Simple.
I’m pregnant (and hot, and bloated, and…) and knew that the post-partum shed was in my future, which would devastate my hair (even further!).
So, I decided to be proactive and research my topper options sooner rather than later. My plan is to go back to work after my maternity leave with fabulous new hair (and I’m hoping since I will have taken a few months off no one will notice!).
Synthetic or Human Hair Topper: Which is Best?
I’m not at the point where I can truly answer that (update: I did a post on this, check out my comparison on synthetic vs. human hair), but here is my thinking: I wanted something relatively inexpensive so that I could test out the whole thing. I needed to know if this hair topper solution would work for me.
What if I hated it?
What if I couldn’t find a decent color to match my hair?
These and tons of other questions were floating through my mind.
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It has memory, which means that even in humid/rainy/gross weather, you can have a good hair day! Even in the good ol’ days, my hair always flopped in any type of humidity, so that was a perk for me.
The major advantage to trying this Noriko Milan synthetic piece first is that synthetic is relatively inexpensive. The Noriko Milan piece I chose (color: Marble Brown) was super-affordable.
This would allow me the freedom to try the topper without making a huge commitment.
Enter the Noriko Milan, my Synthetic Topper
So, what do you think of the Milan topper (or at least, what do you think of it on me)?
It’s kind of just plopped on my head with no fiddling with it so it’s not the best picture.
(Reader “Bumblebee” agrees with this. Even though I made clear that it’s right out of the box. I always enjoy coming back to those comments below. Haha!)
Also, important question: Do you like my bra strap hanging out? #classfordays
The Noriko Milan was an obvious choice to me for a few reasons:
It’s inexpensive.
The Noriko Milan comes in a ton of awesome colors. REALISTIC colors. Colors with highlights and lowlights!
It just about matched my own hair length (14″ – it actually was a bit longer), so I wouldn’t have to worry about getting it cut.
It has a monofilament top, meaning, it has a realistic scalp and it can be parted in any direction…right, left, center, whatever!
This synthetic topper clips right onto the top of you head with five clips. Two at the temple area and three along the sides and back.
Many women say they sewed/glued in an extra clip at the very front to help keep the piece secure (Update: I actually took to using a heavy-duty hair gel to “glue” the piece to my head).
I found that this stays pretty secure without the extra clip, but the more clips at the top, the flatter it will lay on your head.
Note: I finally did a video review of Milan.
It’s about time, right? Check it out here (this lighting was amazing and I can never replicate it, grr…):
How Do You Wear The Noriko Milan (or Any Topper?)
This can take some practice. I know several ladies who wear this topper, and many of them will put it right at their natural hairline, covering all of their hair.
What I prefer to do is keep a tiny bit of my own frontal hair out and blend that back into the topper. You can see this in the video.
My own hair is a bit darker, but I think it blends well since the color on this topper is very realistic.
Maybe someday I will post a video (update: my “how I integrate my bio hair with my topper” video is now up!), but what I do to put it on is basically flip it onto my own hair, and then press it down while I secure the clips.
The Noriko Milan is a very wearable style that closely matches how I typically wear my hair (but, ya know, better)…and because it’s synthetic you don’t need any hair products to keep it in place.
I sometimes spritz a bit of hairspray right where I’ve integrated my own hair to help keep it where I want it, but it’s not necessary.
Some More Noriko Milan Pics
Check out these photos to get a good idea of what the color Marble Brown looks like in natural light. Remember, this is right out of the box. Here it is from the side:
And also from the back:
At the time this photo was taken (fresh out of the box, no alterations), the topper was about one to two inches longer than my own length; you can see my own shorter bits underneath.
Would love to hear your thoughts!
Here’s a sneak peek from that post:
Is Milan not gorgeous?!
P.S. Want to check out Noriko Milan, live and in-person? Corner of Hope & Mane private Community members can try-on hair toppers at home. Read more about this and see what pieces are available on the Try Hair page.
