First, Welcome to Toplace.
Second, I am in no way affiliated with Toplace.
Third, I have only been a Toplace customer.
Fourth, I do know Debbie, John and Jrob personally since becoming a customer a few years ago.
I learned so much from the old forum there is just too much great info there to let it go so I'm going to link many awesome threads here.

Please take the time to read through this thread and the links, they are not in any particular order as I have been building this over time. All these threads should be reviewed, don't be bothered by the dates, nothing has changed in this game in the past 5 years.

See, all the pros here can't be expected to answer the same questions over and over, and you'll get more good info looking through past info.

Newbie Supplies:
Just wanted to make sure I'm looking into all the supplies I'll be needing.

Acrylic Glue
Tape
Vent
Isopropyl 99%
Deodorant
Proper shampoo/conditioner-Ever Pure brand Pink Tube Red cap-(Target, Wal Mart)avoid any volumizing shampoos
Find a salon to cut the piece in

Am I missing anything vital? Any advice would be appreciated, thanks.



Gel Wax Pomade review:
My final 4 hair gel pomade wax products...comprehensive review
January 16 2008 at 6:09 PM Snipe (Login ESniper)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Well, I've been researching waxes, pomades, gels and just about every hair finishing product known to man the past year. I've tried everything from a doller a bottle to fifty bucks for a half ounce of some hair serum and every price in between. From salons, the internet, cosmetic stores and even dollar stores.

I took everything in to account when testing these products except price.
Criteria for decision in rating each product I tested(weighting factor CFD of 1 being the lowest, 5 being the highest):
Does it contain any ingredients not recommended for hp hair: 6
Healthy/adverse effect on hair: 5
Lighting effect on hair after applied: 5
Long term effect on overall hair performance: 5
Long term effect on hair color: 5
Was I able to achieve the style I was after: 4
Did the look last all day and into the night: 4
Sunscreen: 2
Texture of hair after applied: 3
Texture of product before and during application: 2
Smell: 2
Ready Availability: 1
Waterproof: 1

After testing probably 100 products these are the four I've settled on and I rotate to keep my hair looking good and changing the finish up for different occasions and to keep things fresh.

Without further adieu, the BIG FOUR are...
*Update 9/1/2011*
Paul Mitchell Dry Wax is the king, keeps hair feeling and looking new. Lasts over the day and night. Renewable with water.

Paul Mitchell WaxWorks Medium Hold

Wet shiny look, hair soft and moves depending on amount of product applied. Feeds hair oils needed to keep soft shiny and fresh, it absolutely beats every other product in this category. Shiny finish. Clear/milky wax. No smell. Can be applied to wet or dry hair depending on style to be achieved. When applying to dry hair, hands can be run through water before applying to hair for quick next morning touch ups. This product has already be reviewed favorably by TL customers. This product should be the main wax gel used in your repetoire. I use this for daily work days and can be refreshed daily without washing out.

Joico Creme Wax

Flat/matte finish. Each hair will move in the wind seperate from one and other. Will put flat finish on hair when new. Does not gather/stick hair together. Does not have negative or positive effect as far as feeding hair oils. No smell. White cream can be applied to wet or dry hair for different finish on hair, do not wet hands. Maximum effect achieved when applied to dry hair. This product will compliment your everyday look of the WaxWorks. I get the most comps when wearing this product. Certified by professional cheerleaders as "that's the coolest look". I wear this when I'm going out and really want my hair to say "BAM"! This product can't be refreshed, is not water resistent and can be brushed out.

Paul Mitchell Tea Tree Shaping Creme

Similar attributes to WaxWorks except a satin finish(between flat and shiny) instead of shiny. Use this product for non shiny finish with hold and different style.

Nexxus Exxtra Gel
I use this product in the convertible or out on windy days. Clear gel. No smell. Will wash out. Can be refreshed somewhat. Hair drys crispy in place. Has sunscreen, I use it at the beach.

