Regain Your Confidence
Designed to seamlessly add natural thickness and volume, our toppers help you reclaim your confidence with thicker, more beautiful hair.
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FAQ
What size of topper should I purchase?
Choosing a topper size largely comes down to how much overall coverage you want to achieve with your topper.
If you choose a smaller base topper (5x5, 6x6, or 7x7), you'll get less coverage on the sides and back, meaning you should have more of your own hair and only need a little extra hair from the topper. This also means your own hair color needs to match the topper hair color more perfectly as more of your own hair will be showing through the topper hair.
With an 8x8, 9x9, and 10x10, you get more coverage, so this is better for those with more advanced stages of hair loss. Because with these sizes, the topper will cover almost the entire top layer of your hair, it's less important you need an exact color match with your own hair (however you should still try and get as close as possible, especially if you're blending your own front hair into the topper).
We at Madison find that the 9x9 size tends to be the perfect length as it provides a lot of coverage, doesn't require perfect hair color matching, allows you to still do low to mid height ponytails, and is still fairly lightweight overall.
This said, an 8x8 or 10x10 can also be great options if you require a little more or less coverage.
Which is better - a lace top topper or a silk top topper?
This is an important question to ask - and one that is entirely personal.
Some people swear by lace toppers while others would only ever dream of wearing silk.
Both have their pros and cons, so it's important to understand each and choose according to your own personal preferences.
Where silk toppers really shine is creating a very realistic partline (there are no knots and it literally looks like scalp in the part).
Silk toppers are also a bit more durable than lace toppers, so if you want something that will last as long as possible, this may lend you to opting for a silk topper.
Because silk toppers are not transparent on top, this also means you don't need to worry about any of your own hair showing through the top.
This said, due to their construction, they tend to be a bit more dense (have more hair overall in the top section) than lace toppers. They will feel slightly heavier on the head than lace and because there are more layers of fabric in the silk top compared to lace, they aren't as breathable as lace is. This can make them slightly warmer in comparison with closed lace toppers.
Which brings us to where lace really shines - they're very lightweight and breathable, so perfect for those who tend to overheat or live in very warm climates.
They're also great for those who don't like feeling like they're wearing a lot of hair.
Lace toppers will have knots throughout the partline where the hair has been tied onto the lace, however these can be concealed with powder quite nicely to still maintain a realistic looking part. Or, you may find that you think it looks just fine as-is and nothing further needs to be done. Remember, we are analyzing our 'hair' far more than other people are! :)
At Madison, we also put a silk lining under our closed lace toppers in the top section, which helps to further hide your own bio hair and reduce any itch that may be associated with lace.
This can make a huge difference in terms of overall comfort when wearing lace toppers compared to pieces without that silk lining.
Both types of products are great - it's really about what you most want in your hair!
I don't have a good hairline. Can I still wear a topper?
If you don't have a strong natural (bio) hairline, this is one determining factor that may mean a wig is a better choice for you.
Normally with a topper, we recommend clients blend their own front hairs into the rim of the topper, creating a more realistic looking front.
However, if you have some hairline hair (you don't have bald spots), you may still be able to make a lace topper work as the front rim on this topper variety is thinner than a silk topper, which therefore requires less hair to blend into it.
Alternatively, if you are someone who doesn't mind wearing bangs, you can cut some bangs into a lace or silk topper and then you won't need to worry at all about blending your hairline. Bangs can be a topper wearer's best friend! In that case, you certainly can make a topper work!
Silk toppers tend to be especially popular if you want to cut bangs because the bit of extra density in the silk lends well to cutting a nice full bang as desired.
Does my own hair need to be the same length as the topper?
While we do have some clients that say they can wear a topper much longer than their own hair without a problem (and this very well may be the case if you don't have much of your own hair to blend in), for best results, we do recommend that your hair is within 1-2" (1" being preferable) to the topper length.
Our goal is to have you feeling as confident as possible in your new piece and we just find that this tends to create the most seamless look, with there being very few signs that you might be wearing a topper.
Keep in mind that since all of our pieces are real human hair, you can cut the toppers shorter to your preference (or add more layering), so if your current hair is shorter and you wish to cut the longer topper to match, that's totally fine.
One other thing to take into account is you have very little of your own hair and are wearing a topper, matching lengths becomes less important because your own hair will be far less noticeable under the topper than if you had more of it.
If this is your situation however, we'd strongly consider looking into the 10x10 toppers as they will provide the most coverage overall (since you aren't blending much of your own hair).
How do I know if I have enough hair for a topper?
