It's all about Presentation.
Let's talk about everything you need to glorify yourself.
hair, makeup, posing, photography, sewing, & props
Also, play to your strengths [do what you're good at].
hair, makeup, posing, photography, sewing, & props
Also, play to your strengths [do what you're good at].
Advice for Makeup.
Wear 5X times the normal amount of makeup. [Your head is HALF the costume, so make sure it looks good.] The camera flash washes out your color, so you have to wear enough makeup to add the color back in.
In my first couple of photo-shoots I did my normal eyeshadow & liner, and normal hair [no wig] and it didn't look like anything, you couldn't tell I was wearing makeup at all. [Luckily, the cosplays were normal characters] So, then I started to "pile" the shadow on, and it STILL didn't look like much. Eventually, I bought a variety of eye liners and an eye shadow palette [every color]. Also, a bunch of fake lashes [cause real ones don't show up at all].
<< This was my makeup for Tinker bell. [Just so you can see what I'm talking about.] This is a full face of makeup [with camera flash]. It looks pretty normal, but from 10 feet away it looks like barely anything.
I never wear this much make up in real life. It was a trial and error process to learn that it needed to be THIS much for it to show up "just a little" in photos.
I have small eyes so I use white eyeliner on the bottom to make my eyes look bigger, and then draw new black bottom lashes. From a 10 feet away it looks very convincing. I do this a lot when I cosplay characters with BIG eyes.
In my first couple of photo-shoots I did my normal eyeshadow & liner, and normal hair [no wig] and it didn't look like anything, you couldn't tell I was wearing makeup at all. [Luckily, the cosplays were normal characters] So, then I started to "pile" the shadow on, and it STILL didn't look like much. Eventually, I bought a variety of eye liners and an eye shadow palette [every color]. Also, a bunch of fake lashes [cause real ones don't show up at all].
<< This was my makeup for Tinker bell. [Just so you can see what I'm talking about.] This is a full face of makeup [with camera flash]. It looks pretty normal, but from 10 feet away it looks like barely anything.
I never wear this much make up in real life. It was a trial and error process to learn that it needed to be THIS much for it to show up "just a little" in photos.
I have small eyes so I use white eyeliner on the bottom to make my eyes look bigger, and then draw new black bottom lashes. From a 10 feet away it looks very convincing. I do this a lot when I cosplay characters with BIG eyes.
Concealer/Foundation, Eye shadow (green, all the way around)
Eye liner (black&white), Fake lashes (you always need MORE lashes) Eyebrows (important if your wig is a fun color), Blush, Lip gloss >>> This is the makeup for my Can-Can costume. >> Pay special attention to all the extra eye lashes I drew in at the ends of my eyes. You can never have enough lashes. There's also a little blue color in my eyebrows to match my wig, and a little beauty mark on my cheek. Heavy blush, lots of eye shadow, tons of eye liner, and red lipstick. The lips are a defining factor for how dramatic you want to look. For younger/innocent characters I pick nude/pale lipstick, and for sexier/older characters I wear darker lipstick. Just look at the difference between these 2 makeup looks. |
Hair & Wigs
Wear a wig if you can.
It's a sure-fire way to have a great hair day. Even if your normal hair looks like the character you're doing, wigs look better in photographs. [Fuller/more uniform texture/fuss free] Wigs are more predictable than styled hair, and It's more recommend than styling/dying/fussing with your own hair.
<<< In this picture, my hair looks exactly like the wig. But throughout the day my bangs would get stringy, and the back would go flat. [My roots are showing] A wig would be preferable if I'm going to be out for more than 3 hours.
There are a million cosplay websites that sell wigs, but I get most of my wigs on eBay. They all cost between $10-$25.
Another question I get is: the proper way to wear a wig, because it keeps sliding around, or your hair keeps poking out in front.
Answer: I french braid my hair into weird little pig tails, that I pin around the back of my head, and wear a wig cap that I pin down in the front [just above my temples] those pins hold any hair from poking down. [I'm saying hair "pins", but I mean hair "snap clips"]. If you're having problems with your wig sliding back on your head, it might be too tight [you can adjust it] or back heavy [if it's super long or you've attached an extra on the back of it]. If that's the case, try wig glue [it's used to glue a lace front wig to your scalp, similar to spirit gum].
It's a sure-fire way to have a great hair day. Even if your normal hair looks like the character you're doing, wigs look better in photographs. [Fuller/more uniform texture/fuss free] Wigs are more predictable than styled hair, and It's more recommend than styling/dying/fussing with your own hair.
<<< In this picture, my hair looks exactly like the wig. But throughout the day my bangs would get stringy, and the back would go flat. [My roots are showing] A wig would be preferable if I'm going to be out for more than 3 hours.
There are a million cosplay websites that sell wigs, but I get most of my wigs on eBay. They all cost between $10-$25.
Another question I get is: the proper way to wear a wig, because it keeps sliding around, or your hair keeps poking out in front.
