How to Care


How to Wash a Cosplay Wig

Generally, it’s safe to assume that cosplay wigs you buy from Japan can be carefully washed without damaging the fibers. Many cosplayers choose to wash the wig before styling it, and oftentimes a wig requires cleaning after around five uses or a particularly messy outing. The following method is the most common, but do note that it works best for wigs that are not heavily styled.

  1. Using a comb (preferable over a hairbrush), work any tangles out of your wig, taking care not to comb the lace cap.
  2. Fill your sink with cold water. Warm or hot water may distort the wig’s natural shape.
  3. Pour a moderate amount of shampoo into the water according to the length of the wig. Shampoo specially made for synthetic hair is preferred by many cosplayers.
  4. Mix the shampoo into the water with your hands until soapy.
  5. Place your wig into the water and begin cleaning it with gentle scrunching motions. Be sure to turn your wig inside out and gently scrub the lace cap as that is where sweat and grime will most likely build up.
  6. Let your wig soak for five minutes.
  7. Gently squeeze any extra shampoo out of your wig.
  8. Drain the dirty water and refill the sink with clean water. Let your wig soak in the clean water for another five minutes.
  9. Drain the clean water and gently squeeze excess moisture from your wig.
  10. Lay your wig over a towel on a flat surface to air dry. If your wig doesn’t have any curls or other features that may be undone by gravity, you can also set it on a wire wig form to dry.

Important: Don’t set your wig in direct sunlight to dry, attempt to blow dry it, or comb out its tangles after washing as this can damage the wet, stretched-out fibers.

Alternatively, you can follow video below made by one of Japan’s most popular cosplay wig makers Prisila (in the video you’ll see that they use a brush with stiff metal prongs instead of a comb).

How to Store Cosplay Wigs

If you’re new to cosplaying, you may be wondering how to store your wigs safely. However you choose to store your wigs, be sure to keep them out of direct sunlight and humid environments.

Original Packaging or Ziplock Plastic Bag

If your wig doesn’t feature highly detailed styling, you can easily store it by simply slipping it back into the original bag it was shipped in (or a large plastic ziplock bag if you’ve already thrown away the packaging). This is also a compact way to securely transport your wig when traveling. If your wig is long, you can braid the ends into two to four sections before storing to prevent tangling.

Wig Stand

Wig stands have several uses for cosplayers, including storing your wig between events. You can often find affordable Styrofoam stands at craft stores or you can check with local salons to see if they can sell you one. The benefit of using a wig stand over a ziplock bag is that your wig will maintain its shape better. If your wig is long, you can buy specialty wig stands with extended necks.

The down side to using a wig stand is that it requires more storage space than a ziplock bag. You will also want to place a large paper or plastic bag over your wig to keep dust away if you plan to use the wig stand for long-term storage.

Important: Never use a household object as a wig stand. Hanging your wig on a bedpost or hat rack will eventually distort the shape of the lace cap.

Why It’s Important to Wear a Wig Cap

Nylon wig caps are an essential addition to every cosplayer’s kit. Most wigs come with a complementary wig cap, and additional caps can be found at most cosmetic stores. Though they take only seconds to stretch over your head, they can drastically enhance the final comfort and look of your cosplay wig. Among their many benefits, wig caps:

  1. Prevent the wig from irritating your scalp, especially for cosplayers with sensitive skin.
  2. Give your head a little space to “breathe.”
  3. Act as a barrier between the scalp and wig, preventing sweat from absorbing into the lace cap.
  4. Provide additional grip, preventing the wig from slipping or falling off your head.
  5. Hide your natural hair and secure all loose strands.
  6. Flatten your hair, preventing unnatural bumps when wearing your wig.