Makeup & contact lenses
By Karen Wang
03 June 2013
03 June 2013
Makeup
For both girls and guys, makeup can be important if you want your cosplay to look the best in photos. Even if you are just cosplaying a regular-looking character, the bright colors of a or costume, reflective material of the cosplay fabric, or the effects of flash photography can wash out your face and make you look less of an anime character and more of a pasty blob. Unless you are wearing a mask or contraption that covers most of your facial features, you should consider makeup as a vital component of your cosplay. Moreover, people often cosplay characters who have different facial features than their own. In this case, makeup can be used to accomplish helpful things like changing your skin tone, disguising or creating facial hair, and adding any defining features such as scars or tattoos.
For both girls and guys, makeup can be important if you want your cosplay to look the best in photos. Even if you are just cosplaying a regular-looking character, the bright colors of a or costume, reflective material of the cosplay fabric, or the effects of flash photography can wash out your face and make you look less of an anime character and more of a pasty blob. Unless you are wearing a mask or contraption that covers most of your facial features, you should consider makeup as a vital component of your cosplay. Moreover, people often cosplay characters who have different facial features than their own. In this case, makeup can be used to accomplish helpful things like changing your skin tone, disguising or creating facial hair, and adding any defining features such as scars or tattoos.
The makeup short list
This is the basic list of makeup tools and supplies that you will want for your cosplay, regardless of your character’s gender or genre.
1. Foundation
Foundation absorbs light and evens your skin tone so you don’t look shiny in photographs. Choose one that matches your skin tone as well as possible. There are different types of foundation; ranked from lightest to heaviest coverage, they are mineral or powder, liquid, mousse, and creme foundation. Choose one based on how much coverage you need for your skin condition. Apply it with a sponge, brush, or your fingers.
2. Powder
Powder also helps absorb light and keeps your foundation in place. It is colorless and comes in two forms, loose and pressed, both of which work fine (pressed is more compact and portable). You’ll want to put powder on top of your foundation. Loose powder is applied with a powder brush, while pressed is applied with a brush or sponge that comes with the powder.
3. Eyeliner
Anime characters often have large, exaggeratingly-defined eyes, meaning that both male and female cosplayers usually need to make their eyes stand out with the help of makeup. You can use brown or black around the outer edge of your eye to make them stand out. Eyeliner comes in pencil, liquid, creme, and powder form, each of which gives a different effect, but beginners may find that liquid form is the easiest to apply.
This is the basic list of makeup tools and supplies that you will want for your cosplay, regardless of your character’s gender or genre.
1. Foundation
Foundation absorbs light and evens your skin tone so you don’t look shiny in photographs. Choose one that matches your skin tone as well as possible. There are different types of foundation; ranked from lightest to heaviest coverage, they are mineral or powder, liquid, mousse, and creme foundation. Choose one based on how much coverage you need for your skin condition. Apply it with a sponge, brush, or your fingers.
2. Powder
Powder also helps absorb light and keeps your foundation in place. It is colorless and comes in two forms, loose and pressed, both of which work fine (pressed is more compact and portable). You’ll want to put powder on top of your foundation. Loose powder is applied with a powder brush, while pressed is applied with a brush or sponge that comes with the powder.
3. Eyeliner
Anime characters often have large, exaggeratingly-defined eyes, meaning that both male and female cosplayers usually need to make their eyes stand out with the help of makeup. You can use brown or black around the outer edge of your eye to make them stand out. Eyeliner comes in pencil, liquid, creme, and powder form, each of which gives a different effect, but beginners may find that liquid form is the easiest to apply.
More cosplay makeup options
- Primer
- Eye shadow
- Sealing spray
- Color eyebrows to match wig
Contact lenses
IMPORTANT: Remember, before wearing any contact lenses for the first time, it is important to check with your optometrist!
Anime characters often have uniquely-colored eyes, from red to purple to eyes with special designs. Therefore, contact lenses are popular accessory choices among cosplayers who want to match their characters completely. They are not too expensive if you buy them online, but keep in mind that these lenses are different from prescription lenses and may irritate your eyes if left in for too long. Check CosPlayGround’s online vendor guide for good websites to buy lenses. You can also look for them at specialty cosplay stores or anime convention dealer’s halls.
IMPORTANT: Remember, before wearing any contact lenses for the first time, it is important to check with your optometrist!
Anime characters often have uniquely-colored eyes, from red to purple to eyes with special designs. Therefore, contact lenses are popular accessory choices among cosplayers who want to match their characters completely. They are not too expensive if you buy them online, but keep in mind that these lenses are different from prescription lenses and may irritate your eyes if left in for too long. Check CosPlayGround’s online vendor guide for good websites to buy lenses. You can also look for them at specialty cosplay stores or anime convention dealer’s halls.