Cosplay wigs are used to bring a desired character to life. Most of these are high-quality works of art, intended to be worn with the same wardrobe for years. Wearing a cosplay wig properly is as simple as remembering to put on a wig cap, put the wig on correctly, and pin it in place.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Putting on your wig cap
Step 1. Make sure the wig is the correct size for the head
You may have already figured out if the wig is the right size. If this is the case, you can move on to the next step. If not, quickly measure your head with a tape measure. If you are between 21 to 22 inches (51 to 55 cm), most cosplay wigs should fit you. If it is larger, it is best to try on the wig to make sure it fits comfortably.
Step 2. Choose a wig cap
There are usually two types. One type of hat is made of a material similar to the net. The other type is similar to a pantyhose. The fishnet hat is usually tighter and the hair can come out through the holes. The pantyhose type hat is usually preferred, since it is not so tight and covers all the hair.
Step 3. Arrange the hair to put on the wig cap
If your hair is long enough, roll it into a ponytail at the nape of your neck. Then, flip it over so that it is close to the head, and make the end point toward or through the forehead. If you have short hair, secure it with hair clips so that it fits easily into the hat.
- If you have long hair, you can also put it in the form of curls with pins.
- If your hair is very thick or curly, it will be easier to pick it up if you get it a little wet.
Step 4. Put on the wig cap
This one does not usually have a defined front or back. If you have a lot of hair in your ponytail, start by pulling the cap from the back of your head. Gather as much hair as possible from the bottom of the neck, making sure the hat contains it. If you have short hair or are bald, just put the hat on. Check that all or most of the hair has been covered.
Step 5. Secure the wig cap with snap clips
You will need about 10 hooks in total. Place 6 hooks evenly spaced around the front of the head. Attach 4 hooks to the back of the head. If necessary, you can use more or less hooks.
Make sure the top of the hook is over the hat, and the bottom is under the hair and hat
Part 2 of 3: Putting on your wig
Step 1. Slip the wig over your head
Hold the wig with both hands. The backs of the hands should be facing each other, and the fingers inside the wig, with the thumbs outside. Begin to slide the wig slowly over the cap.
Step 2. Place the scalp line of the wig against the forehead
It should be just above the eyebrows. Tilt your head forward as you slowly stretch the back and sides of the wig over the cap. Slide your fingers outside the inside of the edges as you pull them down.
Step 3. Pull the wig down until it covers the back of the cap
The wig will stretch to accommodate any extra hair that you have tucked into the back of the cap. Pull the back of the wig down until the front is just below your natural hairline. If the wig has bangs, you can leave it a little higher, right at the hairline.
Make sure the ear mark extends evenly over the temples
Part 3 of 3: Keeping the wig in place
Step 1. Use bobby pins to fix the wig
The hair clips are open and the hairpins are closed. Therefore, the latter are better to fix the wig. Start putting the bobby pins through the wig, hat, and hair underneath. Place the bobby pins along the edges, at all possible angles. The wig will become more and more stable with each hairpin you use.
You will likely use at least 10 bobby pins to secure the wig
Step 2. Check that you have placed the wig correctly
Put it to the test by jumping up and down, shaking your head vigorously from side to side, shaking your wig hair, and touching your toes. If you've attached enough bobby pins, the wig should stay in place and not move at all. Add more bobby pins if the wig moves.
Step 3. Fix the wig
Once the wig is well placed, you can style it to your liking. It may not need to be groomed, but you may need to at least brush it to see if it holds up well. Hairspray is harmful to synthetic wigs, so you should only use it on human hair wigs if you want to retain their style.
Advice
- Wig caps and hair clips can be purchased from any wig supplier, and can also be found in department stores in the hair supply section.
- If you don't have a wig cap, you can tie your hair into a ponytail or bun and collect the rest with clips.
- If you're wearing a wig with a lot of weight on the back, you may need to sew a couple of combs inside the wig.