How to make a wig look natural cosplay?

How to Make a Cosplay Wig Look Natural

Choosing the Right Wig

• Length and Thickness: Ensure the wig is long enough and thick enough for your desired style. A wig that is too thin can reveal the wig cap, while one that is too thick might look unnatural.
• Cap Construction: Lace front wigs are ideal for a natural hairline, while monofilament wigs offer a natural scalp appearance and free movement of the hair.
• Fiber Quality: High-quality synthetic fibers mimic natural hair better. Heat-resistant fibers are preferable as they allow for styling with heat tools.
• Color: Choose a color that matches your character. If you can't find an exact match, it's easier to style a longer wig than to add length to a shorter one.

Essential Tools and Materials

• Wig head and stand
• Sharp scissors (hair shears)
• Various combs (wide-tooth, fine-tooth, rat-tail)
• Hairdryer
• Strong hold hairspray
• Flat iron with adjustable heat settings
• Hair clips (alligator clips and extended clips for thicker pieces)
• Mini rubber bands
• Hair rollers (various sizes, non-velcro)
• Hairpins and wig clips
• T-pins or quilting pins
• Tacky glue
• Needle and thread
• Teasing brush
• Wig tape

Preparing Your Wig

1. Detangling: Use a wide-tooth comb to gently detangle the wig, starting from the ends and working your way up.
2. Washing: If necessary, wash the wig using specialized wig shampoo and conditioner. Air dry on a wig stand.
3. Heat Protection: When using heat styling tools, apply a heat protectant spray designed for synthetic fibers.

Basic Styling Techniques

Cutting and Trimming

• Use haircutting scissors and move them up and down while applying light pressure. This technique creates a mix of longer and shorter strands, resulting in a more natural hairline.
• For further thinning, move the scissors vertically from root to end.

Adding Volume

• Use a teasing brush and work on all layers from top to bottom, leaving the very top layer untouched.
• Apply hairspray and use a hairdryer on the hottest setting to set the style.
• Gently brush down the top layer to cover the teased sections.

Creating a Ponytail

• Grab the hair from the lower end of the wig.
• Tie it into a ponytail.
• Use pins to secure the wig in place.
• Add a second hair tie at a slight distance to allow for a fuller base.

Advanced Styling Techniques

Spiking Hair

• Section off the hair you want to spike.
• Apply a strong-hold styling product.
• Use a flat iron to create the spike shape.
• Set the style with hairspray and allow it to cool completely.

Creating Curls

• Section the hair and use heat-safe rollers or a curling iron.
• Apply heat protectant before using any hot tools.
• Allow the curls to cool completely before removing rollers or unraveling from the iron.
• Gently separate curls with your fingers for a more natural look.

Making Synthetic Wigs Look Real

1. Dry Shampoo or Talcum Powder: Apply some dry shampoo or talcum powder to the wig and gently rub it in. This minimizes the shine while ensuring that your wig isn’t too dull. Be careful not to apply too much product.
2. Matting the Shine: For a more permanent solution, you can soak the wig in a mixture of water and fabric softener. This helps to smooth the fibers and reduce shine.

Lining Up Your Wig

1. Place your wig on your forehead just above your eyebrows.
2. Slide the wig over your head until it reaches the nape of your neck.
3. Shuffle the wig forward slowly until it reaches your natural hairline.
4. Secure the wig in your preferred way.

Creating Wispy Bits and Baby Hairs

• Lightly trim a few areas at the side of the wig to create the illusion of natural wispy bits. If you don’t feel confident doing this yourself, take it to a hairdresser.

Maintaining Your Styled Wig

• Storage: Store your wig on a wig stand or in a wig bag to maintain its shape and prevent tangling.
• Detangling: Detangle the wig before storage. For long wigs, do a single loose braid or twist down the back, stuff the cap with tissue paper, and store them in wig bags. If it is heavily styled, pin it to a wig head.
• Refreshing the Style: If the style starts to droop, you can often refresh it with a light mist of water and gentle reshaping.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Tangled or Matted Wigs

• Gentle Detangling: Use a wide-tooth comb and work in small sections.
• Fabric Softener Solution: Create a mixture of water and fabric softener to help smooth fibers.
• Heat Treatment: Carefully use low heat to help relax tangled fibers.

Frizzy or Static Wigs

• Leave-in Conditioner: Use a small amount of leave-in conditioner designed for synthetic hair.
• Steaming: For stubborn frizz, you can try steaming the wig (be careful not to get it too wet).

Flattened Style

• Steam: Use a steamer or the steam from a kettle to gently revive the style.
• Reshape: Reshape the style with your fingers or a comb while the wig is still warm.
• Cool: Allow the wig to cool completely on a wig stand before wearing.

Safety Considerations

• Work in a well-ventilated area, especially when using styling products.
• Be cautious with heat tools to avoid burns or damage to the wig.
• Keep sharp tools like scissors and razors out of reach when not in use.

Embracing Creativity and Experimentation

Spotlight on CrazeCosplay.com

• Check the product description for heat resistance information.
• Look for wigs with a "styled" option if you prefer pre-curled looks.
• Consider the fiber quality, as higher-quality fibers tend to hold curls better.
• Read customer reviews for insights on how well the wig takes to styling.

Conclusion