+

[Temmy1212]

Hello, I was wondering how I should go about spiking real hair, like, for say, Karkat or Kanaya from Homestuck, or maybe even Robin from Teen Titans. I think even L would be a good starting point for trying some things out.
My hair is (I think) around the length I think would be appropriate for those characters, and my hair is going to be dyed soon too. My hair naturally curls, so I'm obviously going to straighten it before I even attempt to spike it at all, and I believe I should also get it thinned a bit too.
So if anyone has any tips, products, tutorials, so on, please let me know. I'm not really in any rush, since I have no planned conventions at the moment, but I would like to be able to do something for Halloween.

Thank you!

[Oniigiri_Basket]

If you ask me, it's more trouble than it's worth. Each time you want to cosplay these characters, you'll spend precious hours of convention time working on your hair. The easier solution would be to get a wig. It'll be right and ready for you to put on each time. While it may seem like an expensive option (even though in reality it's only going to cost you about $30), the cost of buying and rebuying styling products over and over again will end up costing you even more.

[Temmy1212]

Ah, okay, I see your point. However, I am still set on using my real hair for one or two of the characters I've mentioned above, since it's how I want my hair for day to day life anyways. Besides, with wigs, you'll most likely have to buy and rebuy styling products anyways. I'm still a newer cosplayer, so I don't go to many conventions anyways (Plus I'm still at an age where my mom will come with me, unless I had a group of friends coming with me she trusts completely) so I'm not too overly worried about that. But thank you for your input. C:

[JasonTerror]

Ok, I have to ask something..You say "Besides, with wigs, you'll most likely have to buy and rebuy styling products anyways." How so? with your REAL hair you will be washing the product out every day correct? with the wig you will style it once then just little touch ups ONCE at the con..I hate to say this but you are backward in your thinking..You will use less money with a wig.

Also your hair wqill come unstyled durring the course of the day no matter WHAT you use meaning you have to carry the products with you and have to redo your hair in a mirror at most 2-3 times a day.. With a wig it will not come unstyled because it's not real hair and does not have the chemicals that make it come undone..

[ShinobiXikyu]

Originally Posted by Temmy1212

Besides, with wigs, you'll most likely have to buy and rebuy styling products anyways.

Not as much as with normal hair. I have a 1/3 full can of Got2b blasting freeze spray that's lasted me for over a year, and thoroughly styling and restyling wigs (from a high hip-length ponytail to a short shaggy wig) seven times AND spraying my own hair to keep it in place under my wigs. The can cost about five bucks. Compare to using on normal hair, the product won't last nearly as long (like said before, you'll almost certainly have to touch up your hair throughout the day). And styling glue and most hairsprays work fine on wigs and hair.

[Falclon]

Originally Posted by JasonTerror

Also your hair wqill come unstyled durring the course of the day no matter WHAT you use meaning you have to carry the products with you and have to redo your hair in a mirror at most 2-3 times a day..

Well...not if you want to put Jell-O in your hair.

I'll say what I say on all these threads. Buy a wig. It saves time and money.

[Oniigiri_Basket]

Yeah, you won't have to keep using styling products on your wig. You'll have to do a touch-up every now and then (every couple wears), but with your real hair, you'll be touching up CONSTANTLY. Your cheapest option is a wig.

A wig is just all-around a better choice. It's cheaper in the end and saves you time. And it looks a LOT better than real hair. When ever I see people using their real hair for spiking, I can't help but think it looks hideous, and that seems to be the general consensus. It looks greasy, not near as voluminous as it should be, and just generally bad.

Would you rather have greasy looking spikes, or something that looks like this? http://www.flickr.com/photos/ardawig...57626374056722 http://www.flickr.com/photos/ardawig...57626374056722
If you want your hair to look like those pictures, that ain't going to happen.

[Temmy1212]

No no, I wasn't going for those kind of spikes. I guess I should have been more clearer, I was thinking more natural looking spikes, kind of like this http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_ltby09cJw31qep3j1.jpg
Although now that I think about it, 'spikes' isn't really the best word for what it is I'm going for.... ^^;
Sorry about that.

[Xohmg]

When my friend or I cosplay always use our own hair. This is because we have had a few years worth of experimenting different hairstyles and hair products that work and suit us the best. So what we have found is you can not use same products we use to style our hair because it wont achieve the same results, obviously, your hair is different thickness length and rotates differently.
Seeing how you don't have the time or the money to go an experiment a wig is your best opition.

Originally Posted by Oniigiri_Basket

When ever I see people using their real hair for spiking, I can't help but think it looks hideous, and that seems to be the general consensus. It looks greasy, not near as voluminous as it should be, and just generally bad.
.

^^ This is because they are people who don't know how to style hair well. My friends hairstyle for AC Cloud http://imageshack.us/a/img717/3493/6...4002414608.jpg Does that look greasy and hideous? It actually looks natural. IMO.

[JasonTerror]

Originally Posted by Xohmg

^^ This is because they are people who don't know how to style hair well. My friends hairstyle for AC Cloud http://imageshack.us/a/img717/3493/6...4002414608.jpg Does that look greasy and hideous? It actually looks natural. IMO.

No it doesn't look bad..But it doesn't look like CLOUD either..I don't mean to be a put down but if you are gonna say that using your real hair looks good for cosplay you may wanna use one that looks like the character or it makes your point invalid..

[Enkai]

Given your situation, I think you're best off going to a hair stylist with a picture of about what you want when you get it cut, and then ask for tips on what products and techniques to use to maintain it afterward. Most of us around here are much more familiar with wigs, and real hair types vary so much that it's going to be difficult to just give tips on a forum, because different hair takes product differently. Certain given our experience level.

The other advise I can give is search youtube, and practice in front of a mirror.

[Xohmg]

Forgot to mention if you're using your real hair, remember that you can easily damage it fast and create split ends which makes your hair look, shit... and you don't want that.
It's a lot of effort to keep it looking healthy.

With a Wig dont have to worry , soo once again a wig is a better option.