Costume wigs are a crucial part of many cosplays. World of Cosplay’s wig buying guide gives you all the info you need. Because you’re worth it!
Wigs for cosplay
Cosplay wigs are often more dramatically styled and much less natural-looking than everyday wigs. Thicker wigs suit cosplay better, as they are more voluminous and easier to style, while thinner wigs with fewer fibres give a more natural appearance.
Certain wigs are specifically designed and shaped for a character, especially in anime and video games, while others are more traditional wigs that you style yourself. Here are the buying choices when you’re wig shopping…
Wig hair colour
The first challenge is to find a wig that closely matches the colour of your character’s hair. This can be tricky when online shopping, as all screens resolve colours slightly differently. If you can buy your wig in a shop that can help, though very minor variations in colour shouldn’t be a major issue. Consider keeping your character’s picture on your phone for reference when shopping. Scan the various wig sellers for the best match, but bear in mind, that the convenience of buying from a store in your own country may offset any small colour difference.
Before investing in a pricey wig, ask for a colour sample to be sent through, so you know you’ll be happy with the hue. Remember to allow plenty of time for this process, especially if ordering from abroad.
To achieve a really authentic look, you’ll need to match your wig to the character’s hair for other visual effects, including: brightness/shine, tone and colour saturation, though, again, subtle differences shouldn’t be a problem!
@evilamelia.cosplay: Reworking my Harley wig
My latest Harley Quinn cosplay took three hours, as it was so involved, from applying the make-up to adding tattoos, although most time was spent getting the wig just right. I bought this particular wig from Amazon and it’s a lace-front, human-hair wig. Once I received it, I customised it – I cut it, dyed it and shaped it to look exactly how I wanted it.
@evilamelia.cosplay on her Harley wig
Hair length
The length of your wig is crucial. The appearance on mannequins or models can be misleading (a wig will appear longer on a small and slim mannequin head), so check the length of the wig you’re interested in and use a tape measure to see how that length will sit on your own head.
What are hair weft extensions?
Hair weft extensions can be bought to enhance a wig and achieve a specific character look. They are available in a wide range of colours and lengths. Typically, they would be clipped into the wig, then styled as required. They start from as little as £4 for a small weft.
Cosplay wigs: A choice of hair styles
Wigs come in different styles, which in turn may alter the effect and the price. Our gide covers all the main types.
Wigs with fringes
Wigs with fringes (bangs) are great for hiding the hairline of the wig, which can be a giveaway, especially on cheaper wigs.
Lace front wigs
Lace front wigs feature an extra lace section attached at the hairline, which you have to trim to suit. Hairs are individually hand tied into the front lace section to create a very natural appearance, without the hairline ending abruptly.
Lace-front wigs can be styled off the face, as the hairline is almost invisible and the scalp is seen through the fine mesh. You can also pull the hair back and/or tuck it behind your ears without the wig cap being visible. Lace-front wigs give you great versatility and a really realistic look. You’ll need lace glue or wig tape to fix the wig hairline to your scalp/forehead.
Fringeless wigs
Fringeless/bangless wigs do not have the lace front, and are cheaper as a result. The hairline of the fringeless wig may not look as realistic as the lace-fronted ones, but can still be a great option. These are the most common type seen at cons.
Licensed wigs
Some character hairstyles are so famous that the creators have copyright them and license the designs to wig companies to sell.
Epiccosplay.com has a growing list of licensed wigs from popular anime series. Currently there are 16, everything from Ancient Magus Bride to Yuri on Ice! See if your favourite is here.
Pre-styled wigs
Some wigs come pre-shaped for a specific character, saving you a lot of styling time and effort. If you buy one of these, try to avoid squashing it flat in storage.
Latex ‘wigs’
Some wigs are not made of hair or fibres at all, instead they are latex mouldings, which you wear like a helmet! They’re a great fun option for many anime characters.
These latex wigs are most common for anime and some gaming characters, such as those from the Borderland series.
Measuring your head for a cosplay wig
Wigs are available in a various sizes, and many companies will offer small, medium and large sizes. To find the right size for you, use our measuring guide.
• Pull your hair back off your face and use a clip or band to keep it there. If your hair is short, use a head band to hold your hair back.
• Use a tape to measure the circumference of your head. However, do not measure a horizontal line around the widest part of your head (as you would for a hat), instead, run the tape from the centre point of your front hairline, around your head, passing just above your ears and crossing the base of your skull at the back. Note down this measurement.
• Next, measure your ear-to-ear distance. Position one end of the tape just above your right ear, pulling the tape across the top of your head to a point a similar distance above your left ear. Check the measurement and write it down.
• Finally, measure your head front to back. Start by letting your hair down, then position the end of the tape in the middle of your forehead. Pull the tape across the top of your head and down to the nape of your neck. Check the measurement and write it down.
• You now have the three measurements for sizing your wig cap. Check the wig-seller’s website to find what size of wig you require.
To ensure accurate wig sizing, consider your build and the volume of your natural hair.
Petite frame + a full head of hair of moderate length = Petite or Small. If you have very voluminous hair, go up a size.
Medium frame + a full head of hair with moderate length = Average or Medium. If you have thick, long thick hair, go up a size, or down a size if you have thin or no hair.
