A person’s early 20’s are confusing enough, but add mysterious hair thinning into the mix and it feels like a whole new battle.Lorena Calderon started losing her hair in her twenties, attributed it to birth control and tried to move on. In 2018 she went to the doctor and got a biopsy done, The results: stress or alopecia. The treatment: prescriptions that didn’t work.
No matter who you are, you have a relationship with your hair. As someone who identifies as non-binary/gender queer and has experienced hair loss, Lex’s relationship with their hair has been a rollercoaster of evolution.
After hearing her doctor say there was no cure for her genetic hair loss, Lacie Rodriguez decided to “shift [her] focus and money from trying to regrow [her] hair to finding really beautiful alternative hair”.
Through the journey of falling in love with hairpieces and regaining her confidence, she also found beauty in sharing that new gained confidence on her Instagram page. Gaining over 35K followers, Lacie has built a community of women who she inspires daily.
Interview conducted via email April 6, 2022.
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Tell us a little bit about yourself.
Hi! I’m Lacie Rodriguez! I’m from a tiny town in rural Utah and married to a cowboy from Mexico. We have three beautiful kids and speak both English and Spanish in our home.
I love talking to women about beauty and confidence, especially when it comes to hair loss.
I help women find the right alternative hair piece to help them with their confidence after losing hair and there’s nothing I’ve ever done that is more fulfilling professionally!
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When were you diagnosed with androgenic alopecia? What was that like?
I was 19 when I had my first major shed. I was in college and it was one of the darkest times in my life.
I felt totally alone and doctors dismissed my hair loss every single time I brought it up saying it was “just stress.” Trying to go to school and work everyday and have a social life while dealing with a crippling lack of self confidence was almost too much for me to take. I don’t know for sure, but I think I can pinpoint this time in my life as the trigger that started my androgenic alopecia.
I wasn’t officially diagnosed until after having my first child when the doctor said, “It’s just female pattern baldness. It’s not coming back.” I was devastated. I felt like I was the only woman I knew of that was struggling with this. I felt incredibly powerless to stop it or fix it. I couldn’t believe it when he told me there was no cure. I thought “of all the scientific breakthroughs we’ve had in the last 100 years, there’s really still no cure for hair loss?!” It was a dark time for me emotionally and my self esteem was at an all time low.
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How did you find wigs & hair toppers?
Every once in a while I’d get a wild hair and research my brains out on the internet for hair loss solutions. My stylist was trying to convince me to get tape in extensions but I kept explaining that it wasn’t going to give me the coverage where I needed it.
At one point I came across an integration system that looked promising but it was extremely expensive and I would have to travel 5 hours to a swanky salon in Las Vegas. It didn’t seem realistic. Then I came across a YouTube video about a “hair extension topper” and I was like, “WAIT! That’s what I need!” So I jumped on it and ordered it, with no idea how it was going to turn out!
After some customizing and lots of practice styling it, blending it, etc, I knew this was going to be my forever solution!
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Top piece of advice for people first entering their hair loss journey?
You’re not a freak of nature! That’s how I felt. I had no idea that more than half of women will experience significant hair loss in their lifetime.
It’s a process and you can’t rush it or shame yourself for feeling any which way. You just have to hold onto the hope that one day, you’ll come out of this fog and embrace the fact that there are options to dealing with this. You can still be beautiful and feminine and live a full life with alopecia.
My hair is literally one of the last things on my mind these days and I NEVER thought that could be a possibility.
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What do your children think about your hair loss and wearing hair pieces? Did you have a conversation with them about it and how did that go?
When I got my first piece my first two kids were 3 and 6. I wore it for them and they laughed a little because it seemed a little like a costume. But I laughed with them and then they saw me putting it on everyday and it’s just normal to them now.
They’re 11 and 8 now and my baby is 2 and they’re always offering their opinion on new pieces. I’m confident that if either of my girls lose hair in the future, they’ll already have an idea of how to deal with it. That makes me super happy!
I’ve had a hard time with my hair loss for sure but I try to keep it in perspective for their sake. I don’t want to give them the impression that your life is over if your hair falls out. Secretly I’m super jealous of my girls’ hair lol! I tell them it’s beautiful but I never obsess over it and try not to make them feel like their hair is their identity. That’s really important to me.
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When did you start posting about your hair loss online? How has the response been?
