How to do makeup for Cosplay?

If one were to think about what makes up a good Cosplay, certainly at the very beginning one should mention the appropriate makeup, costume and accessories most characteristic of the character whose appearance one ultimately wants to portray. While the latter things are fairly self-explanatory, and simply need to be designed based on using the most appropriate materials and sticking as closely as possible to the original, makeup can be a matter of concern. It is its correct execution that we are going to focus on in today's post.

How to prepare for Cosplay makeup?

Before you even actually get around to preparing makeup for cosplay, you should, of course, choose the direction in which you will go. It's all about the character that the mapping will target. It can be absolutely anyone, although in this particular case it is by far the most common to opt for characters associated with broad pop culture. We are talking about, among others, those known from movies, TV series, computer games or anime (the latter, by the way, is where all cosplay started).

Having already known who you will want to imitate, you need to look in the mirror and think what effect you will want to achieve and what in your own appearance needs the most changes. What matters here is not to look at the whole character and its final appearance (with outfit and accessories), but just the "version" without any extras. It is obvious that the most work here will require the face, and often the neck and even the décolletage.

A proper assessment of what you are targeting and what changes you will need to make to achieve it will allow you to choose the right tools and cosmetics to achieve it. If we are a girl, many of these we may already have in our standard makeup bag. Wanting to become a fantasy character, which often have colorful skin, will be necessary face and body paints. Bodypainting is becoming increasingly popular, and can even be used as a form of marketing. What's more, body paints are also often found at events for children, where they are used to paint children's faces. These and other materials are best purchased in a form designed for cosplay, from a special themed store. Doing well here is Cosplay Craft, on which it is hard to be disappointed.

Worth knowing: if the character you want to portray has some scars, or you want to add the effects of dripping blood or fresh wounds, it's a good idea to establish this now, or to stock up on materials to create this type of characterization just "in case."

Makeup for cosplay - step by step

Makeup is considered the most difficult part of cosplay for a reason. For while we prepare accessories by actually having them physically in front of us (like clothes), here we have to work on ourselves. Although a great help here could be the presence of another person, you can handle it all alone. Here are some of the most common steps to create the most basic cosplay makeup. Of course, one should keep in mind the specifics of one's own character and adapt them properly to it - the order, however, should be just that.

1. We try to hide our own imperfections, unless these highlight our character appropriately. However, if you are struggling with acne or have scars that are not visible in the form, you should hide them. The right concealer or foundation will help with all of this. It is worth remembering to use powder afterwards, which will prevent shining. This will be appreciated especially by photographers who will be taking pictures of us.
2. We take care of the eyes, which should match - if possible - the wig. The usual target here is lush eyelashes and properly tinted eyebrows. This is the absolute basis and starting point for further, much more complex work. Therefore, we should take care to make it as accurate as possible.
3. We are working on dashes, such that emphasize the shape of the face and give it character. Much here depends on our own features - there are those that will be close to those of the target character and will thus require less work, and there are those that will force us to "play" much longer. It is worth noting here that stronger features usually give masculinity, and weaker ones - girlishness. The contours must be well worked out, and they matter most in all of this.
4. We add "special effects" - having already the basis, we can work on the additions. This is the right time to reach for the right cosplay paints - whether to add blood effects or other characteristics, or to cover the entire face with them. You can bet on artificial blood, glow-in-the-dark cream or special latex for makeup. Options are plentiful, and much depends on our end goal.

Summary

Preparing a suitably professional - and, above all, a perfect reproduction of the original one - is a must cosplay makeup is never an easy and trouble-free thing. That's why you should find out more about it even before you get behind it. This is because it is crucial to gather the right utensils and cosmetics. Finding the right store - in an ideal world, one dedicated to professional cosplay, able to advise on just that - can help with all of this. A great place of this type is the store Cosplay Craft, always helpful and selling products of definitely the best quality.