You might be surprised to know that there are little financial resources out there to help adults with the purchase of lace wig hair prosthesis, also known popularly as lace wigs. Though some insurance companies do cover lace wigs, there may be a lot of stipulations on coverage or under-coverage in general. There is a great resource, however, available through the National Alopecia Areata Foundation Ascot Fund. The Ascot Fund was established to help adults and children with alopecia areata by providing financial assistance up to $500. We’ve had the pleasure of working with the National Alopecia Areata Foundation (NAAF) by providing lace wigs to their award recipients. Unlike many insurance company procedures, this is not a reimbursement plan so you do not have to come up with the funds upfront. We think this is just wonderful because this puts much less financial strain on the award recipients.

At the time of this writing, the program requires you to obtain an invoice from the company you choose for your custom hair piece. If you need help in customizing your lace wig hairpiece, please send an email and we will set up an appointment to go over your custom lace wig and provide you with the documentation you need to apply for the award. You can also fill out any one of our custom order forms to receive a quote or invoice. We can get started on your quote for the Foundation with this information. Keep in mind that we do include ongoing store promotions or discounts in your invoice.
Here are the steps to receive an invoice from us:

1)    Fill out a custom order form for your choice wig
2)    Add the order to your shopping cart
3)    The shopping cart will show your custom order details. Copy the entire order details
4)    Paste the order details into an email to us indicating your request for documentation for the NAAF’s Ascot Fund. Email to info@denovohair.com

You can learn more about the NAAF Ascot Fund by clicking on the below link:
Ascot Fund: Financial Help for Individuals with Alopecia Areata

We thought it would be great to share two pictures of the same lace wig before and after a precision hair cut. Well, we happen to think the style on picture #2 frames the mannequin’s face better by giving the style an updated and chic look. See how taking off just a few inches and styling really affect the final look? In the before picture, the hair is styled away from the face and the layers have little shape. With the precision cut, we add shape to the layers and style some of the hair toward the face.

You can have your lace wigs cut by a local stylist or order any one of our precision cut styles. If you don’t see a style you like, you can always order a custom lace wig with your own pictures. Keep in mind that we do need some good shots in order to duplicate the style. You can even send us an old wig to duplicate! Sometimes you just have that one wig that you can’t part with- you just love the density, the color, the cut, etc.  We can definitely make a duplicate for you to keep on hand.

When getting your lace wig cut, just remember to pick a professional that knows what they’re doing! Frankly, not every stylist knows how to cut hair well. Remember, the hair is not growing back so if it’s cut too short, for example, there’s no going back! Always err on the side of caution by ordering a slightly longer length to give the stylist room to work with.

We learned previously that friction with certain materials can cause breakage and tangling with our hair.  This is not only true for materials we wear but also true for materials we sleep on.  Cotton is a material that can cause breakage and tangling with your hair.  Wrapping your hair and tying it with a silk or satin scarf for sleep can not only reduce friction that causes breakage but also keeps the flow of your hairstyle intact.  It is also a good idea to have a satin pillowcase for extra protection in case your scarf comes off in the middle of the night.

Good night, and sleep worry free!

Chaunteese

Since having my new De Novo Hair full lace wig I have acquired a number of suggestions that will help clients keep their wig healthy and tangle free. Anyone who has spent even one single day in Chicago during the winter can contest to the brutality that Mother Nature unleashes on the body, skin and hair. That’s why here in Chi, we have to bundle up! However, the materials that our hats and coats are made from oftentimes are not friendly to our hair.  In fact, clients oftentimes, come in to the salon with breakage and evidence of unhealthy hair care.  What causes this breakage is friction, which is caused by movement between the materials of our garments which comes in contact with our hair.  This friction can also cause tangling with your hair addition, especially at the nape. However, there are ways to help reduce that friction: 1) Try to wear garments made from the material Satin or Silk.  So, before you put on your winter hat and coat, you should put on a silk or satin bonnet or scarf to protect your hair.  This will provide adequate protection, in most instances, against the drying effects of Mother Nature’s brutal winds and cold temperatures. In addition, this will reduce tangling as well as breakage. Stay warm and don’t worry so much about your hair!