When I got my first topper I was already posting online about beauty and things. I knew toppers could be a game changer for some people but I thought it wouldn’t be that many. I figured I could talk about it and hopefully it could help someone. I was blown away by how many people started sending me messages and asking about it.
Over the years my hair loss has progressed and I’ve morphed my platform into a hair loss and alternative hair niche. Now this is what I focus on primarily and the growth has been tremendous because there are so many more women out there struggling with this than I ever thought possible!
I’m committed to ending the stigmas of both female hair loss and wearing alternative hair and hoping to bring many new people into this community. I think it can be very healing to find people going through similar experiences.
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What’s the last TV show you’ve binged?
Oh gosh! I’m not much of a TV person (I prefer movies) but I really loved New Girl when it first came out and I watched it while nursing my second baby! I’ve missed all the new seasons lol
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How is it living in a super small town with no traffic lights? Do you ever crave the “big city” life?
I actually LOVE living in a small town. It can be frustrating to be this far from amenities and resources but the city can give me anxiety after a bit.
I love to visit and eat at a nice restaurant, shop, etc but I’m always ready to come home to the calm. No traffic lights means very little traffic and that’s how I prefer it.
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Current hair trend you love?
I’m obsessed with curtain bangs! Almost every single piece I own has them lol! I think they’re flattering on literally everyone if you get the right length and they keep your hair out of your face.
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If you could only have one dessert for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Coconut ice cream. Hands down. It’s my favorite in Mexico!
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Follow Lacie on socials:
Tik Tok: @lacie.rodriguez
Instagram: @lacie.rodriguez
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Keep up with Silk or Lace on socials:
Instagram, Tik Tok, Facebook & Pinterest: @silkorlace
Danielle Sells’ alopecia started to really show and her hair started to “boycott my head” as she said, when she hit her 30s. After some much needed time accept her new reality and to lean on her support system, she purchased her first human hair wig and she said, “in less than a minute, everything changed”.
Now she makes Instagram and Tik Tok posts dedicated to helping other women with hair loss take charge of their hair journey and feel confident every day! We asked Danielle about her journey with alopecia and how it led to her life online.
Interview conducted via email February 28, 2022.
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Danielle wearing Agent Miko.
Tell us a little bit about yourself.
"Hi! I am Danielle, better known as “Mommy” in my house. I have three beautiful children ranging from 1 to 7 years old, and an incredibly supportive husband. I love spending time with my family, photography, and buying all the wigs!"
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How did you find wigs?
"When my hair loss reached a point it was affecting my daily life, I joined an online hair loss support group.
In doing so I realized many women suffering from hair loss had turned to wigs and looked fantastic!
After confiding in my sister, husband, and a friend, they encouraged me to purchase my first wig."
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That first experience shaving your head, what was that like? How did you feel?
"I went in pretty confident. I was sick of braiding my hair everyday to put on my wigs and I knew shaving off what remained of my hair would be so much easier on a day-to-day basis. My hair loss had reached the point that I wouldn’t leave my house without a hat or a wig, so shaving it off just made the most sense.
Because of the confidence I had in my decision, I was truly caught off-guard by how emotional it ended up making me. The hairdresser encouraged me to try a cute pixie cut, but after she did it, there was still a large bald spot she just couldn’t cover. After we went ahead and buzzed off what remained of my hair, I cried in the car on the way home. My kids needed a couple of days to adjust, but my husband was super supportive.
He kept reminding me that it was just hair, and that at the end of the day this choice made it easier to wear the new hair I loved."
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How did you first start making Tik Tok content?
"I originally had just a fun family Tik Tok, which mostly consisted of my daughter turning herself into a unicorn or making funny faces while listening to music. In October, a friend started a BookTok account, because she adores reading.
Watching her connect with other readers inspired me to make a wig and hair loss themed Tik Tok so I could connect with other women in my shoes. I really wanted to help women suffering from hair loss, for whatever reason, feel confident and comfortable in their wig journey and create a supportive community."
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Hair color trend you're so into right now?
"I am currently obsessed with the copper brown color trend and curtain bangs. I really just love bangs. I hated them with human hair because they were so high maintenance but on wigs? They are the best."
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Craziest wig story?
"Before I told anyone I wore wigs I had a dentist appointment go awry. The dental assistant was incredibly sweet and complimented my hair early on in the visit. I had worn my head band wig in a really cute style that I’d secured with bobby pins.
