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Wearing a hairpiece is definitely not taboo in the beauty world, with a host of celebrities sporting them at every turn. Ladies who want to wear one often prefer real-hair hairpieces because of their appearance and care advantages they offer. Creating a hairpiece from your own hair might be something to consider if you go this route.
Why Use One?
Similar to real-hair wigs you'd buy made from someone else's locks, having one or more hairpieces from your own tresses lets you switch up your style drastically in a matter of minutes. More importantly, by wearing a hairpiece, you can protect the hair you currently have. The hairpiece, not your growing mane, takes the brunt of whatever is thrown at it by yourself, your environment or your stylists..
Advantages
Some people feel a little squeamish about putting hair from someone else on their own scalp. With a hairpiece made from your own hair, you don't have to feel uneasy in this way. You already know how your own hair behaves, too, so working with the hairpiece is easier. You certainly can dye the hairpiece to your liking, but if you don't, the hairpiece will match your natural color, guaranteed. This, combined with the fact the hairpiece isn't made from synthetic materials, will help you look natural.
Disadvantages
Using a hairpiece made from your own hair means that you might need to put a little extra work into your styling to get the look you want. For instance, if you've got bone-straight locks, you'll need to curl the hairpiece if you want to get away from the straight look, so you might need to use potentially damaging styling tools or products on the wig to get a very different appearance. Also, you have to be meticulous in your hair-care regimen to get your hair long enough and in a shape good enough for hairpiece-making. You won't be able to cut your hair for a few months as it gets long enough to harvest.
Other Considerations
A hairpiece made from your own hair likely will be more expensive than a synthetic one. Some can cost thousands of dollars. However, what the hairpiece looks like is entirely up to you. You can work with a good hairpiece maker to create everything from a contemporary chic A-line bob to a punky pixie. Don't be afraid to use these hairpieces to let different aspects of your personality shine through. Whatever style you pick, just be sure only to use products designed for real-hair hairpieces. These products accommodate the fact that real-hair hairpieces don't get oils from your scalp and therefore need milder cleansing agents with light conditioners that don't build up on the strands. Washing, styling and using additional products only when absolutely necessary will extend the life of the hairpiece, as will proper storage. Proper storage means the hairpiece is kept on a Styrofoam, plastic or wire mannequin head so that it does not get pulled out of shape -- don't put it in a box unless you have to travel. It also means putting your hairpiece in a clean area away from extremes of heat and humidity, such as you might find around air conditioners. This keeps the hairpiece from collecting dust and becoming brittle due to lack of moisture.
