff. I happen to have a massive head and a ton of hair, but they did measure my head before ordering the cap for me and I always felt like the cap was still too small. This causes two problems for me. Number one, it gives me really bad headaches when worn for a long time. Number two, the wig always slips back on my head so a little bit of my hairline actually shows.

I wonder if they actually checked the measurements of an XL cap and whether your head is bigger than XL or if they made a mistake when placing the order.

Does it give you headaches?

Yes!

Does the hair knot?

Almost never. It's really stunning hair. It sometimes knots a bit behind my neck, but not enough to really be an issue, and overall the hair is really smooth and natural feeling.

That is amazing news. Its hard to find good hair on a sheitel nowadays...

Do you think the skin top is really realistic?

Ya the skin top is okay, I've seen better, but it's pretty realistic.

Have you ever washed it yourself? If so, what was the hair like when wet? Did it knot?

I've washed the sheitel myself many times and it dries really nicely. It dries straight, not curly and is really easy to blow dry.

Sounds like it really is very high quality hair.

What kind of hair was advertised to you? Do you feel it was worth the price you paid?

When I bought my sheitel, they talked to me a lot about how good the quality of their hair is and how the hair is treated minimally so it's as natural as possible. I really felt like it was quality hair and I got my money's worth.

Based on my research, I think you are right about this one. Sounds like you got amazing hair.

Was the wig custom or pre-made?

I'm a complete ignoramus when it comes to sheitels, but I'm pretty sure it was custom made. I chose out the color, length, and size and waited a few weeks till it came in.

Sounds like a custom, still doesn't explain why the cap is too small...

Did you order it from Allegria directly or a sheitel macher?

Sheitel macher.

Did Allegria succeed in making the wig the way you ordered it?

I was pretty happy with it.

If not, what would you have wanted to be done differently?

I wasn't so happy with the color. I had been warned that Allegria often has too much red in their sheitels and I felt that was the case with my sheitel. My sister also has an Allegria and had a similar issue. Her sheitel looks great, but it has a reddish tint (not from oxidization, it's always been that way) and she has absolutely no red in her real hair color! They do a good job of blending the different colors in the sheitel, but for some reason I often see that Allegria sheitels have random redness to them, and on people that naturally have no red in their hair. This is before the sheitel even oxidizes in the sun, and the "red issue" seems to just get worse as the sheitel gets older.

Reddish browns are not rare, unfortunately. Maybe the hair they have access to is redder than your natural hair. Its possible that your hair is ash toned and they use warm-toned hair. I think there is a smaller supply of ashy brown hair available in the world.

How much did you pay?

The sheitel was $1900 but she charged me $2100 to get an XL cap, which I felt was a complete ripoff. But overall the price matched the value of the sheitel.

That's really not expensive considering it was a custom wig, however I wish the cap had been large enough for you. I wonder why they would charge $200 extra for an XL cap if presumably every wig is made to order... MAYBE because it requires more materials, but not $200 more materials...

How long did it take to be ready?

It took about 6 weeks for the sheitel to come in, but that's pretty standard in far away out of town unheard of places like Toronto, because the sheitel was sent in from NY.

Yeah Toronto is exotic and waaaay OOT

How was the Allegria customer service?

The customer service was okay, not great. They're not so professional, but the woman who runs the store really seems to know her stuff when it comes to sheitels and I felt like I trusted her opinion and expertise.

Would you order from them again?

I would order from them because I felt their prices very reasonable for the value of the sheitel. I would hesitate though for a number of reasons:

Their stylist really was not very good, I wasn't so happy with how she cut the sheitel. She really didn't know what she was doing. When I paid for the shaitel, a haircut was included, and I felt a little cheated that they didn't even have a decent stylist to cut it for me. When I bought the sheitel they almost encouraged me to get it cut elsewhere, so it seems like they're aware that she's not great.

I don't think it's fair to be charged an extra $200 to get an XL cap. XL is not such a crazy size, and besides, it's a CUSTOM sheitel, which means custom made to fit my hair color, length, and yes, size of my head. I am certain it does not cost the manufacturer $200 to make a cap an inch larger. On top of that, the XL cap did not even fit my head properly and I still get headaches from wearing my sheitel.

The reddish streaks in the sheitel bother me a little, because it makes it look less natural for me.

RATING:
Weight/comfort: B- (it really is a decently comfortable shaytel, the reason I'm giving it such a bad rating is because the cap never fit my head properly, I have a huge head, and despite paying extra money to get a bigger cap, it was always too small.)
Hair Quality: A+
Skin top: A
Durability: A
Appearance: A
Cap Construction: B

Overall: A-

Review of Baby Toys for Infants 0-3 months

2010-07-07T09:53:00.000-07:00

Part of becoming a new mother is sorting out which baby products are essential and which are just marketed well. I will discuss the various toys and electronics we have for our baby and which I found to be useful.