When she took me back for x-rays and asked me to remove my nose ring, glasses, and bobby pins. I started to get nervous because the wig I was wearing had a metal comb and clips. I asked if small hair clips needed to come off, and she shook her head yes.
I ended up just pulling off my wig without warning, and her face turned bright red. I said “Sorry, I should have mentioned it was a wig” We both burst into laughter!"
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How do you talk to your little ones about wearing wigs?
"My daughter, 7 (6 at the time), was the only one that really grasped what was going on. I explained to her that mommy’s hair doesn’t grow like most peoples’ so I get a little help with wigs. My middle son (3 at the time) just says “Mommy I love your new haircut” every time I switch wigs."
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Your top piece of mom advice?
"Appreciate the bad days.
Every time one of my children throws up in the car, throws a tantrum, or gives us a sleepless night - I try to remember that soon I will long these days. They are only little for such a short time and it goes so stinking fast."
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Last meal would be...
"Oooh. This is difficult. Probably some kind of pasta, and BREAD, and Cheesecake. Maybe some ice cream."
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Favorite Agenteur wig?
"I really love Piper! She is the perfect blonde for my skin tone. I also really like Aspen because of her cut and style. My husband’s favorite is Brooklyn."
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Follow Danielle on socials:
Tik Tok: @wighairdontcare
Instagram: @wighair_dontcare
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Keep up with Silk or Lace on socials:
Instagram, Tik Tok, Facebook & Pinterest: @silkorlace
We were lucky enough to interview her for Hair Loss Awareness month and get a closer look into her life with alopecia.
Interview conducted via email August 12, 2021.
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When did you first realize your hair was falling out?
“I was 8 years old when I first realized my hair was falling out.
I remember that I was in Elementary school and one morning while my mom was doing my hair, she noticed a bald spot on the back of my head. That’s when I started to notice a bunch of hair on my pillowcases every morning.
My parents initially thought that I was pulling out my hair, but over time more bald spots appeared and that’s when they realized there was a bigger situation at hand”
What was your initial reaction to your hair loss?
“I have been bald three times in my life now and I don’t really remember my initial reaction the first time I went bald since I was so young, but what I do remember is feeling like I didn’t belong when I was around people in public or around my friends since I wasn't like the other girls who had such long, beautiful hair.
Instead, I always had to wear hats out in public to try and hide the bald spots that were scattered throughout my hair”
How did you get diagnosed with Alopecia Areata?
“It took a few months of going to multiple doctors and dermatologists until finally a dermatologist at Mid Michigan Health Center diagnosed me with Alopecia Areata.
Little did I know the huge impact that would have on my life.
I feel that Alopecia wasn't as well known back then compared to today which is why it was more difficult for my peers to understand what was going on with me then compared to today's society, more and more people are starting to come out and say they have Alopecia or other autoimmune diseases which is absolutely amazing”
When did you decided to post about your hair loss and what gave you the courage?
“November 13th of 2016 was the very first time I gained enough courage to post a bald picture of myself on instagram.
After years of hiding it and having it control me I decided to take control of it.
There were many factors that encouraged me which include my family, especially my parents, but I would have to say someone who stood by my side and always had my back was my therapist.
I started seeing a therapist back in high school when I was losing my hair. After many sessions and countless tears, she helped me realize that instead of looking into a mirror everyday and not liking the image that reflected in it, that it would make me much happier to take control of my autoimmune disease by shaving what was left of my hair off. She was absolutely right. Rather than seeing bald spots grow bigger and bigger everyday around my head or seeing clumps of hair on my pillows, I felt powerful for once.
It felt like a weight lifted off of my shoulders after going completely bald. It was my new identity.”
What was the feedback like when you finally posted about your hair loss?
The feedback was absolutely powerful. I had people who I hadn’t reached out to in years commenting on my picture and my DMs were flooded with such positive messages.
Growing up people always knew I had Alopecia because they could see the bald spots around my head, but being able to take charge of something you have no control over and the courage to embrace it... is what makes you powerful!!”
When did your social media account starts to gain attention and how did it make you feel?
“My social media accounts started to gain attention because of my Alopecia and so to speak “coming out” with it.
