Cosplay Journal - [WIG] Noctis Caelum (Final Fantasy XV)
Background:
It’s no secret that FFXV is one of my top Final Fantasy games regardless of the criticism, tumultuous development histories, and rumors. I could go on and list so many reasons why I love the game, but that would be just TOO much. But all that is to say, of course I’d want to cosplay my best boy, Noctis Lucis Caelum, Prince of Lucis and King of Fishing.
In 2017, I tried. I did a genderbend Noctis with a group of friends and it was really great! (Except that it was during San Diego Comic-Con and I’m honestly too old to try to cosplay there anymore.)
Photography: Sventure Snaps
Photography: Sventure Snaps
Genderbends and reimaginings are fun. But on me, with my bad sewing techniques, poor design decisions, body image issues, and making the Sword of the Father way too big, it just didn’t sit right with me. So, of course I’d want do a canon style Noctis.
It’s taken me three years to start even on just his wig. So! Here it is.
Base Wig:
If I’m not mistaken, the base wig is a Magnum Long Classic Arda Wig in some kind of grey (I can’t find my invoice to confirm and it’s not on my account). It’s one of these colors… I think (It’s a good thing this isn’t a tutorial or a guide, because so far it’s extremely unhelpful):
Tools:
For all my wig stuff, I use two types of scissors: Thinning Scissors (the ones with the teeth) and regular ol’ sharp hair Cutting Scissors. And I use them two ways.
Thinning Scissors - I cut from the top and trim down to the tip (To create layers, natural looking ends)
Cutting Scissors - I cut from the tip and go up (To trim/cut to length, to cut off fly-away strands)
Is this how you’re supposed to use them? I don’t kno~w!
Styling:
Starting with the base wig, like the Chadley wig, I added more layers and straightened the front.
I blow-dried everything upside down and then hair sprayed the back. Using my fingers, I pressed the ends into small spikes and created a sort of triangle shape (or like a duck butt?) in the back. I kept the very bottom wefts alone so that it could cover my neck.
Using heat again, the hairspray hardens and the strands maintain its shape. For the very top, I teased back the top layer a bit so that it could stand up higher on the head.
I cut the front of the wig to a length longer than the desired length and added layers from there. And for the sides, I added long layers so that it would stick out on the side as well as trying to make it frame the face like Noctis’ does.
After spraying the front, I used a straightener to press the tips together to create spikey shapes, but also pulled it apart gently to create more natural looking strands.
From the top of the wig, I picked out groups of strands and pulled them forward to try to make it look more natural, kind of like a plucking motion. And I also tried to pull apart fly-away strands or cut frayed edges.
Voila?
Mirrored Bathroom Selfie~
Annnd there it is! What do you think?