In order to wear a topper, we recommend that you at least have a little of your own hair around the perimeter of where the topper cap will sit, as well as at the nape. If you have bald spots in the top, it's still totally possibly to wear a topper as the topper will cover those up.
You WILL need enough hair for the topper clips to clip into. Note: you don't necessarily need to clip in all the clips - you just need to clip in a couple to secure the piece.
Not a lot of hair is required to get the clips to hold (and you might find using a texture spray on your own hair helps the clips grasp better if you're struggling), but you do need some hair there.
Alternatively, some people do choose to remove the clips and just tape their topper down. This is also an option however you would still want to have some of your own hair at the nape / side burn area in order to blend the piece properly.
And, if you aren't cutting in a full bang, you'll also need some hair in the front (your hairline) to blend this and cover the topper rim.
If you do not feel you have sufficient hair for a topper, you may be well advised to instead look into our wigs instead, available at MadisonHairCollection.com.
Can I cut bangs into my topper?
Yes! All of our toppers are bang-friendly!
In fact, cutting bangs into a topper can be a perfect way to help hide a thinning hairline of your own (since you will not need to blend any of your own hair in).
Please keep in mind because silk toppers do tend to have more hair ventilated into the top section, they will work better if you are going for a heavy full front bang, whereas lace toppers tend to work better for whispier/lighter bangs.
We always recommend whenever possible you cut the bangs with the topper on your head so you can properly assess exactly how to cut them and how long they should be.
Everyone positions their topper unique to their own head so cutting the bang on a mannequin head doesn't address these differences and may lead to a bang cut that isn't optimal for your face.
And since the hair on toppers won't grow back, you want to cut it right the first time!
Any local stylist who can cut bangs should be able to cut bangs into a topper quite easily. Just instruct them to go slow and cut smaller amounts off at once so you can find that sweet spot where they're perfect on you.
How do I know what length to order?
The first thing to keep in mind is most of our longer topper pieces come pre-cut with layers. We find this helps improve the natural movement of the hair and makes them look more realistic.
When we measure our toppers, we provide the front measurement and the back measurement (top of head to the longest hair in the back).
To measure, your own hair, place a tape measure right in the center of your head and then measure down the front of your hair.
Then do the same thing for the back of your hair. You'll want these measurements to match the topper length you order as closely as possible. This may mean you will need to trim up your own hair to match the layering in the topper (or alternatively, purchase a longer topper and cut it more blunt if that's how you prefer to wear your hair).
Our bob lengths however are cut more bluntly (We find this tends to look better at this length).
Please also keep in mind that if you curl your piece, this may make it appear shorter as curling naturally shortens the hair some due to the wave pattern.
We provide the measurements for the hair when it's straightened so this may also factor into your decision making on the proper length.
Are toppers hot?
This will be somewhat subjective as everyone has different tolerances for heat.
You are putting something on top of your head, so it will inherently be warmer than if you weren't wearing a topper.
Toppers however will not be as warm as wigs comparatively because you are leaving the underside of your head free to air circulation.
This said, if heat is a top concern, we recommend looking into our lace top toppers over the silk top toppers. Because the silk top toppers have more layers in the top construction as well as more hair, they will be warmer than lace toppers are.
Lace toppers allow for more breathability.
Are your toppers human hair?
Yes! All of our products are made from the highest grade Mongolian human hair, unless otherwise indicated.
The hair is remy hair (meaning the cuticles all face the same direction) and is double drawn.
This allows you to style it as you please with heat. We do recommend however being mindful not to put it on the hottest setting to help preserve the lifespan of your wig and keep your color looking good for as long as possible.
Can I color my topper?
Yes! Because your topper is human hair, you can color it. However please note, as this hair has already been colored once (with the exception of our natural black toppers), we recommend that you only darken the topper and not try to lighten it by bleaching the hair.
If you proceed with bleaching your topper, again with the exception of the natural black color, you may severely damage the topper to the point it's unable to be worn.
How do I style my topper? Can I use hot tools?
You can style your topper with any hot tool you please - curling iron, curling wand, flat iron, or a beach waver.
We recommend using a heat protectant on the hair prior to styling, keeping your heat setting around 325-350 degrees, and not holding the hot tool on the hair on any one spot for too long.
How often do you restock a particular topper?
While we try and restock a topper style that has sold within 10-15 weeks, please note we unfortunately cannot guarantee that.
We are always stocking new colors and sometimes we may not have the capacity to bring back a color for months at a time.
How long will my topper last?
As there are many factors that can impact how long a topper lasts, it's impossible to say for sure.
