Once upon a time (like circa early 2000s), there was little more that I wanted than hair like this.
This style is ever-so-slightly different than what I had envisioned, but the length is *exactly* what I was looking for.
Unfortunately, with super-fine bio hair that has no natural shape, achieving a style like this was really a pipe dream.
I tried, many times, to get hair like this, back in the day.
You’d think if your bio hair was pretty crappy, that having a shorter style would be easier to work with.
I’ve always found the opposite to be true, so I’ve had longer locks for the past 15+ years.
I don’t do much with my hair. Especially my bio hair.
In fact, right now, I’m donning a new Softie style in the pattern “Shifts” from Jon Renau to cover up my scalp, while I type. This is about as stylish as I get, often throwing one of these on when lounging around the house at night or opting to wear my topper up for day-to-day.
Guess who braided my hair in this pic? The hubs. 🙂
When I saw that the new Alison wig style from Jon Renau was available in my standard 10H16 color, I thought she’d be a fun one to try. A bit outside the box for me.
In fact, here she is:
Note: All pics in this post feature Alison right out of the box – no tweaking or customizations at all.
Jon Renau Alison’s Features
Alison is part of the SmartLace collection, so she’s a lace-front style that allows for extra lift at the hairline…plus, you can wear your hair off your face. Here’s what the hairline looks like from an arm’s length away (as if you were a normal distance from another person. If anyone gets closer to you than this, tell them to back the heck up. Personal space, you know).
And here it is up close:
The cap is a monofilament cap, which means you can see through the meshy material on the cap of the wig down to your own scalp. You can always part your hair whichever way you’d like (even though I part my hair on the right, this one came parted on the left).
She’s waaaay shorter than what I usually wear. This wig caps out at just under 11”.
Here’s the thing about me and shorter hair.
First, I tend to only like shorter hair *on me* when I wear clothing necklines that are more closed in. I was wearing a V-neck tee shirt but threw on a fall/winter vest to help close me all in. For some reason, I think that looks better.
I know I’m nuts.
Secondly, let’s just be honest. I’ve gained about 25 pounds since I started this blog (oddly, I was WAY thinner after having both kids which is ironic, but alas, here we are) and you can definitely tell in my face. Shorter styles seem to accentuate this, and draw more attention to my now-larger face.
Obviously, I’m not a fan of this.
You can’t tell as much when my hair isn’t tucked behind my ear (scroll down a bit to see that pic).
But when my face is front-and-center…I feel like it is INDEED, Front. And. Center.
Just being real, y’all. I know I am my own worst critic.
Alright, moving on.
The Alison bob wig does have a lovely shape to it. Check out this piece from both sides:
Such a pretty, (slightly) angled shape, without looking hugely stacked (which is terribly out-of-date).
That sort of shape was exactly what I was looking for when I wore my bio hair shorter…but I was never able to make it work. Limp, lifeless hair just doesn’t seem to work with much, does it?
How cute is this style??
Someday, when I get my Dairy Queen Blizzard obsession under control, I’m totally interested in wearing some shorter styles. Until then, this one will be fun on the weekends during turtleneck season. 😊
Is anyone out there like me, who shies away from shorter styles for fear they draw attention to chipmunk cheeks?
One more shot of Alison:
P.S. If you haven’t yet tried Dairy Queen’s Snickers Peanut Butter Pie Blizzard, you aren’t living.
Lauren have you heard of people trying herbs like Vitex to regulate hormones and help with hair loss ? Experiencing a lot of shedding on my already fine fine hair after having my son and I’m curious if this will help at all … pretty bummed.
So sorry to hear, Shannon! I haven’t heard of Vitex….or really of much working to stop shedding or regrow, sadly! Some people have had success with Spironolactone to stop shedding. For others, it made it worse. 🙁
I love this. I have very very thin hair and have been watching wig videos for some time now preparing myself to purchase one. I just dont think my fine hair is thick enough in back to make a topper look realistic. I am really leaning toward buying the alison as my first wig as it is so low density I feel like it would be closest to my real hair volume and length. Would you recommend? I would get a medium brown color. It doesnt have many reviews online and theres no stores near me that carry her.
I really like her! I wasn’t expected to, but I do! If you can take advantage of this weekend/Cyber Monday deals, I’d do it.
