Regan Cerato of Cowbutt Crunchies Cosplay is a professional craftsperson, author of The Art of Extreme Wig Styling, and 2019's Global Champion of Cosplay, who has been helping fellow cosplayers achieve their dreams for over 20 years. Cerato's book is one of many references that is currently available as part of Humble Bundle's Return of the Cosplay Book Bundle until July 22. The cosplay queen recently spoke with Game Rant about one of the artform's greatest challenges: wigs.
While many cosplayers eventually accrue experience with styling hair, preparing wigs presents newcomers with several daunting challenges - but the results are worth the effort. As Cerato's fellow cosplayer Amanda Haas pointed out, authentic-looking hair pieces can be one of the most impactful parts of an ensemble. Cerato shared a number of useful insights for those who are new to working with synthetic hair with Game Rant.
Save Wigs, Measure Twice, Cut Once
The greatest challenge wig-working presents is practice. Making mistakes is a crucial part of learning any craft, but where wigs are concerned, a few wrong snips can ruin a wig. Even inexpensive wigs are a non-trivial cost, so repeated screw-ups can prove expensive quick. For elaborate game and anime styles, cosplayers will likely need a couple of tries before nailing the desired look. Starting out with simpler costumes is a good move, but Cerato also has some useful advice on how to acquire cheap hair pieces for practice.
"I always make a point to save my leftover hair scraps or to rescue any old or trashed wigs that my friends are tossing out. These 'bad' wigs may not look nice enough to wear, but they're fantastic tools to experiment on!"
No matter how well-made they are, costumes degrade with repeated wear, and that is true of wigs as well. More experienced cosplayers will frequently have a few wigs lying around that are ripe for retirement, and they are usually happy to pass them on to a good cause, along with some advice on what to do. Community interaction and collaboration are the most valuable tools in a cosplayer's kit, because it is not only a peerless resource, but a fun opportunity to socialize with others who share the same hobby.
For those who don't know any fellow wig-workers, Cerato recommends hitting local flea markets or vendor halls at conventions that see cosplay. Cheaper wigs can occasionally be acquired below market prices, and vendors will sometimes cut customers a deal when they purchase in bulk.
Wig Styling Products
Trimming hair into the right shape is only half the battle, especially when the final result features gravity-defying spikes, curls, or flips. Cosplayers will need to use the right chemicals and adhesives to get things to stick. Luckily, since cosplay wigs are made of synthetic fibers, wig-crafters have more options when it comes to styling products. Cerato shared her go-to product, and some tips for choosing the right chemical for the job.
"Got2B Freeze Spray is an all-time favorite for many cosplay stylists - it's a heavier duty form of hairspray and is amazing for creating spikes, flips, or any other extreme shape."
Another option, especially for fans of foamwork wigs, is using Tacky Glue or white PVA glue. Glue may sound like overkill, even for synthetic hair made of plastic fibers, but products formulated for natural hair generally work poorly on wigs - if they work at all. Adhesives also have the advantage of permanence, so cosplayers do not have to worry about recreating a complex style every time they don a costume.
As with trimming, having a spare wig is great for styling practice, as certain chemicals can get yield messy results when starting out. Needless to say, it also helps to start with simpler styles before escalating to looks that depend on outrageous spikes.
Beating the Heat
Most conventions run from late spring to early autumn, which can be some of the hottest times of the year. While wigs can tie together a whole outfit, they also tend to be brutally hot. Unfortunately, there are no cheat codes for breezy hair, especially when a look requires a longer wig. Cerato recommends keeping brows and eye areas relatively clear to allow more air flow. 'Teasing' bangs and other low-hanging hair upward so it doesn't rest on the forehead is one way to keep cool.
When it comes to long-haired looks, cosplayers can once again turn to the power of friendship. For cosplayers who cannot easily remove their wigs mid-convention, Cerato suggests asking friends to lift the back of a wig away from their necks. A bit of breeze will go a long way toward keeping cool, and she said it's only courteous to return the favor.
The Art of Extreme Wig Styling is available now, and can be purchased as part of Humble Bundle's Return of the Cosplay Book Bundle until July 22.
Source: Humble Bundle