Chaunteese

Allow me to introduce myself- my name is Chaunteese and I am a licensed cosmetologist in the Chicago land area who specializes in healthy hair care and extensions for all hair types.  I’m a De Novo Hair preferred stylist, and as a professional hair stylist, it’s not only my duty, but it’s my extreme pleasure to be able to share with you my knowledge as it relates to healthy hair care. In addition, I hope to answer any questions that you may have as it relates to hair, lace front wigs, and De Novo Hair wigs.  I am not only a hairstylist who provides healthy hair care, weave and wig services, but I also wear weave and wig hairpieces.  I believe in healthy hair and I feel that because my clients like to wear a hair addition that does not mean they have to depend on hair additions.  Here we will explore different styles and hair care products as well as procedures as it relates to hair care and healthy hair maintenance.  I hope that you will frequently visit this website so that you will be informed and empowered to make the best decisions as it relates to your hair. Therefore, the information that I provide will not only help you with caring for your wig or hairpiece, but it’s my intention that you will become an even more informed consumer as it relates to hair care. Please review my contact information, and then schedule an appointment to have your De Novo Hair wig customized for you, and afterwards, we can start your hair regime and ensure that your hair maintains a healthy appearance and condition.

Here, I’m wearing an Indian Remy Regular Relaxed layered and styled De Novo Hair Full Lace Wig. I applied my wig with Davlyn Waterproof Adhesive.

Chaunteese
The Hair Cuttery
2049 N. Clybourn, Chicago IL
773-281-1573, Ask for Chaunteese!

Hair is just one part of our body. How well it looks and behaves has a lot to do with what’s going on with our bodies as a whole. Today Alex talks about 3 key steps to better health practices.

As a Personal Trainer, I am keenly aware of the increasing interest in health and fitness. The problem is, however, that there is too much misinformation on the topic. I am appalled and offended at many of the websites and magazine articles I see touting the latest fitness crazes and diet pills that are often unhealthy and ineffective. I am also shocked by how many people I see go to the gym day after day and see little or no improvement in their health and fitness levels.

No matter what you read in the magazines or see on the infomercials late at night, your health and fitness comes down to what I like to call the, “3 Keys to Fitness.” They are cardiovascular exercise, resistance training, and proper nutrition.

Let’s start with the dreaded cardio! Cardio is any activity that places strain on your cardiovascular system. It can be riding a bike, going for a run, jumping rope, or power walking. All forms are equally beneficial for weight loss and increased heart health. I recommend that people start slow and always build up their endurance before they increase their intensity. The most common mistake I see people make with their cardio routines is, well, that they are routine. Walking for 30 minutes every day at the same pace is great for general health and maintenance, but those looking to get in better shape or lose weight need to challenge themselves a little more. A few recommendations for spicing up a boring cardio routine include increased distance, trying different types of cardio, or trying interval training. For instance, you can alternate between walking for three blocks and then running for one block.

Next up, let’s look at resistance training. Resistance training is beneficial for a number of reasons. It increases lean muscle mass, helps increase bone density, and keeps joints and connective tissue strong. When most people think of resistance they think of big muscular guys grunting, squatting hundreds of pounds and flexing their biceps in the mirror. In actuality, strength training can be done with machines, free weights, cables, bands, and even your own body weight. Whether resistance training is done once a day or once a week it needs to be challenging and varied. The human body adapts quickly. My biggest recommendations are to keep workout logs so progress can be marked and goals can be set. Also avoid doing the same routine for more than a month.

The most important factor in your health and fitness is definitely your nutritional habits. People always ask me which diet I recommend (Atkins, low-fat, Beyonce Diet…). I always say none. Balanced nutrition over time will keep you feeling and performing at your best. My nutritional recommendations to keep you healthy and fit include: Eat small meals frequently, make sure all meals include good carbs, good fats, and protein, avoid processed food as much as possible, and drink plenty of water.

