Let’s face it; cosplay can be a pain if you find your hair not suited for the costume you’re planning.
If your hair is too long, or falls too short, you’ve most likely found yourself contemplating the use of a wig instead of chopping off your locks or getting extensions. Some characters have outrageous hair color, to boot! Bubblegum-pink hair for a convention is one thing, but try pulling off the look when you’re at your day job and it might not go over so well with your boss.
Sometimes, wigs are a must!
HezaChan as ChibiUsa (Sailor Moon)
Searching for appropriate wigs can be a hassle, too, but there are a few key ideas to keep in mind if you ever find yourself in a position to purchase a wig.
ONE- Know your material. Ask around on forums, or get in contact with people who use wigs on a frequent basis if you’re not familiar with the terminology: Japanese Kanekalon fiber is different from human-hair wigs, and knowing what ‘skin-top’ means – a wig where the hair parts and looks like human scalp - can make or break a wig. Make sure that, if you’re styling the wig, you know the kinds of products that will work well and stay in place with the fibers you’re working with.
TWO- Know your seller. This is important. If you’re using e-bay, make sure that the seller has good reviews and will work with you if you aren’t satisfied with your purchase. Legitimate wig selling sites, like CosWorx, are great, but lack the larger selection e-bay offers if you’re going for a peculiar color or style of wig. On a personal level, I buy from cosplaywig on e-bay. I’ve purchased at least six wigs from them, and have been satisfied with the communication, not to mention the price and the shipping time. Make sure that the seller offering the wig you’re interested in won’t end up being a larger pain than going without!
THREE- Know your dates. Unless you’re purchasing a wig within the country you live in, you might be waiting for a week or two, sometimes three. Most of the larger wig sellers on e-bay function out of Hong Kong, and mail from them going to the US can take upwards of three weeks, depending on if your wig was held up in customs or not. If you’re going to a convention next week, don’t purchase a wig you aren’t 100% sure will arrive before you leave. Give yourself a good month, three weeks at the barest minimum, if you’re going to buy overseas. Better safe than sorry!
FOUR- Know your limits. If you don’t think you can style a wig, commission someone to help you. There are communities on LiveJournal where people are all too eager to help out, or at least point you in the right direction. Just as well, there are styled wigs for sale on e-bay, or in the marketplace of cosplay.com if you happen to chance upon what you’re looking for.
HezaChan as Yoko (Gurren Lagann)
FIVE- Know how deep your wallet goes. If you’re like me, chances are you don’t have $150 to drop on a pretty, styled wig. Most of the wigs on e-bay range anywhere from $15 to $300, so watch what you click on. On a personal level, I’ve never paid more than $35 for a wig, shipping included, but that’s only because I’ve lurked around and waited for prices to go down. A little patience can save you big bucks!
-HezaChan cosplay photos courtsey of HezaChan herself, posted with permission. Check out Heza’s other cosplay photos, as well as her art, at HezaChan’s DevaintArt page, or at HezaChan’s personal website. ChibiUsa wig totorial can be found on LiveJournal, in a post entitled This to That.
February 10th, 2009 at 7:09 am
Great post, hun! Very helpful, too.
February 10th, 2009 at 1:18 pm
Wow. Where was this post when I first started cosplaying? I went through 3 wigs my first costume trying to find one that worked. I now only buy from Japan or China, always get skintop and stick to the Kanekalon fiber. I think it feels and looks the best, and can take a beating from product. I usually only pay about $30 for a wig, and they take about 2-3 weeks to get.
A piece of advice, NEVER buy a wig from an chain costume or party shop. They are usually very poor quality. The exception is specialty stores, but Party City etc. are usually a bust. Halloween wigs are usually trash as well.
If anyone is interested, I have two stores that I use on eBay fairly regularly:
http://stores.shop.ebay.com/Designer-Wigs-and-Color-Wigs__W0QQ_armrsZ1
http://myworld.ebay.com/professionalonly&ssPageName=STRK:MEFSX:SELLERID
I use them all the time and always get complements on my wigs! Thanks for all the info doll!
February 10th, 2009 at 4:00 pm
I have purchased all my wigs from ebay’s cosplaywig and have never been dissatisfied. I second the advice that you need to plan your wig well in advance, for it takes at least three wigs to arrive from overseas. Styling wigs correctly also makes or breaks a costume. Good job on the article!
February 10th, 2009 at 4:01 pm
*Edit* That would be, “three weeks”, not three wigs. Oi.
February 10th, 2009 at 6:53 pm
Great post hun ^_^ and also I have very very good experience with these ebay sellers. Cog & Marc which they go under Cog_Marc on ebay and there sister store Professional Only. There is also a new wig store called Top Wig. I just got my wig I ordered for My Nia (from Gurren Lagann) Cosplay and it was beautiful and full! Plus they added a a free gift of a comb for the wig, plus a nice bag to store your wig and a wig cap!
They have 100% feedback and great communication! ^_^ Cosworx is a good one too, just sometimes they don’t have Skin top wigs( just a prefrence I like)
But great post ^_^ Now to find shoes that won’t kill me for Nia lol
February 11th, 2009 at 8:55 pm
Awesome post. I just ran into EXACTLY this problem. I didn’t give myself enough time and now my wig isn’t going to make it. I bought a cheap., terribly replacement for the short term, but I probably have to trash it. I wish I had ordered sooner.
Also, my favorite place to buy wigs is amphigory.com. They have the same stuff has cosworx, but cheaper.
February 11th, 2009 at 9:04 pm
This is awesome. I just ran into EXACTLY this problem. My wig isn’t here and I’m going to a con tomorrow ) : I wish I had ordered sooner as you suggest.
On a different note, my favorite place for wigs is amphigory.com. They are like cosworx, but tend to be cheaper.
February 11th, 2009 at 10:55 pm
Wow, love the Chibiusa wig!!
I’m lucky to have a good friend who owns a wigshop here in Phoenix and gives me discounts. Shameless plug for deviouswigs.com!! XP
March 27th, 2009 at 12:44 pm
I bought a wig from cosplaywig at ebay, and just wanted to thank you guys for the great recommendation! I am so happy with my purchase!!!