How My Hairloss Began

Hair has always been more than just hair. It’s identity, confidence, femininity, and expression all tangled into one. For most of my life, I never realized how deeply that truth ran—until I started losing mine.

My hair loss journey began during one of the hardest seasons of my life. In my early twenties, I was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease called dermatomyositis, and it completely changed the course of my world. Overnight, my body turned against me—I lost strength, mobility, and eventually, my independence. I went from being full of energy and ambition to being confined to a wheelchair, fighting every single day just to move, to heal, and to find pieces of myself again.

During that time, my mom became my caretaker—my hands and feet when I couldn’t use my own. She helped me do everything, from basic tasks to moments that felt impossible to face. I was in survival mode, and dreaming about the future felt like out of reach. Who knew that one day I’d not only be walking again but running my own business and getting to help other women find their confidence.

The Silent Grief No One Talks About

As I began to heal physically, another kind of loss crept in—my hair. Dermatomyositis, like many autoimmune diseases, can cause inflammation that damages hair follicles, and before long, I started seeing more and more of my hair fall out. At first, I told myself it was temporary, but watching my hair thin and break became another reminder of what the disease had taken from me.

It’s hard to describe the emotional toll that kind of loss takes unless you’ve lived it. Every strand that fell felt like a piece of my identity slipping away. Hair is such a visible part of who we are—it’s tied to how we present ourselves, how we feel, and even how we connect with the world. Losing it made me feel invisible, like I wasn’t the same person anymore.

I tried everything—serums, supplements, hairstyles to disguise thinning areas—but nothing worked. What made it harder was how little understanding there was for women like me. Female hair loss is often treated like a taboo topic, and I found myself suffering in silence. Out of desperation, I turned to wigs, hoping they’d make me feel like myself again.

Finding Hope

I remember ordering my first “high-end” wig online, waiting months for it to arrive, and then crying when I put it on because it looked nothing like me. It wasn’t amazing—honestly, it didn’t fit well and didn’t feel natural. But at that moment, it gave me something far more important than perfect hair. It gave me hope. Hope that one day, I could look in the mirror and recognize myself again. Hope that there was still beauty, even in the middle of the struggle.

That tiny spark of confidence became the foundation for everything that would come next.

That moment planted the seed that would grow into Manes by Madeline.

Building a Company With Heart

When I started Manes by Madeline, it wasn’t because I wanted to enter the beauty industry—it was because I wanted to change it. I wanted to create something that restored more than just hair. I wanted to give women back their spark, their confidence, and their sense of self.

Every custom wig I create starts with a story—just like mine. I listen to each woman’s journey: her fears, her dreams, and how she wants to feel when she looks in the mirror again. Because it’s not just about matching color or length—it’s about helping her recognize herself again.

Creating a custom order with Manes ensures that every piece is designed to fit you—your scalp, your lifestyle, your personality. I use only the highest-quality human hair and spend hours crafting each piece so it looks and feels like it’s growing right from your own scalp. The process is personal, detailed, and filled with love, because that’s what I wish I’d had during my journey.

Why is Manes by Madeline Different?

But one thing that truly sets Manes by Madeline apart is our commitment to timing. Most custom wig orders from other companies can take months—leaving women waiting, anxious, and often without the confidence they desperately need. I remember how hopeless those waiting periods felt, and I made it my mission to change that. With Manes by Madeline, women can have their dream piece ready in a matter of weeks, not months. Because when you’ve already been through so much, you shouldn’t have to wait to feel like yourself again.

Unfortunately, much of the hair industry has become focused on money. Many companies use lower-grade hair, cut corners, and still charge premium prices. For women going through something as sensitive as hair loss, that lack of integrity is heartbreaking. I wanted Manes by Madeline to stand for something honorable. When you buy from me, you know the hair is truly top grade—no shortcuts, no hidden markups, no profit-over-people mindset. My mission has always been rooted in honesty, compassion, and care. I’m passionate about helping women who are sick or struggling because I’ve been there. I know what it feels like to lose so much and still want to feel beautiful again. I want every woman who works with me to shine.

There are millions of women silently struggling with hair loss—whether from autoimmune diseases, hormonal changes, chemotherapy, or stress—but the beauty industry rarely speaks to them. The market focuses on quick profit, not empathy. And that’s where Manes by Madeline is different.

We’re not just filling a market need—we’re rewriting what beauty support looks like for women who’ve faced unimaginable challenges. Because hair loss isn’t just physical—it’s emotional. It’s tied to confidence, self-image, and healing.

And to make this support as accessible as possible, Manes by Madeline proudly carries an NPI number, allowing us to help with insurance reimbursement for women whose plans cover cranial prosthetics related to medical diagnoses. For many clients, this makes an incredible difference—turning what once felt out of reach into something attainable, supported, and empowering. It’s one more way we honor our mission of care, compassion, and dignity for every woman we serve.

Redefining Beauty-- One Woman At A Time

Creating custom wigs isn’t just my business—it’s my mission. Every piece I make carries the story of resilience—mine, and every woman I’ve been blessed to serve. I know what it feels like to lose something that made you feel beautiful, and I know how powerful it is to find it again.

When a woman puts on her finished piece and looks in the mirror, it’s not just about hair—it’s about hope. It’s about seeing herself again and realizing that she can still dream, still shine, still walk through life feeling confident and whole.

Manes by Madeline was born from my own pain but turned into my purpose. It’s proof that even when life forces you to slow down, break, or rebuild, beauty can grow from the hardest places. And that’s the heart of what I do—helping women rediscover themselves, one custom creation at a time.

Because hair may not define us—but it can absolutely help us find ourselves again.