Hi Lauren,
I’ve always thought Milan looked great on you. Regardless what the negative commenter has said, I do think it looks natural & blends well
with your bio hair. Sometimes photography excentuates shinewhich would be the only thing I could say. And that’s only in the outdoor image right after tough bough it.
I’ve loved Noriko & Amore in the past. I lost my hair over two years ago due to autoimmune Alopecia. After getting scalp injections for 6 months, my hair grew back. Renton, it happened again. I bought a Brandi wig by Amore to make my own topper out of. I don’t know if it was a return, but it was dry. So dry and staticky that I didn’t wear it at all during my vacation, which was the reason I bought it in the first place. After wearing it for a week, I’ve already had to trim it. I should mention, I trimmed length off immediately because its always been just a little too long for me. Anyway, another reviewer has reviewed the new ROP styles and mentioned how dry they were. The fiber looked just like mine. So, just a heads up, they may have changed their normally silky, luscious fiber for a drier one ?
Jon Renau is the only other major brand I’ve tried and I’d say the Amore is not nearly as silky or soft. I’m going to try to find a good human hair topper since I wear hair daily now. But I know I’ll miss the freedom of synthetic. It’s so nice to not have to style. Then again, I do hate having to have others open the oven for me etc.
I’ll be curious to know if anyone else has had a similar experience or inside knowledge as to whether or not this is a pet ant change across their whole line.
That’s a bummer, Julie!
Thanks for sharing! I have androgenic alopecia and it’s just awful to deal with as a woman. I’ve been using the fibers for several years now and just do the best with what I have. The few people I’ve told have said to me no one else has any idea about me using concealers. They said they would never guess if I hadn’t told them. Still, I keep looking into toppers and other options. Thanks for posting the pics. I think you look great. Not sure what some of the posters’ negativity is all about, but you know…..the haters gonna hate, hate, hate, hate, hate……. Have a great day! 😉
Ha, thanks. In the “haters'” defense, these WERE taken right out of the box. I’ve linked to my update photos here – I’d have to think if they viewed those they might think otherwise about this piece!
You said it was inexpensive? Over $300 is not cheap!
This piece was $135 at Galleryofwigs.com. I believe the pricing is now at $140.
…As far as bumblebee is concerned, yes the topper is quite shiny and synthetic looking because it’s new, but that should wear after a few washes. You can always have it thinned out (which is what I do) if you think it looks too thick. It’s by far the cheapest option on a budget. In my experience, everyone has always said what lovely healthy hair I have. No one has been rude (but of course they wouldn’t say that to my face). I had my piece fitted at Bloomsbury’s London the first time and they shaped it really nicely.
I do want to try the natural toppers too, but this is a great start. 🙂
Hi Lauren,
You look gorgeous and the colour is super natural on you!
I also wear the Milan every day to cover androgenic alopecia (from PCOS) and I get compliments all the time. I have mine styled slightly at a wig salon so it blends perfectly with my own hair. I am on my second hair piece now and am about to buy a third. They are super good value and last a long time if you look after them. Plus they are light to wear in summer (I live in a hot climate). Full wigs are super uncomfortable.
I’m really pleased I found your blog. Please keep sharing. 😉
p.s. Where did you purchase your Milan? I bought my last one online but some places charge well over $200 AUD.
I get mine from galleryofwigs.com or namebrandwigs.com – they cost $140/$135 USD, respectively. I agree – they are a great value!
Do you still wear this? my hair is right above my shoulder do you think it would be okay to cut?
This would be my first topper so I’m feeling a little overwhelmed.
Yep, I do! Toppers can easily be cut – I know many women who do it themselves, or, most stylists can do it, too. Don’t feel overwhelmed – just take baby steps.
P.S. I’m wearing this piece in my profile pic, where it says “Meet Lauren”.
do these come with bangs? my hair is so thin in front i think it would look odd
Some come with bangs, yes, but typically they are side swept ones. Any topper can have bangs cut in, though!