Back in high school I would always post bald pictures of myself and I even made an Instagram account solely for the purpose of my journey with Alopecia, but I started to gain a lot of attention once a few of my Tik Tok videos went viral pertaining to Alopecia. Once that happened,
I realized something in my life that makes me truly happy is letting other people know that they aren't alone. It gives me a purpose!
Growing up I really didn't have a good support system or people who could understand me on a deeper level. I believe if someone is going through something, finding a support system is crucial. Knowing there are other people going through the same thing you’re going through and who can relate helps tremendously”
Who is your biggest inspiration?
My biggest inspirations are both of my parents. They are what hard work and determination is. No matter what anyone in our family is going through they are my rocks, my support system and always have my back!
What was your experience like with medical treatments for your hair loss?
The fact that there isn’t a cure for Alopecia is very unfortunate, so my experience with medical treatment hasn’t been that great. I did start doing sessions of steroid shots back in high school that would get injected in my head, but that required countless sessions and once I stopped receiving the shots, my hair would just fall out again so it was like a never ending cycle.
I decided to quit receiving treatment this year actually and just embrace my baldness rather than try and fight for my body to produce hair when it isn’t meant to be.
What was the first wig you ever got and what was the experience like wearing it for the first time?
The first wig I ever received was from a nonprofit organization called Wigs4Kids. Maggie Varney the CEO made the experience out of this world!
During my appointment she showed me a variety of different wig caps and how they feel on your head to make me feel comfortable. I was also able to pick out the hair color on my wig.
The first time wearing it was so surreal because I knew that I had a wig on so it made me very self conscious about going out in public. I felt like I got really in my head and assumed that everyone would know I was wearing a wig because I knew that I was wearing one. I would constantly wear a hat over my wig to make me feel more comfortable, but over time it got easier and I accepted the fact I had a wig on my head.
What is your favorite wig color?
“My favorite wig color is a dark brown/auburn with ombre. I feel it makes me look natural and compliments my skin tone well”
Your cousins shaved their hair to make a wig for you and the video of it went viral! What was that journey like?
Family means everything to me. My cousins saw how difficult it was for me growing up at times not having hair, so when I recently went bald again my cousins decided to grow their hair out for me to make a wig from family hair.
Two years later, their hair was finally long enough to be able to donate it towards making a wig. At first my cousin, Grant, joked about it and would send me pictures of how long his hair was getting, but then it became a reality and he told me how he was now growing out his hair to make a wig for me.
Throughout the duration of him growing out his hair, he would update me over text or face time, explaining how he bought supplements to help make his hair grow faster. I am so blessed to have a family like mine!”
Refusing to let her hair take control of her life and gaining the courage to shave her head, has been a life changing experience.
As the advice Chloe wish she had at the beginning of her hair loss journey states,
“It is such a beautiful process. Never fight for something that just isn't meant to be. I’m bald and have a story to tell.”
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Follow Chloe on social media, @chl0ebean!
Keep up with us on socials:
Instagram, Tik Tok, Facebook & Pinterest: @silkorlace
Hair Loss Awareness Month is dedicated to the millions of men, women, and children who are currently experiencing hair loss and navigating the social stigmas associated with it. Reasons why people might lose their hair include styling techniques and practices, health conditions, trauma, genetics, aging, medication. The list goes on.
When most people think about hair loss, they picture a balding man. But women experience thinning hair, too. In fact, did you know that it’s estimated that more than 50% of women will experience noticeable hair loss in their lifetime? So, why is no one talking about it?
The one thing that all women with hair loss share in common is that we are all in this together to break down the stigma — and we look good doing it, too! For Hair Loss Awareness Month, we asked five women with hair loss what this month means to them. Keep reading to see what they said!
While my hair loss started around 2012, I wasn’t diagnosed [with Androgenic Alopecia] until late February 2020. I’d only started to dip a toe into the hair loss community online a few weeks before.
I’m still figuring out where hair loss figures into my identity—as someone who had incredible bio hair for most of my life, that was a huge part of my personal vision of myself, and giving that up has been… Odd? Hard? It sucks, but it’s also fine?
Hair Loss Awareness Month is not just about raising awareness for hair loss, but about redefining and expanding concepts of womanhood, girlhood, and beauty. Examining hair loss, talking about it, working out how we feel in a public forum helps redirect the way we value people for how they look and the choices they make around how to look in the world. I think, and hope, it’s a time to help us be a little kinder to each other.
