Josefine Valentin: Wig, Honesty and True Identity

In this honest and personal post, the well-known influencer and entrepreneur Josefine Valentin invites us into her world and shares her experiences with wearing a wig. She talks about the positive impact the wig has had on her life and how it has given her confidence and a sense of true identity.

Josefine reveals that the wig is not just a piece of hair, but an integrated part of her personality that she wears 24/7. She describes the transformative power the wig has had and how it has helped her embrace her individuality and feel more authentic.

In addition to sharing her personal story, Josefine also takes the opportunity to answer the most common questions she receives about her wig.

Follow Josefine Valentin’s inspiring story as she breaks boundaries, challenges prejudice, and celebrates true self-expression.

Oh, do you wear a wig?

"Yes, I do. And I do because my own hair is extremely fine. It just never gets thick. I’ve tried everything, and once it grows past my ears, it simply breaks off."

"Long story short, when I was younger, I used extensions like many of you do. But in the end, my own hair became so fine that it couldn’t cover the transition. Then I was recommended Toftild Alternative Hair. They have wigs for everyone – those who are ill and those who are healthy. And I thought; Maybe that’s something for me."

The wig is a part of me

"I live with my wig. I wear it every day. I sleep with my wig. I swim with my wig. I shower with my wig. I run, I work out, I dance. I have my wig with me through thick and thin."

"A wig like mine is secured with a swim-cap base on the head (ed. specially constructed wig base, also called a mondur). You pull the cap down over your head, and then you have lots of gorgeous, voluminous hair attached to this cap. Inside the cap there are adhesive areas where I apply tape, and then I attach it to my head. So you can tug at the wig. You can throw your hair around, move freely, and do exactly what anyone else does – it’s not like it suddenly falls off."

"It varies how long I wear the wig at a time before taking it off, washing it, and changing the wig tape. Depending on how much I sweat and how active I am, the tape dissolves, and the wig slowly begins to slide. Then I can feel it needs fresh tape. Sometimes it’s a week, other times it’s actually 14 days. Then I take it off, remove the tape, and apply new tape. I wash my own hair, wash the wig, and it’s simply as good as new."

How long does a wig last?

"A wig like mine lasts four months the way I use it. When I had a different budget, I could make it last a full year. And what gives a wig an expiration date? It sheds. The hair falls out, and no new hair grows in. When I used to wear it for a whole year and sleep in it and wear it all day, I experienced the hairline becoming thinner and thinner because the hairs fall out and no new ones come in."

"So you can extend the life of your wig by taking it off in the evening, placing it neatly on a stand, and not sleeping in it. Because when we sleep in it and rub the hair around, it sheds more and wears out faster. The more you use it, the more it wears. The less you use it and the better you care for it, the longer it lasts."

How much does Josefine Valentin’s wig cost?

"A wig like mine is a blend of human hair and synthetic hair (ed. platinum wig). It costs DKK 9,000. But wigs vary widely in price range. You’re always curious – how much does a wig cost? I’ve seen wigs from DKK 2,500 up to DKK 30,000, depending on the desired hair structure. For me and my needs, a mix of human hair and synthetic hair suits me perfectly."

Is it hot to wear a wig?

"Is a wig like that hot to wear? Is it annoying? I usually compare it to a bra. You don’t really notice you’re wearing it, but who am I kidding – it’s really nice to take it off. It’s the same with the wig. It’s lovely to take off, but when I’m moving around and going about my day, I don’t notice that I’m wearing it. I don’t think about it. It doesn’t bother me. I don’t sweat in it, and it’s not hot."

What does Josefine Valentin’s natural hair look like?

"I find that people are often even more curious about seeing my own hair than they are about the wig itself. Like, do you have hair underneath, and can we see you without the wig? The short answer is no. Just like when you meet a colleague who shows up at work with newly done breasts, you don’t say to her: Would you just take off your blouse in the cafeteria?"

"For me, my own hair is private. It’s no secret that it’s extremely thin, but I can’t identify with it. I never could. My fine, thin hair simply never matched my personality. So I found an alternative in voluminous, gorgeous hair, and I feel so comfortable with that."

Can you wear a wig if you have your own hair?

"You absolutely can, but you need to be aware that your own hair has to be tucked away inside this cap base (ed. specially constructed wig base, also called a mondur). The thicker and longer your hair is, the more complicated it becomes. You gather your own hair up and then pull the cap down. It gets warmer if you have thick hair, and it’s more of a process. For me, it’s no problem because my hair is so fine it practically lies flat against my scalp. If you have long and thick hair, it’s possible, but more complicated (ed. there are also other alternatives, for example Hair Toppers)."

It’s okay to want more hair

"When I started 10 years ago sharing the message about wearing a wig, it was actually to break a taboo. I feel that I’ve helped do that. And today I still stand by the idea that we need to break the taboo that it’s okay to want more hair."

"But I also share my journey to inform you who might be sitting out there thinking: ‘Are there any options for me?’ Why settle if you can have more?"

"So many people donate hair. They help. I always say, if you have enough of what others lack, you should give. And many wonderful people do just that when they donate hair to Toftild. Toftild can help you and guide you – whether you are ill or healthy. Whatever your challenge, they have made a world of difference to me, and they have had my warmest recommendations for 12 years now."

- Josefine Valentin

You can see Josefine’s post on Instagram, where you can also read people’s reactions and questions, as well as Josefine’s replies.

Josefine Valentin Presents

Josefine has developed her own product line, Valentin Beautyline, which includes hair care and makeup. See a selection below.