Lauren – absolutely darling! But then you look good in anything!! The color was gorgeous. I’ve been giving some consideration to a shoulder length wig for wintertime as well. It just seems to make a little more sense when wearing higher necklines and scarves. And I, as you, have the “perfect” JR color that matches my bio hair. Therefore, even if I’m seen in something shorter, the color will be the same. I tried an Ellen Wille once because I had heard her density is so realistic, but the color was way off and I had to send her back. Your pics were so very, very pretty ——- as always!
PS – your husband did a great job with those braids!
My dear Lyn, me thinks you are the only one who caught that “husband” comment!
I think you look beautiful in both lengths!! I love the cut of this wig!! I’m wondering if
I could cut my JR topper in this style…It’s so pretty!! Thanks for what you do to help all
of us “hair challenged” ladies!!
Give it a whirl!!
Lauren,
Just gorgeous color, length and color on you! Definitely pops those beautiful eyes of yours! Looks so natural and the hairline is REAL awesome. Thanks for sharing your hair life story with us all.
JB
You’re too kind, JB. Thanks!
Let’s talk about eye brows! I need a tutorial. Am I missing it somewhere? Yours look amazing!
Ha, no – but I use Anastasia Beverly Hills DipBrow to fill them in. I’d like to get them microbladed, actually! I lost the top part of tails when my alopecia intensified.
That shorter do looks fantastic on you! I think you look great with the longer looks you ordinarily wear, but I think the shorter length looks better. It makes you look younger. It’s fresh.
Thanks!
Love the style of Alison on you and the colour is perfect. My bio hair used to look like this so tempted to order an Alison too!
She’s such a great style! Classic yet fun.
For whatever it’s worth, I prefer this shorter style on you, Lauren. You look great with long hair too but this seems more sophisticated and fun and I think it accentuates your beautiful face! And by the way, my face has TOTALLY filled out and is now sagging, along with my neck, thanks to being 50. Fun.
I’m not too far off from 40. 🙂 Thanks, Rachael – I hope you are well.
The short wig is very becoming on you. It makes you look younger. The long wig looks like a wig, sorry. The short wig looks like the “real thing”. Very nice.
Glad you like it, L!
I think you look great! It is very professional, sophisticated and stylish. I am on the chunky side (more chips, salsa and margaritas then Dairy Queen but the results are still the same). I feel like I look better with sleek styles. People are more focused on the overall look instead of the rolls on my stomach.
Oh, I can put away some chips and salsa, too! 🙂 And then top it off with DQ.
Lauren, I can relate to so many things in this blog! I too tend to steer away from shorter styles because my face becomes immediately round whenever I gain an ounce! Annnnnoooyyying. Nothing goes to my thighs…always to my cheeks! 😉
I also have difficulty with a flatter back of head. I wore my first toppers after seeing your blog for the first time (thank you, Lauren and Noriko Milan!), but my transition to wigs was much shorter in duration. I just didn’t have enough hair in my length to pull toppers off well (after about 3 years of wearing them). I saw a pic of myself, taken from behind at a party and was horrified to see that my bio hair was NOT holding up it’s part of the bargain! It was then that I began the process into wigs, which I’ve been wearing now for almost 3 years. Almost exclusively Jon Renau, as I love their lace fronts and amazing mono-tops…and 12FS8.
I too put clips in the nape of my wigs. I also use Got2BGlued Super Gel along the sides in the front (away from my beautiful Jon Renau lace front), to help keep it from moving. If find the gel is far superior to skin glue for hold, and easier to remove. I have sensitive skin and get irritated if a wig moves at all.
I also felt very obvious in a wig at first, and know what you mean by “feeling the wig”. It doesn’t take long before it becomes a part you. One of the many video reviewers out there says: ‘In the box it’s a wig, on your head, it’s your hair.’ I find that to be so true. When your time comes, you’ll be a natural in wigs, and take us all along on your adventure 🙂
Now…having said ALL that, I have to tell you that I LOVE this wig on you! It makes your eyes really pop! And truly enhances your gorgeous cheekbones! It does give you a sassy, professional, confident aura that suits you to a T. 🙂
Thank you for all you do for the hairloss community. Finding your blog really saved me when I had no idea what to do. <3
The bob looks very cute on you but I too have very short hair and would love to see a pixie style. As an older woman I can’t wear longer hair. Thank you.
I wish I could pull off short, Deborah!
Dana, thank you so much for your kind words!! Which JR wig do you wear most often? I know they are a not-too-distance spec on my horizon, now…
I’ve worn quite a few JR wigs. For awhile, I wore Julianne and Elle together. Not TOGETHER, but alternately. When I wore Julianne, people thought I’d curled my hair, and when in Elle, they thought I’d straightened it. I love that versatility, because it was what I would do with my bio hair…when I still had enough to count as hair! They are great wigs. Julianne is BEAUTIFUL and lasts a really long time. Six months easily.