I was born in Mexico, but as of now I’m considered a Mexican-American. I am 37 years old and I have lived in America for 11 years. I have been suffering from hair loss for 13 years and five years ago, I decided to go get checked by a professional and was diagnosed with Discoid Lupus Erythematosus (DLE) and Scarring Alopecia.
When I first noticed I was losing hair, I was attending college. At that time, I was under a lot of stress because it was my last year at the university and I had a lot of worries and responsibilities on me. I had organized my wedding and was adapting to living here in the United States. There were many changes in my life I had to get used to. Living in a different country from where I was born was both an emotional and cultural shock. I had to adjust to a new life in a country that I had never known before; a new language, a new culture, and I was under a lot of stress, which caused my hair loss to start once again.
After my diagnosis, I was devastated to learn that my hair wouldn’t grow back again. I felt hopeless and ashamed. In the Latinx community, hair loss is a taboo. This taboo shows how hard it is for women to talk about hair loss because people can be very critical or opinionated on this sensitive topic. Not to mention the extremely high beauty standards that put an immense pressure on the idea of having beautiful and perfect hair.
It hasn’t been easy for me to accept my journey; I still have my ups and downs, but I’m at a point in life where I feel so much more at peace with myself. I love my new me and I'm happy to know that I’ve become the strong woman I am today.
Hair loss awareness month in my opinion is a reminder that we are beautiful, strong, and powerful, with or without hair. This is a reminder that experiencing hair loss doesn’t mean you have lost your femininity. It’s also a reminder that we are more than just hair. Although there is still a long way to go to break down the stigma attached to female hair loss, we are on the right path. The more we talk about it, the more awareness we are creating and the closer we are to breaking down this stigma. One of my personal goals is to normalize female hair loss in the Latinx community.
A hairdresser told me I had thin hair in high school. I was more self-conscious of my excessive dandruff than my thin hair at the time. Fast-forward to my early thirties, and after bouts of major stress and taking birth control for many years, it had become a real insecurity that affected my confidence immensely. I remember looking into the mirror and seeing an ever-widening parting, so I would change my part over and over again. I would talk about it constantly and bring it up during social events, like how you would if you had a giant pimple. I cut my hair shorter, which helped. But then it got so thin that I only felt comfortable wearing my hair in a ponytail. I tried extensions, but they didn’t work since the thinning was diffuse. I cared for volume, not length.
It wasn’t until I discovered Suran’s Instagram, @the_strandie, that I felt there was relief coming my way in the form of a topper. I was amazed by how natural it looked and how easy it was to put on. I participated in a meet-up hosted by Suran in Dallas in February of 2020 and purchased my first topper from Serenity Wigs and Toppers. I finally felt relaxed during social events when I wore my topper. And most importantly, I met people in the community that understood everything without explanation. Thank you to @the_strandie, @alliesalopecia, @thebrondeblonde, @lossknotlost, and @dorinazerad for helping me on this journey. I’m so happy to celebrate Hair Loss Awareness Month with you all, and many more!
I've lived with Androgenic Alopecia since 2013. I wholeheartedly believe that Hair Loss Awareness Month should be 12 months out of the year. Dealing with hair loss sucks and what makes it worse is that, while it's something that affects millions of us all over the world, it isn't a topic that is talked about due to the associated stigma. Not talking about something that is so normal and common not only isolates us, but keeps us in the dark about facts related to hair loss. The lack of awareness and education can lead to negative psychological and emotional effects on an individual, such as depression, lack of confidence, social isolation, millions of dollars wasted on hair growth treatments/solutions that may not work, and the possibility of being taken advantage of by scammers who are looking to make money off of folks who desperately want to grow their hair. The biggest missed opportunity is not knowing that there is an amazing hair loss community on social media who can help make the hair loss journey a lot less lonely.
When I first joined the hair loss community on Instagram at the end of 2019/early 2020, I didn't find Latinas talking about this topic, which didn't surprise me. Hair loss is a major taboo subject in our community. It is because of this that I created HAIRLOSSBONITA to raise awareness about Alopecia, in English and Spanish, and to show that one can live a fab and full life with hair loss. The lack of chatter about hair loss in the Latinx community (and all communities for that matter) must change and I vow to do what I can to help change this narrative. It's because of this that I have made it my mission to shed light on Alopecia to break the stigma and normalize wearing alternative hair. Celebrities shouldn't be the only ones having fun with wigs and toppers!
