Wig Review: Arda Wigs

Today I'll be doing a product review of Arda Wigs, a wig company in the US.  They market themselves as a Cosplay wig company, but from what I've seen, their wigs would be great for regular wear/lolita as well.

I first heard about them at Anime Expo last year, where they had a booth.  However, I didn't need any cosplay wigs until I was looking for a wig for Rapunzel, at which time I started looking into cosplay wigs again.  However, at that time they did not carry a super long wig, so I ended up getting my wigs elsewhere.  But I was still itching to try out one of their wigs.

My chance came when I got a commission for a Chibi Usa wig.  I used their part wig (called Chibi haha!)

I also used 2 of their ponytail falls for the wig.

Let me just say that this wig had ALOT of hair.  When I cut the hair to stub the pigtails, I had a box full of hair.  The fibres were very nice and styled easily.  I ended up with the wig looking like this:

It is my first odango wig so I'm thrilled with how it turned out (ignore Dr. House creeping on the TV in the background haha!)

After such a good experience with this wig, I decided to order my new Rapunzel wig from them.  I ordered the Delilah, which is 60 inches long:

This wig also is super thick.  In fact, this wig by itself is almost, if not, as thick as the double wig I made for my first Rapunzel wig.  Another good aspect is that the fibres are heat resistant;  they mean it.  I used my straightener on a setting between 300-400 degrees F and there was no kinking or anything.  While this wig is a pain, any 5 foot long wig will be, and it's much less of a pain than the other 5 foot wigs I've used.  I'd take a picture, but the wig isn't styled yet.  It's definitely worth the price though.

My only real problem is that they have their own color chart, which makes it difficult to match wigs that I already own or know the coloring of.  However, this is more a personal thing than anything that they did.  On the other hand, it does provide for unique colors that are great for cosplay.

As for customer service, they are fabulous!  I e-mailed them about color and I got a prompt response that answered my question and included pictures to help me decide.  They also contacted me when one of the items I ordered was out of stock and asked what I would like to do (wait until it arrives to ship, or ship what is available now).  I have been very impressed with all interactions with them.  

I definitely recommend Arda for your cosplay wig needs.  They are my new go-to store.  I'd rate them a 5/5 in both product and customer service.

Renaissance Faire

Sorry for no post last week.  I was super busy with school and ended up getting sick -_-  However, I got all of my schoolwork done and I was able to go to the Renaissance Faire yesterday.

The Faire was located in Irwindale, CA.  I recommend going if you have a chance and are local.  It was my second time going and I had such a fun time!

I don't have any garb, and wasn't sure what to wear.  Several friends suggested Rapunzel, but I didn't want it to get dirty, and I wasn't sure how well I'd last wearing the wig for that long.  So after some thought, I decided to make a costume that I've been thinking of making for a while: Briar Rose.  I figured it fit in alright with the theme, and I could make it out of fabrics that could easily be washed.  So I got to work and made it in one day.  For a one day costume, I think it turned out pretty well.

Me in my costume.  I got a lot of good feedback, a lot of people said "Oh look, it's Sleeping Beauty!"  I was so excited that people recognized it!

Myself with one of the Knights.  They have a jousting area where 4 knights compete.  This was the Scottish Knight.

Myself and my friend with some pirates.  People have really awesome costumes!

This guy made his armour out of Coke cans haha!  I thought it was really creative and clever!

With some Vikings/Barbarians.  Just another example of how awesome some costumes are. 

My friend got most of the pictures because she has a really awesome camera, but this should give you an idea of what it's like.

In other news, I'm thinking of doing reviews of things.  But what kind of things would you like to see reviews of?  I was thinking eyelashes and wigs to start off since I wear them a lot?  Let me know what you think!

Tune in Tokyo and Disneyland

On Wednesday I went to Tune in Tokyo's Pop and Punk event at Royal-T

Outfit:
Skirt: Tralala
Bow: 6%DokiDoki
Necklace, Headpiece: Handmade
Tights: Forever 21
Boots: Secret Shop (Angelic Pretty Replica)
Top:  Not sure, it's super old!

Today I went to Disneyland.  I didn't stay for too long because I was cold and it looked like rain.  But I saw many characters while I was there!

Myself and Alice.  I haven't seen her since I was in Japan I think.  She's around, but I don't often stop to see her.  She was really cute, one of the best I've seen.

 With my favorite Rapunzel and Flynn.  She saw me waiting, but then they switched out, and I waited extra time to see them (partially because Flynn wasn't there and partially because she's the best Rapunzel in my opinion).  When I came in she said "You waited all that time?"  Haha she probably thinks I'm crazy.

Sometimes I wonder what the people think since I come so much.  It started because I was trying to get costume references, but they're so sweet that I like talking to them even though I know it's just acting.  It seems like it would be so much fun to do!

With Rapunzel's Tiara.  Flynn has it in his sachel, and it kept breaking, which became a kind of joke; it kept having missing stones and such, and she'd scold Flynn for breaking it (though he would say she dropped it).  But it's all fixed now.  This is one of my next cosplay projects, so I asked to see it.  It's so pretty o_o

I went over to get a baked potato and the Princess Fantasy Faire line was really short, so I decided to wait.  I saw Mulan, Ariel and Tiana.  But most of the pictures didn't turn out.  But here's one with Ariel.

With Mr. Incredible.  Check out my scrawny little arms haha!

Outfit:
Sweater, Necklace, Shrug: Forever 21
Tank top: H&M
Skirt: Not sure, a friend gave it to me
Tights: From Japan
Shoes: BG (also given to me by a friend)

My wig is Cosplay Wig USA.  I call it my Hannah Montana wig haha!  My roommate got it first and I really liked it so I got one too.  I like it a lot.