Generally speaking, silk top toppers do tend to last a bit longer than lace top toppers due to their more hardy construction in the top. Lace tends to be more delicate and can be more likely to rip or shed with ongoing use or improper care.
If you do take proper care and maintenance of your topper and aren't letting it get excessively tangled (to the point where it sheds when combing), your topper will likely last 10-12+ months for darker colors and 6-12 months for blonde colors.
As blondes are more processed, their lifespan may be shorter.
Note that we cannot guarantee a timeframe and these are estimates only.
Can I change the part of my topper? If so, how?
Yes! All of our toppers come with full lace or silk tops, so you can change the part anywhere in that top region.
Please keep in mind however with our lace toppers that the density of the piece does get slightly lower as you go out to the sides, so if you're doing a strong side part (quite a ways off center), the parting hair won't look as thick as it does in the center. This is normal and is done to help maintain a proper realistic look at the top of your head.
To change the part on either topper, simply wet the top down with a spray bottle, part it as you wish and then use a blow dryer to dry the hair in that new part.
Alternatively, if you have a hot comb, you can also part the hair where you wish and use the top comb to direct the hair into position.
This also works great for getting return hairs (the shorter hairs found on lace toppers) so lay flat if they want to stick up).
What are return hairs? What are these short hairs on the top of my topper?
The short hairs on the top of a lace top topper (properly referred to as 'return hairs') are the opposite end of the hair that's been tied into the lace.
Whenever a lace topper is made, a strand of hair is tied into the lace top, forming a knot. The longer side of the hair makes up the length of the topper and the other side of the hair then forms the 'return', which is 3-4" in length.
Note it is not wise to cut these hairs off as they are needed for the topper to lay right and doing so may cause them to stick up far more than they otherwise do.
Return hairs are only present on lace toppers, not silk toppers.
Sometimes you may get your piece and find that these hairs have a mind of their own! They could be sticking straight up and not wanting to settle down. This may happen due to the shipping process and the topper being packaged up.
Not to worry - it can be quickly fixed. Just wet those hairs down and then use a blow dryer to direct them down further, holding them down in place until the hair is cooled.
If they still down want to stay down, applying some alcohol free hairspray can also help.
Sometimes return hairs can stick up a little more on fresh new pieces, but as you wear the topper and the hair gets a little worn in, they typically settle down a lot more.
How do your toppers air dry?
Unless it's stated otherwise, our pieces will air dry fairly straight, with very subtle wave in some cases.
Unless it's a wavy piece, we use straight hair, not permed or naturally wavy.
Will the clips pull on my hair and cause traction alopecia?
Traction alopecia, which is hair loss caused by the pulling out of hair by some sort of clip/comb/extension, etc. is a very real thing - and something to be rightfully concerned about.
You are already suffering from hair loss. The last thing you want is for your solution to your hair loss to cause even more hair loss to occur!
At Madison, our top priority was to ensure this wouldn't happen. We found with with regular topper clips, traction alopecia can often occur when the hairs get caught inside the edges of the clips. This is why our caps have been designed to cover up those edges, while also providing a soft cushioning layer through the silicone to help ease any pressure you might feel.
The result?
Superior comfort and a clip system that will not pull out your own hair when worn correctly.
Is it possible to glue or tape Madison toppers down?
If you wish to glue or tape one of our toppers, you can do so however you may need to remove the front comb (for silk toppers) and possibly some of the side clips if you wish to use tape in those areas.
Lace toppers do not have a front comb, so those actually lend well to being glued or taped down right in the front.
Could wearing a topper damage your own hair or cause hair loss?
Generally speaking, no, wearing a topper will not cause hair loss or damage.
If you wear a topper to sleep in or during very active activities and it's pulling a lot on your own hair, this could potentially lead to some damaging results.
But when a topper is worn correctly and for normal daily activities, your hair will be free to move underneath and it should not cause any hair loss or damage.
Can I sleep in a topper?
We recommend that you do not sleep in your topper. The reason being that you may toss and turn without awareness and this may lead to hair becoming tangled within the topper, leading to a greater risk of hair loss occurring.
If you absolutely must sleep in a topper, we'd recommend not using all the clips (only using what you need to keep the topper loosely in place) and putting it into a low loose ponytail.
It's also helpful to sleep on a satin pillowcase to reduce the risk of friction causing hair tangling/damage to the topper piece.
But again, please consider only doing this when absolutely necessary and not daily.
Is a topper more comfortable than a wig? Does a topper hurt?