[En Español:
Hola, soy YoMo y vivo con alopecia androgénica desde 2013. Creo firmemente que el Mes de la Conciencia sobre la Pérdida del Cabello debería ser 12 meses al año. Lidiar con la caída del cabello apesta y lo que lo empeora es que, si bien es algo que nos afecta a millones de personas en todo el mundo, no es un tema del que se hable por el estigma asociado. No hablar de algo que es tan normal / común no solo nos aísla sino que nos mantiene en la oscuridad sobre los hechos relacionados con la caída del cabello. La falta de conciencia / educación puede provocar efectos psicológicos y emocionales negativos en un individuo, como depresión, falta de confianza y aislamiento social, millones de dólares desperdiciados en tratamientos / soluciones para el crecimiento del cabello y la posibilidad de que los estafadores se aprovechen de las personas que desesperadamente quieren que le crezca el cabello. La mayor oportunidad perdida es no saber que existe una increíble comunidad de pérdida de cabello en las redes sociales que puede ayudar a que el proceso de pérdida de cabello sea mucho menos solitario.
Cuando me uní por primera vez a la comunidad de pérdida de cabello en Instagram a fines de 2019 / principios de 2020, no encontré a latinas hablando sobre este tema, lo cual no me sorprendió. La caída del cabello es un tema tabú en nuestra comunidad. Es por esto que creé mi página IG llamada HAIRLOSSBONITA para crear conciencia sobre la alopecia en inglés y español y también para mostrar que uno puede vivir una vida fabulosa y plena con la caída del cabello. La falta de charla sobre la pérdida del cabello en la comunidad Latinx (y en todas las comunidades) tiene que cambiar y prometo hacer lo que pueda para ayudar a cambiar esta narrativa. Es por esto que me he propuesto crear conciencia sobre la alopecia para romper el estigma, pero también para normalizar el uso de cabello alternativo. Las celebridades no deberían ser las únicas que se diviertan con pelucas y toppers.]
Hair Loss Awareness Month is such an important time for me to actively educate others on hair loss and its causes. I was 16 years old when my hair started falling out in clumps in the shower and I had no idea what was happening to me. I was scared because I didn’t know anything about hair loss or anyone who was going through the same thing as me. I felt alone.
I hope to help other girls who feel isolated in their experience by showing them that so many women have hair loss for a multitude of reasons, that lacking hair does not equate to lacking beauty, and sharing how there are so many different alternatives for hair (wigs, toppers, turbans, etc.).
I think it’s amazing that there is an entire month dedicated to hair loss awareness and I hope that this month and onward, we can empower each other through this experience that has taken so many women’s confidence.
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Interview conducted in person on June 9, 2021
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For Nayda Montana that moment changed their entire life path.
Many drag queens will confide in and be adopted by a drag mother. A queens drag mother serves as their mentor and helps them find their way in the drag community.
For Dolce Strutts, finding her drag mother was the reason she started drag, helped inspire her look and is the predecessor of her last name.
It can take a queen anywhere from one hour to six hours, or even more to get ready.
When transforming from their everyday boy self to their drag persona, there’s a moment in the process that they look in the mirror and know they’ve transformed.
For both queens, Nayda and Dolce, that transformative moment is the second they pop on their lashes. Dolce said,
“Honestly it’s the lashes…I feel like as soon as I put them on I’m like, now I feel like myself”
For Nayda that was the moment that she felt like everything changed.
“I definitely felt like, whoa, the wig changes everything. That’s really the moment you know. You do lashes and you’re like okay wow, then wig is when you’re like, okay here we are”
For Dolce, the first time she put on a high quality and real wig, it was like something she had never felt before.
Sometimes a queen has to learn the ropes first and build up to that first performance. However, you can only wait so long for the right time, as Dolce learned.
The first time Dolce performed, her wig came off.
Nayda describes the experience of changing from her everyday self to her drag persona as a complete 180.
Dallas may be a big metroplex, but the drag community is one where everyone knows each other and helps build each other up. To Nayda, it means everything.
“It means the world to me. One thing about it is that, it is very competitive, and I think that’s good. That makes you want to work harder and work towards your art and better it always. You never want to stop trying to be better”
Having moved from Houston to Dallas, Dolce was able to find a new home in the Dallas drag community.
