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EA Spotlight – Amber

Aug 15th 2022

If you are experiencing hair loss, you are not alone. Many others have had the same experience and there is a vast support network out there for you.

Every month, we are featuring each of our beautiful Education Ambassadors to spotlight their unique hair loss journeys and inspire those who experience alopecia or other forms of hair loss.

First, we introduced you to Jo, who shared her message about having fun with wigs, despite the heartbreak of hair loss. Next, you met Kim, who’s passionate about sharing her hair loss solutions and embracing change.

Now, let’s get to know Amber, who reminds us to give ourselves grace and to continually learn, try, and explore.


Tell us a bit about yourself…

My name is Amber Perkins. I'm a mom of 5 awesome kids, and I've been married 18 years! I have a very busy, active life with my large family, and I love experiencing new things and fun adventures. I've always had a love for hair. When I was 16, I became a receptionist at a hair salon, and decided to start Cosmetology school while attending high school my junior and senior year. I've always loved playing with hair, and that love evolved into a passion for alternative hair because of my own need for it and the amazing transformations it brings for myself and so many others... not just physically but mentally and emotionally too.


How long have you been wearing wigs or hairpieces?

I started wearing little pieces as young as 14 years old. It started with ponytails, clips, and little tufts of hair. I have always struggled with thin fine hair, so any fun additions I loved and gravitated to because it allowed me to obtain styles I could not achieve on my own with my biological hair. I eventually graduated to weaved hair extensions and tried every extension under the sun. Glue, beads, weft, tape, and then the halo. I loved the halo because it was least damaging on my thin fragile bio hair. Around 2011, after having my 3rd baby, the postpartum shedding was pretty bad, and I dragged myself over to a local wig shop and purchased 2 budget wigs in the sale section. Both basic cap, but oh boy, I was so intrigued and excited about the changes! I secretly wore those wigs and actually blended them with my bio hair (much like a topper) to be discreet and as real looking as possible. In 2016, after my 4th child, I ended up ordering my first few toppers, the Jon Renau Top Secret (now known as the synthetic version as Top Style). Those toppers changed EVERYTHING for me. I was in awe of the realistic scalp and parting ability, and how fun and easy it was to creative style and have it look so real. I was hooked. That is when I decided to share my ahh-haaa moment and open up my Instagram account, Fabricating Fringe.

When you started your hair loss journey, what do you wish you knew?

One thing that took some time to realize was quality. I was shocked at the prices when I first went into the wig shop and the lady showed me a topper. It blew me away. But being more educated now, you realize the product, the time and effort that goes into creating each piece, individually hand tying each little hair, and making a product that looks incredible yet has durability for those who need it every day. Also, another thing that is hard to swallow when you're in the thick of the emotions of hair loss is that time heals.

You will heal, become stronger, better, and possibly even come to realize the thing you once struggled with or the thing that you once felt was your biggest downfall ends up being your biggest strength and greatest way to grow, evolve and reach for things and people you never would have experienced. 

What is the best part about being an education ambassador?

I've loved learning and being associated with the Jon Renau brand since fall of 2017 when they first launched the EA program. It was such an exciting honor to be part of it! I have had the opportunity to meet and get to know so many incredible team members at Jon Renau through the years and I love the product, the company, and the reasoning behind the Education Ambassador program. It's been so helpful for me, but in turn, it's allowed me to help so many others out there seeking guidance, knowledge, and information on their hair-wearing journey. It's been so fun having the opportunity to try new styles from Jon Renau's launches, and one thing that I'll forever be grateful for and always remember was the chance to be part of the Jon Renau Gets Real Campaign in 2018. Traveling to California and meeting 3 fellow ambassadors and being part of that experience was incredible. I'm so grateful for the time, effort, knowledge, and thought that Jon Renau and the company puts into their wigs, product, education and satisfaction of the end wearers. It's a true honor to be an Education Ambassador for Jon Renau!

What’s one thing you’ve learned about yourself while being an education ambassador?

I've learned that re-learning things you've already learned and taught is always helpful. Repetitive seems...well...repetitive... but sometimes we get lazy, OR we forget that there are new people exploring this world of alternative hair who need to start at the basics. So, something that I now think is common sense, or I feel I've taught, shared, and reiterated time and time again may not have been absorbed or targeted the right person at the right time. There is always someone new needing that information, knowledge, and encouragement. It's never not needed, and it never gets old! Keep teaching, keep sharing, keep going... more people need it and listen and are watching than we even realize!

What advice would you give to a new alternative hair wearer?

Which Jon Renau style is your favorite?

Oh my goodness, this is the hardest question because I change up my style so much and love such a variety of styles and colors. In human hair I love LOVE Kim and Blake. I think it's because I always struggled growing out my own bio hair, so having real, gorgeous, long human hair is like a luxurious dream to me.

In synthetic I don't even know if I can give a proper answer. It switches! At one point I thought Camilla with a customized bang was my girl, and I still love that one! But I love Amber, Miranda, Heidi, Rachel, Sarah, and oooh boy...too many more to even ramble off!

Learn more about Amber and her participation in the Jon Renau Gets Real Campaign!


Seeking more alternative hair tips from Amber? Follow her hair loss journey on social media at @fabricatingfringe