{"id":8659,"date":"2018-01-31T13:00:07","date_gmt":"2018-01-31T04:00:07","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.fromjapan.co.jp\/en\/?p=8659"},"modified":"2019-06-27T14:57:13","modified_gmt":"2019-06-27T05:57:13","slug":"cosplay-wig-tutorial-tips-for-buying-your-first-wig","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.fromjapan.co.jp\/en\/anime\/cosplay-wig-tutorial-tips-for-buying-your-first-wig.html","title":{"rendered":"Cosplay Wig Tutorial: Tips for Buying Your First Wig"},"content":{"rendered":"

Cosplaying as your favorite anime characters is a special part of otaku culture, and when it comes to putting the finishing touches on your costume, a wig can make or break your look. After all, many of anime\u2019s most popular figures can be recognized by their hair alone\u2014just think of Sailor Moon\u2019s twintails or Goku\u2019s gravity-defying spikes. To help you pick the perfect wig for your performance, check out FROM JAPAN\u2019s cosplay guide on choosing the right head of hair!<\/p>\n

Choosing a Cosplay Wig<\/strong><\/h2>\n

\"Choosing<\/p>\n

Once you\u2019ve decided on a character, it\u2019s time to choose a wig that will do him or her justice\u2014but where to begin? Here are five essential tips for choosing the ideal cosplay wig.<\/p>\n

1. Buy your wig from Japan<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Cosplaying is serious business in Japan for otaku and wig companies alike. Wigs manufactured in Japan are quite realistic\u2014often enough to pass as natural hair\u2014and feature a smooth, matte look rather than the glossy hair fibers commonly used for cheap costume wigs.<\/p>\n

2. Note the length and style of your character\u2019s hair<\/strong><\/h3>\n

If your character has a somewhat \u201cnormal\u201d look, then a standard wig will work wonders if given just a touch of extra styling. If you\u2019re going for mega spikes or peaked bangs, however, you may want to consider either buying a pre-styled character wig; or if you plan to style the wig yourself, a longer wig will ensure you still have enough hair once the extra-strength hairstyling products are applied. When in doubt, it\u2019s always best to select a wig that is slightly longer than necessary and slightly bigger than your head size.<\/strong><\/p>\n

3. Compare the color<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Some wigs may be a different color tone in person than they appear on your computer screen. When browsing cosplay wigs, be sure your device\u2019s display colors are on a \u201cnatural\u201d setting. Even better: Some cosplay shops share user-submitted photos and reviews of their wig products, which is another easy way to double-check color, shape, size, and style.<\/p>\n

4. Consider heat resistance<\/strong><\/h3>\n

If your character has straight hair or other features that will require heat-shaping with a blow-dryer, curler, or straightening iron, be sure to buy a heat-resistant wig (otherwise you risk frizzing and smoldering the fibers). A high quality, heat-resistant wig should be rated to tolerate 150\u2013180 \u00b0C (300\u2013350 \u00b0F).<\/p>\n

5. Choose your wig material carefully<\/strong><\/h3>\n

While you can buy wigs made from real human hair, synthetic fiber, or a combination of the two, the most popular cosplay wigs are made from a synthetic material called Kanekalon invented by the Japanese company Kaneka. Why do many cosplayers choose Kanekalon wigs?<\/p>\n

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  • They offer a natural look in any lighting<\/li>\n
  • They can tolerate low heat and more intense styling and coloring<\/li>\n
  • They are the best balance of quality and cost compared to other wig materials.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n