My baby's favorite toy seems to be Jaques the Peacock, which is made by Lamaze. We hung this in our baby's gym and our baby seemed to notice it even from 2 weeks old. She started hitting it around 8 weeks old and still loves staring at it. I like that the back has black and white swirly patterns on each feather and a bright read tail feather. On the front side is every bright color you could imagine. It is a very captivating toy for a young one. We bring it along in the car seat and the stroller and when visiting our parents we hung it on the Pack N Play and she seemed happy to see something familiar.

As for a baby gym, we got the Rainforest Melodies and Lights Deluxe Gym and I am so happy with it. It plays music and can be configured to on or rattle mode (only turning on if the frame is pulled by the baby). When on it flashes lights which my baby loves to look at. I think the hanging attachments that come with it are really great. One of them is a mirror and my baby would stare at herself in that mirror starting even in her second week of life. It is a pricey mat, Toys R Us sells it for $69.99, but Amazon sells it for $49.54 which makes it comparable to other company's mats.

In terms of electronic seats, we have both the Fisher Price My Little Lamb Cradle 'n Swing and the Fisher Price Woodlands Bouncer. Thus far, my baby does not really like the bouncer, I think she was too light to really make it bounce. The vibrating was nice but it didn't calm her as much as I expected. Every baby is different though, and maybe some babies really respond to a bouncer chair. I really like our swing because it is both a cradle and a swing. It has been great for calming our baby when she is in a fussy mood. There is a built in mobile, but she doesn't even look at it, she has looked at the mirror though. The swing is really cute though because it makes the baby look like he/she has lamb ears. It has provided hours of quality entertainment and allows me to get things done around the house. We received it as a gift but I think it is worth the money, however I'm sure a cheaper swing would be just as good. One more comment on the woodlands bouncer: my friend who has a fear of squirrels is really freaked out by it, so get a different pattern if you are afraid of rodents :) I believe both the swing and the bouncer are only good until 25 pounds and have to be discontinued if your baby can roll over.

Some other things people gave us as gifts: Fisher-Price Go Baby Go 1-2-3 Crawl Along Snail, Baby Einstein Take Along Tunes, Playskool Lullaby Gloworm Girl, The crawl along can be used for tummy time, it plays music whenever its bumped, or it can actually roll. My baby seems to like it. The Baby Einstein toy was useful in the car because it plays music and flashes lights which gives the babies something to look at. The lullaby glowworm lights up and plays music. My baby seemed pretty captivated by the glowing face. None of these are essential, but it was nice to receive them as gifts.

I saw two 4 month old babies recently with Vulli Sophie the Giraffe Teether, Brown/ White

which is a $25 dollar teething toy. Apparently it is all the rage. My baby is not chewing on things yet so I have not purchased it. The babies I observed seemed to really like it, but I wonder if it is really worth over $20 for one toy. I would appreciate comments from owners on its necessity.

Wig Review: Custom Blond Shevy

2010-07-06T18:39:00.000-07:00

I interviewed my friend about her custom long blond Shevy wig. Shevy wigs became the popular kallah wig a few years ago and are known for being very expensive. I remember so many people saying "Did you see her Shevy? Its amazing!"

The few kallahs I have knew who had long customs paid around $4000. Some women love their Shevys and some women hate their Shevys. Common complaints are that the hair knots in the back and also that the weight of the wig is uncomfortable (all 26 inch wigs are going to be heavy though so I wouldn't blame Shevy for this...) A lot of blonds say Shevy is able to achieve a natural looking color blend and those hard-to-find ashy shades.

I wanted to investigate what its like to actually own a custom Shevy by interviewing a kallah who just bought her Shevy 7 months ago. Below are the details of our interview and her rating of her piece. I will write my own comments in purple after each question.

How long did it take to be ready?

It was ready in about 3-4 months.

How much was the custom sheitel?

The wig was $3800.

How does the cap fit? Is it comfortable?

The cap fits well when I have a tiny ponytail, but it gets tight very quickly as my hair grows. Its a comfortable cap though, no itchiness. I get headaches occasionally by the end of the day, probably from the tightness.

In my opinion there is no excuse for a custom sheitel not to have a cap that fits properly. They should have allowed extra room anticipating that she may have hair tucked into the cap as well.

Can you describe the hair quality?

The hair knots in the back on the bottom layer like any other long sheitel, brushes out very easily though.

Like I said above, knotting hair on the bottom layer is the most common complaint of Shevy wigs. This is not the case with ALL wigs, if the textures and cuticles are put in properly a sheitel would have minimal knotting if cared for properly (i.e. proper brushing before and after wearing). For $3800 I would expect a sheitel that doesn't knot!

How do you feel about the Skin Top?

I think the skin top is great, I can do any side part i'd like. The area of skin top is huge.

Did they advertise the hair as virgin hair? Are the multiple shades of blond a result of good color mixing or highlighting?

