Cosplay help

Since I decided for sure on one of my characters, I need help with figuring a few things out.

One for sure, what site or store is good for getting a wig? I need something along steal blue but wherever I look, I can't find it, it's too thin, or it has a fringe (which I don't need at all).
So I was hoping someone could help me with this. Good wigs, low prices (if possible)

If you want an example of the one I am going to be working on, here she is:
http://i.imgur.com/17gy0.png

Once the wig part is aside, there's the issue of actually styling it to have her hair style. What do you use to keep it up? Brushes? Gel? I know nothing of how to make it look like hers. >< Which may be difficult since it's sticking up in that way. ; ;

I'm not sure how it's going to be done yet, I need an ideas on how to make her cosplay if possible. I have not skill @_@ Never tried to sew. So I would prefer not to do it. I was thinking of getting my mom's friend to do it since she made my last one but I hope I can have it done in time for the expo. (lol it's in a year)
But I would like to try.

Then there's the issue with her shoes. I know this sounds weird but she walks around with a single, long spike sticking out of the bottom of her shoe. I'm not sure how to go about making them or even being able to walk in them.
Ex: http://i.imgur.com/Tt6hs.png

Also, there's the problem with the blindfold. Since she always wears it in the manga, I need a way so I can wear it too but not be completely blind by it.

So any ideas and suggestions would be just great. Thank you for those who help.


PS: I know this is in the Spamzone, but please do not spam this thread. I'm really serious and didn't know where else I could post it.

 

I know that this site has some fabulous wigs and their quality never ceases to amaze me. You can actually use a hair straightener without damaging the fibers, making styling great. Their forums also provide great tips for gel styling and getting around character work.

http://arda-wigs.com/

I'm not too familiar with the bootwork, unfortunately, but I'll be sure to look for some tips (I remember Izanagi from Persona has shoes like those and I know a couple of people who did that cosplay who might give some tips).

I would say for the blindfold that you don't need to even see through it but make it so that you can take it off while walking around and then just put it on for pictures. But, there is plenty of fabric out there that is "semi" see through because of the stitching of the fibers. I remember walking around as DiZ several years back, and I it may seem like a hassle to take off the blindfolds and what not, but it was better than bumping into people all of the time lol.

That's all I can say for now, hehe.

 

Oh this is great. I found the color here but the problem is that they don't have a long wig. But I see that you can choose colors that they have prices for. So is it that you can possibly request a style you'd like and they'd make it for you?
Ex: http://arda-wigs.com/collections/slate-blue-010/products/slate-blue

Oh that would be very much a great help, thank you. I'll try to do some research on it too because I really want to get her cosplay as close as i can.

I suppose you're right about that. Not that I think many people will take pictures since not many know about the manga. Thanks though. =D





Oh! Another thing, she had metal pieces on her outfit. What would you suggest be done about that? Something that wouldn't be heavy but will be as close to the look as possible.

 

Ah, I forgot to mention another site with some good wigs similar to Arda. They have quite a collection of long wigs, I think, so here you go~

http://shop.cosplay.com/wigs.html

What I did for my Cloud cosplay to "mimic" the metal was use something called Wonderflex. It is a thermoplastic that has a similar lustre to metal... 'cept its expensive. D:

BUT there is also a more lighter alternative and that is to use CRAFT FOAM. You can buy it at any craft store for cheap (like, the most I've bought a whole pack for was $8)! Even though it is flimsy in its natural state, applying a mixture of water and Elmer's glue to it will harden it up and even make it shiny. Using glossy acrylic paint will emphasize more of that metal look.

 

Ah yeah I stumbled upon this place but didn't find what I was looking for >< Thanks anyways.

Oh my. I wouldn't even know where to buy it and I am basically going to be broke D: I'll look it up though just to see it.

Ah. That sounds easy enough =D And it sounds rather fun. But, do you just brush the mixture on? Or dip it? Is it even amounts of glue and water?
Is that the paint they use for the model cars and stuff? o:

Sorry about the many questions haha ><

 

No, no don't worry about it. Glad I could help. c:

Here is where I usually buy Wonderflex. The come in different sizes, so be sure to measure out what you need before buying!

http://www.cosplaysupplies.com/store.php?s=M4UZ

Basically, you mix Elmers glue and water in a cup. It's usually an amount that makes the mixture a liquid and white as milk. Too much Elmer's glue means that after applying it on, the trail left behind has a lot of airbubbles. Too little glue means that after applying it and letting it dry, there is no difference in hardening. I would highly suggest trying it out first, applying a couple of coats to a small piece of the foam and if it hard enough (like tapping a pencil against it lightly that it makes a more crisp sound), then it is just right.