This will be entirely personal preference. Some people will find a topper is more comfortable than a wig because it just sits on top of the head, allowing your hair to move freely underneath. If you're prone to headaches (such as when wearing headbands), then you'll likely definitely find that the topper is more comfortable than the wig.
On the flip side, others find wigs more comfortable as they find the topper clips do pull on the hair while they wear them and don't like that.
How often should I wash my topper?
This will vary considerably depending on what you are doing in your topper and how much you personally sweat.
Because the topper lays on top of your own hair, it won't be rubbing against your own body and clothing as much, thus it probably won't get as dirty as quickly as a wig.
This said, if you're someone who just produces a lot of scalp oils or sweats heavily in their scalp, you'll need to wash more frequently.
How often you wear your topper will also factor into how often you wash it. Someone wearing it daily will need to wash it more often than someone wearing it only on the weekends or special occasions when they want extra glam for their hair.
A good way to tell it needs a wash is if the cap starts to smell or just doesn't feel as fresh and/or the hair isn't moving as nicely as it did when you got it or is tangling easily.
For those wearing daily or who sweat more heavily, washing every 1-2 weeks is likely necessary. For those who don't wear as often or who aren't sweating/producing a lot of scalp oils, washing every 4-6 weeks may be more realistic.
My topper is feeling dry. What should I do?
Toppers do not receive the natural scalp oils like your own hair does and over time, this can impact how dry they feel.
Likewise, lots of heat styling and choosing a color that is heavily bleached (ie. the lightest blonde colors) will also lead to increased risk of dryness.
To help combat this, we recommend applying a light oil when it's feeling a bit on the dry side. You don't want to overdo the oil, but at the same time, a light coating every month or two (depending on how often its washed) can help.
How should I store my topper for daily use?
For daily use, storing it on a wig head tends to work best. You'll just want to ensure that it's away from direct sunlight or extreme temperatures/humidity as these may impact the color of your piece over time.
How should I store my topper for longer term storage?
For long term storage, we like storing our pieces in plastic shoebox containers. Placing them in the original satin bag and box they came in is also a safe bet.
How do I wash my topper?
We recommend the following steps when washing your topper.
1. Fill a large sink with warm water (not hot) and add in some salon grade safe-for-color treated hair shampoo. Swirl the shampoo in to disperse.
2. Comb the topper out to ensure there are no tangles.
3. Place the topper in the sink and work the water/shampoo through the wig. Avoid rubbing the hair together but rather, run hands through the wig to clean.
4. Remove from sink and squeeze (not twist) out excess water.
5. Repeat the process, this time using color safe conditioner instead.
6. Fill the sink up one last time with clean water and then rinse. You can also rinse the wig under the tap. If doing so, we recommend that you let the water run through the cap down to the ends of the hair (so the water runs in the same direction you'll comb it). This will further help prevent tangles. Additionally, do not let water from the tap run through a lace topper top from outside in as this can cause hairs to move to the wrong side of the topper and increase your risk of tangling and shedding.
7. Towel blot the topper to remove excess water.
8. Either let the hair air dry completely before combing it or very gently, use a wide tooth comb to lightly comb through and then let air dry. We do recommend that you blow dry the silk or lace top section until knots are fully dry though (using low heat) as this will also help to prevent premature shedding.
Note: Hair is more prone to breakage when wet (especially blondes) so comb very lightly when the hair is wet from washing, if doing so at all.
We also recommend you ensure you don't place the cap on a mannequin stand to dry that's larger than your own head or you will quickly stretch out the topper cap and it may not fit your head as it did before.
My topper keeps sliding back! Help!
So if your topper keeps sliding back on your head, there are a few things you can check and try.
First, are you using all of the clips? If you're only using a couple of the clips, you're not securing as much of the base to your head and the topper will pull more on the clips you are using to secure it. This may lead to a bit more slipping.
Second, your hair itself may be quite thin and slippery. While you can't change how much hair you have, you can change the texture of it somewhat. We'd recommend trying either some hairspray, dry shampoo, or another type of holding product to give the hair some grit. This can help the clip secure itself better to the hair and not slip out if your own hair is particularly slippery (which can be the case with fine hair). You may also find your topper stays better on second-day hair (rather than right after a wash) for these reasons.
Finally, make sure that you're really getting that front comb into place if you are using a silk topper (note the lace toppers do not have front combs as they'd be visible in the front). You may need to wiggle it around a bit as you place the comb in the hair to ensure it's grabbing onto your own hair as best as possible.
If you've done all of these steps and are still not having luck, you may just wish to consider taping the topper down.
Fortunately at Madison, we add silicone into our toppers around the clips and comb (on silk tops) to help improve the gripping ability of your piece so you'll already be one step ahead of the game in terms of reducing slippage.
