Getting Used to "My Hair": John's Hair System Diary (II)
- Written by John Schwarz
- | Published Feb 19, 2026
- |
- 75 min read
Listen to the full textDay One with a hair system for John was about first impressions: how the hair system felt, how it looked, and how it held up through a full day. As he moves into Day Two, how is the hair after a night of sleep? How does the hair look in the morning? Follow along as John starts his second day wearing a hair system.
Thoughts on Day Two
After my first night wearing a hair system, I was eager to check the status when my alarm went off. What had happened while I was drifting through the surreal world of my dreams? How much work would I need to do to make my new hair system presentable before I walked out the door? Not much, as it turned out.
When I rested my head on my pillow last night, I was careful not to rub the hair the wrong way. This appears to have worked well. I was concerned about tangles because my silk pillowcase had not arrived yet, but it was remarkably neat when I got up. My older daughter was already awake and when she heard my alarm, she walked into the bedroom to ruffle my hair and she and my wife laughed. It was a nice start to the day.
How does it look?
I ran my own hand over the hair for a status check. No knots and the edge was still where it belonged. So far, so good. I got dressed and checked the mirror and saw that it really didn’t need much work. I intend to be very careful with it, so I didn’t want to brush it while it was dry. I sprayed on just a little bit of water and gently brushed everything into place. I didn’t like the result very much. It looked too plain and uniform, so I roughed it up a bit with my fingers, and that’s all it took to make it look the way I wanted.
The whole process was literally just a minute long. I don’t know what product the stylist used yesterday. He used a very small amount of some kind of spray. I didn’t think to ask what it was, but the water I used this morning reactivated it and gave me some styling hold. If I don't need to repeatedly apply styling products every day, this will be easier than I expected.
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When I had it styled, I noticed that some of the poofy volume had lessened and it looks better today than it did yesterday. It looks…dare I say it? Good. I’m more comfortable with it and it looks more like it belongs there. The sides puff out less, so the overall shape looks more suitable on my head.
I’ve had a number of compliments from family and coworkers today, echoing my own observation that it looks better than it did yesterday, so it wasn’t just my imagination.
A while after arriving at work, I realized that I hadn’t checked the hairline, so I borrowed a colleague’s mirror and took a close look. There was perhaps a millimeter or less of lift around the front edge, which was easy to stick down by pressing with my finger. There’s no lift whatsoever around the back and sides.
Something I mentioned yesterday that is not a normal issue, or at least, shouldn’t be, is the placement of the hairline. During the preparation yesterday, the stylist marked the hairline too high and thus cut too much off the back, so it’s not possible to get the hairline far enough forward. He used the standard “four-finger” guideline, marking a spot the width of 4 fingers placed above the eyebrows, but that turned out to be unsuitable for me. Maybe I have a small forehead. I don’t know. In any case, I’m going to have to wait until I get a new hair system before this problem can be corrected. That’s unfortunate, because I’ve found myself trying to avoid stronger winds, contrary to my thoughts yesterday, because I don’t know just how much skin gets exposed at the front of my head. I’m also not sure if it’s possible to change my hairstyle from a long, forward fringe and I was hoping to brush it to the side sometimes.
To be honest, when he marked where he thought the hairline should be, I could feel it was too high. I should have communicated this, and I didn’t. I will have to make a point of addressing it with other people who get their hair systems fitted at a salon and tell them that if something doesn’t feel right, they should speak up. If the base is cut too big, it’s a fairly easy fix. Just trim some more off. But if it’s cut too small, there’s no way to add extra material back on and they’re stuck with it until they get a new system. However, it's not a serious problem with the hairstyle that I chose, since the hairline is covered. I'm glad I didn't try to start right away with an exposed hairline.
How does it feel?
The base material feels just slightly different on my head. It’s a very small change, and I’m not sure of the cause. It’s actually a more comfortable feeling, but I’m not sure if that’s a good thing or not. In the worst case, I may have weakened the tape when I got it sweaty yesterday, but if I scrunch up my brow, I can still feel the hold. It may be that I’ve simply gotten used to it already. Another possibility is that when the bond softened last night, the system settled more evenly before the adhesive reset. I’ll keep an eye on what happens.
At this point, as I mentioned, the hold of the tape feels solid, but as I’ve never experienced any sort of significant lifting, I don’t know what it feels like when the tape is starting to fail. I certainly don’t think that will happen today. I’ll have my Walker No-Shine handy, though. I suppose some lift will happen sooner or later, so I don’t think it’s something to be overly concerned with. Just a fairly normal (although hopefully not frequent) issue that I need to learn to fix.
I have not developed the headache I was anticipating yesterday. There is some very slight tension around my temples and ears, but it’s far short of a headache. The base still feels very comfortable. I’ve had no itching at all so far, which surprises me, given how much I generally dislike things persistently touching my skin. The hair system doesn’t bother me at all, though. In fact, the sensation of the hair brushing against my forehead is the most noticeable feeling. I’m still amazed at how comfortable and unobtrusive this system is.
Own It!
I’m genuinely happy with the hair system. It feels much better on my skin than I imagined it would, and with the hair settling down to fit my head better, it looks pretty nice. I like the style. It’s still somewhat strange to see myself in the mirror, but not nearly as disconcerting as yesterday. I’m beginning to get used to the shape of my shadow and the reflections I see in windows as I pass by. I think I will take up referring to the system as simply, “my hair,” just as I might say, “my glasses,” or “my shoes”. It’s an acknowledgment that it is indeed mine; part of me and my appearance.
Start Your Hair System Journey with Ease
Getting started with a hair system can feel challenging, both in terms of learning the routine and adjusting to the change itself. You may have a lot of questions and concerns, and guidance from experienced professionals can make the process easier to manage.
If you'd like extra guidance as you get started, the team at Lordhair is available to help answer questions and share practical advice.
You may also find these articles helpful:
- Hair System Beginners: How to Prepare for Your First Hair System
- Hair Systems Beginners: Challenges in First Days and How to Fix Them
FAQs from Beginners
Will others notice I'm wearing a hair system?
No, you don't need to worry. A modern, well-fitted, and properly styled hair system can look very natural even up close. Most of the time, people just pass by and have a general impression of you, and they won't inspect your hairline in detail. A high-quality hair system with correct installation can be undetectable.
How long does a hair system last?
A high-quality system lasts between 1 to 6 months, depending on the materials it's made of and proper care. The lifespan of a hair system is influenced by the user's daily routine and maintenance. For a detailed introduction, read this article How Long Do Human Hair Systems Last - Lifespan Insights.
Is hair system maintenance very difficult?
Hair system maintenance can be challenging for beginners. With time and regular practice, it will become easier to manage. Once it settles into your daily routine, it no longer feels like a burden, just a natural part of your everyday life.
Is it okay to DIY my hair system?
While it is possible for experienced wearers, it is not recommended for beginners. DIY at the beginning can be difficult, and mistakes can be frustrating. A professional stylist can ensure a perfect fit and show you how to manage it properly. As you become more experienced, you can try to do it on your own.
Can I swim or exercise while wearing a hair system?
It is workable to exercise with a hair system if it is securely attached. Water and sweat, however, can damage the hair system in the long run. So swimming with a hair system requires extra care. Read Can You Swim with a Hair System? Ultimate Guide to Keeping It Secure for detailed guidance.