No matter where you are in your journey to a healthier and fit lifestyle, working on these three areas will help you get to where you want to be.

Alex Nsiah-Kumi Jr. is the founder and president of Paramount Personal Training Inc., a Chicago based mobile health and fitness service that includes personal training, yoga, nutrition, and massage therapy at whatever locations are needed. Since he first started training 5 years ago he has helped hundreds of clients of different backgrounds reach their goals. Alex is a firm believer that no matter what a person’s current situation may be, they can always achieve superior health and an increased quality of life by through proper nutrition and a comprehensive health and fitness program.

October is recognized as National Breast Cancer Awareness Month and many major organizations and individuals come together to build awareness of the disease, raise funds to advance research in treatment and prevention, and provide support for individuals and families going through diagnosis, treatment and recovery. Without the dedicated support of the thousands of men and women who contribute to promote awareness of prevention and research in this area, survival rates would likely be less optimistic. We interviewed with one of these wonderful persons about her experiences with and motivation for supporting such an important cause. On 9/26/09, Kesi ran a race sponsored by Susan G. Komen for the Cure - the world’s largest grassroots network of breast cancer survivors and activists fighting to save lives, empower people, ensure quality care for all and energize science to find the cures. Here’s what she had to say about her experience:

What initially sparked your interest in supporting the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure?
There are a number of factors that played a part in my participation.  First and foremost, my mother was suspected of having cancerous cells several years ago.  That same year, a family friend and fellow church member lost her battle with the disease and it impacted a lot of people tremendously.  To see the devastation it causes your immediate and extended family is truly a wake up call to how short life can be.

After discussing my possible participation with close friends, I learned that some of them had also been impacted by breast cancer.  As a result I decided to run in honor of my mother, my friends’ mothers, and for women who are currently dealing with this disease.

The Race for the Cure is a big event. Can you tell us a little more about your participation in this event?
This was the first time the Chicago Race for the Cure included a 10K in their events so I figured it would be a good opportunity to get out and do something in my community for a worthy cause. Four years ago, a close friend of mine persuaded me to run the Honolulu marathon in support of AIDS for the Whitman Walker Clinic in Washington, DC.  The experience was extremely rewarding and I immediately knew that I would run again for charity.

What would you name as your biggest accomplishment related to your involvement with this event?
There’s a song my grandmother used to sing that said, “If I can help somebody as I pass along, then my living will not be in vain.”  Those lyrics have always stuck with me.  My sense of accomplishment doesn’t come from the number of miles I run - it comes from the strength of knowing that I am helping to make the difference in at least one person’s life.

How did you prepare yourself for such an experience?
Unlike having to train 6 months in preparation for a marathon, I was able to just get up and run the 10K since it was a significantly shorter distance.  I’m sure a lot of that comes from working out regularly to build my strength and endurance paired with my natural love of running.

What advice would you give to a beginner who’s interested in competing in a fitness event for charity?
1. Don’t look at it as a competition. Participating in an event for charity is not a race to the finish - it’s about accomplishing a goal. What matters most is discipline, motivation, and most importantly the belief that you can make it to the finish line.
2. You don’t have to start big by running a marathon.  There are many different options to choose from - 5K (3.2mi), 10K (6.4mi) runs and even walks and bike-a-thons are scheduled every year nationwide and can help you raise money for a cause.  Pick one that works for you!
3. Find something you believe in. I wouldn’t be honest if I didn’t admit there were times when I felt like giving up. What kept me going was my belief in the cause and the belief people had in me by donating. It makes it much harder to quit when you have that passion.

For more information about breast cancer causes, treatment and prevention, visit these websites:
Susan G. Komen for the Cure
National Breast Cancer Awareness Month organization (NBCAM)
National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc.

De Novo Hair is very excited to be a new sponsor to Wall of Styles, the hottest and most interactive place to go for the latest in beauty, fashion and style.  If you haven’t already done so, don’t forget to sign up for the $10,000 Lace Wig Give-Away, presented by Wall of Styles and De Novo Hair! Stay tuned for more exciting promotions and find out more on our strategic partnership below:

WallofStyles.com Press Release: Wall of Styles welcomes De Novo Hair as a new Sponsor!

