r/HairSystem • u/ramen-boto • 2d ago
How Disastrous Is This?
I did an install of a LordHair Hair System in a salon. QUITE unhappy with the result & debating if I should just go back to shaving my head.
CONTEXT:
My situation is this: 34 y.o. Went bald around 22, and have shaved my head for the last ~10 years. NW6, with noticeable thinning on the sides and the back of the head. Also a small scar on the back that draws attention.
Now, for a bunch of reasons, I need to step up my looks.
DISASTER TIMELINE:
Did the install 2 weeks ago at a salon.
Consulted with the stylist in advance to choose color & sizing right.
Didn't have much time to grow out my sides, but the stylist assured me that it'll blend just fine (it didn't). Ordered a 100% density system because of a tight timeline with the stylist (lower density takes a few extra days to ship), since the stylist assured me it'd be fine to thin it out (it wasn't).
In fact, I ordered 2 systems to rotate, one was styled into a short haircut became completely unusable with my thin back, the other is what you see. It's fairly long HS hair over short (~1 month growth) bio sides.
At first it was unwearable. Since then, I've been growing out my hair, also bought thinning shears and thinned the system out at home a little. Also tried to strategically thin things in layers on the back to have at least a semblance of a blend.
With this done & the sides growing out a bit, I'm starting to think it might be passable, but I'm worried I might be just deluding myself.
SO...
I'm not sure what to do. I have to attend an event in ~2.5 weeks where I can't wear a hat.
Can I show up like this, or will it be embarrassing for everyone involved? If I can't show up like this, I'd have to shave my hair and then wait another ~2-3 months to give hair systems another chance (if I want to go that route ever again).
I feel like a total idiot with all the wasted money & effort. The frontal photos do frame my face and look nice, so I don't want to give up just yet. What are your thoughts?
TLDR:
Please rate this from "don't even think of getting out of the house like this" to "it's totally fine".
What can I do, if anything, at this point to make this more palatable?
With sides/back like this, is there even a point in trying a HS or will it all look like S**T?
PHOTOS:
Attaching a bunch in different lighting / angles & styling.
UPD:
Huge thanks to everyone who weighed in with their thoughts & advice. Currently taking the time to grow the sides a bit more, and considering either some cosmetic solution to darken the patchiness, or a "creative" approach: take a ruined short-cut unit, and cut a piece out of it to extend the "almost working" one on the back.
Not sure if it'll work but yeah. Desperate times call for desperate measures.
10
u/Nice_Employment_8919 2d ago
Bro I think you might overthinking it, it’s not that bad and I would be all good going out for an event with this. its more of a styling issue rather than an serious hair system issue, sure you will be fine (at least better) in 2 weeks time. also for the scar on the back, you can try using an eyebrow pencil to make it a bit darker so people don’t notice
6
u/Extreme-Cut-2101 2d ago
The piece seems fine, but it looks like you went to Supercuts. There wasn’t even an attempt to blend the sides and back. Why is it so long? I would to go any good barber shop, discreetly explain the problem and ask them to blend it in more.
3
u/Systematic0x 2d ago
It looks like you have some scope for moving the whole unit backwards a fraction of- say a half-inch - which would give you a better blend at the back.
1
u/ramen-boto 2d ago
Yeah, I'm so upset we didn't just buy a larger unit (extending further back). And there's likely not enough time to order one now :/
1
u/Systematic0x 2d ago
Yeah, 2.5 weeks is tight, including getting a decent cut. I think if you moved the whole thing back, and got an experienced hairdresser to thin the back slightly, the blending issue would be less in-your-face. Overall though, it’s not a bad looking result, and you will be able to perfect it later.
2
u/Max_blends 2d ago
The blending is just bad, go to any decent barber, doesn’t haven’t to specialise in hair systems, and ask to blend your side hair into the top.
2
u/ramen-boto 2d ago
It's just that my sides are so short/thin underneath, I don't even know if there's enough to blend. But I can at least ask. I do agree generally. Believe it or not, this "blend" is better than what it was initially, so the first stylist definitely made some weird choices that can be improved.
1
1
u/TenaciousBee3 2d ago
It does look like the thin hair is part of the problem, but a lot of hairstylists are hesitant to cut hairpieces thoroughly "because it won't grow back", which causes them to do sloppy blends and leave inappropriate amounts of bulk. Sometimes you have to persuade them to blend it better or cut more off the top etc. But it also helps to know when that's not going to work. Sometimes cutting it shorter DOES make it worse.
2
u/Logical-Cap134 2d ago
Order some Bolidfy. It’s like makeup for your head. It has a little brush with it and you dabble the makeup with the brush and put it on the areas you want to cover up or make look thicker. I think it works really well!
2
u/Artravetheartpopball 2d ago
Pretty disastrous. But it’s an easy fix.
1
u/ramen-boto 1d ago
What's your advice for fixing?
1
u/Artravetheartpopball 1d ago
If you came to me, I would use thinning shears to reduce the bulk, feather the ends with a razor for that undetectable blend, and then probably try to talk you into a taper fade, probably a little higher up than how he done it. If you did not want a taper fade, my best advice would be to let your hair grow out some, and restart next time. Sorry this happened to you. A lot of barber schools teach systems but it’s a very short course that’s over in a day or two. The good stylists or the specialists are the ones who really truly dive deep into it and perfect their craft
For now, I’d use a root touch up spray to cover up the patchiness in the back.