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What size of topper should I purchase?
Choosing a topper size largely comes down to how much overall coverage you want to achieve with your topper.
If you choose a smaller base topper (5x5, 6x6, or 7x7), you'll get less coverage on the sides and back, meaning you should have more of your own hair and only need a little extra hair from the topper. This also means your own hair color needs to match the topper hair color more perfectly as more of your own hair will be showing through the topper hair.
With an 8x8, 9x9, and 10x10, you get more coverage, so this is better for those with more advanced stages of hair loss. Because with these sizes, the topper will cover almost the entire top layer of your hair, it's less important you need an exact color match with your own hair (however you should still try and get as close as possible, especially if you're blending your own front hair into the topper).
We at Madison find that the 9x9 size tends to be the perfect length as it provides a lot of coverage, doesn't require perfect hair color matching, allows you to still do low to mid height ponytails, and is still fairly lightweight overall.
This said, an 8x8 or 10x10 can also be great options if you require a little more or less coverage.
Which is better - a lace top topper or a silk top topper?
This is an important question to ask - and one that is entirely personal.
Some people swear by lace toppers while others would only ever dream of wearing silk.
Both have their pros and cons, so it's important to understand each and choose according to your own personal preferences.
Where silk toppers really shine is creating a very realistic partline (there are no knots and it literally looks like scalp in the part).
Silk toppers are also a bit more durable than lace toppers, so if you want something that will last as long as possible, this may lend you to opting for a silk topper.
Because silk toppers are not transparent on top, this also means you don't need to worry about any of your own hair showing through the top.
This said, due to their construction, they tend to be a bit more dense (have more hair overall in the top section) than lace toppers. They will feel slightly heavier on the head than lace and because there are more layers of fabric in the silk top compared to lace, they aren't as breathable as lace is. This can make them slightly warmer in comparison with closed lace toppers.
Which brings us to where lace really shines - they're very lightweight and breathable, so perfect for those who tend to overheat or live in very warm climates.
They're also great for those who don't like feeling like they're wearing a lot of hair.
Lace toppers will have knots throughout the partline where the hair has been tied onto the lace, however these can be concealed with powder quite nicely to still maintain a realistic looking part. Or, you may find that you think it looks just fine as-is and nothing further needs to be done. Remember, we are analyzing our 'hair' far more than other people are! :)
At Madison, we also put a silk lining under our closed lace toppers in the top section, which helps to further hide your own bio hair and reduce any itch that may be associated with lace.
This can make a huge difference in terms of overall comfort when wearing lace toppers compared to pieces without that silk lining.
Both types of products are great - it's really about what you most want in your hair!
I don't have a good hairline. Can I still wear a topper?
If you don't have a strong natural (bio) hairline, this is one determining factor that may mean a wig is a better choice for you.
Normally with a topper, we recommend clients blend their own front hairs into the rim of the topper, creating a more realistic looking front.
However, if you have some hairline hair (you don't have bald spots), you may still be able to make a lace topper work as the front rim on this topper variety is thinner than a silk topper, which therefore requires less hair to blend into it.
Alternatively, if you are someone who doesn't mind wearing bangs, you can cut some bangs into a lace or silk topper and then you won't need to worry at all about blending your hairline. Bangs can be a topper wearer's best friend! In that case, you certainly can make a topper work!
Silk toppers tend to be especially popular if you want to cut bangs because the bit of extra density in the silk lends well to cutting a nice full bang as desired.
Does my own hair need to be the same length as the topper?
While we do have some clients that say they can wear a topper much longer than their own hair without a problem (and this very well may be the case if you don't have much of your own hair to blend in), for best results, we do recommend that your hair is within 1-2" (1" being preferable) to the topper length.
Our goal is to have you feeling as confident as possible in your new piece and we just find that this tends to create the most seamless look, with there being very few signs that you might be wearing a topper.
Keep in mind that since all of our pieces are real human hair, you can cut the toppers shorter to your preference (or add more layering), so if your current hair is shorter and you wish to cut the longer topper to match, that's totally fine.
One other thing to take into account is you have very little of your own hair and are wearing a topper, matching lengths becomes less important because your own hair will be far less noticeable under the topper than if you had more of it.
If this is your situation however, we'd strongly consider looking into the 10x10 toppers as they will provide the most coverage overall (since you aren't blending much of your own hair).
How do I know if I have enough hair for a topper?
In order to wear a topper, we recommend that you at least have a little of your own hair around the perimeter of where the topper cap will sit, as well as at the nape. If you have bald spots in the top, it's still totally possibly to wear a topper as the topper will cover those up.
