Restyling Wigs For Cosplay: Tips and Links

Chances are, when you buy a wig, it looks nothing like what you need it to. Wigs are seldom perfect straight out of the package and they need to be either styled or cut. It seems like a daunting task, but it’s actually pretty simple if you pay attention to what you’re doing and work slowly. It’s time consuming, but the effect is worth it in the end.



Often, people buy pre-styled wigs, which is completely fine if you have that kind of money --I don’t. Pre-styled wigs can get pretty pricy. Toss in the fact that your head is probably not the size of a foam head or wig stand and congratulations! You’re spending extra money for a wig you probably have to style and cut anyway.

It’s a lot easier to find a wig close to what you need, then make the modifications yourself (or a friend who is handy with wigs). I can’t actually do a tutorial, since I’ve only been styling ball joint doll wigs as of late, but I can offer tips:

First things first, you need a good wig! Do not use this for your own hair. You will probably mess up and sue me because I told you to do it. Don’t use a Halloween store wig, either. There’s no reason, aside from the fact that they are utter trash. I hate the fur balls. No matter what you do; they tangle the day after Halloween. That’s a waste of my time and yours. If you’re at least remotely serious about cosplaying, invest in a nice good quality cosplay wig. You don’t need to spend $200 on a super fancy wig, but find something that costs more than $4 at Halloween, please.

You’re also going to need some kind of styling/hold spray thingy, (which I will add links to at the end), and plenty of clips to keep hair out of the way. It’s very useful, since you don’t have to worry about accidently chopping off an extra piece of hair.

I don’t recommend buying any expensive brand new shears if you want to start cutting wigs because they dull blades rather quickly. Unlike normal hair, you don’t have to worry about getting split ends from dull blades. I honestly only use a random pair of scissors I found in my house most of the time, and a pair of cheap barber shears for tiny areas.

Buy or make a wig head stand. I can barely understand how people cut the hair on their heads, much less while wearing the wig. It makes your life easier.

The most important thing to remember: good music and an open mind. Music that isn’t too fast can help take some of the edge off when cutting wigs if you’re a beginner. If you’re too tense, you could mess up, and you’ll be very upset. Get a cheap practice wig before you start cutting the better one so you will be more relaxed. Remember that everyone makes mistakes, and practice.

USEFUL LINKS: Will be updated periodically.
The Cosplayer’s Wig Stying Essentials by Indulging Inaccuracy @ tumblr.com
[Tutorial] How to cut Miku Cosplay Wig  by  valxonia on Youtube (Check out her other videos, too!)

░Cosplay Tutorial░Styling a Pre-styled Len Kagamine Wig by BalconyAngel on Youtube