As obsessive as it may sound, one of my favorite pastimes is scrolling through my Instagram feed and basting in the sheer amazement of wig applications. There’s something so satisfying about watching a wig go from packaging to seamless application that leaves you wondering if it’s really a wig—or if it’s magic. Over the years, innovative products and tools have launched to help wig wearers apply and style wigs at home. The newest contender to enter the wig and weave haircare arena is Shea Moisture’s Wig & Weave Collection for human and synthetic hair. The line gives wig enthusiasts gentle yet effective options to style, install and care for wigs at home without compromising the health of their hair, scalp, or wallet.

While reaching for your everyday hair products to care for your wigs may seem like the easiest thing to do, these products tend to cause build-up in hair extensions, which may require you to wash your wigs more frequently, shortening the life span in the process. Products designed especially for wigs help you care for them without compromising the fibers, whether the wig is human hair or synthetic.

You’re probably most familiar with Shea Moisture’s wide range of products catering to natural hair, particularly for curly and coily hair types. Now your beloved units and extensions have a range of products to call their own. Contrary to popular belief, hair extensions need lots of love and attention to look great. With this new line, Shea Moisture is helping folks keep their wigs in tip-top shape for their best looks ever.

I tried Shea Moisture’s new Wig & Weave collection on my wig at home and here are my super-honest thoughts about all seven products.

Our mission at STYLECASTER is to bring style to the people, and we only feature products we think you’ll love as much as we do. Please note that if you purchase something by clicking on a link within this story, we may receive a small commission of the sale.

Wig & Weave Residue Remover Shampoo

The wrong shampoo can compromise a good wig in an instant. I’m happy to report that unlike some shampoos I’ve tried on my wigs in this past, this one got my wig clean without leaving the hair feeling dry or brittle. It did wonders for getting rid of residue that built up in the lace from customizing it with makeup, glue and styling products from previous installs. Instead of massaging the wig with shampoo to get rid of build-up, I prefer to use the ‘bubble bath’ method, dunking the wig in a bath in the sink or bucket with diluted shampoo. This method does an amazing job of cleaning extensions without tangling them in the process.

Wig & Weave 2-in-1 Conditioner and Detangler

When I condition my wigs, I also use the bubble bath method and allow my wig to sit in the diluted conditioner for up to 30 minutes. I was reluctant to try this conditioner/detangler combo because it’s merely a spray, but the proof is in the pudding. This concoction effortlessly detangled my wig, especially on the lace, which is more prone to knots and breakage. After using it, my wig was soft and defined without a tangle in sight.

Wig & Weave Scalp Soother

I had a small area on my scalp that was itchy before my wig application. I applied a few drops of this oil onto my scalp, put on my wig, and tied it down with my scarf and it was already relieved. If you have an itchy scalp from time to time, this may be a good solution to soothe your scalp in a matter of minutes. On the other hand, if you suffer from a chronically dry or irritated scalp, you may want to seek expert advice as this may not be an appropriate long-term solution.

Wig & Weave Flyaway and Wrap Mousse

Mousse is another one of those products that I often give a side-eye. While I love the definition that a good hair mousse can offer, I’m always nervous that it will leave my hair feeling dry and crunchy. Though I somewhat felt my hair harden from the mousse, it combated flyaways, too. My recommendation is to apply the mousse while your hair is wet to avoid using too much product.

Wig & Weave Oil Shine Spray

I’m usually skeptical of using oil-based products on my wigs, however, this shine spray may be an exception. It’s lightweight and doesn’t leave the hair weighed down. Instead, it adds a healthy shine. While it’s suggested to spray the product directly onto the hair, I prefer to spray it into my hands and gently massage it through my hair. This keeps you from applying too much by mistake.