You WILL need enough hair for the topper clips to clip into. Note: you don't necessarily need to clip in all the clips - you just need to clip in a couple to secure the piece.
Not a lot of hair is required to get the clips to hold (and you might find using a texture spray on your own hair helps the clips grasp better if you're struggling), but you do need some hair there.
Alternatively, some people do choose to remove the clips and just tape their topper down. This is also an option however you would still want to have some of your own hair at the nape / side burn area in order to blend the piece properly.
And, if you aren't cutting in a full bang, you'll also need some hair in the front (your hairline) to blend this and cover the topper rim.
If you do not feel you have sufficient hair for a topper, you may be well advised to instead look into our wigs instead, available at MadisonHairCollection.com.
Can I cut bangs into my topper?
Yes! All of our toppers are bang-friendly!
In fact, cutting bangs into a topper can be a perfect way to help hide a thinning hairline of your own (since you will not need to blend any of your own hair in).
Please keep in mind because silk toppers do tend to have more hair ventilated into the top section, they will work better if you are going for a heavy full front bang, whereas lace toppers tend to work better for whispier/lighter bangs.
We always recommend whenever possible you cut the bangs with the topper on your head so you can properly assess exactly how to cut them and how long they should be.
Everyone positions their topper unique to their own head so cutting the bang on a mannequin head doesn't address these differences and may lead to a bang cut that isn't optimal for your face.
And since the hair on toppers won't grow back, you want to cut it right the first time!
Any local stylist who can cut bangs should be able to cut bangs into a topper quite easily. Just instruct them to go slow and cut smaller amounts off at once so you can find that sweet spot where they're perfect on you.
How do I know what length to order?
The first thing to keep in mind is most of our longer topper pieces come pre-cut with layers. We find this helps improve the natural movement of the hair and makes them look more realistic.
When we measure our toppers, we provide the front measurement and the back measurement (top of head to the longest hair in the back).
To measure, your own hair, place a tape measure right in the center of your head and then measure down the front of your hair.
Then do the same thing for the back of your hair. You'll want these measurements to match the topper length you order as closely as possible. This may mean you will need to trim up your own hair to match the layering in the topper (or alternatively, purchase a longer topper and cut it more blunt if that's how you prefer to wear your hair).
Our bob lengths however are cut more bluntly (We find this tends to look better at this length).
Please also keep in mind that if you curl your piece, this may make it appear shorter as curling naturally shortens the hair some due to the wave pattern.
We provide the measurements for the hair when it's straightened so this may also factor into your decision making on the proper length.
Are toppers hot?
This will be somewhat subjective as everyone has different tolerances for heat.
You are putting something on top of your head, so it will inherently be warmer than if you weren't wearing a topper.
Toppers however will not be as warm as wigs comparatively because you are leaving the underside of your head free to air circulation.
This said, if heat is a top concern, we recommend looking into our lace top toppers over the silk top toppers. Because the silk top toppers have more layers in the top construction as well as more hair, they will be warmer than lace toppers are.
Lace toppers allow for more breathability.
Are your toppers human hair?
Yes! All of our products are made from the highest grade Mongolian human hair, unless otherwise indicated.
The hair is remy hair (meaning the cuticles all face the same direction) and is double drawn.
This allows you to style it as you please with heat. We do recommend however being mindful not to put it on the hottest setting to help preserve the lifespan of your wig and keep your color looking good for as long as possible.
Can I color my topper?
Yes! Because your topper is human hair, you can color it. However please note, as this hair has already been colored once (with the exception of our natural black toppers), we recommend that you only darken the topper and not try to lighten it by bleaching the hair.
If you proceed with bleaching your topper, again with the exception of the natural black color, you may severely damage the topper to the point it's unable to be worn.
How do I style my topper? Can I use hot tools?
You can style your topper with any hot tool you please - curling iron, curling wand, flat iron, or a beach waver.
We recommend using a heat protectant on the hair prior to styling, keeping your heat setting around 325-350 degrees, and not holding the hot tool on the hair on any one spot for too long.
How often do you restock a particular topper?
While we try and restock a topper style that has sold within 10-15 weeks, please note we unfortunately cannot guarantee that.
We are always stocking new colors and sometimes we may not have the capacity to bring back a color for months at a time.
How long will my topper last?
As there are many factors that can impact how long a topper lasts, it's impossible to say for sure.
Generally speaking, silk top toppers do tend to last a bit longer than lace top toppers due to their more hardy construction in the top. Lace tends to be more delicate and can be more likely to rip or shed with ongoing use or improper care.
