⇝ Get that nice wig secure! ⇝
This is the tutorial that you need! Because imagine you're having a good time in costume, going around a convention only to see that your wig has slipped backward on your head. Even though it's such a typical cosplay goof, it's usually a little awkward. But, thankfully, this is a really simple problem to correct.
Using a lot of hairpins is the simplest technique to keep a heavy wig from falling off your head. If that doesn't work, add small clips to the inside of your wig, use wig tape, a wig grip, or a wig cap, or braid your hair to provide a sturdy foundation for the pins.
Longer wigs, wigs with heavy up-dos, and hairpieces with ponytails or ponytail clips are most prone to slide backward. These techniques, however, may be used to fasten any sort of wig and keep it in place for the duration of a convention.
Check out these simple methods to keep your heavy wig steady!
Tools
✦ Bobby Pins https://amzn.to/3DzP8BT
✦ Wig Grip https://amzn.to/3VsVM3U
✦ Mesh Cap https://amzn.to/3EEFSwy
✦ Nylon Cap https://amzn.to/3XzyWJR
✦ Blue Double Sided Waterproof Lace Wigs https://amzn.to/3XxX1AG
✦ Got2b Ultra Glued Invincible https://amzn.to/3tZmbuG
✦ Bond Lace Front Wig Glue https://amzn.to/3gzCOtU
➊ Sewing combs or clips ➊
To prevent your wig from sliding back on your head, place two to four tiny clips or combs along the inside hairline of your wig. If you have a particularly thick wig, use two clips along the front on top of the head and one on each side of the ear to keep everything in place. You should also add them on lace-front wigs because they are more likely to show your hairline.
Start approximately a centimeter in front of your forehead when putting on your wig, start approximately a centimeter in front of your forehead. Then, move it back to grab the combs on your hair and fasten any toupee hooks in place. Repeat the method if you have any clips along your back hairline. I believe it is crucial to incorporate them; it is worth it if you have a big hairstyle.
➋ Use Multiple Clips ➋
Bobby pins (with teeth) are useful for firmly keeping things in place. They can pin back hair from the forehead or be used to pin back hair from the forehead or to keep a bun on your head.
Hairpins, on the other side, are used to maintain hair parallel to itself and to discourage stray strands from wandering about too much.
Both of them are important if you want to keep your wig from sliding around on your head. Use bobby pins in strategic locations around the hairline. With a few placed around the front and back hairline, use them to keep the ear tabs and the wig immediately behind the ears.
These will perform the bulk of the work and secure the wig to your hair.
After that, use the hairpins to fill in the gaps. These will help to hold the wig in place on your head. It won't move around when you move your head, making the bobby pins' hold lessen with time.
Use as many hairpins as you can get away with for a more secure grip. You may also put some in the center of the wig, particularly at the base of ponytails and updos.
➌ Braids ➌
A wig can move around on your head for a variety of reasons. The first problem is that it isn't properly secured and attached to your hair. However, the issue might be with your hair beneath the wig. If your hair moves around on your head, the wig will move with it.
If you have long enough hair, braid it underneath the wig cap. Keeping your hair in place provides a suitable base for the pins to pin into. When you pin your wig to your hair, nothing will slip around and your wig will be more securely secured in place.
➍ Wig Cap: Your Best Friend ➍
A wig cap keeps your hair from coming out from beneath your wig and adds a layer of security to the wig's grip. I suggest wearing a netted wig cap instead of a stocking cap since the pins have more opportunity to grab onto things under the wig and secure it.
Use bobby pins around the outside edge and hair pins throughout when putting the wig cap in place. This will hold the wig cap in place and prevent it from slipping around between your hair and the wig.
➎ Wig Grip ➎
If you don't have hair or can't immediately pin anything to your hair, a wig grip can assist hold your wigs in place.
These are headbands constructed of a substance that readily adheres to your skin and latches onto the bottom of a wig to give it something to connect to. You may want to use this in conjunction with wig tape or spirit gum to provide a tight grip, especially if you are wearing a thick wig.
➏ Wig Tape ➏
Wig tape or spirit gum is more often used to secure lace front wigs. They can, however, be beneficial for any type of wig that requires a little more holding force. If your wig is frequently slipping backward on your head and exposing your hairline, you can try using one of these.
Wig tape is applied directly in front of your forehead. Use pieces down the front, from ear to ear. Then, on top of the tape, push the wig in place. Apply the liquid all down the front of the hairline with the applicator brush as you would with spirit gum. Wig tape is easier to use and leaves a less sticky residue, while spirit gum provides a firm grip.
➐ Use Your Hair ➐
Rather than attaching clip-on ponytails and buns before putting the wig on, put the wig on first, then clip the ponytails through the wig onto your hair. This transforms the clip-ons from a dragging element to an enhanced security safeguard for the wig as a whole.
To achieve this, ensure you're wearing a mesh wig cap rather than a stocking wig cap so the ponytail can grip your hair. It will just slip off of a mesh hat and provide no further stability for the wig. If you have long or heavy ponytails, clip them and pin them down at the base to ensure they stay in place on your head throughout the day.
➑ Size Matters ➑
Wigs that are too big or too tiny for your head are far more prone to slip and slide around when you are wearing them. Wigs that are too little will gradually contract over the day, but wigs that are too large will become uneven and will slide about your head in any direction.
The good news is that most wigs can be readily adjusted. For wigs that are too big, you generally need to remove a few wefts around the ears and add a little elastic to wigs that are too tiny.
❾ Test it! ❾
The final step you should perform before wearing your wig to the conference is a basic test. Make sure your buns or hairclips are tight by spinning and spotting a portion of the wall, essentially popping your head from side to side extremely rapidly. This way, you could be certain that it would not fall during a performance.
Use the same method to test the wig's grip on your head. You don't need to shake your head as forcefully, but you do need to move your head about enough to see if the wig is still in place.
Jump up and down and shake your head from side to side. Check in the mirror to see whether your wig has shifted and that everything is still symmetrical. Add extra pins where there is a weaker grip if necessary. Once the wig passes the shaking test, it should have little trouble keeping in place for the rest of the day.
✦✦✦
And that's it! ♡
You are ready to use your super heavy wig and huge hairstyle for the rest of the convention. I hope this helps and see you next Monday!
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Disclaimer: Use your tips at your own risk, we always recommend contacting people that know and are professionals to help you with your wig.