THIS MONTH WE ASKED MICHELLE, OUR END WEARER - TO SHARE HER STORY WITH US.

Tell us a little about yourself

Hi there, my name is Michelle. I am 35 years old, and live in Scotland. I have 4 kids, and I am a nurse. I have Alopecia, and lost my hair back in 2015 at 33 years old. I had previously had the odd patch of hair loss (tiny single patches that grew back after a few months) from 2009-2014.

I have developed a serious wig and make up addiction since my alopecia began, and have discovered a whole new side of me. I am so blessed and lucky in life, and really have had amazing support from the charity alopecia UK! And great confidence in my appearance with wigs since discovering Jon Renau!

How long have you been wearing wigs or hairpieces?

So, I began to wear wigs back in 2015, as I lost all of my hair within 6 weeks. I was so lucky to discover the company "simply wigs" and basically my wig learning came from a very expensive addiction to constant buying new hair! Now that simply wigs stock Jon Renau, it is just amazing! I have bought cheap wigs from eBay and amazon, and numerous places - as well as very expensive wigs from many brands available! I now love to try share my learning with everyone new to this world of alternative hair that we wear!

What advice would you give to a new wig wearer?

Okay, so for any new wig wearer... I have a few wee points that I hope help.

(1). PLEASE take my advice, try to learn from others if you can, and don't do what I did - spend a fortune on hair that ends up being less quality than you deserve! There is so much advice and support available no matter where you are in this big world. Support groups online and in person really can help and I recommend if you need some support and advice with hair loss and for wig advice from others who wear hair!

(2). I ALWAYS recommend that people check Jon Renau wigs. I can get to that in a minute as to why!

(3). I would say that if you are new to alternative hair, and you have hairloss - first of all don't pressure yourself to accept things immediately, and don't feel guilty about any of the emotions you feel. Loss of hair is allowed to be grieved, and your emotions are all valid. It is a tough transition, but there is always support available to you. Remember - you are beautiful! You are!

(4). Another quick handy hint, if you have a super sensitive scalp, and are hair free like me, invest in a bamboo cap for under your wig - they are cooling and help with comfort.

(5). Cap construction and wig jargon can seem daunting at first, "lace front, smart lace, monofilament, wefting, hand tied, permatease, standard caps" - what does it all mean? The Jon Renau wigs on the site all give a little summary of each cap construction - what is my favourite cap style may not be yours! There is no right or wrong cap type. It is very individual to your own self: your own needs and requirements.

(6). You tend to get what you pay for often, and although something may look great online for a fraction of the price - sadly, if something seems too good to be true - it often is. Please check out any sellers and go to reputable recommended places - whether online or in store.

(7). When you have your new hair - don't be frightened to wear it! It is often daunting at first but confidence can grow as time goes on. I think of it like the celebs you see on screen or those you pass on a street, many wear hair extensions / weaves. This is no different to a wig or topper, just another hair accessory. Sometimes that helps with my thinking when I used to think it was odd to wear a wig. Plus, I can go from long to short and blonde to black to red in a day! It can be fun! I promise x

(8). Finally, PLEASE use products made for your wig. Don't try something else that is cheaper and not made for wigs. It will shorten the lifespan, and cost you more in the long run.

What do you love about our brand?

Where do I start? Okay, this answer is multifaceted. The actual quality of the hair fiber in synthetic wigs is second to none! The Jon Renau synthetic wigs and Heat Defiant synthetic range is absolutely phenomenal! The longevity is unbelievable! Although the cost may be slightly more than other brands, I've had much longer lifespan and so have worked out CHEAPER in the long run. And the fact that heat defiant can be heat styled is just amazing!

Secondly, the cap constructions are perfect! My personal favorite is the fully hand tied with smart lace, so comfortable and so natural. The SMARTLACE is the most natural hair line I have ever seen in my life! Everyone knows I wear hair as I am very open about my alopecia; still most people are shocked at the natural hairline and can't believe how real my hair is! For those who don't want to tell anyone they wear hair, I recommend a JR SmartLace.

Thirdly, density - the styles are gorgeous and there is never too much or too little hair. It is obvious that so much time and effort goes in to the design of the Jon Renau wigs. I believe that Jon Renau always gets it right - always. Whether you want a modern style and color or more classic, there are so many options to suit everyone!

Finally, I believe wholeheartedly that Jon Renau as a brand really CARES for all their customers. So much care is shown by the brand, and the customer service is phenomenal! The staff I've spoken to and reps are just absolutely lovely - so kind, and that speaks volumes to me! Jon Renau is more than a company who just makes hair - they are a brand who dedicates itself to the needs of their clients, to the end users like me. I feel valued, and I feel that customers are at the heart of the brand. This is just amazing! Thank you Jon Renau for being such wonderful people, and for your wonderful creations! You guys are my ultimate favorite in hair! You really do help me - and I'm sure many others - to feel beautiful. Thank you!

Follow Michelle on her YouTube and read her Blog!

Would you like to share your story? Contact us or find us on Facebook.