Pride month is a time to remember and celebrate the courageous efforts that the trans women of color and the entire LGBTQ+ community that came before battled to allow the queer generation today to express themselves freely – in or out of drag!
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Watch the full interview here: Inside the Life of a Dallas Drag Queen
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Follow our Instagrams:
@naydamontana
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Strandie’s summer collection is here and they are going to become your new favorite summer piece.
The summer collection features human hair wigs that are ultra low density have an open wefted cap construction and a single lace top to allow more airflow for those hot summer days!
Strandie collaborated with Houston Hair Stylist and hair loss specialist, Dorin Azerad, to color the human hair wigs in the collection. Get to know the strong woman behind the color in this interview!
Interview conducted over email on May 18, 2021
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How long have you been doing hair and how did you get started in it?
“I never imagined I would become a hairstylist.
I’ve had hair loss since age 4 and always dreaded going to the salon.
I spent my childhood, teens and early twenties being really ashamed of my trichotillomania (hair-pulling disorder) and subsequent hair loss. Slowly, I decided I no longer wanted to live my life feeling defined by my deepest, darkest secret - my trichotillomania. Even more, I didn’t want others to feel defined by their own experience with hair loss.
In 2016, I quit my first job out of college and joined the beauty industry to support those with trichotillomania and spread awareness about it and other hair disorders. Today, I am a hairstylist at Élan Hair Studio, a salon specializing in hair loss solutions, in Houston, TX.
Behind the chair, I strive to provide each of my clients - men, women, and children - with a safe space to begin taking control of their hair loss journey.”
What was the last photo you took?
A wig I colored - My entire camera roll is hair lol
Tell us a little bit about your hair loss journey. When did you know you had trichotillomania? How did you find your first piece?
“I started pulling out my eyelashes and eyebrows when I was 4 years old. By the age of 8, my trichotillomania had spread to the hair on my head. Over 20 years later, I still live with trichotillomania every day. Over the past 5 years, I have worked hard to get to a place of acceptance of my trichotillomania, my hair (or lack thereof), and myself!
In middle school, I started wearing headbands everyday to cover up my bald spots. My headbands got bigger and bigger as my bald spots grew. By high school, a headband could no longer cover up all my bald spots. My mom found a hairstylist on the TLC Foundation for Body Focused Repetitive Behavior’s website. She gave me my first hairpiece - it was an integrated mesh topper. I wore it for almost 7 years and it totally changed my life.
4 years ago, I started wearing wigs and instantly feel in love with them!”
Favorite spot in Houston to eat!
Killen’s BBQ - I didn’t grow up eating BBQ, so I love to eat it any chance I get now.
What is the most rewarding part of your job?
“I’m so grateful to go to work everyday doing what I love - helping men, women, and children take control of their hair loss journey and feel confident with their hair. New hair days are definitely the best - I love seeing the look on my clients’ faces as they see themselves with their new hair!”
What’s something that will always be in fashion, no matter how much time passes?
White sneakers - Love them, and can’t live without them.
What is your favorite hair color?
“For myself - I love a really rich brunette. For my clients - Anything that makes them feel their best! I love it when my clients put on their hair, and instantly feel like the best version of themselves!”
Go to vacation spot?
New York City - I grew up in the area, and love going back to see family and friends.
What is the process to work with you remotely?
“I work remotely with clients interested in new hair pieces (wigs, toppers, or CNC) and clients wanting customization done to an existing hair piece. Anyone interested in these services can fill out the consultation form on my website:
https://dorinazerad.com/newclients Once I’ve received the form, I will reach out to you to schedule a virtual consultation.”
What’s the most useless talent you have?
I can still do a cartwheel. Some girls at recess in the first grade taught me and 2 decades later I can still do it!
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Instead of continuing to search, she finally decided to make her own! Collaborating with Dorin, who also experiences female hair loss, to color the pieces was so important.
Having someone who understands the female hair loss experience behind the colorist chair, made the journey of bringing these human hair wigs for hair loss to life extra special.
Strandie is officially launched and will be housed on Silk or Lace!
Hasidic or Orthodox jewish women cover their natural hair after marriage. This makes wigs a huge part of the culture.
For Jewish American Heritage Month we interviewed Bracha Kanar, owner of Sayar Wigs, a Jewish human hair wig brand about the history and culture wigs hold in the Jewish community.
