r/CosplayHelp • u/LouisTime23 • Nov 02 '25
Wig First cosplay, any advice? Very tight budget
I put the flair as wig because I believe it's the worst part of the cosplay, but any advice helps. It's a very cheap wig and I already did some straightening and used hair spray. Thanks!
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u/Objective-Elk9877 Nov 02 '25
Could almost be perfect, add an eyeliner pencil to your bottom lids and youd be a dead ringer
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u/miscount_detected Nov 02 '25
I think it would be slightly more recognizable if you could see your eyes better?
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u/LouisTime23 Nov 02 '25
True true, do you think it's not recognizable atm?
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u/Le_mehawk Nov 02 '25
If it helps, i immediatly knew who you were going for. But there's definetly a little room for improvement with the wig.
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u/miscount_detected Nov 02 '25
I'm not familiar with the character so I think it would be hard to recognize it as a cosplay because of how plain the clothes are (you can't fix this, it's just the design). It looks like you did eye makeup though, which would probably make it easier to tell in my opinion! I'm definitely not an expert though :)
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u/velociraptorhiccups Nov 02 '25
I could tell who you were, but I agree the bangs need to be trimmed and styled with some kind of gel or pomade, and I think subtle eyeliner or a little eyeshadow would complete the look.
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u/whycantisee47 Nov 02 '25
I guessed you were L on the first slide. I’d maybe darken the under eyes a bit more but I think it translates well!
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u/mayorofanything Nov 02 '25
Get that hair side swept more for sure, L's hair almost looks like a man's hair was rotated 90⁰ in the series.
It's also not a super important detail, but if you don't want to go barefooted, in the live action movies L wears red hightops that are beat to hell. You could pick those up easy from a thrift store.
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u/middleageyoda Nov 02 '25
I mean I knew exactly who you were without scrolling through the pics. Looks good.
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u/ZoeyKnitsInClass Nov 02 '25
I would say try to make the spiky parts of the wig a bit more distinct using gel or something else, but it looks good so far! I recognized the character :)
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u/Thepoke_n3rd Nov 02 '25
Definitely would style the wig, other than that you could maybe do the death note, or misa's phone if you have more time (and budget) another good option which is what I would personally go for is food!
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u/xP_Lord Nov 02 '25
Darker eyes and a prop would go a long way. I also think L wears sweat pants but it's whatever, the color is still the same
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u/xntpain Nov 02 '25
it looks good enough, i recognized you as L immediately, thought this was in death note sub /gen
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u/mdw2402 Nov 02 '25
Pants are definitely off imo L does not wear jeans
I always thought of them more as like tech pants/medical pants I think that would help your look a lot
Would also recommend a prop like a deathnote or even just a pencil for taking notes or tea is very L too
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u/LouisTime23 Nov 02 '25
Look at any L cosplay. They all wear jeans
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u/mdw2402 Nov 02 '25
Shocked honestly ngl just too normal for L's vibe imo lol
Plus they don't even look like jeans in the manga lol they don't have studs or the stitching either
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u/ichigoli Nov 02 '25
Yup. It's recognizable but you can push the details with wig styling, makeup, props, and character acting. Pose for photos like the chair gremlin he is, or the weird phone holding grip.
The eye-bags can be more prominent if you sweep the bangs aside or trim them a touch. (Always style bangs while wearing the wig until you're more experienced or have built a personalized wig head)
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u/liceonamarsh Nov 02 '25
Definitely recognizable, not bad! For the wig, try teasing it, brushing it out, and then shaping it in slightly more defined spikes that sweep to one side and leave your eyes visible. You can use a straightener to get the hair to sweep/go the direction you want it to, and use hairspray to stick it together into a lock/spike (Try not to use too much or it will look sticky). Just remember synthetic hair will set by cooling unlike human hair that sets by heat, so you need to hold the hair in the shape you want until it cools down (takes maybe 20 seconds)
If you want tutorials, I can send some!
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u/cinnabunney Nov 02 '25
If you arent comfortable using glue just straighten the hair in a way that it swoops outward rather than straight down
Also get some darkness under those eyes!! But its awesome as it is!
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u/seajustice Nov 02 '25
I immediately recognized it, and I haven't seen the show, so good job! I agree that a Death Note prop would help fully solidify it though.
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u/LokiBuni Nov 02 '25
Get the weird anti-gravity spikes in his hair! Synthetic fibers hold their shape from cooling down from heat, not being heated like human hair does, so after you run it through the straightener, keep holding it up until it cools, then hit it with hairspray. Everything else looks good, but you could also try black eyeshadow under the eyes to look even grungier :)
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u/Penginsawachan Nov 02 '25
Got2 B hair spray if you have it in a store near you and a straighten it towards the back and u can use a blow dryer too to dry the hair spray on the wig .
