Wigs
By Karen Wang
31 May 2013
31 May 2013
This guide is divided into the following sections:
1. Where to buy
2. Styling your wig
3. Wearing your wig
4. Taking care of your wig
5. CosPlayGround's very important list of dos and don’ts
1. Where to buy
2. Styling your wig
3. Wearing your wig
4. Taking care of your wig
5. CosPlayGround's very important list of dos and don’ts
1. Where to buy
Since anime characters often have colorful and elaborate hairstyles, wigs are an essential part of most cosplays. If you are lucky enough to be cosplaying a character with the same hairstyle as you, you can save money by forgoing the wig.
Most people, however, will need to look to specialty stores to purchase cosplay wigs. Anime conventions will usually have cosplay wig vendors in the dealer’s hall. Brick-and-mortar wig stores are another option, though they are not very common in the US. The downside to buying wigs in person that they may not have the perfect style that you want.
Many good wig stores can be found online, with good quality and at reasonable prices. Online wig stores are usually stocked with many products and searchable by hair color, length, and even anime, making them very convenient. The downside to buying online, of course, is that you cannot see them in person before purchasing, and they will take a few weeks to months to ship if the seller is located overseas. However, the selection and price of online wig stores is a major draw for cosplayers. Start your search with CosPlayGround’s list of recommended wig vendors at the Online vendor guide.
Since anime characters often have colorful and elaborate hairstyles, wigs are an essential part of most cosplays. If you are lucky enough to be cosplaying a character with the same hairstyle as you, you can save money by forgoing the wig.
Most people, however, will need to look to specialty stores to purchase cosplay wigs. Anime conventions will usually have cosplay wig vendors in the dealer’s hall. Brick-and-mortar wig stores are another option, though they are not very common in the US. The downside to buying wigs in person that they may not have the perfect style that you want.
Many good wig stores can be found online, with good quality and at reasonable prices. Online wig stores are usually stocked with many products and searchable by hair color, length, and even anime, making them very convenient. The downside to buying online, of course, is that you cannot see them in person before purchasing, and they will take a few weeks to months to ship if the seller is located overseas. However, the selection and price of online wig stores is a major draw for cosplayers. Start your search with CosPlayGround’s list of recommended wig vendors at the Online vendor guide.
2. Styling your wig
Styling a wig can involve cutting, gelling, braiding, or otherwise altering the wig. Some online vendors will style the wig for a specific anime character beforehand, but often you will find that you need to style or maintain your wig to keep it looking in character.
You can style your wig with a wig comb or your fingers (avoid using a comb for human hair as these can damage the wig). Most wigs are designed for easy styling with just a spray bottle of water, but you can also use liquid mousse or spiking gel to add spikes, curls, or straight sections.
If you need to cut your wig in order to trim the bangs or cut it to the appropriate length, you should always cut it while wearing the wig since everyone has a different face shape and forehead height.
If your cosplay requires a more intensive wig-styling such as creating gravity-defying spikes, refer to this video to learn how:
Styling a wig can involve cutting, gelling, braiding, or otherwise altering the wig. Some online vendors will style the wig for a specific anime character beforehand, but often you will find that you need to style or maintain your wig to keep it looking in character.
You can style your wig with a wig comb or your fingers (avoid using a comb for human hair as these can damage the wig). Most wigs are designed for easy styling with just a spray bottle of water, but you can also use liquid mousse or spiking gel to add spikes, curls, or straight sections.
If you need to cut your wig in order to trim the bangs or cut it to the appropriate length, you should always cut it while wearing the wig since everyone has a different face shape and forehead height.
If your cosplay requires a more intensive wig-styling such as creating gravity-defying spikes, refer to this video to learn how:
3. Wearing your wig
1. First, you will need to bundle your hair under a wig cap (if you don’t have a cap, a cut pair of stockings works great), and keep it in place with bobby pins if necessary.
2. Then, gently shake the wig and hold it at the base (where the nape of the neck would be). Slowly slide the wig onto your head starting from your hairline. Make sure the wig covers your hairline at both your forehead and neck.
3. If the wig has velcro straps inside, fasten them. Else, stick more bobby pins behind the ears and at the base to keep it in place.
Refer to the Fighting Dreamers cosplay team’s Cosplay 101 video at 5:43 for a demonstration:
4. Taking care of your wig
If you plan to reuse your cosplay, which is always an economically-friendly idea, you will need to maintain and care for your wig. Avoid exposing your wig to temperatures of over 160 degrees Fahrenheit including curling, drying, or straightening your wig, unless your wig is explicitly heat-resistant. Even then, there is usually a temperature limit of around 200 degrees that you should be mindful of. If you need to wash excess mousse or gel off of your wig, always use special wig care products or just use plain water, as the synthetic fibers of wigs are more delicate than human hair. Do not brush your wig when it is wet! Dry your wig on a stand, and store it by keeping it on the stand or storing it in a plastic bag. Following this procedure will minimize wig “balding” and ensure that you can use it for many cosplays to come.
5. CosPlayGround's very important list of dos and don’ts
- DON’T use gel on your wig. Gel only works on human, not synthetic hair.
- DON’T skimp on buying a wig and styling it if it is necessary for your character. The first aspect of your cosplay that people will notice is your face, so getting the wig correct is important.
- DO consider matching your eyebrows to your wig hair if your natural hair color is very different. You can either dye them, or use makeup to color your eyebrows (more on this in the Makeup & contact lenses guide).
- DO wear a wig cap to make sure your hairline is covered and reduce those pesky errant strands of hair.
- DO invest in a wig stand or styrofoam head. These can be found for cheap online or in costume stores and are useful for styling and drying your wig after washing.
- DO pay attention to the brightness and shade of wig color when purchasing a wig. Light pink can be vastly different from hot pink. If you are buying from an online vendor, check for reference pics and the buyer reviews to make sure you are getting the shade you want.
References:
http://www.headcovers.com/care_wigs.php
http://www.cosplay.com/showthread.php?t=224471
http://www.cosplay.com/showthread.php?t=132516
Images:
http://bestcosplaycostume.blogspot.com/2013/04/cosplay-wigs.html
http://www.lightinthebox.com/black-butler-male-ver-angela-ash-landers-cosplay-wig_p495535.html
- DON’T use gel on your wig. Gel only works on human, not synthetic hair.
- DON’T skimp on buying a wig and styling it if it is necessary for your character. The first aspect of your cosplay that people will notice is your face, so getting the wig correct is important.
- DO consider matching your eyebrows to your wig hair if your natural hair color is very different. You can either dye them, or use makeup to color your eyebrows (more on this in the Makeup & contact lenses guide).
- DO wear a wig cap to make sure your hairline is covered and reduce those pesky errant strands of hair.
- DO invest in a wig stand or styrofoam head. These can be found for cheap online or in costume stores and are useful for styling and drying your wig after washing.
- DO pay attention to the brightness and shade of wig color when purchasing a wig. Light pink can be vastly different from hot pink. If you are buying from an online vendor, check for reference pics and the buyer reviews to make sure you are getting the shade you want.
References:
http://www.headcovers.com/care_wigs.php
http://www.cosplay.com/showthread.php?t=224471
http://www.cosplay.com/showthread.php?t=132516
Images:
http://bestcosplaycostume.blogspot.com/2013/04/cosplay-wigs.html
http://www.lightinthebox.com/black-butler-male-ver-angela-ash-landers-cosplay-wig_p495535.html