How To Style Cosplay Wigs For Beginners
Are you planning your next cosplay but struggling to figure out how to style cosplay wigs? Look no further! Styling a cosplay wig can seem like a daunting task, but with the right techniques, anyone can achieve a professional-looking style. f you’re new to the world of cosplay, don’t worry! In this blog, we’ll go over some simple tips and techniques to help you style your cosplay wig like a pro. From choosing the right wig to adding finishing touches, we’ll cover everything you need to know to create a stunning cosplay look. So, grab your wig, and let’s get started!
What are Cosplay Wigs?
Cosplay wigs are wigs made of synthetic fibers that are used in cosplay, which is a type of performance art where people dress up as characters from popular culture. Cosplay wigs are designed to replicate the hairstyles and colors of these characters and can be styled with heat or other hair products. They tend to be thick, brightly colored, and less durable than regular wigs since they are not intended for everyday wear. Cosplay wigs are an essential part of creating an accurate and convincing cosplay look.
Like all synthetic wigs, they are made up of strands of plastic fibers that are sewn into wefts and used to construct the wig. The quality of the wig will depend on the quality of the plastic fibers, the number of weft lines that are sewn into the wig, and the overall structure and style of the wig
Products To Use When Style Cosplay Wigs?
It is advisable to refrain from using hair products that are designed for human hair on synthetic wigs. Such products can cause harm to the wig. Instead, wig spray or volumizing mousse can be used to maintain the hairstyle of the wig.
While cosplay wigs may appear like real hair, they are actually very different. Wigs are composed of plastic fibers and do not contain natural oils that can help repair damage and prevent tangles. Consequently, typical hairspray and hair gel products do not work well on wigs since they interact with the oils in the hair to achieve their holding power.
To achieve optimal results when styling cosplay wigs, you should use products that act more like glue than regular hairspray. The Got2Be Freeze Spray and Got2Be Glued hair gel are popular products in the cosplay community and can be used to create anime-inspired hairstyles that defy gravity.
For extreme wig styling, clear-drying fabric glue can also be used. This type of glue secures the wig fibers in place while retaining some of the flexibility of real hair. Moreover, it dries without leaving any tacky or shiny residue, making it useful when hair glue is insufficient.
How to Brush And Comb A Wig
Due to the fact that wig fibers are not the same as real hair, it’s essential to be extra cautious when brushing and combing them. Wigs are more prone to knotting and detangling them can be quite challenging. If you pull too hard on tangled areas, the plastic fibers will stretch out and sustain permanent damage. Unfortunately, synthetic wig fibers cannot repair themselves over time like natural hair can.
To prevent damaging your wig, it’s crucial to pay attention to the tools you use. It’s recommended to use a wide-toothed comb for detangling the wig, as it is less likely to snag on knots and pull on the fibers too harshly. Additionally, a brush designed specifically for wigs is an excellent option. These brushes have looped bristles that prevent snagging and pulling on wig fibers.
When combing or brushing your wig, always start at the bottom section and work your way up toward the roots. This is a good tip for anyone with long hair, but it’s particularly important for wigs. Starting at the bottom section helps remove knots gradually and prevents them from clumping and forming a more significant tangle while you’re combing.
Basic Cutting Techniques To Style Cosplay Wigs
Wig-cutting techniques are similar to those used for cutting hair. You need a pair of hair shears to cut through wig fibers cleanly, avoiding frayed edges. Cutting techniques vary depending on the desired style. Cutting straight across the wig will result in a blunt and unnatural-looking edge, so it’s better to make small snips at a 45º angle to create fluffier and more varied hair ends. Wig heads are useful when styling wigs, but they are usually not the same size as human heads, so it’s important to take this into account when cutting the wig. You can try the wig on and make a snip at the length of the bangs and hair around your face as a guideline for the rest of the wig.
Style Cosplay Wigs with Heat
When it comes to styling cosplay wigs, heat is often a necessary tool to achieve the desired look. However, it’s important to remember that cosplay wigs are made of plastic fibers and can be damaged easily if not treated carefully.
Before using any heat styling tools on your wig, make sure to check the wig’s packaging or website to ensure that it can handle heat. Using heat on a wig that is not designed for it can melt or burn the fibers, ruining the wig completely.
Assuming your wig is heat-friendly, the first step is to use a low-heat setting on your tool. Higher temperatures can quickly damage or melt the wig fibers. You should also consider using a heat protectant spray designed specifically for synthetic wigs to prevent damage.
When styling with heat, it’s important to work in small sections and avoid leaving the heat on any one area for too long. Use a comb or brush to smooth out the wig fibers as you style, and avoid pulling too hard or creating too much tension on the fibers.
One of the most popular heat styling methods for cosplay wigs is using a hair straightener to create curls or waves. To do this, take a small section of hair and wrap it around the straightener barrel, holding it for a few seconds before releasing. Repeat this process until you’ve achieved the desired look.