Answer: I french braid my hair into weird little pig tails, that I pin around the back of my head, and wear a wig cap that I pin down in the front [just above my temples] those pins hold any hair from poking down. [I'm saying hair "pins", but I mean hair "snap clips"]. If you're having problems with your wig sliding back on your head, it might be too tight [you can adjust it] or back heavy [if it's super long or you've attached an extra on the back of it]. If that's the case, try wig glue [it's used to glue a lace front wig to your scalp, similar to spirit gum].
Presentation & Posing
My new years resolution this year is to not take any more backyard pictures. Having a photographer is WORTH IT. But, make sure your photographer knows what he's doing.
Not everyone who takes photos is a trained photographer, and most people wont tell you about the lighting/composition of the photo. [Lighting is very important] It's also important to practice posing, so you know what you look like.
I've had plenty of experiences with people who fancy themselves photographers [with nice cameras] but they take horrible pictures. Bad photos WILL come back to haunt you. So, make sure your photographer knows what he's doing. There are some photos that can't be salvaged, but then again, there's always Photoshop...
One thing that ruins a costume for me is when the photos don't turn out well.
<<<Photoshop is a girls best friend. This color correction took 10 seconds. I prefer a photo be taken with flash so the picture has depth. Pictures taken on phones always look crappy because they're shadowy.
I am not a model, but I am proud of my costumes and I want to show them off in an appropriately creative way. So, I do practice modelling. The best advice I can give you is to: always second guess the lighting [no direct sunlight], stand with your weight on one foot, do something your arms/hands, never look straight-head-on into the camera, check the background for distractions, and find a prop [something to hold/stand next to], & always ask if they got your feet in the frame [pictures that crop-off at the ankles look stupid].
Not everyone who takes photos is a trained photographer, and most people wont tell you about the lighting/composition of the photo. [Lighting is very important] It's also important to practice posing, so you know what you look like.
I've had plenty of experiences with people who fancy themselves photographers [with nice cameras] but they take horrible pictures. Bad photos WILL come back to haunt you. So, make sure your photographer knows what he's doing. There are some photos that can't be salvaged, but then again, there's always Photoshop...
One thing that ruins a costume for me is when the photos don't turn out well.
<<<Photoshop is a girls best friend. This color correction took 10 seconds. I prefer a photo be taken with flash so the picture has depth. Pictures taken on phones always look crappy because they're shadowy.
I am not a model, but I am proud of my costumes and I want to show them off in an appropriately creative way. So, I do practice modelling. The best advice I can give you is to: always second guess the lighting [no direct sunlight], stand with your weight on one foot, do something your arms/hands, never look straight-head-on into the camera, check the background for distractions, and find a prop [something to hold/stand next to], & always ask if they got your feet in the frame [pictures that crop-off at the ankles look stupid].
Starting from scratch?
Practice makes perfect.
The more you sew = the better you get. But until then.. How well can you sew? not great?
Then maybe consider stretchy fabric, it's a little harder to sew, but it's very forgiving. [The more it stretches, the fewer seams the fabric needs, and the better it fits]. Also, knit fabric doesn't fray at the cut edges, so you don't have to hem/finish the edges. It's fast and easy.
The biggest problem with sewing spandex fabric is that it stretches under the machine needle [the fabric slides apart], and the stitches get sloppy. The solution is fabric glue. Instead of pinning the fabric, put a thin line of glue down [too much glue will show], the glue will temporarily hold the fabric together while you sew it. Glue is not a good permanent alternative to sewing, the glue will eventually burst open if you don't reinforce the seams. But it's fine for small/short edges.
<<< This is my Avatar body suit [it's upside-down]. It's plain blue spandex fabric that I airbrushed dark stripes on. This body suit is only 5 pieces. Front, Back, 2 sleeves, and a little collar. Super easy to make.
Unless you have some experience with pattern drafting, you probably want to have a starting pattern shape. If you're confident with your abilities, you can make composite patterns out of other clothing -OR- you can go buy some home sewing patterns in your size. Having a perfect base pattern has its perks, and takes a lot of guess-work out. With practice you'll get better at eye-balling a pattern.
I have very few store bought patterns, but the ones I have are for plain base torso and sleeves. From there, I can eye-ball any adjustments to the pattern without starting from scratch.
The more you sew = the better you get. But until then.. How well can you sew? not great?
Then maybe consider stretchy fabric, it's a little harder to sew, but it's very forgiving. [The more it stretches, the fewer seams the fabric needs, and the better it fits]. Also, knit fabric doesn't fray at the cut edges, so you don't have to hem/finish the edges. It's fast and easy.
The biggest problem with sewing spandex fabric is that it stretches under the machine needle [the fabric slides apart], and the stitches get sloppy. The solution is fabric glue. Instead of pinning the fabric, put a thin line of glue down [too much glue will show], the glue will temporarily hold the fabric together while you sew it. Glue is not a good permanent alternative to sewing, the glue will eventually burst open if you don't reinforce the seams. But it's fine for small/short edges.