You dip a paintbrush in it and then act like you are painting the craft foam. I usually do about 3-4 coats (about 20-30 minutes between coats) just to cover up some airbubbles and to make the material harder.

The acrylic paint is usually the paints that you would find in a craft section. However, spray-painting is easier, using a metallic silver/gray paint. I don't usually use spray-paint, but that's just the typical way of doing things.

Here is an example of a project I did about a year ago. The hat/helmet and the armor (I hope you can see the lighting) are made completely out of craft foam. I would also suggest, just to reinforce it better, to back it with a fabric that is grated. But even without it, it should be fine.

Spoiler

 

Wow. So expensive indeed. o: What exactly is it? Do you mold it into what you need? Is it heavy?

Oh alrightly then. I shall save this. Might be easier and better for a beginner and I could always make it better later on :3 I need paint and junk anyways since I'm gonna be a pocky box xD Thanks ever so much. You're being a great help. =^^=
Grated fabric?

Oh wow, that looks great =D I might just go with it more now. What is graft foam, anyways? Is it easy to work with like molding clay? How can I attach it to the outfit? If you have any suggestions for that too. ><

 

For wigs, ALWAYS USE HAIRSPRAY. ALWAYS.
A teeny bit of gel is okay sometimes, but too much makes it look greasy. Unless that's what you're going for.
But either way, hairspray is the way to go.

As for the spikey shoes, you might have to make them not entirely pointed. Perhaps a piece of wood, pointed, with a flat bottom. You'll also probably want a handler, aka a person you hang out with all day who makes sure you don't fall over or run into things.

 

Oh alright. Is there any hairspray that you recommend? Like a strong one that hopefully won't give out?
Nah I'm not. Also, would you have a way of recommending how to get her hair up like that?

I was thinking of some kind of flat bottom but an issue is how I'm going to actually walk in it. >< Guess I'll have to learn. Oh yeah I'll have someone with me at all times because I don't like being alone and junk.

 

It is a thermo-plastic, meaning it can be molded with heat and cooled down to harden it up. It's not that heavy, and it should be durable. There are tutorials on that site.

Craft foam, again, can be found at craft stores like Michael's or even Wal-Mart. It's usually used for scrapbooking or kids' elementary school projects. It's flimsy and the best way to "mold it" into what you want is to tape it together and then apply the water glue afterward. You can also use heat, but it is not as thermos-durable as Wonderflex. I would use either velcro to attach it or fabric glue.

 

Oh alright. Thank you. I'll think about it but I'll more likely go with the craft foam. Due to lack of cash ><

Oh yeah. Now I know what you're talking about xD Oh okies will the glue mixture effect the tape like the foam or will it be harder to work with? Just normal tape or a certain tape? o: AGAIN, sorry for all the questions ><

 

You can just get the generic cheap-as-**** kind.
I get mine from Target, where they have huge bottles for cheap.

 

Haha, no again, it's okay. I usually use scotch tape and just leave it on, because it's usually a hassle to take it off. Also after painting, it would be best to put on a few more coats of the water-glue, just to solidify it up. Glad I could be of some help!

 

Oh okies well I'll try to get strong ones either way. >< Can you wash wigs?

Oh alright! Is there thick craft foam? Because the steel on her clothing seems pretty thick. And if not, how soul make it thicker but not show the layers if I pile them together?
Thanks so much you really are being a huge help to me ><

 

The thickest I've seen is about 1/16", but I'm sure that if you layer it it won't be too noticeable.

 

Alright I'll test it out then when I have the money to actually start buying things. I mean, it's not for another yea but I want to get things done early.

Oh, I'm also working on a pocky box cosplay. Any suggestions on that? I'm just going to be using cardboard boxes but I wanna know what's the best way to attach them and also, what can I use to make the painting shine like the actual boxes.

 

...Sort of? Not wash in like the traditional sense, but you have to be super careful. I've never done it myself, but I'm sure a google search would help you there.

 

Alright. Is it possible to just go to a beauty salon type thing and just buy a wig to dye or would that be more expensive and difficult due to her hair color?

 

ew no don't do that
Avoid dying wigs if you can. It's really a last resort thing. Always better to just buy the wig you like online. Avoid Ebay like the plague.

 

Alright thank you very much for the advice then. I need al the help I could get.

I suppose that's all I have for now. I may have nore questions later though haha ^^