If you do take proper care and maintenance of your topper and aren't letting it get excessively tangled (to the point where it sheds when combing), your topper will likely last 10-12+ months for darker colors and 6-12 months for blonde colors.
As blondes are more processed, their lifespan may be shorter.
Note that we cannot guarantee a timeframe and these are estimates only.
Can I change the part of my topper? If so, how?
Yes! All of our toppers come with full lace or silk tops, so you can change the part anywhere in that top region.
Please keep in mind however with our lace toppers that the density of the piece does get slightly lower as you go out to the sides, so if you're doing a strong side part (quite a ways off center), the parting hair won't look as thick as it does in the center. This is normal and is done to help maintain a proper realistic look at the top of your head.
To change the part on either topper, simply wet the top down with a spray bottle, part it as you wish and then use a blow dryer to dry the hair in that new part.
Alternatively, if you have a hot comb, you can also part the hair where you wish and use the top comb to direct the hair into position.
This also works great for getting return hairs (the shorter hairs found on lace toppers) so lay flat if they want to stick up).
What are return hairs? What are these short hairs on the top of my topper?
The short hairs on the top of a lace top topper (properly referred to as 'return hairs') are the opposite end of the hair that's been tied into the lace.
Whenever a lace topper is made, a strand of hair is tied into the lace top, forming a knot. The longer side of the hair makes up the length of the topper and the other side of the hair then forms the 'return', which is 3-4" in length.
Note it is not wise to cut these hairs off as they are needed for the topper to lay right and doing so may cause them to stick up far more than they otherwise do.
Return hairs are only present on lace toppers, not silk toppers.
Sometimes you may get your piece and find that these hairs have a mind of their own! They could be sticking straight up and not wanting to settle down. This may happen due to the shipping process and the topper being packaged up.
Not to worry - it can be quickly fixed. Just wet those hairs down and then use a blow dryer to direct them down further, holding them down in place until the hair is cooled.
If they still down want to stay down, applying some alcohol free hairspray can also help.
Sometimes return hairs can stick up a little more on fresh new pieces, but as you wear the topper and the hair gets a little worn in, they typically settle down a lot more.
How do your toppers air dry?
Unless it's stated otherwise, our pieces will air dry fairly straight, with very subtle wave in some cases.
Unless it's a wavy piece, we use straight hair, not permed or naturally wavy.
Will the clips pull on my hair and cause traction alopecia?
Traction alopecia, which is hair loss caused by the pulling out of hair by some sort of clip/comb/extension, etc. is a very real thing - and something to be rightfully concerned about.
You are already suffering from hair loss. The last thing you want is for your solution to your hair loss to cause even more hair loss to occur!
At Madison, our top priority was to ensure this wouldn't happen. We found with with regular topper clips, traction alopecia can often occur when the hairs get caught inside the edges of the clips. This is why our caps have been designed to cover up those edges, while also providing a soft cushioning layer through the silicone to help ease any pressure you might feel.
The result?
Superior comfort and a clip system that will not pull out your own hair when worn correctly.
Is it possible to glue or tape Madison toppers down?
If you wish to glue or tape one of our toppers, you can do so however you may need to remove the front comb (for silk toppers) and possibly some of the side clips if you wish to use tape in those areas.
Lace toppers do not have a front comb, so those actually lend well to being glued or taped down right in the front.
Could wearing a topper damage your own hair or cause hair loss?
Generally speaking, no, wearing a topper will not cause hair loss or damage.
If you wear a topper to sleep in or during very active activities and it's pulling a lot on your own hair, this could potentially lead to some damaging results.
But when a topper is worn correctly and for normal daily activities, your hair will be free to move underneath and it should not cause any hair loss or damage.
Can I sleep in a topper?
We recommend that you do not sleep in your topper. The reason being that you may toss and turn without awareness and this may lead to hair becoming tangled within the topper, leading to a greater risk of hair loss occurring.
If you absolutely must sleep in a topper, we'd recommend not using all the clips (only using what you need to keep the topper loosely in place) and putting it into a low loose ponytail.
It's also helpful to sleep on a satin pillowcase to reduce the risk of friction causing hair tangling/damage to the topper piece.
But again, please consider only doing this when absolutely necessary and not daily.
Is a topper more comfortable than a wig? Does a topper hurt?
This will be entirely personal preference. Some people will find a topper is more comfortable than a wig because it just sits on top of the head, allowing your hair to move freely underneath. If you're prone to headaches (such as when wearing headbands), then you'll likely definitely find that the topper is more comfortable than the wig.
