OK Val... I`ve drawn lines where I think you should go to with the perimeter [ excuse it being `shaky` but I`m using a laptop] It does seem a pity to lose your `middle`hair but your temple area is right back and needs coverage....it`s only apparent on that front view....if you`re looking at it from the crown pic, it looks like you have good hair all the way except for the crown itself.......just purely from the practical aspects of attaching and wearing ...rather than wearing partials, a topper will be easiest to work with. I have `hatched` the point on the sideburn area where the system will end...I suggest maybe getting French lace there because it`s stronger than Swiss and will withstand the `pulling`it will get at that point when you`re de-bonding..... I don`t/haven`t yet worn French, but the guys here say it`s really not much more `noticeable` to yourself when it`s sitting on your head... just two strips there should not cause any issues for you ... you say you might like to expose the front hairline at times ...the Swiss lace is the most undetectable to the eye there for that purpose.... at the back there...you hair grows upwards/forward just below the black line.... so if you get your system hair ventilated [tied] in that same direction it will blend in quite well.......a 65-70% density should be enough for you [Toplace densities are `high`so the figures I gave would be equal to 85-90% on `other`hair systems] I`m just thinking too of the style you want to emulate ..you`ll need the higher density for that..... I`m sure other readers will give an opinion here too..........I`m replying now from memory... I think you asked about types of glues etc...the best thing to do is look at Debbie`s site ...and the various ones are shown there along with their respective strengths and usual bond-period you could expect from them ...it`s sensible to order 2 or 3 different ones as a newbie and then you can find which one you like best ..they are relatively cheap ....I`d use glue for the front [though many like the walker no-shine tape there--again it`s a personal choice thing].... the initial few days / week or two of wearing is a learning curve..nothing to be feared , but if you have `alternatives` to hand it`s just a matter of trying a different one if you find one doesn`t perform as well as you`d like. I wouldn`t wear longer than a week to be honest...clean up is easier if you do it regularly. I find lace very long-lasting but others have maybe `less happy` experiences with it...again it`s down to many factors..there`s no hard and fast rule on it.... I presently do a nightly de-bond so I`m that bit `lighter`on my system and not sleeping on it probably helps them last longer too.... I shampoo sparingly/infrequently ...again it`s hard to give an exact answer..it`s a bit like the old question `how long is a piece of string`` [you know what I mean anyway] Your hair colour is `tricky`..it looks like a sandy type of fair... you don`t have to worry too much about exact amounts to send in as a sample, about an inch length if you can, and pencil diameter...it`s vital to get a proper colour match. I think the pics would be very helpful with your order ..you can show your growing hair/thin area and importantly ...your hair direction.....this will ensure you get it ventilated in the correct direction and also stick in a pic of the ideal crown density you`d like ....... enclose the pics of the styles you`d like to copy and you should have no probs....... I hope that gives you some ideas.....and other readers/wearers will give their opinions...... I don`t claim to know it all..... but I know this game is a lot easier than you might think....... Paul.
p.s. you asked about the higher densities being more detectable to the touch .. the more hair the more knots there will be so it`s probable that it might be .. I only wear 55% so maybe a wearer of a high -density system will answer that more definitely for you.