Wig & Weave Bonding Glue

The first thing that you’ll notice about this Bonding Glue is that it feels nothing like glue at all. It has a somewhat slimy texture like a defining hair gel without that tackiness you’d expect. The label suggests applying the adhesive in thin layers and blow-drying on cool between applications to make the glue tacky. This didn’t work well for me. Not only did the bond take forever to get sticky, but my wig didn’t stick at all. I gave it another shot, but this time I applied a thin layer of adhesive, put on my wig, and tied down my hair with a scarf. This helped my wig adhere. Though it’s not as strong as other adhesives I’ve used, it’s a good option for someone who plans to remove their wig by the end of the day.

Wig & Weave Bond Release Spray

This alcohol-free spray got rid of the glue residue left on my wig, forehead and edges. I sprayed it onto a cotton pad and massaged where needed. In addition to removing the glue, it left my edges feeling incredibly soft.

As many countries around the globe enter a second (or even third) phase of Covid-19 restrictions and lockdowns, many of us are asking how we will cope, mentally and physically, this time around. We know that for many people, the greatest challenge during this time is not maintaining physical health, but rather maintaining a healthy state of mind and mental well-being.

Health Report by WHO

At the end of last year, the World Health Organisation (WHO) released a study that shared the mental state of 130 countries around the world. The results were clear; the impact of Covid-19 has led to serious changes in the availability of core health and especially mental health services.

• Over 60% of the countries in the WHO report said that they had experienced disruptions in mental health services for vulnerable people.
• Those vulnerable groups were made up of children and adolescents (72%), older adults (70%), and women requiring antenatal or postnatal services (61%).
• 67% of the countries in the report had disruptions to counselling and psychotherapy.

Disturbingly, these figures tell us that up to 70% of older adults coping with the weight of anxiety, stress, and depression did not have access to health and medical services due to Covid-19.

The Truth About Anxiety

So, what exactly is anxiety? And is there anything we can do to manage the symptoms when we are not able to access the health care we need?

Anxiety is the big brother of fear. It usually manifests in human beings as rapid or increasing heartrate, sweating, sleeplessness, or even migraines. It’s something that most of us have experienced; that stomach churning feeling of helplessness and overwhelming fear.

Managing Anxiety

How we choose to manage the varying and ever-present degrees of anxiety that is part of our lives will be very different for each and every one of us. Whether we are struggling with the uncertainly of lockdown or learning to cope with the challenges of home-schooling, our own personal history will shape our experience.

Managing anxiety and stress needn’t be a costly and exhaustive effort. Recent studies by Harvard University show that there is a correlation between anxiety and antioxidant levels in the body.

The study showed that certain individuals may be subject to greater anxiety if their levels of antioxidants are low. That’s because antioxidants have the ability to decrease the levels of cortisol, the body’s main stress hormone.

Foods with High Antioxidant Levels

To maintain an optimum antioxidant level, include fruits, berries, nuts, and vegetables in your daily diet. Keep some bright orange Turmeric spice powder in the pantry, as it has excellent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

Also, try to add the goodness of grapeseed into your diet. For many years, grapeseed extract has been identified as a significantly rich source of antioxidants.

Just a few foods high in antioxidants:

• Blueberries
• Goji berries
• Kale
• Pecan nuts
• Grapeseed extract

Seek Help

As we adapt to a world that is changing rapidly, our best friend right now is hope. We continue to hope for a better tomorrow, and in doing so we owe it to ourselves to take care of our mental and physical health – for ourselves, for our families, and for our community.

Our mental health isn’t always something we can manage alone so please talk to your health professional regularly, especially if you experience regular feelings of anxiety throughout lockdowns and restrictive periods.

And, if the lockdown means you cannot get to your health professional, then seek comfort and conversation in your family, friends, and loved ones.

How often do you feel your anxiety spike up? What is the usual reason? Have you tried eating foods high in antioxidants when you’re anxious or do you go to comfort foods instead? Please share how you manage your anxiety in times of lockdown.

If we turned the clock back precisely 12 months, most of us would have been as incredulous then as we are now at the dramatic turn foisted on the world. Of course, we’re still living in uncertain times. While some of us are enjoying the independence of relatively normal living, others remain under curfews and restrictive conditions.