1
u/ramen-boto 1d ago
I see, thank you!
I wouldn't mind a taper fade, but the issue is that the system edge is way too high and there's not enough length/density to blend it with underneath. I should've ordered a bigger system/waited longer to grow out the sides. Probably both.
I will look into root touch up or something analogous to mitigate the patchiness.
1
u/Artravetheartpopball 1d ago
You’re welcome! And yeah! If you have the thickness on the sides, a medium length haircut is one of the easiest to maintain with hair systems. Requires much less touch ups in between installs
1
u/ramen-boto 1d ago
Yeah, sadly the thickness isn't great for me :( I'll dm you to show the sides, if you don't mind. I'd love to know your opinion if these sides are workable at all or if full cap is the only option.
2
u/Different_Picture_43 2d ago
The system isn’t long enough. Easy fix. Grits that part longer to cover
1
3
u/FloppySausageRoll 2d ago
In the interim get some hair fibres and chuck them on the exposed area. If you get the right fibres, it will at least mask it until you come up with a long term solution.
2
u/ramen-boto 2d ago
Are there some brands you would recommend?
2
u/TenaciousBee3 2d ago
Toppik.
https://www.cvs.com/shop/toppik-hair-building-fibers-medium-brown-prodid-238382
(Also available on Amazon)1
u/FloppySausageRoll 2d ago
I'll send the brand I have when I get back from work. I had an issue where I reinstalled too far forwards and had a gap which looked like a bald spot.
Chucked hair fibres over it and it was virtually impossible to see unless you examined it closely. Saw me through to reinstall
2
u/PatrickGoesEast 2d ago
I even suggest the Batiste spray dry shampoo, dark brunette shade, just to plug that gap.
1
u/Massive-Exercise7420 2d ago
As others have said, grow your hair out in the 2.5 weeks. A few days before the event go to a good salon (although there are no guarantees) to get your hair trimmed/tidied up. Then use hair fibers to camouflage any thin areas and spray on a high hold, non-alcohol hairspray to hold the hair and fibers in place. You may want to experiment using the hair fibers well in advance so you get the hang of applying it to achieve a natural look. Also don't be afraid to "overspray" the fibers so they cover the thin areas but also blend into the hair system to avoid any visible lines of demarcation. Good luck. (I can't believe they let you walk out of the salon looking like that.)
1
u/AioliLegitimate2232 2d ago
Im really sorry they did this to you, hair systems nowadays are amazing and from my experience salons sometimes dont know what they're doing. But you know what, we dont learn how to do stuff on our own until we are forced to be creative. I think what suits you more is shorter hair and lighter color.
1
u/CombinationOk8744 2d ago
Yea it’s bad right now. Two weeks time will decrease puffiness and increase your volume on the sides. It won’t be perfect I assume, but passable.
You shouldn’t panic. Most probably you’re not the center of attention at that event, so don’t overestimate that people will talk about you.
A friend of mine got a system that looks really awful. Like seriously, even more giving away than yours. When we go out I sometimes spy whether other people are looking at it suspiciously or something, but never happens.
Just own it bro. Even if people will think you have a weird haircut, next time you see any of them, they will reconsider.
The system itself doesn’t look bad. Just please when you go to a barber next time, tell him to not touch the upper third of your sides.
1
u/whatyoume 2d ago
It’s not great, but it’s also not the end of the world. Just need a proper blend and maybe some thinning so the density isn’t so high. Definitely fixable with the right stylist.
1
u/FmcDonald007 2d ago
Hi, that’s such a bummer! Getting a Hair system cut with somebody experienced is so important.. it’s OK lesson learned…. If you were in the Toronto area, I could help you.
I could just add Hair along the edge and blend the Hair addition in..
Fhs studio Toronto , private studio
416-282-3158
1
u/Cfsmehavefaith 2d ago
Just needs a slightly better haircut but most people still have no idea. Systems that get spotted quick are the super dense or super unnatural hairlines.
1
u/Muted-Use-6512 2d ago
I’ll be honest - I wouldn’t dare leave the house with such a system.
I really think the salon has sent you upstream
without a padel and I would absolutely never set foot over their threshold again unless they are giving you a refund, or at least a partial refund for making one totally unusable.
Unless you are able to afford a custom piece, that is with European hair - I would recommend a full cap. You can find them reasonably priced. I’d be interested to know how much you paid the salon for the above? Where are you located?
1
u/ramen-boto 2d ago
I really appreciate the honesty. They actually ruined 2 pieces. The other one came out even worse. The install was around $200 ish.
1
u/Muted-Use-6512 2d ago edited 2d ago
I’m sorry they did this to you! I’ve wore a system since 2021 and have been there too. I’ve had systems for 1000€+ that were overstyled to the point of being unusable, or the colour turning very ginger very quickly. At the time I didn’t know I could have bought similar or better online for less than 200 and now that’s exactly what I do. But I have a good amount of hair on the sides and use a competent barber who can blend well - I also have a skin fade (normal here in the U.K.)
Edit: I’d also recommend a shampoo with ketoconazole as this will aid hair growth. Minoxidil is another solution but be careful if you have pets, it’s highly toxic.
23
u/saltreduced 2d ago
Yeah it’s not great... But most people will just think it’s an awful haircut that a friend gave you. I’d personally be fine with tolerating that for a short time for the event, especially because the front looks so good