Ready To Ship: Long Yellow with Gradation

This is one finished headpiece which is ready to ship. 

Style: Female

Material: Silicone

Length: Long

Color: Superstar Bright Yellow

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I didn't airbrush enough layers of teal silicone on the gradation for this headpiece so instead of the darker teal that my customer requested, I ended up with a lighter green shade on the lekku tips. I had to start over and make a new headpiece with many more layers of silicone on the gradation for her.... so now this one is an extra headpiece!

Please note: Yellow pigment is very transparent, so I have to add a LOT of pigment to the silicone in order to make the lekku opaque. This makes yellow silicone a bit stiffer and a bit heavier than silicone in other colors. It also tends to let the changing shades inside the lekku show through somewhat, so you may be able to see the transition from the pillow stuffing to the foam to your hair inside. If this bothers you, you can design a head wrap that covers the top area of the lekku.

Price breakdown:  Long lekku $175 and Single color gradation $10

A NOTE ON SHIPPING: I ship via USPS daily. I only ship via UPS once a month and I will not be scheduling a UPS pickup for a few weeks. If you want the lekku to be shipped promptly, I suggest selecting USPS at checkout.

Ear Cones:
Each female headpiece comes with one pair of ear cones. 

A Note on Painting Silicone:
Silicone is more challenging to paint than other materials. Unlike latex headpieces, you can't paint silicone with the same body paint that you use on yourself. Please read the tutorial for painting silicone in the Tutorials section of my store if you want to add spots, tattoos, or change the color of your lekku!

Head Size:
Silicone headpieces are only made in a small size because silicone will stretch to fit.

Length and Flexibility:
These lekku are 36 inches in length when cast. They can stretch a couple inches when they're stuffed and may get a bit longer when worn since the silicone can stretch under its own weight. These longer lekku are very flexible and will sway considerably as you move. Silicone lekku are really, really wiggly!

Durability:
Unlike latex which can crack after a while, silicone lasts a long time. My oldest silicone headpiece is nine years old, and it is still in perfect shape. Silicone is prone to tearing under some conditions, however, so you must be careful not to create a weakened point where a rip might get started. When trimming away excess silicone around the head opening, make sure to cut a straight line with your scissors. If you leave a jagged edge, that point can begin to tear. Cut a smooth, even line and it shouldn't be a problem!

Stuffing:
The lekku are filled with pillow stuffing. I reinforce the top curves with a soft expanding foam which preserves the shape of the curve and holds the pillow stuffing in place.

Weight:
These lekku average between 1.8 and 2.3 pounds. The weight varies because I can't always use the exact same amount of silicone, stuffing, and expanding foam.

Static:
Silicone is prone to building up a static charge. It's not a huge problem, just keep in mind that pillow stuffing fibers, loose bristles from paint brushes, and bits of hair will inevitably be found stuck to your headpiece. For the extra wiggle of silicone, though.... it's worth it. To reduce a static buildup, rub baby powder into the silicone with a cloth, and then wipe off the extra powder. It will cut down the static charge and reduce the silicone shine to give your lekku a more natural look.

Glue:
Nothing sticks to silicone! If you want to attach a decoration permanently to the lekku, most glues won't work. Instead, you must use a dab of silicone or a silicone adhesive. I recommend Sil-Poxy, which is sold by Smooth-On. If the foam stuffing won't stay in the lekku you can use Sil-Poxy to glue it into place, and if the silicone ever develops a tear you can use Sil-Poxy to apply a patch.

Photographs:
Please remember that colors can vary widely on different monitors. They may look lighter or darker, or appear to have different shades from one screen to the next. If you want to be sure that a color is exactly what you want, I advise getting a sample of the paint to test before you purchase a headpiece in that color.

I would be happy to help with any Twi'lek costuming questions, so please feel free to ask. Twi'lek costumes are a lot of work, especially since you have to do the body paint every time you wear them if you want to be an exotic color... but it's definitely worth the effort. It's really fun! People often stop you for a picture, and I have a good laugh every time somebody asks, "Can I touch your tentacles?" Good times!