<<< This is my Avatar body suit [it's upside-down]. It's plain blue spandex fabric that I airbrushed dark stripes on. This body suit is only 5 pieces. Front, Back, 2 sleeves, and a little collar. Super easy to make.
Unless you have some experience with pattern drafting, you probably want to have a starting pattern shape. If you're confident with your abilities, you can make composite patterns out of other clothing -OR- you can go buy some home sewing patterns in your size. Having a perfect base pattern has its perks, and takes a lot of guess-work out. With practice you'll get better at eye-balling a pattern.
I have very few store bought patterns, but the ones I have are for plain base torso and sleeves. From there, I can eye-ball any adjustments to the pattern without starting from scratch.
Homemade Props.
The home crafters tools [all these things can be bought at craft stores or hardware stores]:
hot glue / rubber cement / contact cement
paint + clear coat [lots of paint, paint makes everything better]
oven bake clay
plaster [rigid wrap] / paper mache
Plus the basics : sand paper, scissors, exacto knife, tape, cardboard/craft foam
With these tools you can make some decent props. But, It's usually easier to start from a base item, starting completely from scratch takes longer [and it takes skills, and for the sake of this advice column I'm pretending that you have none]. Or you can just wait around for Halloween to roll around, and buy a ready-made prop and modify it [cause it might be cheaper in the long run]. Check out my Workshop/Tutorials page for some behind the scenes progress.
<<< My faun horns were made from some wire that I crumpled tin foil around and wrapped in tape [for girth], and then a layer of plaster gauze. To create the ridges, I wrapped them in string, and applied many layers of mod-podge sealer [to glue it all together]. They could also have been made completely out of clay.
Prop jewelry is a popular request.
I would make it out of wire, clay, or plastic. [Friendly Plastic or Instamorph (or Polymorph) is an awesome thermoplastic material that you can heat up, shape like clay, and it cools back into solid plastic (it can be any color). It looks absolutely beautiful, and very professional, but I have trouble finding actually stores that sell it (it's mostly offered online). Other thermoplastic materials for armor are Wonderflex, Worbla, Kobra Cast.. but again, they are mostly offered online. So, be prepared to pay for shipping.]
The next step-up from a home crafter is prop maker, and you'd be making things out of Styrene [plastic], rubber, resins, silicone, fiberglass, Bondo.... some heavy chemicals.. ..things that smell really bad, and require power tools and well ventilated areas. It's totally awesome, but it's noticeably more work [the home crafting methods usually get the job done without the need for gloves/respirator/heavy equipment].
hot glue / rubber cement / contact cement
paint + clear coat [lots of paint, paint makes everything better]
oven bake clay
plaster [rigid wrap] / paper mache
Plus the basics : sand paper, scissors, exacto knife, tape, cardboard/craft foam
With these tools you can make some decent props. But, It's usually easier to start from a base item, starting completely from scratch takes longer [and it takes skills, and for the sake of this advice column I'm pretending that you have none]. Or you can just wait around for Halloween to roll around, and buy a ready-made prop and modify it [cause it might be cheaper in the long run]. Check out my Workshop/Tutorials page for some behind the scenes progress.
<<< My faun horns were made from some wire that I crumpled tin foil around and wrapped in tape [for girth], and then a layer of plaster gauze. To create the ridges, I wrapped them in string, and applied many layers of mod-podge sealer [to glue it all together]. They could also have been made completely out of clay.
Prop jewelry is a popular request.
I would make it out of wire, clay, or plastic. [Friendly Plastic or Instamorph (or Polymorph) is an awesome thermoplastic material that you can heat up, shape like clay, and it cools back into solid plastic (it can be any color). It looks absolutely beautiful, and very professional, but I have trouble finding actually stores that sell it (it's mostly offered online). Other thermoplastic materials for armor are Wonderflex, Worbla, Kobra Cast.. but again, they are mostly offered online. So, be prepared to pay for shipping.]
The next step-up from a home crafter is prop maker, and you'd be making things out of Styrene [plastic], rubber, resins, silicone, fiberglass, Bondo.... some heavy chemicals.. ..things that smell really bad, and require power tools and well ventilated areas. It's totally awesome, but it's noticeably more work [the home crafting methods usually get the job done without the need for gloves/respirator/heavy equipment].
That's about it.
If you have questions, go ahead and ask.
But, in general, this is all the advice I can give you.
Cosplay is:
prop making, sewing, makeup, modeling, and hair styling, ALL IN ONE.
So it takes practice, patience, & research. [but it's super fun!]
Hope this helps. - Elisa
But, in general, this is all the advice I can give you.
Cosplay is:
prop making, sewing, makeup, modeling, and hair styling, ALL IN ONE.
So it takes practice, patience, & research. [but it's super fun!]
Hope this helps. - Elisa