I’ve also tried some longer ones, as I really like a longer look around my face, but didn’t really find one that didn’t overwhelm my petite frame (only 5’2); until I decided to try Rachael. She. Is. Awesome. I owned a Heidi once and didn’t like it. I found it too wiggy, so I took Rachael out of the running, thinking she’d be the same. Not. Perfect length for me. Bit of a side-swept bang. My favourite so far. Only down sides are that she doesn’t have a straight-haired doppleganger for me to wear…and she really does last only 3 months as they tell you. Like you, I’ve gotten pretty good at making them last much longer, but it’s difficult with Rachael. You really kind of wake up in the 3rd month, put ‘er on, and she’s fuzzed up on you. I love her, but she’s an expensive wig to replace 3 or 4 times a year…especially since I live in Canada and pay brutal exchange on the dollar.
I’ve tried: Sara, Ciara, Zara, Julianne, Elle, Miranda, Mila, Scarlet and Karlie.
As you can guess, I LOVE JR! 🙂
You like to switch the styles like I do – same color, different style. 🙂 Heidi I also struggled with – I felt she was very puffy on top.
It suits you really well. You look great !
Ahhhh thanks!
I think you look beautiful, it looks so natural and easy on you. You are very lucky that you can wear both long and short styles.
It doesn’t always feel like I can, but I’m trying to try more lengths as I can’t wear long forever!
Hi Lauren…I’m the same way about the necklines when wearing shorter hair. I much prefer it up close to my neck….. a shawl collar or turtle neck especially.
Love Alison on you ! Bet it’s a comfy one too . You look good in either length.
Really, really comfortable, Berry!
This is what I want! 🙂
You’d look sooooo good in this! I bet you (of all people) appreciate the shape!
I believe it frames your face beautifully bringing out your sass you should definitely wear it more.
Who says I’m sassy? ha ha ha…. 🙂
Could you please show some pixie style wigs and how to rep and wear them for those with very short hair?
Tessa, I look terrible in super-short hair. My face can’t carry it off so they always look funny on me. I’m afraid I wouldn’t do them justice.
Love it!
Thanks, Melma!
Love this style on you!!!
Thanks, Debbie. She’s fun.
Love it! You look fantastic with this length. Do you ususally buy Jon Reneau or do you have others?
I prefer JR because I can get my usual color in many toppers and wig styles (so can mix and match), but I have worn Ellen Wille, Raquel Welch, Noriko and many others for the blog. For day to day (synthetic), I love my Jon Renau styles.
Lauren, you look amazing in the Alison wig! It does not draw attention to your face in any negative way. You should feel beautiful wearing it whenever. I would be interested in knowing how the wig contrasts with wearing your usual topper. Is it more or less comfortable? How do you keep it on? Headband underneath? Can you tuck it behind your ear or do other styles with it.
Rock on!
You could do alot with this one – she’d be cute with the front braided back, or worn tucked (like in pic) or loose (like in last pic). She’s comfy, for a wig. My “issue” with wigs (which I need to get over because I will be wearing them full-time someday) is that I can FEEL them. Whereas toppers, I don’t. They will just take some getting used to. For wearing, I prefer to pin my hair up, and put a mesh wig cap on. Then, attach two topper clips to the nape of my neck. Then apply the wig. The clips keeps the wig in place. This works for me, because my head is flatter in the back, plus I have a shorter forehead-to-nape measurement. I’ll have to do a post on this sometime.
Honey, you would look adorable in any length. I am a lady that prefers shoulder length wigs because I feel better in that length, but you can make any length work. Simply said, you are a knockout!!!!!
Agree that it’s all in what you are comfortable with. I’d be more comfortable with shorter if my face wasn’t so round. Sad, but true. 🙂
You are very cute and can wear short or long. You are a true inspiration to so many. And I love your SPUNK!
Thanks, Cheryl! I must admit, I do like this one a lot (and never thought I’d say that about shorter hair).
My goodness! That is a beautiful wig and it is so becoming on you, very realistic. You look beautiful in this style. In fact, I prefer this shorter style to the long ones you wore previously. You look beautiful!
I knew I would get some “ditch the long” comments. 🙂 Someday, someday. Thanks, Elaine!