So what, if anything, have we learnt from the experience?

Most of all, it would be good to think that we’ve acknowledged that we just can’t take anything for granted, whether that’s our health, our jobs, or our freedom.

After many years of flitting, without a moment’s thought, between Australia and Europe to lead our gastronomic walking tours, my husband and I initially found ourselves effectively grounded and unable to do what we love most.

Looking back, it seems that the upside of this momentous year is that we’ve discovered so much about ourselves, what makes us tick and most importantly, how to stay positive.

Naturally, everyone’s experience is completely personal, but over the past 10 months, we’ve found that putting in place just some of these things has helped us cope and adapt.

Stay Active to Stay Upbeat

Most of us recognise the importance of introducing regular physical activity into our daily lives and are probably more aware of it than ever now that much of our lives are played out inside and often virtually.

Setting aside the physical benefits, improved mental health and general wellbeing is well documented. It’s a rare thing to get back from a walk and wish you’d never gone!

But what if you really struggle with the idea of ‘doing exercise’? If you can find something that you enjoy, you’re half-way there. For me, spending an hour cooped up in a gym may get me fit but does little to boost my mood.

By contrast, walking works every time, as does Pilates, which also happens to be an excellent way to improve fitness for walking. Meanwhile, friends swear blind by swimming, yoga, or gardening.

Fresh Air Lifts the Spirits

You’ve probably noticed that getting fresh air makes you feel better, without knowing why. In fact, breathing fresh outdoor air increases oxygen levels which in turn improves brain function. Interestingly, being outside has also been proven to reduce stress levels.

A daily dose of fresh air will also boost your vitamin D levels. During the winter months, you may still not be exposed to enough sunlight for the levels you need, but every little bit helps!

Keep Positive with a Daily Mental Workout

While physical exercise is also recognised to increase brain function, setting aside some time specifically for mental activity can be very satisfying, even if it’s just 10 minutes a day. It doesn’t need to be astrophysics – number puzzles and crosswords are fun and absorbing.

If you’re looking for more than that, consider learning a new skill or brushing up on an old one such as revisiting a foreign language, perhaps via online learning or audio books.

Lend a Helping Hand

Helping others will certainly boost that inner glow. Volunteering may be tricky if you’re living under strict lockdown restrictions or having to shield, but there are so many small ways to help out which don’t necessarily involve going indoors.

Maybe you have a neighbour or family member who would appreciate a cake or even a weekly meal? Or if you enjoy gardening, perhaps you could help out with a neighbour’s garden?

Add Some ‘Me’ Time to Your Day

One thing we’ve noticed is that while it’s so easy to get swept up in what we need to do, we sometimes lose sight of what we want to do. In fact, there’s no time like the present for devoting some time to an activity that you really enjoy.

Set aside a day a week to try a new recipe, pamper yourself with a manicure, or re-discover long-lost creative skills.

Look Forward Rather Than Backward

Nothing cheers me up more than having something special to look forward to! Often this will be a trip, although it could be something as simple as getting together with friends for a fabulous meal or glass of wine.

Of course, so much that we’ve all planned over the past year has had to be cancelled or postponed but it’s always heartening to have a few things in the diary.

Think about planning an out-of-town visit to see friends or family. You may even consider booking a holiday for later this year or even 2022. Enjoy the research, double-check the cancellation policy, and then sit back to look forward!

Are you a glass half-full or glass half-empty person? Has your approach changed over the past year? Tell us how you manage to stay positive during difficult times.

As obsessive as it may sound, one of my favorite pastimes is scrolling through my Instagram feed and basting in the sheer amazement of wig applications. There’s something so satisfying about watching a wig go from packaging to seamless application that leaves you wondering if it’s really a wig—or if it’s magic. Over the years, innovative products and tools have launched to help wig wearers apply and style wigs at home. The newest contender to enter the wig and weave haircare arena is Shea Moisture’s Wig & Weave Collection for human and synthetic hair. The line gives wig enthusiasts gentle yet effective options to style, install and care for wigs at home without compromising the health of their hair, scalp, or wallet.

