cosplay wigs

[quidam]

Kind of a random question, but I know there are cosplayers on the board, and I hope someone might have an opinion.
I'm actually not into cosplay, but am looking at a couple of wigs that are labeled as such for other purposes. My question is: do cosplay quality wigs hold up to a lot of wear? The ones I'm looking at are made from "Japanese Kanekalon". Is that a good thing?
I don't want to get this thing if it will be a tangled mess or majorly shedding after a couple of wears. What I'm getting will have to possibly hold up to a lot of wear. I have zero idea how much wear cosplay wigs are typically made to get.

I'm grateful for any help or opinions!

[SetsunaKou]

Kanekalon is typically the hair fibres you want in a synthetic wig. They're the closest feel and look to human hair. So that's a good thing. The 'inexpensive' wigs are the nylon wigs found at Wal-Mart, Target, Rubie's costumes, etc. (Isn't it strange how in the doll world that Nylon is the best type of hair, while kanekalon is the lowest grade?! 0_o )

Anyway, we're super experienced in cosplay wigs (have more than 50 of our own and hundreds have passed through our hands through commission work) so I can tell you what we've found with wigs.

1)Kanekalon (Japanese) is the most sought after fibre after human hair wigs (which aren't cosplay wigs after all.)
2)Skintop parts with net caps are the most comfortable and best fitting wigs
3)The longer the wig, the more likely some hair fibres will fall/come out but not really that noticeably.
4)The longer the wig, the easier it will become a tangled mess.

If you are getting a long straight style wig, you should ask if the fibres are glossy or matte and how heavy the wig is. The heavier the more likely it will tangle; and the more matte the fibres, the more likely the tangles will become 'permanent' nests.

It's all called kanekalon so you have to be careful. If you're getting 'wavy' or 'layered' or 'curled' wigs, that's all right.

But if you are opting for the 5' long, pigtail wigs---watch out! Try to get this style in a glossy fibre (Kanekalon) and that the wig isn't too heavy.

For some reason, there's a really fine, really heavy, really matte kanekalon fibre that is just atrocious to deal with. It tangles just looking at it and never comes out!
But then, most other kanekalon wigs I've seen are perfect! They rarely tangle and are light and airy! Of our 50+ wigs, we've had 4 that were that 'icky' type of kanekalon. It seems to come mostly in light blonde. (2 of the 4 were the same light platinum blonde color) The other 2 were dark green and smoky purple. All four were extraordinarily heavy weight, fine fibres, and 'matte' in appearance.

Anyway, aside from that matte type, kanekalon wigs will hold up for years if properly cared for. After you use it, brush it gently but firmly with a wire brush, wash it with a gentle shampoo if needed, and fold carefully away in it's hairnet/bag. Some of our kanekalon wigs are from 1998 and are still 'like new' looking, so they will last a long while if taken cared of. I never notice any shedding at all, except a few strands here and there on the extra long styles. But never so much that it's noticeable. ^^

Hope it helped a bit!

[quidam]

Hope it helped a bit!

No, you helped a lot!
Thank you!

Since you seem to be an expert, perhaps another question or two?
1- What about clip on pony tails? Do they normally hold well? if they don't, is there a trick to keeping them secure? (I'm used to my one doll's wig with clip-ons, and if she moved around, they wouldn't hold. Thankfully she doesn't move around!)

2- Perhaps with your large collection you might have an opinion on specific wigs. Would you mind looking at 3 and seeing if you know them or have any thoughts on them?
http://www.amazon.com/Lolita-Ponytails- ... J6DSIFZQUS
http://www.amazon.com/Blonde-Ponytail-C ... KFD5ITV61A
http://www.amazon.com/Friendly-Ponytail ... MLV2XQHZDJ

[PopularFizzyDrink]

Hi! I'm not so much into Cosplay, but I love Lolita and wear wigs.
I have a twin tail wig from Bodyline (a really good Lolita/cosplay/punk Japanese shop) this one: http://www.bodyline.co.jp/bodyline/showAll.asp?type=left&subType1=cos&subType2=Wig in pink.
It looks like this when worn:

I really recommend Bodyline it's not too pricey but it's good quality, not shiny or cheap looking. The twin tails attach with crocodile clips and sit sturdily on my head, not like my dolls with twin tail wigs! They're always pulling the wig off

As for the three wigs you shared in your post, I'd recommend getting the slightly shorter one as it will be easier as a starter wig! My first wig was very long and got tangled so quickly as I didn't know how to take care of it properly. Always store your wig in a hair net if you can't keep it on a stand. I have 5 wigs and... my husband would find it weird if I had 5 wig stands hanging out in the bedroom So I keep all but one in their boxes (still in hair nets) and they are fine

Hope that's helpful!

[SetsunaKou]

Hope it helped a bit!

No, you helped a lot!
Thank you!

Since you seem to be an expert, perhaps another question or two?
1- What about clip on pony tails? Do they normally hold well? if they don't, is there a trick to keeping them secure? (I'm used to my one doll's wig with clip-ons, and if she moved around, they wouldn't hold. Thankfully she doesn't move around!)

2- Perhaps with your large collection you might have an opinion on specific wigs. Would you mind looking at 3 and seeing if you know them or have any thoughts on them?
http://www.amazon.com/Lolita-Ponytails- ... J6DSIFZQUS
http://www.amazon.com/Blonde-Ponytail-C ... KFD5ITV61A
http://www.amazon.com/Friendly-Ponytail ... MLV2XQHZDJ

Oh yes, the clip on pigtails work like a charm! We've used/have that type of wig and with the net cap they won't fall off. They're very secure and you can move them anywhere you prefer. (low tails or high, etc)

All three of those wigs look great actually! None appear to be the super tangle type of fibre so I'd go for any of the three. Of course, the longer the wig, the easier to tangle, so if you're not used to extra long hair hanging about you all the time, you might want to consider that before you buy.
But even if you buy the longest one, it should be fine, particularly since they're curled. (The straight types are the evil ones to deal with!)

Curled wigs are so pretty! I love them!

[quidam]

Many thanks, SetsunaKou! You're awesome!

PopularFizzyDrink - first off- you're adorable in that picture!People who can pull off the lolita look always amaze me!
Second- thanks for the link. I glanced at it last night and will have to look at it more this weekend when I have some time.

You both have been very helpful! Thanks!!!

[Trethowan]

This was really great information, thanks for sharing everyone.