On the flip side, others find wigs more comfortable as they find the topper clips do pull on the hair while they wear them and don't like that.
How often should I wash my topper?
This will vary considerably depending on what you are doing in your topper and how much you personally sweat.
Because the topper lays on top of your own hair, it won't be rubbing against your own body and clothing as much, thus it probably won't get as dirty as quickly as a wig.
This said, if you're someone who just produces a lot of scalp oils or sweats heavily in their scalp, you'll need to wash more frequently.
How often you wear your topper will also factor into how often you wash it. Someone wearing it daily will need to wash it more often than someone wearing it only on the weekends or special occasions when they want extra glam for their hair.
A good way to tell it needs a wash is if the cap starts to smell or just doesn't feel as fresh and/or the hair isn't moving as nicely as it did when you got it or is tangling easily.
For those wearing daily or who sweat more heavily, washing every 1-2 weeks is likely necessary. For those who don't wear as often or who aren't sweating/producing a lot of scalp oils, washing every 4-6 weeks may be more realistic.
My topper is feeling dry. What should I do?
Toppers do not receive the natural scalp oils like your own hair does and over time, this can impact how dry they feel.
Likewise, lots of heat styling and choosing a color that is heavily bleached (ie. the lightest blonde colors) will also lead to increased risk of dryness.
To help combat this, we recommend applying a light oil when it's feeling a bit on the dry side. You don't want to overdo the oil, but at the same time, a light coating every month or two (depending on how often its washed) can help.
How should I store my topper for daily use?
For daily use, storing it on a wig head tends to work best. You'll just want to ensure that it's away from direct sunlight or extreme temperatures/humidity as these may impact the color of your piece over time.
How should I store my topper for longer term storage?
For long term storage, we like storing our pieces in plastic shoebox containers. Placing them in the original satin bag and box they came in is also a safe bet.
How do I wash my topper?
We recommend the following steps when washing your topper.
1. Fill a large sink with warm water (not hot) and add in some salon grade safe-for-color treated hair shampoo. Swirl the shampoo in to disperse.
2. Comb the topper out to ensure there are no tangles.
3. Place the topper in the sink and work the water/shampoo through the wig. Avoid rubbing the hair together but rather, run hands through the wig to clean.
4. Remove from sink and squeeze (not twist) out excess water.
5. Repeat the process, this time using color safe conditioner instead.
6. Fill the sink up one last time with clean water and then rinse. You can also rinse the wig under the tap. If doing so, we recommend that you let the water run through the cap down to the ends of the hair (so the water runs in the same direction you'll comb it). This will further help prevent tangles. Additionally, do not let water from the tap run through a lace topper top from outside in as this can cause hairs to move to the wrong side of the topper and increase your risk of tangling and shedding.
7. Towel blot the topper to remove excess water.
8. Either let the hair air dry completely before combing it or very gently, use a wide tooth comb to lightly comb through and then let air dry. We do recommend that you blow dry the silk or lace top section until knots are fully dry though (using low heat) as this will also help to prevent premature shedding.
Note: Hair is more prone to breakage when wet (especially blondes) so comb very lightly when the hair is wet from washing, if doing so at all.
We also recommend you ensure you don't place the cap on a mannequin stand to dry that's larger than your own head or you will quickly stretch out the topper cap and it may not fit your head as it did before.
My topper keeps sliding back! Help!
So if your topper keeps sliding back on your head, there are a few things you can check and try.
First, are you using all of the clips? If you're only using a couple of the clips, you're not securing as much of the base to your head and the topper will pull more on the clips you are using to secure it. This may lead to a bit more slipping.
Second, your hair itself may be quite thin and slippery. While you can't change how much hair you have, you can change the texture of it somewhat. We'd recommend trying either some hairspray, dry shampoo, or another type of holding product to give the hair some grit. This can help the clip secure itself better to the hair and not slip out if your own hair is particularly slippery (which can be the case with fine hair). You may also find your topper stays better on second-day hair (rather than right after a wash) for these reasons.
Finally, make sure that you're really getting that front comb into place if you are using a silk topper (note the lace toppers do not have front combs as they'd be visible in the front). You may need to wiggle it around a bit as you place the comb in the hair to ensure it's grabbing onto your own hair as best as possible.
If you've done all of these steps and are still not having luck, you may just wish to consider taping the topper down.
Fortunately at Madison, we add silicone into our toppers around the clips and comb (on silk tops) to help improve the gripping ability of your piece so you'll already be one step ahead of the game in terms of reducing slippage.
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