New Hair Products
http://forum.toplace.com/showthread.php?tid=5211


Wearers Toolbox - Tape & Glue Review And Rating Thread
http://forum.toplace.com/showthread.php?tid=5226

Stock Unit Partial Before/After pics
http://forum.toplace.com/showthread.php?tid=4466

How to bleach knots

Re: Knot Bleaching December 1 2007, 2:30 PM


Any hair bleaching kit should work.
I haven't tried Debbie's, however from the feedback here, it works well.

I use Wellite Creme Lightener by Wella and it's the best that I've ever tried (I haven't tried Debbie's).
I get it at Sallys and it's really cheap.
Mix it a little differently than the instructions.

Use 1/4 bottle of the liquid (the bottle is marked off in 1/4 bottle marks) and one packet of the powder.
Mix well, then add enough 40 vol. developer to double the amount.
You'll have a relative think, blue'ish paste.
Apply that to the knots from the underside and wait about 10 minutes.
Rinse THROUGHLY.
If the knots still need a little more, then do it again.
Note, that with any bleaching powder, even Debbie's, leaving it on too long and/or doing it too often will destroy the knots and cause a lot of shedding.




guy c wrote:
"
Fred, what is the mix for the wella and the 40 developer? equal amount's? thanks guyc
"


Basically you buy some Wella Wellite Creme Lightener and any 40% creme developer. Inside the Wellite box are packets of powder and a bottle of liquid. In a plastic bowl and with a nylon brush, mix 1/4 of the contents of the Wellite bottle with one sachet of the Wellite powder, then double the quantity with the 40% creme developer. The bowl now contains a thick blue gel-like paste. It's enough for four or five units, but this is very inexpensive so don't worry about having leftover mixture.

Keeping the hair out of the way, brush this thick paste on the underside of the lace. It's so thick it shouldn't seep through. Wait about 20 minutes to a half an hour (this time can vary according to how dark the hair is and what batch it's from etc). Then rise out the paste and shampoo the unit two or three times until it smells like it's free of all bleach.



Fred (StealthTJ)

Mr. Burns knot bleaching method:
Mr.Burns
(Login MisterBurns) Re: Knots May 12 2008, 5:46 AM


Quick and easy solution, works every time, has "easy to read" instructions and you can buy it anywhere:
It's called Jerome Russel Bleaching Kit

I also keep mine for reuse after opening, and have no problems.

One vote to stickie this thread to the top of the page.

JRob's full cap pics:

Mohawk pics:
http://forum.toplace.com/showthread.php?...ght=mohawk
http://forum.toplace.com/showthread.php?...rob+mohawk

http://forum.toplace.com/showthread.php?tid=1800&page=1

Here are some close up hairline photos :

More photos for newbies :

For any wearers having issues with their piece fading and discoloring visit us at :

http://www.back2natural.net

if you have specific questions on restoring your color safely and easily just drop me an email.
We now have a shade chart on out site to make it easier to select the right color.
Using is easy too, you use Back2natural like you use a conditioner-it's that easy!
Our colors are Ammonia free- Paraben free- PPD free- Lead free - peroxide free
Ian

adfhair Wrote:For any wearers having issues with their piece fading and discoloring visit us at:

http://www.back2natural.net"

if you have specific questions on restoring your color safely and easily just drop me an email.
We now have a shade chart on out site to make it easier to select the right color.
Using is easy too, you use Back2natural like you use a conditioner-it's that easy!
Our colors are Ammonia free- Paraben free- PPD free- Lead free - peroxide free
Ian

i've bought myself 2 coloring medium brown kits.
But i've read on the instructions to avoid eyebrowns and clothing, witch means it's risky to coloring these things, right?
But what about the lace and bleaching knots?
Seems logical that this also will change color.

Therefore, Is it appropriate to use color block on the bottom of the lace, before apply the conditioner, or can it do any harm?

Thx,

Chris