Let’s get real for a second: hair loss can be rough. I’ve been dealing with it since I was just 19 years old, and like most of us, I wasn’t ready to jump straight into wearing a wig. The idea of a full wig? Terrifying! I wasn’t mentally there yet, so naturally, I thought extensions would be the answer to my thinning hair problems. Oh, how wrong I was!

I tried every type of extension you can imagine: glue-ins, tape-ins, beads, halos—you name it, I’ve had it stuck to my scalp at some point. But no matter how many types I tried, I ran into two major problems:

Problem 1: The Extensions Were Doing More Harm Than Good

The weight of the extensions, combined with the clips and glue, ended up causing even more hair loss. Yep, the very thing I thought would help me regain my confidence was actually making my situation worse. It’s like putting out a fire with gasoline—counterproductive, right?

Problem 2: My Hair Was Too Thin to Cover the Wefts

Here’s the catch with extensions: you need enough hair to blend them in. But when you’ve got thinning hair, the wefts and clips are basically waving at the world like, “Hey! Look at me!” And don’t even get me started on how obvious the bonds became after a few weeks. It was a constant battle trying to make them look natural, and honestly, my scalp and self-esteem couldn’t take it anymore.

So, I threw in the towel on hair extensions. But I still wasn’t ready for a full wig either. That’s when I discovered the magic of hair toppers, and let me tell you, my life hasn’t been the same since. 😍

The Hair Topper Revelation

If you’ve never heard of a hair topper before, let me break it down for you: it’s like a perfect blend of hair extensions and a wig. It gives you that extra volume and coverage where you need it most—usually the top and crown of your head—without the full commitment of wearing a wig. Think of it as a “hair booster” that blends right into your natural hair, making it feel more like you.

Unlike extensions, toppers don’t rely on your hair to hold all the weight. They clip in much more gently, and work with gravity, rather than against it. Plus, they provide coverage in areas where hair extensions just can’t help, like thinning crowns or receding hairlines.

Me wearing my human hair topper

Why Toppers Win Over Extensions Every Time

I know what you’re thinking: “Can’t extensions just give me the volume I want?” And sure, if you have thick hair to start with, extensions can work wonders. But for those of us with thin or thinning hair, toppers offer some serious advantages:

1. Less Stress on Your Hair

Toppers are lightweight and clip in at the top, causing way less tension on your fragile strands. Extensions, on the other hand, are heavy and put a lot of strain on your existing hair—especially if it’s already thinning. Toppers take the pressure off your roots, letting your natural hair breathe and giving it a chance to recover.

2. No Need for Major Blending

One of the biggest issues with extensions is trying to make them blend seamlessly into your hair. If you’ve got thin hair, it’s nearly impossible to hide those wefts without spending hours styling your hair every morning. Toppers, on the other hand, cover the areas where your hair is thinning, so you don’t need to worry about blending at all. Just clip in your topper, give it a quick style, and you’re good to go—no wefts, no fuss, no stress.

3. Topper = Natural Volume

Hair toppers are all about enhancing what you’ve already got. They blend with your natural hair, giving you volume and coverage in the areas that need it most. Extensions give you length, sure, but they don’t always give you the natural-looking volume that toppers do. And if we’re being honest, volume is the real game-changer when you’re dealing with thinning hair.

4. More Versatile

Let’s not forget versatility! Toppers give you options. Want to wear your hair up? You can! Want to change your part? Easy. Extensions, especially if they’re glued in, limit how you can style your hair and can make even simple things like a ponytail tricky.

No Rules, Just Confidence

One of the best things I’ve learned on my hair loss journey is that there are no rules when it comes to wearing hair. Whether you choose a wig, a topper, or extensions, the only thing that matters is how you feel. If you’re ready for a wig right away, go for it! But if, like me, you want to ease into it, toppers are the perfect first step into the world of hair-wearing.

The beauty of a topper is that it feels like an extension of you. It doesn’t replace your hair, it complements it. You still get to see your natural hair, you still get to run your fingers through it, but you’re also getting that extra boost of volume and confidence.

The Final Word

At the end of the day, a little bit of extra hair can truly go a long way. Hair toppers are a lifesaver for those of us who aren’t quite ready for wigs or who have tried (and failed) with extensions. They’re the gentle, natural-looking solution that gives you back the volume and coverage you’ve been missing—without the damage or stress.

So, if you’ve been on the fence about trying a topper, I say go for it! Your hair (and your confidence) will thank you. 💁‍♀️

Have you tried hair extensions or toppers before? Let me know your experiences in the comments! We’re all in this hair-wearing journey together.