Cosplayers, how do I make my hair stay spiky?

[Scarim Coral]

Hi all, I had recently found out the last anime convention (Manchester MCM Expo) I had went to is back on again this year in July (it's new since last year was the first time they held one in Manchester).
Anyway after I went to it, I vow to cosplay for the next one and I got plenty of time to be ready.
So long story short I going to be cosplaying as Travis Touchdown from the game No More Heroes.

Spoiler: Travis Touchdown

I'm somewhat halfway done (got most of this clothing albeit the jacket I've bought is bright red not maroon) and other than his beam katana (I need to ask my uncle, a DIY type of guy if he can make me a wooden prop version of it) .I have been having trouble getting my hair to match his.

So far I had been using this hair gel to stylize my hair which had been a mix result.

Spoiler: garnier fructis hair gel manga head

Ok granted his hair isn't too spiky like Cloud from Fantasy 7 but I having problem getting my hair to stay spiky.

My hair is naturally straight and it become quite thick when it get longer. Since Travis face is base from Johnny Knoxville, I have to make the top hair of my head stand up as if I was electrocuted (look at the hair reference below).
The result is with that gel, it somewhat work when my hair is short and mid length (well a 50/50 chance) but when it's longer it doesn't work. The main problem is that the gel hair can't stay in the fix place for long (danm you gravity) and it take hours to keep it in place and dry if I use more of that gel.


So what I want advice for is I'm looking for a alternative to hair gel like wax or styling fibre etc since I know nothing about cosmetic styling.
I don't really care too much about the overall finish appearance like gel make my hair shiny as long it make my hair stay in place for a several hours.

I will appropriate any help and suggestion you can offer to me.
Bare in mind that I don't really want to experiment with several products since I don't want to spend on that many. Also no I will not invest in a wig to make it spiky.

Here is the reference to his hair to get a better idea how to fix my hair in place. (I can gel my hair from the side in place although it doesn't look too spiky compare to the reference image)

Spoiler: Reference- Travis hair

Also I appreciated your help more for any tips about using those make-up (eye) pencil or pen. As you can see from the reference, he got sharp looking eyebrow and sideburns which I intend to use a make-up pencil to draw the detail in.

Yes I know there are plenty of those however the type I'm looking for got to be highly resistant to sweat. The last time I been there it was hot and humid due to the place was too small and it got over crowded easily (it could be bigger this time round). Obviously I won't smug the detail with my hands but I don't want it to come off from me sweating inside that place.

 

[NorthernStar]

I know punks use egg whites to keep their mohawks up. (http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20070818174732AA5k7f3)

It's a bit drastic (and definitely not that good for your hair), but if you're not into spending a lot of money on expensive products, this is your best bet.

As for the brows: DON't use eyeliner. It'll just look weird. I'd suggest instead getting a brow pencil in the colour of your choosing. These come as cheap as 1 or 2 bucks. First, brush your brows using a small brush. Then fill in the brows using small stripes as if you're drawing actual hair. You can finish off by applying some brow gel over it to make sure your brows stay in place all day. This'll grant you the most natural result. Many girls use this to fill up their own brows in daily make-up routines. If you want it to be resistant to sweat, you should get a waterproof version.

Not sure if you'd be able to create a believeable sideburn with an eyebrowpencil though.

 

[Scarim Coral]

Snip

Thank for the advice. I'm not too keen with the egg white. I am willing to buy a hair product but within limits (depending how much it is) but I don't want to spend on a few seeing how it would be a waste of money since I'm going to use one in the end.

As for the eyebrow, is there a image tutoiral for that? I don't really understand the process you're describing. To be honest I am expecting the overall sideburns to look like it's plaining drawn on.

 

[Spy_Guy]

I talked to a friend about this back when I was at a convention... and he mentioned a really thick mix of sugar and water would do the trick.

I personally find that awful... but considering his hair it seemed to yield results.

 

[RoboGeek]

i cant help with the cosplay specifically but respect for doing Travis Touchdown i always feel that conventions need more no more heroes

 

[NorthernStar]

Snip

Thank for the advice. I'm not too keen with the egg white. I am willing to buy a hair product but within limits (depending how much it is) but I don't want to spend on a few seeing how it would be a waste of money since I'm going to use one in the end.

As for the eyebrow, is there a image tutoiral for that? I don't really understand the process you're describing. To be honest I am expecting the overall sideburns to look like it's plaining drawn on.

The eggs'd still work better than any hairgel. But you could try anything that's meant to give extra hold, etc.

Just youtube 'brow tutorial' or anything like it. You'll be sure to find many vids featuring (mostly) girls doing their brows. You can just watch it for the basics and tweak the process to suit your own needs.

 

[Thee Prisoner]

Punkers back in the 70's used sugar water.

 

[Angie7F]

tips from japanese cosplayers:

1) Use a wig, and use glue to style hair, and let it dry.