I'm pretty sure they highlight it. When i was at the showroom to see it the first time, it was too dark for me, I wanted it lighter, they said "we'll add some more lighter blonde" Interpret that how you want..

Did you have any problems with the sheitel?

I sent it back because the chunks of hair that hung in front were looking very dull, dead, and coarse, i sent it back and they fixed it and it looks a lot better

I'm really glad that they fixed it but a little concerned that it wasn't perfect in the first place for $3800....

So when you received your custom you were 100% satisfied?

The wig was basically everything I was looking for and wanted. When it first came in, I found it extremely itchy right above my ears and at the back of my neck. This was from the ends of the hairs that were sewn into the cap, these ends were sticking out and poking me. Shevy claimed that no one ever complained about this, and that maybe my skin was very sensitive. Perhaps it is, but either way i was unhappy and couldn't wear it. They fixed it with a weird solution. On the bottom by my neck, they sewed in a black strip of fabric, which i am afraid will be seen if i do an updo, Shevy says it wont be seen, i haven't had an updo yet, but when i do..ill keep you posted on that. And for the ears, they cut back the ear pieces. This solved the problem, but now a little more of my sideburns show.

I am really pleased to hear that they found a solution for you!

How would you rate their Customer Service?

Customer service was a B+. They did whatever I wanted, and fixed whatever I said needed to be fixed, and never charged me, but they weren't always the nicest about it.

It sounds like that they do not disappear after the purchase if there are problems, which cannot be said for every wig company. Probably they build into their pricing model the fact that customers may need alterations during the life of the wig. Good customer service can be worth the premium.

Would you order from them again in the future?

I'm not sure if i would order from them again. I think i would do MUCH more research on blondes and where to get quality blonde hair. I really want shiny sleek hair, and it still has never looked that way to me. I also wish they didnt have to sew in the black fabric and cut out some part of the ear pieces. I would definitely go try on sheitels made by other companies, now that I know how it should feel. When i first got married all sheitels felt terrible too me, so i guess when I tried on my shevy it just felt like all the rest. Now i think i would know much better how to compare and contrast.

I hope we all learn from our wig purchases and from this blog! I am glad that overall the wig seems to be working for you. It is absolutely stunning and looks very natural.

Rating:
Weight: A+
Comfort: A+ at the beginning of the day, C at the end of the day
Hair Quality: B+
Skin Top: A+
Durability: A+
Appearance: A
Cap Construction: A+

Finding the Perfect Stroller.... a Journey

2010-06-30T10:31:00.000-07:00

Okay, I know this blog is supposed to be dedicated to sheitels/wigs BUT I spent so much time researching and testing strollers that I feel inclined to write a thorough review of the stroller I decided to buy.

Things I wanted:

A stroller for MOST uses (I'll probably get a $30 umbrella at some point for travel)
Tall enough for me 5 foot 8 inches and my husband, just under 6 foot
Ability to work from infancy to childhood
As light as possible
Ability to fit in my car
All terrain wheels to make long walks more pleasant and for occasional dirt trails and grass
Possible ability to convert into a double

My stroller quest started while I was pregnant. My husband and I went to Babies R Us to try out strollers. Babies R Us mostly stocks Graco and Chicco travel systems. We pretty much hated ALL of them. I hated that they were plastic, bulky and heavy. They had the City Mini, which I was VERY impressed with (mainly the lightness, the fold and the maneuverability). But our favorite stroller from that day was the Combi Cosmo, which is actually an umbrella stroller. It can become a travel system with a Combi car seat and it is also one of the only umbrella stories with a recline-able seat which can be used for an infant. However, I quickly learned that an umbrella would not be suitable for heavy use or walking long distances so I realized it would not work as my "main" stroller.

With the due date approaching my husband and I decided to order the Graco "snap and go" snugrider so we would at least have something. We were buying a Graco car seat anyway so it made sense. It only took me about a month of using the Snugrider to really dislike it. The stroller functioned fine in stores such as Target which has a very smooth floor, but was not satisfactory for long walks on the sidewalk. Bumps seemed to disrupt it. However, I will say that its MAJOR benefit is that it folds REALLY compactly, it is pretty light and it is really easy to fold. So it is great if you need to get in and out of the car A LOT and do not want to remove your infant from their car seat. The Snugrider was also very convenient for grocery shopping because it has a rather large basket which I used instead of a shopping cart. But, having only the Snugrider was keeping me inside because I was dreading taking a walk around the neighborhood with it. One of the main problems was that I was too tall for it. The baby was below the level of my hips, rather than being at my waist....

Then the stroller search began ONLINE. I started watching a lot of video reviews. I found Baby Gizmo's video reviews the most helpful. I watched everything from Peg Perego to Bugaboo, UppaBaby, Baby Jogger, BOB, Phil and Teds and Chicco.

