Gaara Cosplay help!

[mistresskat.livejournal.com]

Greetings all.



I recently acquired a very beautiful Kazekage Gaara coat, and plan to wear it this year's Otakon. I have pretty much everything ready for the costume, sans the shoes, which will come later. One thing I hadn't thought of until recently is a wig. This will be my first venture into cosplay, and my first venture with wigs, but I shall say this now; I have VERY long hair. Ungodly long hair past my bum. Originally I was going to just go as "Kaze-Gaara with really long hair lol". But I would very much like to try this wig thing, as I think I would enjoy having "short" hair for a day. So... My first burning question, and I apologize if it's been asked before, but;

1) How the HELL does one go about trying to hide 3+ feet of hair underneath a short-hair wig? From what I've researched, most websites suggest to either braid it and wrap it around the head in a spiral pattern, then put a wig cap on, or pony-tail tied at the nape of the neck and pinned to the head with clips and such. Again, I am REALLY unfamiliar with how to go about this [I don't plan on cutting my hair anytime time soon either XP], and if anyone is experienced in this department, I'd love to listen and learn from you. @_@ [It is also to my understanding that wigs can also be dyed and trimmed, but need to be special synthetic dyes and such? Another question for another day, I suppose.]

3) With that said, I've been looking online around for some wigs and simply can't choose between the dozen or so I picked out. I'm not particularly looking for MOST GAARA LIKE WIG, but one that really will just look nice, and resembles Gaara, recognizably. [Ideally, I'd LOVE and KILL to have one that looks just like here. Very awesome, gorgeous hair. @_@] I have a budget of about $60 I'm willing to spend on a wig, not much more, unless it's just like how I want. I don't plan on wearing it again and again on a regular basis. Just for cosplay, or special photo-shoot sorts of reasons.
I've narrowed it down to 9 and complied my choice wigs HERE, if you care to look. These were all found on ebay. [I know people have told me to beware buying wigs on ebay, but again, I don't plan to live in this wig. xD] ...Or if you happen to know any other wiggies on your own. Really just... what do you think?


[Also, going to get this stupid shout-out out of the way, but, concerning anyone coming to Otakon this year, I invite you all to crazy Naruto Gekitou Ninja Teisen 4 hotel parties at my room. xD Me and my comrades be at The Hyatt this year, and I'll get a room number up asap if anyone is interested. VIVA LE CHAIR.]

Comments

[moxxy-blue.livejournal.com]

I'd go with #4 for the wig.

Gaara coat=smex

[rabid-fangrrl.livejournal.com]

i agree = #4

[miwa.livejournal.com]

You could also try posting this at viva_rock or harukakanata.

Wig-wise, I'd say go with #8. You CAN dye wigs, but unless it's a light color to start with, most wigs will just end up tinted, not actually changed in color.

Now, about hiding your hair. I've got hair down to my mid-back, and thick. The tops of wigs are made of stiff material, but the sides and back are made of elastic and stretchy material. Because you have so much hair, I wouldn't reccommend one bun at the base of the neck, but maybe two or three to distribute it and make it look more even. And always remember to wear a wig cap.

[mistresskat.livejournal.com]

Oh! Excellent. xD; I was very unaware of Naruto cosplay communities. Thank you! And thank you for the suggestion. I hadn't thought of buns. :)

[panksters.livejournal.com]

I hate to say this, but his coat is red :[

[elict.livejournal.com]

the last one is my fav. i'd defenitely buy that one...

[velcro-panda.livejournal.com]

#4 gets my vote.

As for hair, i can't really help you much. But, just make sure you know what your doing for your hair a few days before the con so your not rushing at the last minute. =)

[hells-samaritan.livejournal.com]

I'd go with number four or nine (although as a person I am irresistably drawn to number six)

[napkins.livejournal.com]

i'd go with four or nine as well. As for what to do with your hair, pull it back into a low ponytail, as low as the wig will allow, then coil it around the back of your head. This always works for me, and the lowness of the ponytail prevents large lumps in the back. Just take the ponytail and coil it around the back of your head, pinning it with bobby pins about every two inches. try to make the pinned sections as flat as possible.

[firemasterskye.livejournal.com]

Well,my hair's not aslong as yours (yet!) but you could maybe try wrapping it around your head as many times as it goes and pinning it there? Wrap one half first, then the other over it. I do that sometimes to dry mine (lower back/almost to tailbone length) and keep it out of the way. Good luck ^^;

[justnikki616.livejournal.com]

hmm i looked at all the wigs, and expecially compared 4 and 8, but im still all for 8, to me it just has more of the look to it

[amiyuy.livejournal.com]

In regards to the hair under the wig...

I have hair around my mid-back and here's what I do. I put it back into two braids, twist one up into the little valley where the part is and then spiral/lay it onto that side of my head up on top and do it with the other side as well. I use snappy hair clips (http://www.kidsdomain.com/craft/cegif/hairclips.jpg) to secure all of the portions of my hair down.

Now, I know that rurouni_jedi has extremely long hair and puts it into wigs all the time, and I think she might use french braids instead, but I haven't asked her.

Here are some threads from Cosplay.com that might help:
http://forums.cosplay.com/showthread.php?t=69429
http://forums.cosplay.com/showthread.php?t=74352

I would highly recommend checking out the Wig Forum on Cosplay.com (http://forums.cosplay.com/forumdisplay.php?f=62) for suggestions. There is a Search function there that might help you in finding some answers.

[amiyuy.livejournal.com]

Oh, and I forgot to mention.

Wig caps are your best friend ever! Get one that matches/is close to the wig color you're ending up with and be sure to strech it out before you wear it.

Put it on by either holding it (yourself or having someone do it for you) on your forhead and then putting it around your put-up hair. Be careful not to dislodge or pull out your hair. I have my friend hold it on my forehead and then stretch it out and up and then put it down around the back of my head.

Be sure to get any loose hairs on the back of the neck or around the sides up into the cap.

For putting on a wig, make sure you start from the front as well.

[mistresskat.livejournal.com]

Awesome, thank you so much. That second thread on cosplay.com you sent really helped. Words don't do much for me, I need to see pictures to get the best idea. XD Thank you again!

[kaworu-chan.livejournal.com]

I'd say #4 ^^.
And good luck with your cosplay!

[mistresskat.livejournal.com]

Thanks. ^^

[fork-my-eye.livejournal.com]

I think number four for the wig looks pretty great. good luck for the cosplay. i'm going to otakon too so i'll see you there.

p.s. i'm cosplaying deidata so i'm going to have to track you down and sit on you XD *flails around*

[mistresskat.livejournal.com]

xD Ahh, the Akatsuki is redecorating again, and needs a new couch! What better than one of those weird sand-nins? Oh ho~ *flails with you* XD

I'm just glad they aren't looking for any of those bear-rugs to take nakey pictures on. @_@ *pictures Shukaku* xD

[minawashu.livejournal.com]

I think 9 looks best, but 4 is good too.