Style Cosplay Wigs with Spiking Method
Creating spiky hairstyles is a common practice in cosplay, especially for anime and comic characters. It might seem challenging, but with the right techniques, anyone can achieve it. To begin, select a thick wig, as it helps the spikes maintain their shape and prevents the wig cap from being visible underneath. Then follow these steps to achieve spiking styling:
- Separate wigs into separated sections: divide the wig into sections of a suitable size for your desired style. Smaller sections can be easier to spike with less product, but sections that are too small won’t provide the desired fluffiness associated with anime hairstyles.
- Trim each section to the desired spike length and taper the ends to create a point.
- Hold spikes together: To hold the spikes together, use a freeze spray or hair glue. The heat from a hairdryer can also be helpful when directed toward the roots of the hairs to help the spikes stand up.
- Touch-up styling: Make any necessary touch-ups to the spike and then move on to the next section of hair. You can trim the tips of spikes that are not pointing in the right direction and add a spritz of freeze spray or heat from a hairdryer to help them stand up. Don’t be afraid to snip away flyaways too, as they may be present until you get the hang of it.
Style Cosplay Wigs with Up-dos
Most regular cosplay wigs are not designed to be styled into up-dos like buns, ponytails, or pigtails because doing so would reveal the inner workings of the wig and cause a bulge along the hairline. The wefts that hold the wig fibers are also sewn in a way that makes them drape down, so it would require extensive heat styling to make them stand up without bulging.
If you want to create these types of hairstyles, you need to purchase wigs that are specifically made for up-dos, which may cost more but will already be pre-styled. Another option is to buy a short wig and use ponytail clips, although this won’t create the same look as actual hair, it can still look good and be more affordable than a specialized up-do wig.
Lace Front Wigs
Standard cosplay wigs don’t usually provide a natural hairline. They work well if your character has bangs or if their hairline is concealed. However, if your character has an exposed hairline, then a standard wig will not look natural. To overcome this problem, lace front wigs can be used. These wigs have a front inch made of lace, with individual wig fibers sewn into it, resulting in a much more realistic hairline. The lace blends into the wearer’s forehead, creating an appearance of natural hair. Unfortunately, lace front wigs are generally more costly than standard cosplay wigs, so they are usually reserved for characters with exposed hairlines.
Understanding Wefts
Wefts are rows of wig fibers that make up the internal structure of a wig. By having a good understanding of wefts and how wigs are constructed, you can create more complex and imaginative styles.
With knowledge of wefts, you can add a secondary color to the wig by sewing in additional wefts between the layers, which can also make the wig look thicker or more voluminous. Moreover, you can make changes to the wig by following the guidelines of the existing wefts inside the wig. This will give you extensive creative freedom in styling the final product. Most stores that sell cosplay wigs will offer wig wefts that you can use to sew onto your wig while you’re creating and styling your character’s hair.\
Resizing Cosplay Wigs
If you grasp the wig’s internal construction, you can modify it to better fit your head size. Having a smaller head, I had to learn how to adjust wig sizes for a more comfortable and realistic look. With standard wigs, the ear tabs are meant to rest in front of the ears, but for me, they end up covering them, causing discomfort and awkwardness. Simply adjusting the wig’s back straps doesn’t fix this issue.
However, I found that by understanding the wig’s construction, I can remove a few rows of wefts from the hairline, shorten it, and sew everything back together. This makes the wig fit more naturally on my head. In case the wig is too small, I add a piece of elastic to the back of the ears for a better fit.
How To Store Cosplay Wigs
To keep your wig in good condition for future cosplay events, it’s important to store it properly. You should avoid storing your wig in extremely hot places, as high heat can cause damage to the fibers.
How To Store Short Cosplay Wigs
Short wigs that are not heavily styled can be easily stored. Comb through the wig, stuff tissue paper inside it, cover it with a hairnet and store it in a plastic bag.
How To Store Medium and Long Cosplay Wigs
Medium and long wigs, however, are more prone to tangles and knots, so they require more preparation.
- First, thoroughly comb through the wig to remove any knots.
- Loosely braid the wig without making it too tight.
- Stuff tissue paper inside the wig cap
- Fold the braid and cover it with a hairnet
- Store it in a plastic bag to keep the fibers in place and avoid tangling.
How To Store Heavily Styled Cosplay Wigs
Storing heavily styled wigs can be more challenging since you don’t want to ruin the style. The best way to store them is by placing them on a wig head and keeping it in an upright position. To prevent dust and pet hair from accumulating on the wig, it’s advisable to store it in a box that is large enough to contain it. Place the wig in an upright position inside the box and keep the lid closed.
Related: Budget-Friendly Solutions for Washing Synthetic Wigs Without Wig Shampoo
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