I got tempted by the Baby Jogger City Select and the UppaBaby Vista because they had the option to become double strollers. Even though I only have one baby, I hope to have more children and I thought it might be a good idea to buy one that becomes a double, if needed. However, once I actually saw it in doubles mode at the store I realized how frustrating it would be to have a 28 lb stroller (in single mode) and 34 lbs in double mode when not yet needed. Also, while the telescoping handle was great for tall people, it also made the front of the stroller seem really far away and not so easy to navigate through store aisles. However, if I had twins or already had two babies I would definitely consider these strollers as one of the best tandem double options.

I tried the Phil and Teds stroller, but when the second seat is added you basically have to lean forward to push it. Very uncomfortable. Then I moved over to the Baby Jogger section. I tried the City Mini and the Summit XC Jogger. The Summit XC Jogger has a weight capacity of 75 pounds... BIG DEAL, I don't think I would let my kid ride in a stroller if he/she was 75 pounds. The salesperson tried to use that to sell me the Summit XC. It had the easy one handed fold but the stroller itself was heavy from the large wheels.

Then there's the City Mini, the VERY popular lightweight stroller that has a sleek three-wheel design. It weighs only 16.8 lbs and folds with one hand. Overall, I think it is a fantastic stroller. It makes great turns and can maneuver through small aisles in a store. The seat reclines and thus is suitable for an infant. It has a great canopy too. There is also a car seat adapter as well as other accessories available. The best thing about the City Mini is the $229 price tag, but in the end there were a few factors that made me desire a different stroller. First, the wheels are not all-terrain. Second, the synthetic fabric, albeit light, is very thin and seems the type that could tear if accidentally snagged on something. However, I wanted to only need ONE stroller, aside from a cheap umbrella eventually. And I really wanted something that would feel amazing to push on long walks and be able to handle uneven sidewalks with ease. The other disadvantage of the City Mini is that all the accessories are sold separately. When you start adding them up: Rain cover, car seat adapter, bumper bar, cup holder, snack trayBumbleride.

Choosing the Bumbleride Indie:

I was initially attracted to the beautiful canvas that came in gorgeous bright colors. The canopy is HUGE. When set in a toddler position the canvas goes all the way down to the bar. The wheels are 12 inch air filled tires, coming off with the pull of a lever for a more compact fold. The handle gets high enough for both my husband and I to push with ease and not fear kicking the stroller. The brake is fabulous and breaks both back wheels at the same time. 5-point harness with pads. The stroller comes with an infant head rest. It pushes like a dream and the front wheel can either swivel 360 degrees or be locked into an inline position for light jogging. When reclined all the way for infant position, the footrest goes all the way up to create almost a little bassinet, complete with fabric that snaps to the main part of the seat. The stroller also has a nice zippered pocket behind the canopy for my cell phone and keys or other accessories.

The stroller is expensive. It retails for $469. However it COMES with a number of accessories:
1. Car seat adapter which also has a cover to become a nice padded bumper bar
2. Rain Cover
3. Cup holder
4. Infant Head Rest
4. Jogging strap
5. Air pump for the tires

I am so happy with my stroller. I feel really happy when I push it and I love that I can either use it as a travel system with my car seat if my infant is sleeping, or just place my baby directly into the stroller. I find the folding really easy and the stroller only weighs 20 lbs which is light for an all-terrain full size stroller. The canvas is removable and washable for easy Pesach cleaning!!! When one factors in all the accessories that are included I think the stroller is a good value. Bumbleride offers a 1-year warranty and I hear they have amazing customer service. I will let you know how it is holding up after a few months of use.

My Intentions for AskChavi

2010-06-28T07:47:00.000-07:00

Dear Readers,

In the past two weeks that I have been writing AskChavi, I have received overwhelming positive feedback. So many women are really clueless about their wigs, something that they wear everyday! We are hungry for information and I am striving to provide it to you. I really aim to do my best, and conduct thorough research before I answer each question.

There are a lot of women searching online for wig reviews of different brands, and aside from some forums catering to Jewish women, allopecia patients and women with cancer, there is little information online on the topic. In the next few weeks I plan on writing a review of a custom Shevy, a review of an Allegria (a little known but apparently high quality manufacturer of wigs from Canada) as well as any other brand I can get my hands on.

I also want to talk about the different types of cap construction on the market today. There is a lot of advertisement for the Milano Freedom Cap, which is apparently clip and combless. I wonder how exactly this stays on without being super tight. Also, why do so many of us have to be unhappy with our wigs?? We are spending THOUSANDS of dollars on them and we are still often dissatisfied.

I want to write about everything from multi-directional skin tops, to sheitels with no part, to band falls, to hat falls to kippa falls (or topper wigs) as they are called. There are a lot of different customs and interpretations of halacha (Jewish Law) when it comes to how women decide to cover their hair. I also hope to bring together k'lal yisroel (The Jewish People) by helping us women understand each other and the way we cover our hair and not to be judgmental about it. It is an extremely difficult mitzvah for some of us, and easy for others.