While reaching for your everyday hair products to care for your wigs may seem like the easiest thing to do, these products tend to cause build-up in hair extensions, which may require you to wash your wigs more frequently, shortening the life span in the process. Products designed especially for wigs help you care for them without compromising the fibers, whether the wig is human hair or synthetic.

You’re probably most familiar with Shea Moisture’s wide range of products catering to natural hair, particularly for curly and coily hair types. Now your beloved units and extensions have a range of products to call their own. Contrary to popular belief, hair extensions need lots of love and attention to look great. With this new line, Shea Moisture is helping folks keep their wigs in tip-top shape for their best looks ever.

I tried Shea Moisture’s new Wig & Weave collection on my wig at home and here are my super-honest thoughts about all seven products.

Our mission at STYLECASTER is to bring style to the people, and we only feature products we think you’ll love as much as we do. Please note that if you purchase something by clicking on a link within this story, we may receive a small commission of the sale.

Wig & Weave Residue Remover Shampoo

The wrong shampoo can compromise a good wig in an instant. I’m happy to report that unlike some shampoos I’ve tried on my wigs in this past, this one got my wig clean without leaving the hair feeling dry or brittle. It did wonders for getting rid of residue that built up in the lace from customizing it with makeup, glue and styling products from previous installs. Instead of massaging the wig with shampoo to get rid of build-up, I prefer to use the ‘bubble bath’ method, dunking the wig in a bath in the sink or bucket with diluted shampoo. This method does an amazing job of cleaning extensions without tangling them in the process.

Wig & Weave 2-in-1 Conditioner and Detangler

When I condition my wigs, I also use the bubble bath method and allow my wig to sit in the diluted conditioner for up to 30 minutes. I was reluctant to try this conditioner/detangler combo because it’s merely a spray, but the proof is in the pudding. This concoction effortlessly detangled my wig, especially on the lace, which is more prone to knots and breakage. After using it, my wig was soft and defined without a tangle in sight.

Wig & Weave Scalp Soother

I had a small area on my scalp that was itchy before my wig application. I applied a few drops of this oil onto my scalp, put on my wig, and tied it down with my scarf and it was already relieved. If you have an itchy scalp from time to time, this may be a good solution to soothe your scalp in a matter of minutes. On the other hand, if you suffer from a chronically dry or irritated scalp, you may want to seek expert advice as this may not be an appropriate long-term solution.

Wig & Weave Flyaway and Wrap Mousse

Mousse is another one of those products that I often give a side-eye. While I love the definition that a good hair mousse can offer, I’m always nervous that it will leave my hair feeling dry and crunchy. Though I somewhat felt my hair harden from the mousse, it combated flyaways, too. My recommendation is to apply the mousse while your hair is wet to avoid using too much product.

Wig & Weave Oil Shine Spray

I’m usually skeptical of using oil-based products on my wigs, however, this shine spray may be an exception. It’s lightweight and doesn’t leave the hair weighed down. Instead, it adds a healthy shine. While it’s suggested to spray the product directly onto the hair, I prefer to spray it into my hands and gently massage it through my hair. This keeps you from applying too much by mistake.

Wig & Weave Bonding Glue

The first thing that you’ll notice about this Bonding Glue is that it feels nothing like glue at all. It has a somewhat slimy texture like a defining hair gel without that tackiness you’d expect. The label suggests applying the adhesive in thin layers and blow-drying on cool between applications to make the glue tacky. This didn’t work well for me. Not only did the bond take forever to get sticky, but my wig didn’t stick at all. I gave it another shot, but this time I applied a thin layer of adhesive, put on my wig, and tied down my hair with a scarf. This helped my wig adhere. Though it’s not as strong as other adhesives I’ve used, it’s a good option for someone who plans to remove their wig by the end of the day.

