grincher

This wasnt uncommon when I started to first wear 12-years ago.

The time taken depends on the lifespan of each piece. It could happen over 4 pieces or 18-month whichever comes first.

There are other hacks I have heard of when transitioning

Personally, I would go for one piece to cover both areas.

Less hassle attaching and removing, more secure and cheaper than 2 pieces

Sure. Ive amended it

No. Its my personal piece. Not sure how long Ive been a member - maybe 10 years.

Thought it might help someone

doppelganger 😉

Lace base with poly
Size 8 inches (Length) x 6.5 inches (width)
I now need grey in my pieces so letting this go
Contact me if interested

Good luck Jake. I am hearing there are still issues in parts China with supply. The difference this time are restrictions and lockdowns are not being internationally reported and the Chinese are not exactly quick in coming forward to announce it

I have used the same supplier for 8-years. They ship worldwide when I worked abroad too.

https://www.ukhairsystems.com/

Clip -ons isnt something I have used personally, but have been aware of them since I started my journey and have spoken to more than one wearer of them; none were long term. I dont think they are as secure in place, less discrete and pressure the hair they are clipped on to.

You could use a partial without the need to shave your good hair.

yes. mysterious

Yeah that one has been down for some time. It use to be very active in its day with regulars and new wearers

This section on this forum seems to have died a death. Less people wearing or have they migrated to new pastures to discuss hair systems?
 

Pay £300-320 and get 12-months per piece. Of course if you are not confident to self maintain you will need a salon/club but you will pay for it

4 hours ago, Gatsby said:

From my passport to my drivers license, shooters license and work ID Check pics, they are all different. From a heavy, curly wig to a buzzed SMP scalp. I’ve never been questioned about my identity but I have been looked at suspiciously at a couple of immigration officers when travelling overseas. I’ve just said I have shaved my head and that was as far as it went. 
In terms of servicing my hair pieces I just changed them regularly about every six months. I never wore them in Summer or while sleeping so they were always well looked after. I would condition them about once a week but that was all. 👍

immigration officers seem by nature a suspicious bunch much like police officers and auditiors

Today, I get 12-months per piece and much of that is in peak condition. After 12-months I use the piece as a back up for when I want to wear something but not my most recent one (maybe that's why my prime piece is durable). Another key factor is the length of time I have worn - plenty of time to learn from mistakes and work out whats best for me.

At any one time, I have back up and spares as you never know. In fact, nowadays when I order I buy 2 pieces to build up my reserves. This was particularly important when Covid closed factories and stopped supply. Even today, there are after effects and delays so if you are committed to wearing always back up.

11 hours ago, MissMyLongHair said:

How often do you have to replace or retape/reglue it to ensure it won't blow if you go surfing or something? Trying to figure out the yearly cost of this. Is it possible to get longer/shoulder length systems, like women's wigs but more unstyled e.g. Keanu Reeves?

Every 2 to 3 weeks. Never come close to "blown off". My annual system cost £320 + £40 for products. I have a 6-inch piece which I get cut in

My supplier does lengths up to 26 inches in those styles and ships worldwide when I lived abroad. 

Never heard of them and never come across the need of a deposit plus full payment upfront.

You should ask around and google for reviews.

On their website it says fittings from £40 - I guess thats excl cut in.

I have seen prices for the cut in from £70 to 150 - according to postings. They should give you an idea of where you should be.

Once I went to a barber I had visited previously for blending. I chatted with him about the next piece cutting in. He did the cut in. It wasnt as good as a pro but not too bad. The benefit was it was cheap at a time when I couldn't find anyone. Not something I would recommend if you both new but something to think about later down the line

I was using a chap first in the West End then West London for few years but he's moved on out of my travelling area.

Since then Ive learned to cut my own pieces given a style I picked

Never in public, but it was loosen and precarious after a nights sleep once and it was my own fault - thats once in many many years of wearing. The tapes and glues are very secure

For several years, even when I was working abroad, I have used https://www.ukhairsystems.com

God to hear you have a new path.

For me hair systems have worked out much cheaper but I wholly DIY. I pay £300 per a piece and get more than a year per piece. I do my own attachments, cut ins now and monthly cuts.

For the last few years I have been using the same supplier and arranging the initial attachment and cut in through their salon.

https://www.ukhairsystems.com/

They pretty much take you through all the steps and ship worldwide

I would avoid buying direct from China for your first piece. The main reason is pot luck with quality and its unlikely to be the optimum spec. Its best to find a supplier that will provide a certain standard eg they have done the work of filtering out the best makers. They can also guide you on what would work best and even arrange cut ins etc.

Firstly, whats your country? 

As said, dont equate price with quality once over a reasonable level. There is little or no quality difference between hundreds and thousands spent

I have had professional cut ins, a barber cut in and even done my own cut in. It depends on the style of course for the latter.

Stylists tend to cut in and give more time 1-2 hours. Barbers seem to be all about turnover of customers and prefer 15-20 min jobs. That said, its not impossible to get a cut in there, but in my case I wore a piece cut in first and asked the barber to just do my back and sides and of course tell him I was wearing. He got use to this every few weeks

Then after a few visits I asked if he would do a cut in of my next piece. You see a new hair system will have length and volume that could intimidate barbers when most of their customers have thin or balding heads or just go for a short back and sides.

A stylist, unisex or afro caribbean place may be more use to this kind of thing but granted thats not for most of us.