Please keep sending your feedback and questions to askchavi@gmail.com - I love being challenged by your questions!

Shavua Tov,
Chavi

Sheitel is darker on top!

2010-06-27T02:34:00.000-07:00

Dear Chavi,

I just bought a Sheitel and I noticed the hair on the bottom was lighter than on top. The difference was slight but when I bent the hair over to compare the bottom and top it definitely was noticeable.
I spoke to my Sheitel Mochur (The one who sold me the Sheitel) and she told me that natural undyed unbleached hair is often like that. Is this true? Or was the Shaitel bleached and they are just trying to finish the sale.
It was a color 6 and the bottom is lighter that a 6.
-BS

Dear BS,
The sheitel macher was not lying when she told you that natural undyed hair is often two toned. Since the hair at the ends is the oldest, it was exposed to the sun for the longest, hence it had more time to lighten. The new growth near the roots of the hair appears darker since it has not had as much exposure to the sun. The fact that the hair color is slightly different makes me believe that the hair on the wig is NOT dyed.

I have had a lot of experience with hair dye and when hair is dyed a solid color all the hair becomes one color. If the wig had been dyed after being sewn together it would probably be exactly the same color on the bottom and top! That being said, there is no guarantee that the person who sold their hair to a wig maker never used lightening products or dyes on their hair. Some people put in lemon juice to enhance the sun's lightening for example. If the hair feels healthy and smooth then I wouldn't be worried about the fact that the ends are lighter than the roots. However, if this really bothers you and you want a more solid color look then maybe you could actually buy a wig made of dyed hair for less money.

The two-toned look seems to be most noticeable on blonds, but can also affect brunettes by often turning the ends reddish.

Enjoy your new wig!

Chavi

Left picture is example of hair that was dyed and grew out whereas the right picture shows two-toned hair as a result of the sun's natural lightening.

Removing Hairspray

2010-06-23T21:52:00.000-07:00

Dear Chavi,
I had my sheitel done for a wedding. What is the best way to get the hairspray out?
-R

Dear R,

This might sound rather simple but... Shampoo it! Hairspray is intended to be washed out after use. If you are washing at home and a residue is still present, I would recommend washing it again, making sure all the hair is getting wet and that you are gently rubbing the shampoo through it. Afterward you can condition and dry. Unfortunately, the only way to get it out is washing. I would recommend having it professionally washed and set if you are having trouble getting it out at home.

Best of luck,

Chavi

Dyeing Sheitel at Home?

2010-06-23T21:17:00.000-07:00

Dear Chavi-

I am thinking of dyeing my sheitel a darker color. I am also thinking of doing it myself.

What are the pros and cons of such an adventure?

Thanks!
KD

Dear KD,

Sheitels, like the hair on our heads, oxidizes and fades over time from exposure to the sun. Because of this effect, many wig wearers are inclined to dye their sheitels at one point or another when the color changes to a different color. If your sheitel is made of human hair, it can be dyed. There are two routes: Professional and At-home.

The professional job will be more expensive, probably $50-100 depending on where it is done. However, a colorist expert has ample experience and knows how to get the desired shade.

If you are attempting at home, I would advise buying two boxes of hair dye which cost about $8-9 each. Secondly, make sure to read the box. You want a permanent color and you want to make sure the dye is made for the color range. Also keep in mind cool versus warm tones of each shade and purchase accordingly. Instructions for dyeing a wig can be identical to dyeing your own hair except the wig will be pinned to a head. It is advisable to do a strand test to make sure you get the desired color result. It will be important that the dye covers every strand of hair. This can be done with a comb. It is best not to get the dye on the cap because it could leave a stain.

If you are desiring a dye job because your wig has faded it is likely that the wig will fade again, because of this, the cost of professional dye jobs could really add up in the long run if they are required every 6-12 months.

Lastly, while I would be comfortable with dyeing a piece darker I would NEVER advise someone to dye a wig lighter or put in highlights at home. The chemistry for lightening is more complicated and requires more knowledge. Going darker with a professional creme based dye is pretty self-explanatory. Also, if the hair has already been dyed it would make coloring at home more difficult (namely lightening) because of the way the colors interact.

There is always the possibility of not getting the desired result, which could end up needed a professional to correct it anyway. However, I have friends who had little coloring experience who followed the instructions and successfully dyed their wigs darker at home. Good luck!

How to Curl a Sheitel with a Curling Iron

2010-06-22T06:44:00.000-07:00

Dear Chavi,
How do I set my sheitel to be curly?
-B

Dear B,
Watch THIS video.

Something to keep in mind. Some sheitels will not hold a curl. Also, you CAN burn the hair if you hold the curling iron for too long, so curl at your own risk!

Special thanks to "Ruchie" for appearing in my video!