Phoenix, AZ October 1, 2009,WallOfStyles.com–De Novo Hair, supplier of bulk custom quality full lace front hair, wigs, and hair accessories has agreed to sponsor social networking site Wall of Styles. The strategic partnership will expand Wall of Styles fan base and allow De Novo Hair the opportunity to bring their product to an even broader audience.

De Novo Hair promises to be a perfect addition to the WOS strategic partner network.  Both companies strive for excellence, with the public in mind.  De Novo delivers products that are high quality, high fashion, and with a wide range of choices to meet your needs.  As their website indicates, “De Novo” means “to make anew.”  The company promotes distinction in all areas, and wants to convey the message to their customers.  Their focus “is not on hair, per se, but on self-identification, transformation and character.”

De Novo Hair will provide support for giveaways and contests on WallOfStyles.  WallOfStyles.com provides the latest in beauty, fashion and style.  The site also broadcasts “The Magic Hour” and “Keepin It Fierce,” two popular web casts aired exclusively on the website. Listeners can tune in to listen to hot topics, guest call-ins and celebrity interviews.

Founder Kinney Perry says of the new sponsor, “I am truly excited… Candice and myself have been working for nearly a month planning this exciting launch of this highly anticipated campaign. It has been a pleasure thus far working with De Novo Hair and all of us at WallOfStyles look forward to a very fulfilling long-term strategic partnership. With the launch of new and improved version of WallOfStyles.com…this acquisition only enhances what we already do.”

For more information on Wall Of Styles, go to www.wallofstyles.com.   De Novo Hair products can be found at www.denovohair.com.

There can be a lot of confusion about lace wig products, as they are popularly known under a number of different names. Lace fronts, lace front wigs, full lace wigs, full lace front wigs, to name a few, are all terms used to describe lace wig products. You may find yourself asking, what does it all mean? Although these terms reference similar hair technologies, they can represent different methods of wig construction. Lace wig is the general term to describe hair extension/hair replacement technology where hair is hand-tied in individual strands onto a fine lace net, mimicking natural hair growth. The materials used on the wig’s cap can vary, but it is the hand-crafted method of “ventilating” or knotting hair onto the base of the cap that sets these wigs apart from wigs of the past. They can be styled just like naturally growing hair and are lightweight and comfortable.

The term ‘Full Lace’ generally denotes that the entire wig’s cap is hand-tied and made fully of lace, while ‘Lace Front’ wigs have lace at the front hairline and different materials at the back of the cap. Now here’s where it can get confusing- ‘Lace Fronts’ or ‘Lace Front Wigs’ are popular terms used to reference any type of lace wig- the terms are often used interchangeably.  However, lace wigs differ widely in their quality and construction and you should inquire specifically about what you are getting before purchasing. Many companies, for example, sell lace front wigs that are only hand-tied for a small area at the front hairline of the wig, while the rest of the cap is made like a traditional wig with rows of wefts (track hair used for weaving). Though this type of construction may be more affordable because it is more easily mass produced, it does not measure up to the quality craftsmanship of a fully hand-tied wig made from an expert wig maker. Given that it can take several days for a wig maker to hand-tie one wig, the reasons for the price differences become more apparent. It is really an art, and only the best wig makers can create a natural and gorgeous piece that leaves no question to the wig wearer on its authenticity.

De Novo Hair specializes in lace wig customization.  We understand and appreciate the art of illusion in hair extension/hair replacement lace wig products. Unlike some of the cheaper models now widely available in beauty supply stores across the country, all of our wigs are still fully hand-tied and made to custom specifications. You can customize your head size, hair color, how the cap is made and with what materials, the hair used, the hair texture, including the shape of the hairline. Aside from our expert hand-tied technology, we only use quality human hair with textures to suit all ethnicities. We realize that one size does not fit all and take pride in helping women celebrate their individuality through our quality product line!