How to Create an Amazing ZENLESS ZONE ZERO Cosplay Wig!

Do you want to create a wig that will blow the competition away for your favorite ZENLESS ZONE ZERO character? Whether you're cosplaying the sleek hacker Nekomata or the cyberpunk warrior Void Hunter, this step-by-step tutorial will show you how to construct a full anime-style wig! Grab your scissors, heat-resistant synthetic wig, hair wax, 10 rubber bands, 2 bobby pins, thin wire, and curling iron, and let's get started!

🛠️ Tools and Materials:

• HEAT RESISTANT SYNTHETIC WIG (pick one that is color-matched to your character)
• SHARP FABRIC SCISSORS (you want a clean cut)
• HAIR WAX or STYLING GEL (that provides a strong hold for spikes/textures)
• THIN WIRE (18-22 gauge, for wire support)
• SMALL RUBBER BANDS (neutral-colored)
• BOBBY PINS
• HAIR CLIPS
• LOW HEAT CURLING IRON or FLAT IRON
• WIG STAND (for stability)

💇♀️ Part 1: Styling the Short Base Layers

(for characters that have edgy undercuts or futuristic bangs)

Step 1: Cut the Bangs

Get your wig situated on a stand, and locate the front section of the wig that will fall around the face. Cut straight-across bangs near eyebrow length to create a really bold look! (primarily for characters that have sharp featured faces, like Cyber Ronin). For angled bangs (like in Nekomata's asymmetric bangs), cut one side shorter than the other, at a 45-degree angle.

Pro Tip: Thin out the bangs (with thinning shears) slightly for the desired "lived-in zero atmosphere" - anime texture.

Step 2: Plainly Cut the Side Layers

Drape and separate the hair around the ears. Locate the hair at the temples, and secure the hair behind the ears with bobby pins to secure (exposing the ear provides the ultimate slimming effect). Now plainly cut the sideburns into sharp, geometric lines to fall in line with your character.

Step 3: Use Hair Wax to Create Texture

You can create consistent texture when you sculpture - to create some spikes or wind-swept texture. Sculpture the bangs and side layers and scrunch the wig so it creates a spiky or wind-swept style. Don't forget to HOT GLITTER - USE TEMPORARY HAIR GLITTER!!!

🦄 Part 2: Building Dynamic Accessories

(for characters that have mechanical tails, glowing braids, or my favorite; a couple of tired, metal-segmented accessories)

Step 1: Build a Cybernetic Braid

(Example from my favorite great alien Void Hunter Energy-core ponytail with clip). Locate the back section of the wig and section off a high ponytail (using a rubber band to secure). Divide the ponytail into 3 strands, braid tight and weave the thin LED wire (non-heat) into one of the strands - just track where the pigtail rubber band will naturally be for guiding with the LED strip when braiding later. At every 2-inch section in the braid, use a small rubber band and allow the hair strands to pull slightly (to puff out that section - like segmented armor).

Step 2: Structure

Your spikes may need THIN WIRE, for floating spikes, or if they aren't solid spikes and need stability. Simply stitch or use glue dots to hold the thin wire from the bottom of the spike you wrapped earlier to the main hair cap. You can easily secure spikes onto that wig cap. Now coat the spikes with hairspray and dust glitter for the harsh metallic sheen finish.

🌟 Part 3: Last Steps and Durability Hacks

Step 1: Heated Styling Synthetic Fibers

Set your curling iron to 300 degrees Fahrenheit or 148 degrees Celsius, testing a strand that is not useful first. For neon colors, to curl with one-inch sections, simply wrap sections of hair onto the barrel and hold for 5 seconds before releasing. Retro lock the shape with hot air from a hair dryer.

Step 2: Secure Everything in Place

Use wig glue along the hairline as a method to secure everything for the duration of wear (12 hours). If your ornaments are heavy, take some of the weight relief by attaching them to an existing head, and also threading them onto a headband that won't be visible to you. This way, the weight is not just supported by the wig cap.