This was part three of my series on how to wash and style a wig. Check out the other parts under the "how to" label.

Blowdrying a Sheitel Straight

2010-06-21T20:31:00.000-07:00

Dear Chavi,
How can I blowdry my sheitel straight at home?

Wash and set your sheitel at your own risk. Keep in mind that this sheitel macher has years of experience...

This was part two of my series on how to wash and style a wig. Check out the other parts under the "how to" label.

How to Wash and Set your Wig

2010-06-21T16:36:00.000-07:00

Dear Chavi,
I live in a place where there is no professional wig stylist. I was wondering if you could show me how to wash my wig at home?
Thanks,
R

Dear R,
Please see the video below which shows how to wash your sheitel in your very own sink.
Enjoy,
Chavi

This was part one of my series on how to wash and style a wig. Check out the other parts under the "how to" label.

Where To Buy Wig Heads

2010-06-21T14:20:00.000-07:00

Where can I get cheap sheitel heads?

Thanks,

Dear KD,

The first thing to know when trying to look for cheap wig heads is to NOT buy them from a sheitel macher. Styrofoam heads are... well, styrofoam, and should be priced accordingly. I bought the majority of mine in LA from a wig store specializing in hollywood type wigs: synthetics, lace front etc. The wig heads were only $5 each and she gave me free T-pins. I have seen sheitel machers selling some for $25 each! Here is a list of some places to buy online. You can also try your local wig store that sells costume wigs or African American wigs.

I bought my canvas block and styling clamp head from TWC wigs. The price was very affordable. The only downside is that they kept sending me TWC wig catalogs featuring some very unflattering $30 synthetic wigs =)

TWC - Canvas Head and Clamp

Sally's Beauty supply sells
Styrofoam Head With Face for $3.99

As for long necks, I found them here for $12

How to Clip Your Hair So It's Flat Under a Sheitel

2010-06-18T12:39:00.003-07:00

All About Hair Types

2010-06-17T10:50:00.000-07:00

As you may already know, many wig companies make a large variety of wig types ranging in quality and price. The one factor that seems to set the price of the wig above all other features is the hair type. You have probably heard the following terms:

European Hair, Virgin European hair, Human Hair, Kosher Human hair, synthetic, synthetic/human hair blends, South American hair

European Human Hair - Hair that originated from people of European origin (Caucasian). European Human Hair is the most rare and expensive to maintain. However, just because a company claims the wigs are European Human Hair does not mean that the hair is not dyed or processed. It is important to ask this question when purchasing a sheitel. Dyed wigs will oxidize faster, Also if the hair is processed to be straight or wavy it could feel brittle or damaged. Also, its possible that the hair was processed on the head of the original person before it was cut and sold to be a wig.

Virgin European Hair - same as above except hair is completely unprocessed. That doesn't mean the wig will look better. In fact, some sheitel manufacturers purposely process the hair to give it the smooth sleek look that so many consumers desire. (Think how your own hair looks without being blow-dried and without styling products)

Human Hair - If a wig is being sold with the title of "human hair" the hair is definitely Human, but the origin is most likely Asian. Indian hair was more like European Hair, but ever since the Indian Hair fiasco no Jewish wig companies will sell it (albeit some rabbis actually hold that Indian hair sheitels aren't a problem, consult your LOR)

Kosher Human Hair - Probably mostly or 100% Asian Hair. The structure is thicker and coarser than European Hair, and much more affordable. Human Hair is heavily processed in order to get all the shades of light brown, blond, red, auburn etc. Curly Human Hair wigs are probably permed. Kosher Human Hair is Kosher certified.

Synthetic Fibers - Wigs made out of synthetic fibers are the most affordable. They come pre-cut which saves a lot of money. Also they can be washed at home easily by just soaking in soapy water, rinsing and air drying. Synthetics regain their shape by simply shaking and brushing them out. Synthetic hair cannot be styled with heated hair tools (the hair will melt). They typically have a much shorter life than a human hair wig, but they definitely require less maintenance. Synthetic hair often has a glossy reflective quality to it that makes the wig look fake or.. like a wig.

South American Hair - South American Hair is similar to European Hair, since many of the people there originated from Europe. It is cheaper to obtain than European hair and a lot of companies are starting to offer South American wigs at a cheaper price but almost identical in quality to European hair wigs. SA hair may be processed to be smoother because its texture may be coarser than European Hair.

Eurohair/Y2K/European Texture Hair - A quality of wig hair between European and Human hair made with processed Human Hair and European hair blends. These wigs are much cheaper than European Hair Wigs, and depending on ones needs and hair color may be satisfactory.

Caveat for blonds: As a blond I have had an extremely tough time being happy with a sheitel. Finding a wig made of non-processed blond hair is extremely difficult and expensive. Additionally, a person with dark brown hair might be perfectly satisfied with a sheitel made of Asian hair because the hair wasn't dyed, however a sheitel of the same price in blond is surely heavily processed to become blond and will most likely get damaged quicker..

