I think the topper matches your own hair color just fine, after all everyone's bio hair is always darker at the nape so it just looks natural. I wish manufacturer's of toppers would make them in 14" also. I like a little longer than 12" but not as long as 18". I know I can cut it but the 18" is also more expensive & feels like a waste.
This is a topper so it clips into your own hair. So it doesnt matter how large your head is as long as it covers your area of loss and clips to healthy hair, that's all that matters.
I never open the clips until it’s adjusted on my head. Then, open and close one at a time. When I remove, I open them all, and move your hair with your other hand, towards the teeth in the clips- one clip at a time. The front clips, you’d lift hair towards the back of head and for the back clips, gently lift hair from each clip in a forward direction. Trial and error! I lost some hair that way!