Interview conducted via email on April, 2020
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What is a sheitel?
"A sheitel is the Yiddish term for wig. Observant Jewish women cover their hair after marriage with a wig or other hair covering."
Why do Jewish Orthodox women wear wigs after marriage?
"Modesty is a very foundational value in Jewish life. From a very young age, children are taught to act, speak, and dress modestly, expressing the refinement of Jewish life and connection to G-d.
The outer self is covered in a modest and dignified way, allowing the inner self to shine through. The emphasis in Judaism is on internal qualities, rather than outer appearance.
For example if one would ask me to describe a friend, would I describe her as medium height, blonde and curvy? Or would I describe her kindness, quick wit, generosity, and open home?
Another Jewish value is, that the holier and more special something is, the more it is carefully and lovingly wrapped and concealed. A Sefer Torah, Torah scroll, for example, is covered fully with a beautiful velvet mantle, and is never left open and undraped - out of respect for its inherent holiness; we treat it with great care.
Laws of modesty apply to both men and women, with the different expressions of modesty that reflect their unique natures. When a woman marries, she attains a new holiness in being united with the other half of her soul.
Can Jewish women wear wigs before marriage?
"It’s unusual for Jewish women to wear wigs before marriage, but they certainly can and do if their hair is thinning, if they are experiencing hair loss, or going through medical treatments that cause them to lose their hair."
Does a wig have to be Kosher certified for a Jewish woman to wear it?
"According to Torah law, a Jew cannot benefit from anything that was used in service to idolatry. Some years ago, a large percentage of the hair that was used for wigs was sourced from India. It came to light that sometimes Indian women would cut their hair as part of an idolatrous ritual, and subsequently this hair was sold to wig manufacturers.
At that point, some women stopped wearing human hair wigs altogether, and others made sure that their wigs had certification that ensured that they were not from this source and were indeed permissible by Jewish law.
At this point in time, I believe that this is no longer an issue, maybe because the hair sourcing is monitored more closely or because the majority of human hair used for wigs is no longer sourced primarily from India, and within the Orthodox community, there generally aren't kosher certifications on wigs.
Some manufactures still sew a label in their wigs attesting to the fact that the wig is suitable according to Torah law. If you see Hebrew lettering on the label of your wig, that's probably what it is!"
Do you cover your hair? If so, what methods do you use or prefer? [E.g. Wigs, toppers, scarfs, hats, headbands etc.]
"I have been covering my hair for 12 years, since the morning after my wedding. I cover my hair fully, both at home and outside of the house. I wear wigs and also love wearing scarves around the house or when having a beach day!"
What are some misconceptions regarding Orthodox Jewish women and their relationship with wigs and modesty?
"One misconception is that being modest means trying to look less attractive. People question why we are allowed to wear wigs that look so much like our own hair - or better!
They wonder why we look so beautiful if we are supposed to look modest. In fact, we are encouraged to take pride in our appearance, and to enjoy our observance.
Wigs can look as natural as our own hair, and can be styled in ways that allow the wearer to feel chic, beautiful, and proud to uphold this value."
Has your hair covering practice changed at all since you first got married?
"Covering my hair is something that I've enjoyed doing, although there have definitely been times when I miss the convenience of throwing my hair into a bun! Thankfully we have sport wigs that can give the same effect and convenience.
Through my business as a wig manufacturer and stylist, I’ve come to appreciate this practice even more, as I see the confidence and excitement of women as they enjoy the wigs that have been styled to their liking, from trendy new brides to elegant grandmothers and everyone in between."
What advice would you give to a woman who is beginning to explore wigs for modesty?
"I would encourage them to start slowly.
A Jewish woman who is beginning to cover her hair may want to start with her first Jewish wig that’s very similar to her own hairstyle and color. She may want to experiment with wearing scarves in the house.
Together with her wig stylist she should make sure that her hair covering fits properly and comfortably. For some women who feel that it’s too big a change to take on all at once, starting by covering partially and covering more as they get more comfortable might be helpful.
Most importantly - I would recommend exploring the concept of modesty and hair covering for women, especially with an experienced teacher or friend.
Understanding the reasons behind this practice will deepen her experience and make it more meaningful."
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We interviewed 5 drastically different women who shared one commonality that perhaps every woman can relate to - our tumultuous relationship with our hair and how society has shaped our views.