Sheitel Review: Jap Wigs 20" Band Fall

2010-06-16T22:06:00.000-07:00

I heard about Jap Wigs from Imamother.com. Apparently, it was a new wig company that popped up in Brooklyn offering very affordable "European hair" wigs. After reading a variety of views on Imamother I decided to order one. JAP is more of a warehouse than a traditional Wig Shop, so it has very limited hours and limited customer service. I was, however, able to buy one over the phone for an affordable shipping price. No returns, just exchanges. I decided to take my chance for $440, one of the cheapest prices for 20 inches of hair I've ever seen.

The fall arrived promptly. I ordered a large 16/10. The Cap was large enough to actually cover my hair line on the front of my hair. I wear it an inch back which just meant there was actually EXTRA space in the cap area of the wig. The cap may look similar to the Freeda stretch cap, but it is much CHEAPER quality and really not that stretchy at all. However the best thing about this cap is the weight. It is seriously the lightest sheitel I have EVER worn. Now, most LONG sheitels are heavier and it is a common complaint. One of the reasons that the Jap fall is so light is because the hair is sewn very thin compared to other falls/sheitels. However, I think the thinness of the wig makes it look more realistic.

The hair is MATCH STICK straight. This is a desirable look for someone like myself who used to spend hours straightening my wavy hair with a straight iron when I was single. The hair is probably chemically treated, either dyed, straightened or both. It still feels pretty smooth, but it feels like processed hair. As a dark blonde who used to highlight my hair I am used to that processed feeling and actually find it comforting in a sheitel, especially for a long one under $500.

The JAP 16/10 color is more ashy than the Freeda and Milano 16/10 and has much more streaky highlights. If I remember correctly the JAP Wigs lady asked me what kind of highlights I preferred and I said a lot of highlights. I was VERY happy with my choice. The JAP fall even has a skin top... well a VERY small skin top. It is about 1.5 x 3 inches in the front center of the wig. The crown lies extremely FLAT which is great to make it look natural with a headband. Some falls have too much volume on the top and it doesn't look natural with a headband...

To summarize. If one is looking for an affordable STICK STRAIGHT, processed feeling fall that is extremely comfortable and light and a thinner look then the JAP fall is for you.

RATING:
Weight/comfort: A
Hair Quality: C+
Skin top: D (falls do not need skin tops in my opinion)
Durability: C- (This fall WILL die with heavy use)
Appearance: B+
Cap Construction: C (machine stretch caps are not as flexible as hand tied)

Overall: C+ (but if you consider the $440 price relative to other falls I would say B)

Sheitel Review: Freeda Riva Long 16-18 inch

2010-06-16T21:13:00.000-07:00

Here is the stock picture of the Riva Long from the Freeda website. It is described as a "16-18" wig with long layers and a multi-directional crown."

Picture to the right © 2007-Freeda Wigs.

I purchased my Freeda from SavvySheitels.com in August 2008. This is a 16/10. I paid $1600 for it. I got it cut by Mati at the Fuzzy Navel Salon in Los Angeles.

The Freeda was a breath of fresh air after the Milano. The most noticeable difference is the HAIR QUALITY. The Freeda hair is extremely soft and silky. I would describe the texture as straight with a slight wave. This hair does hold a curl well. I would often have it set by my sheitel macher with a curling iron and it would hold the curls extremely well. Once I had it set for Rosh Hashana and the soft waves were still there when I got it re-set for Peasch! (I only wore it on Shabbos that year). As a dark ash blonde I have still not found a company that manufactures an out of the box color that matches my natural hair. The Freeda 10 color is a little redder than I would like, but I have gotten many compliments on the color from random strangers.

Multi-Directional Skin Top

The Freeda has a much larger skin top area than my Milano sheitel. I have styled the part on the left, right and center and they all worked great. The part is shown here meeting up with the part in the side bangs. You can also see the thin streaked highlight pattern in this photo.

The cap is a wefted stretch cap. The wefts are sewn on in rows. The advantage of this cap over open wefts is that the wefts cannot become twisted AND there is no chance of your hair showing through. Freeda does a great job of creating a comfortable cap that has enogh give without feeling like it is going to come off. There are a lot of tiny holes throughout the cap and therefore good air circulation. There are bra-strap like clips that can be attached to the bottom of the sheitel for a tighter fit. I wear a size Large and it makes a HUGE difference in comfort for anyone with an above-average sized head.

Here is a picture of the back of the wig. Hair is smooth and not frizzy, even when air dried. My only complaint may have to do more with the cut in that the bottom layer causes the bottom of the wig to flip out, even with curled under. It may also be the height of my wig head. The wig is not as light as my Milano sheitel, but is by no means heavy or uncomfortable. I had no problems wearing it all day to work. In terms of its durability, I wore it everyday to work for a year and on Shabbos and it held up really well. Like most skin top wigs, the skin top is the first to shed, but it does not need to have any hair added yet.