2) if using natural hair, wash it well with really dry shampoo. Squeaky clean hair is easier to stand.(Do not use conditioner)
Dry hair with your head upside down so that you hair literally stands on end.
If you dont set the root of your hair properly, your hair will get floppy really easily.
Use hair wax that makes hair spiky and stand hair on end. Do not apply too much hair product as it will weigh your hair down even more and make it flat. Better to keep spikes as airy as possible. One its standing on end, use super hard hair spray to keep it up. There are certain brands of wax and spray that are popular amongst the cosplayers here, but probably better if you find something locally.

3) Alternative for natural hair. Again, use squeaky clean hair, make base shape with wax, and then harden with super hard gel. Best if you can blow dry it with hair drier until it is stick hard. Finish off with super hard hair spray.

4) Punks back in the days used bars of soap to make hair stand.

 

[bluepilot]

I have a punk friend who uses actual candle wax to stand his hair on end. He has 12 inch spikes though and I would not condone or advise you to do that with your hair.

With the eyebrows, here in Japan waxing is not common, so as methods of eyebrow removal people use tweezers or a razor (not as in a shaving razor, but one of the Sweeny Todd shearer things on a much smaller scale. Among the cos-play scene it us common for people to create that razor-sharp eyebrow look with an actual razor. This is something I adapted to here and now use a razor to cut my eyebrow hair regularly

I have nicked myself a few times and would advise you to proceed with extreme caution if you go for this look though. If you mess up and shave off half your eyebrow you can always fix it with an eyebrow pencil. Whatever you do, don't cut yourself though.

 

[NorthernStar]

With the eyebrows, here in Japan waxing is not common, so as methods of eyebrow removal people use tweezers or a razor (not as in a shaving razor, but one of the Sweeny Todd shearer things on a much smaller scale. Among the cos-play scene it us common for people to create that razor-sharp eyebrow look with an actual razor. This is something I adapted to here and now use a razor to cut my eyebrow hair regularly

Whoah... an actual razor... really?!
Doesn't that irritate the skin? Or increase the chances of hairs growing inwards or something like that?
It's just that I'm a bit of a beauty freak and I've never heard of this nor ever thought it'd be a good option

 

[bluepilot]

With the eyebrows, here in Japan waxing is not common, so as methods of eyebrow removal people use tweezers or a razor (not as in a shaving razor, but one of the Sweeny Todd shearer things on a much smaller scale. Among the cos-play scene it us common for people to create that razor-sharp eyebrow look with an actual razor. This is something I adapted to here and now use a razor to cut my eyebrow hair regularly

Whoah... an actual razor... really?!
Doesn't that irritate the skin? Or increase the chances of hairs growing inwards or something like that?
It's just that I'm a bit of a beauty freak and I've never heard of this nor ever thought it'd be a good option

I think that of your skin is sensitive you can get a rash. I use cooking oil on the area to prevent this, it sounds disgusting but I find that creams irritate a lot more than pure oil.

I also think that there is a greater risk of ingrown hairs associated with plucking than razoring. To be honest the worst I have had with a razor is nicking myself or accidentally removing half an eyebrow.

It does leave lovely lines if you get the hang of it though.

 

[Angie7F]

With the eyebrows, here in Japan waxing is not common, so as methods of eyebrow removal people use tweezers or a razor (not as in a shaving razor, but one of the Sweeny Todd shearer things on a much smaller scale. Among the cos-play scene it us common for people to create that razor-sharp eyebrow look with an actual razor. This is something I adapted to here and now use a razor to cut my eyebrow hair regularly

Whoah... an actual razor... really?!
Doesn't that irritate the skin? Or increase the chances of hairs growing inwards or something like that?
It's just that I'm a bit of a beauty freak and I've never heard of this nor ever thought it'd be a good option

I think that of your skin is sensitive you can get a rash. I use cooking oil on the area to prevent this, it sounds disgusting but I find that creams irritate a lot more than pure oil.

I also think that there is a greater risk of ingrown hairs associated with plucking than razoring. To be honest the worst I have had with a razor is nicking myself or accidentally removing half an eyebrow.

It does leave lovely lines if you get the hang of it though.

Actually waxing any part of your body is not so common in Japan.
everything is usually taken care of by razors (sweeny todd type and the T shaped ones you use for legs etc.)

I also have an electrical sweeny todd type razor and i accidentally cut my eyelashes short while trying to go in for a sharper eyebrow. LOL
Electric types are cool because you ca use them on dry skin and there is no need for creams.
Though the traditional types give you a closer shave.

 

[lettucethesallad]

Hair wax and/or clay (not too much or it'll just weigh your hair down!), and then spray the crap out of the fucker. You'll be pretty damn flammable, but it'll stay up. And use a brow pencil for your eyebrows, it's easiest.

A good way to get makeup to stay put on your face, even if it's a little unorthodox, is to spray your face with hair spray (eyes closed obviously). I find it keeps stuff in place without things getting all runny.

That's what I do to keep myself looking good while swing dancing anyway, and I end up looking pretty much like I did when I left the house after a night on the dance floor. Good luck!