Large frame (a head circumference exceeding 22.5in/57cm) + a full head of hair with moderate length, you are most likely a Large size. If you have thin hair, or no hair, go down a size.
Hiding long hair under a wig
Having lots of lovely thick hair doesn’t have to stop you cosplaying a character that needs a wig. Here’s how to minimise your hair and conceal it.
• Brush your hair and separate it into two sections, one hanging in front of each shoulder.
• Plat the sections normally, securing each end with a band.
• Take the plat on the left and wrap it tightly across the back of your head to the right hand side, just above the nape of the neck.
• Bobby-pin it there, then continue to loop the plat around your head in that direction, taking it up and over your ear.
• Pin the plat as you go, and curve it up over the top of your head, about 7.5cm (3in) back from your hairline. Pin it tightly in place.
• Repeat this with the other plat, going in the opposite direction, making an effort not to cross them.
• Now put on a wigcap to keep the plats down and in place. To compress them further you might add a second cap.
• Now it’s time to fit the wig, the ‘volume’ of which should conceal the flattened plats underneath.
• Job done!
Cosplay wig tips
• Your wig must fit well if you are to wear it comfortably for extended periods, such as all day at a con.
• Most wigs feature some built-in adjustment and/or have a certain amount of stretch.
• Some wig vendors sell half sizes.
• When you find an ideal fit, note down the size for future costumes, and…
• consider using the same supplier and manufacturer in future.
• When using a new supplier, consider buying two different sizes of wig and return the one that fits less well. Check your vendor does free returns.
@staceyxgraves: How I created this awesome wig
I got the base wig and wefts from coscraft.co.uk. All in all, it probably came to around £50 for the materials. I started with the base wig and created a middle parting with wefts to give the illusion of pigtails. I then deconstructed two clip-on ponytails and added two lots of wefts into each pig tail. After that it was just a case of trimming, layering and hairspraying how I wanted each piece of Junko’s pigtails to sit. All in all, it probably weighs around 3.5kg on my head, so gets pretty painful after a while!
@staceyxgraves on her Junko wig
Best places to buy cosplay wigs
There are countless online stores supplying cosplay wigs for every character imaginable, so shop around for the best deal and be sure you’re aware of potential import taxes before you order from overseas.
Epiccosplay.com
California-based epiccosplay.com offers a wide range of wigs in all lengths and styles. Speciality wigs and specific character hairpieces are all part of the offering. They ship in the US for free, or $6.95 for Priority Delivery, while overseas shipping fees depend on product and destination. Typical character wigs start from around US$30.
Check out epiccosplay.com wigs here
Wig-supplier.com
China-based Wig-Supplier (aka L-email) wants you to feel fabulous, and, to help you, it’s built four wig and costume factories. This means it has a vast array of stock, all at great prices. Shipping (20-30 days) costs $9 to the US. Expect similar for other destinations. As L-email says: “We are always here to shine your life”.
Check out wig-supplier.com wigs here.
Lightinthebox.com
Cosplay wigs are just one part of Lightinthebox.com’s vast business, so use its search facility to find what you want. Wig prices start from around £10. It’s a big player, with offices in Beijing, London and Seattle, so your money should be safe with this Stock Exchange-listed online store.
Check out Light in the Box wigs here.
Etsy.com
You’ll find lots of costume and accessory inspiration on etsy.com, and wigs are no exception. There are hairpieces specific to certain characters, and standard wigs that you can style yourself.
Check out the wigs on etsy.com here.
EZCosplay.com
There’s a vast array of character wigs to choose from on ezcosplay.com. Prices start around $12 for a standard hairpiece, to $64 for a complex, sculpted One Piece Wano Country Arc Monkey D Luffy wig. Standard delivery to the UK (6-10 days) costs $19.50.
EZCosplay.com was founded in 2009 by two young anime fans, Lei Wang and his sister Stella, in Shenzhen, China. EZCosplay started with just two tailors; today it has a factory with three designers, 60 sewing machines, 100 tailors and over 3,000 different cosplay costumes!
Check out ezcosplay.com wigs here.
Coscraft.co.uk
Starting at around £17, coscraft.co.uk wigs cover a whole range of styles. The company also sells an array of accessories needed to keep your wig(s) in great condition. Buying from Essex-based coscraft.co.uk eliminates any hidden import and courier charges for UK buyers.
Check out coscraft.co.uk wigs here.
Arda-wigs.com
From Harley Quinn at £39 to Chibi Classic at £34, arda-wigs.com has a vast range of cosplay goodies on offer, and, when you look behind the scenes, the Chicago-based company also treats its employees well (which we can all appreciate).
Check out arda-wigs.com wigs here.
Starstylewigs.co.uk
UK-based Star Style Wigs ships its wide selection of celebrity wigs all over the world. Pick from the likes of Jessica Rabbit to QEII and Belle to Cinders. Online stock levels are managed in real time, so there’s less chance of disappointment.
Check out starstylewigs.co.uk wigs here.
See our wig care guide here.
See our wig styling guide here.
Author:
John Sootheran
John’s a cosplay photographer and videographer who visited his first con in 2017, and has been to numerous London, Birmingham and Manchester events since.
He finds the cosplay vibe addictive and is one of the team to launch worldofcosplay.com
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