Wig is made in Ukraine

RATING:
Weight/comfort: A-
Hair Quality: A- (sometimes the ends get wispy and small knots can form under the neck)
Skin top: A- (has stayed thick and can part in many directions easily)
Durability: A (has stayed in great condition)
Appearance: B+
Cap Construction: B+ (machine stretch caps are not as flexible as hand tied)

Overall: A-

My First Sheitel: Milano 20 inch Review

2010-06-16T13:52:00.001-07:00

When I was but a kallah maidel... I had to shop for my first sheitel. Although it is the "done" thing in Brooklyn for the chatan's family to buy the sheitel for the kallah not every bride is so fortunate. After all:

1. Some women don't cover their hair
2. Some women don't wear sheitels
3. Some families cannot afford to buy a sheitel after paying for a wedding
4. Some MILs and DILs do not get along!

For any of the reasons above and more you might have been a kallah without in-laws or parents buying you two $3000-4000 sheitels for your wedding. Not all of us have that kind of money when we are first getting married either. I certainly did not have that kind of money and I didn't know what I was doing! I had to buy my own sheitel. So what did I do???

Top of Milano SheitelWell, I decided to go with a Milano. LL14 was the model in a 16/10 color. It means 20 inches in Milano language. It was $1100. One of the reasons I got it was because Milano has a payment plan option... $1100 was affordable, whereas it would have been hard for me to come up with $3000 CASH for a Shevy.

I wanted:

- A sheitel that looked like my hair
- Long length
- "European hair"
- Comfortable
- Skin top

I made a few mistakes... I bought 16/10 knowing it was too dark because I thought it would fade... BIG MISTAKE. Also the tone was much redder than my natural hair, which always bothered me. Also at one of my sheva brochot I noticed that the bottom of the sheitel was really knotty behind the neck. I called the sheitel macher and she was like "oh you need to brush it"... (I later found out that Milano has a 6 month warranty on their defective pieces which mine clearly was)

IT WAS MORE THAN JUST NEEDING TO BE BRUSHED!! The hair texture was wavy, and different waves!! Meaning, the hair strands were tangling with one another instead of all lying in the same direction. Secondly, I wanted to wear the sheitel straight, but it always seemed to get frizzy instead of that sleek straight look.

HINT: When the sheitel is wet is the hair straight or curly?? This is how you can tell what kind of hair it is. When wet, my sheitel became instantly knotty!! So much hair fell out when trying to untangle it... it was frightening. The sheitel started out REALLY thick, the perk of that is that its been cut two times and still does not appear too thin.

So how much did I wear it?? Every workday and Shabbos for an entire year, before it started "dying". One shabbos a friend pointed out that she could see my hair clip through the sheitel!!!

Let's see how it held up after a year of heavy use and another year of very occasional use (rainy day shabbos sheitel). I do not think that Milano sheitels are all sub par, I just think they are hit/miss and for lighter brown and blond customers there is a higher chance that the wigs contain dyed hair, meaning it could be more processed feeling.

-Skin Top. Side bangs help it from looking like a sheitel. Note frizzy hair...

-SMALL multi directional skin top area compared to other sheitel brands

-Open weft construction.
Pros: allows air to circulate, can stretch out, VERY light and comfortable

Cons: can stretch out too much to the point where it is too big or a hairclip shows through!

Edge of skin top looks like a BALD spot, i.e. this sheitel cannot handle an extreme side part!

RATING:
Weight/comfort: A-
Hair Quality: C (I am convinced it is dyed human hair not virgin EHH)
Skin top: C+
Durability: B-
Appearance: B
Cap Construction: B- (it stretched out A LOT)

Overall: B-

Welcome to Ask Chavi

2010-06-16T13:39:00.000-07:00

Purchasing a sheitel is a complicated and often time consuming process. It involves trips to a sheitel macher or wig shop or perhaps hours of searching for wigs online. Nearly every orthodox woman I know has been dissatisfied with at least one of her sheitels over her lifetime. It is extremely common for a kallah to hate her first sheitel for reasons which I will elaborate on. My goal is to research and educate frum married women and kallahs about sheitel options and how to go about purchasing one. With wigs ranging in price from $30 to $5000 there is A LOT of variety available.

Many of us wear our sheitels every single day, whether for hashkafic reasons, family minhag, personal preference or out of necessity in order to work in a professional environment. Some of us only wear sheitels on shabbos and special occasions and some of us do not own a wig but have considered buying one for years. I will be conducting video reviews of various wig types and wig brands and the pros/cons of each.

It seems every week there is a new wig or sheitel brand popping up. How many of these shops offer good quality wigs? Do they have customer service? Do they stand by their products? Do they offer warranties? Feel free to submit your questions to me via email at askchavi@gmail.com and I will do my best to answer them.