Wig & Weave Bond Release Spray

This alcohol-free spray got rid of the glue residue left on my wig, forehead and edges. I sprayed it onto a cotton pad and massaged where needed. In addition to removing the glue, it left my edges feeling incredibly soft.

Did you know that writing gratitude lists boosts your mood and improves happiness? Sometimes, I forget this in my day-to-day grumblings about hangnails and hay fever, but today, I’ve dusted off my gratitude list.

I Have My Own Teeth

Firstly, I am grateful for my long-term dentist whose skills have kept my teeth semi-securely fastened in my mouth through the years. I helped pay for his kids’ education from Montessori school through college, and I’m not bitter that I wasn’t invited to their graduation parties. In fact, I wish him the best in his early retirement while I work full-time, so I can continue to carry dental insurance.

I Have Most of My Original Parts

When I was 5 years old, after repeated bouts of tonsillitis, my mother and her hired gun dangled a diet of popsicles and ice cream before me, and I went under the knife with enthusiasm to have my tonsils removed.

You can only imagine the betrayal I felt when I recovered from anesthesia and couldn’t swallow my saliva. This may have prompted my lifelong suspicion of surgeons, but I’m happy to report I haven’t surrendered any other major body parts.

I Don’t Drool. Very Much. Yet.

The only other time I allowed a surgeon to have his way with me was when I had a blood vessel-y thing appear on my lower lip. My astute dentist (see above) sent me to an oral surgeon, who removed it, declaring it a benign hemangioma.

When it recurred, I decided I’d live with it but my dentist was fearful it was malignant. He didn’t buy my argument that if it were cancer it would have killed me by now. This time the surgeon was more aggressive in his excision, leaving a gap so my lips can’t make a seal. Not only have I tragically lost the ability to whistle, but occasionally I spring a leak. In other words, I drool. But not much.

I Have a Job

I was laid off at age 62 and turned down two job offers before accepting a third to occupy my current position. And I don’t say, “Do you want fries with that?”

Welcoming New Family Members

At this stage of life, I’ve had significant losses. In a five-year period, I lost my mother, father, and my sister Linda. I didn’t think I’d ever stop crying. But over the same five years plus one, I gained a daughter-in-law and two grandsons. No one can replace those lost, but the gains are blessings beyond measure.

A Successful Cancer Treatment

In 2008, my brother was diagnosed with acute myelogenous leukemia. When there were rumblings about a stem cell transplant, we three sisters lined up at the drawing station and had tubes of blood sent for analysis. I declared that since I was the youngest I hoped I would be a match to save my older sisters from enduring the arduous process of donating cells.

My oldest sister, Noreen, quipped, “With my luck, it will be me!”

Eight years ago, Noreen laid flat on her back for 12 hours with a steel tube in her arm generously releasing her blood to a machine that extracted stem cells to give our brother a second chance. And other than having the compulsion to sit when he pees, my brother Marvin is living a normal life today.

Friends through the Ages

I treasure childhood friends who shared an elementary school classroom and endured the annual Maine potato picking ritual with me. Two summers ago, I reunited with both a high school and college friend I had not seen in over 30 years and was delighted when my fears of “would it be awkward?” were unfounded.

I recently celebrated the 50th anniversary of my friendship with bestie Liana, who loves me despite knowing everything about me. While I marvel at the rarity of friendships so long lasting, I met a new friend this year and Lee and I are certain our late-in-life friendship is limited only by our longevity.

Vivid Dreams

I love to sleep and often experience vivid dreams. There I have reunions with lost loved ones and travel to exotic places doing impossible things.

I have a recurrent dream that involves discovering a room in my home I never knew existed. The room is beautiful and welcoming, providing a feeling of joy that carries into my day after I awaken. I feel loved, excited about new possibilities, and a strong sense that God led me to this room, showing me that the best surprises in life do not come from my own knowledge or effort.

I bet you thought when I wrote about dreams I was going to expound on goals and lofty ambitions, didn’t you?

What’s on your gratitude list? How do you recognize the people and things for which you are grateful? Please join the conversation.