Happy Easter to everyone!  I don't do anything to celebrate, but I hope you have a good time if you do!

Disney and DokiDoki

Yesterday I went to Disneyland for a Gal style meetup. 

Of course I visited Rapunzel, and was very surprised that her hair is much shorter now!  She told me that it is no longer magic, because she had to heal Flynn again.  But now it can be cut without turning brown, so she cut it to a more manageable length.

Outfit Rundown:
Dress: Cecil McBee
Boots: Secret Shop (Angelic Pretty replica)
Thigh Highs: Offbrand
It was really hot!  I got a bit dehydrated.

Ari and I waited forever to see Jack Sparrow and Angelica (she's from the new movie coming out in May).  Her friend said he kept stopping and talking to people while walking over, which is why it took so long. 

Today I went to 6% Doki Doki's Mighty Harajuku event.  They were selling their items to benefit Japan.  I bought a pin, a shirt and a sticker.  The shirt has a pony on it, it's really cute!

Myself with Yuka and Vani, the shopgirls/models.  They remembered me from Japan/Sweet Streets, which was really sweet!  I totally want Yuka's belt, it's so cute!
Outfit:
Top: Sanrio
Skirt: Target
Socks: Angelic Pretty
Boots: Secret Shop (Angelic Pretty replica) (yes, I love these boots too much)
Buttons: 6% DokiDoki, Sanrio
Hairbows: 6% DokiDoki
Bow Brooch, Necklace: Handmade

I'm super excited since Ari and I are going to do a Rapunzel photoshoot later this week!  I can't wait to get some really good pictures of the costume and wig.

Until then, homework!  

Lolita Fashion Show

Last night I was a model in a lolita fashion show at a charity event for Japan.  It was organized by Julie Doll (smileysquid.blogspot.com)

I represented Hime Lolita, since all I have left is Lady Rose.  Everyone looked amazing, I felt so lucky to be walking with such a fabulous group!

Myself and Ari.  She was the rep for Kuro Lolita.  We both were thinking we were crazy for our shoes!
Outfit breakdown:
JSK, Rose Ring- Angelic Pretty
Tights, Bracelets- Forever 21
Tiara, Shoes- offbrand
Ring- Tarina Tarantino
Bow- Paris Kids
Parasol- Baby, the Stars Shine Bright
Choker- Handmade

My roommate styled the wig... its actually a Priscilla half wig and bangs.  My hair was really big but big hair is part of the style. 

An action shot of myself and Mandie of Geeky Glamorous (geekyglamorous.blogspot.com) walking backstage. 

I was so scared that I would trip in my heels... I'm usually ok but the tights made them slippery!  I did have a near disaster when stepping off the stage during rehearsal, but I was alright and made it through the actual shows without any problems. 

All in all it was a fun experience and I'm so grateful that I was chosen to be a part of it!

TRON Signing

So TRON Legacy was released today.  I got up and went to the Disney Store to pick up my copy, and then to the beauty supply store to get some hair for my Rapunzel wig.  I planned to work on it while I watched the movie, but when I got home my roommate informed me that there was a signing with the directors and we needed to go.  So I immediately got dressed up in my TRON finest and we headed out.

We were worried we wouldn't make it in time, but we got there by 4 and easily got wristbands.  I took a picture with the poster lol

My typical TRON outfit.  I haven't gotten new fabric for my actual costume.

We got in line, and we were pretty close to the front.  So we were some of the first to meet the directors.  We got to meet Joseph Kosinski and Steven Lisberger.  They were really nice.  When I walked up, Steven Lisberger said "Wow, a real female!" haha!  Then they commented on my outfit (first they said Quorra, and then realized that it was more based on Gem [at least makeup and hair]).  I got to take a picture with them also.

All in all it was a cool experience.  Now I'm going to go watch the movie since I didn't earlier!

Magical Girls and Disneyland

On Friday, there was an event called "Magical Girls- Art Inspired by Shoujou Manga".  I wanted to dress up but none of my outfits were very magical girl, and I didn't have money to make a whole new costume (though I did seriously consider doing PGSM Sailor Moon).  In the end, I decided to finish Rapunzel for the event, since technically she is a magical girl. 

I didn't completely finish (I didn't get the lace on the skirt, and there is still no embroidery) but I was pretty happy with it and I loved wearing it.  A lot of people recognized it and liked it, and I ended up winning an Honorable Mention in the cosplay contest.  It was judged by Tavuchi, the owner of Spank!.  She was so sweet!

As of now, this is the only picture I've found that I actually like.  It's from LA Weekly.

Here's a mirror shot to show the whole costume, but it's not the best picture lol!  It was in H&M... before the event, we went shopping!  I got a lot of strange looks walking around the mall dressed as Rapunzel!

I can't wait to wear it again, one of my friends offered to do a photoshoot with me, which I'm super excited about! 

Today I went to Disneyland as usual.

With Bre'r Bear, a character from Song of the South.  This movie is not available anymore because it's racist, so it's not a super well known character.  You can see some of my outfit here, it wasn't too exciting though.
Skirt- H&M
Boots- Secret Shop (Angelic Pretty replica)
Leggings- Forever 21
Tops- I don't know, I've had them for 6 years haha
Bag- Sanrio

With Rapunzel and Flynn.  When we came in, Rapunzel said "Oh Flynn, this is my friend, she comes to visit me every week!  Sometimes you're not here, but she's like my new best friend!"  It was so cute.  She asked who Ashley is, and I told her she was my best friend and roommate.  She said that Mother Gothel was kind of like a roommate, but she hoped Ashley wasn't like her!  I love when characters interact rather than just brushing us off since we're not little kids.