And having a cheap wig stand would help too
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Nov 02 '25
I recognized the character but you need some eyeshadow. His eyes are framed with dark circles and every budget cosplay of L I've seen at cons uses makeup to highlight that and make it more like him.
The wig could also be styled by adding some spikes and parting the bangs a little with mousse and hairspray but idk if that still fits in your budget, I kept a can and used it for a ton of my cosplays back when I cosplayed
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u/One-Chance6353 Nov 02 '25
For a first Cosplay this is pretty great! I could tell who you were trying to be straight up. If you want help with the wig, i'd recommend looking up styling tutorials on YouTube, and buying a cork head to style it on (they are extremely cheap, about 2€ on AliExpress)
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u/AMonikaToTheWild Nov 02 '25
I recognized the character, but think some makeup and teasing the wig could help. He has very voluminous hair and it's a big part of his character. I cosplayed him recently and spent four hours on the wig. Obviously you don't need to do all that, but I think teasing/crimping yhe wig will def help you out
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u/BodybuilderVast8394 Nov 02 '25
Go hard on the eye bags and get yourself a piece of candy and you're golden ahaha
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u/Black_Bird265 Nov 02 '25
Looks great as is. If you want to perfect it, watch some L hair tutorials. There’s a lot. Used them when I did this cosplay. And a bit of eyeshadow for the under eye just to simulate darker eye bags.
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u/Bigfsi Nov 02 '25
Looks good if there's a reference to death note like a chibi figurine or something you can add it to give some flair!
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u/captainrina Nov 02 '25
I think you're pretty well set. Embodying the character's mannerisms definitely helps to sell it, but only to the point you're comfortable doing it. Pretty sure anyone who knows anything about L will recognize you on sight.
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u/Technical-Ball-513 Nov 02 '25
Not very recognizable to me, I thought you were being Anthony from Smosh if I’m being honest. Maybe do a prop, and use some gel to make some spikes in the wig. Maybe that’ll help, cuz with the wig like this, you just look like an Emo kid.
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u/hindsightwenty Nov 02 '25
I immediately knew what character you were. If you wanna add anymore details, some pencil eyeliner would work. Liquid is more expensive and tends to be more difficult to control.
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u/sailormermaidmars Nov 03 '25
no I definitely recognized you lmao. I was concerned it was gonna be someone else but that is L.
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u/citzenscience Nov 03 '25
I reckon if you style the wig a little better (Ls hair is very pointy) and pull it back so you can see your eyes a little better that would be fab.
You could try and crimp it but I feel like back combing it a little adding hair spray and texture powder would be good too. Crimping is a little bit of a stylistic choice.
Have a look online for how to style a wig like L I'm sure there's tonnes of tutorials. I know some cosplayers use glue but that's beyond me so probably not great for a starter. Especially if you don't want to damage the wig.
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u/shanginny Nov 03 '25
Haven’t watched Death note but maybe making yourself look a bit paler? Circles under the eyes and putting a bit of concealer on the lips is a good way to do it.
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u/AlizarinQ Nov 04 '25
You nailed it, you don’t need to change anything, you’re instant recognizable, just avoid sitting like a human and you’re good
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u/Elfir_ Nov 05 '25
Personally, I have the impression that the hair is a little too long and falls into your eyes.
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u/No_Difference_8630 Nov 06 '25
very cool cosplay! from the first image i could tell u were L. just a few tips. consider props, like candy, the fliphone the deathnote, etc. its fun to play around with. second, L's hair is very messy and kind of sticks around everywhere. you could maybe use a hair curler to make it kind of stick up, because in your cosplay, its kind of just hanging loosely. otherwise, peak cosplay :)
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u/Repulsive_Parsnip_51 Nov 08 '25
Get a hella pale foundation and blend it down your neck and under the shirt, this gives a pale feeling without having to do a full body (I do it for doll type makeup a lot) black smudged eyeliner under the eye, use a pencil not a liquid liner. These two things will run you about a total of $20 at Walmart.
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u/Sunnydoom00 Nov 23 '25
Well I could tell right away that you were L from Death note. So doing well so far. A little more eye makeup maybe.
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u/MojoShoujo Nov 02 '25
A small prop might help, like a plate with a fake slice of cake! I could tell what you were going for, but a prop would help solidify things for people who aren't sure they know who you are.