Tips & Tricks for Cosplay : Must Have Series #2

It's been a while since I've posted, but here are some of my favorite affordable things that I love using and it's part of my make up kit for Cosplay. Both women and men can benefit from things listed here. If you haven't used make up or if you are now planing on making a starter kit, this would be my suggestions to add to your collection.

- EOS Lip Balm $3 (Can be found at Target and Wal-Mart)
-N.Y.C Sunny Bronzer $2-3 /Completely matte and great for contouring. Only suitable for Fair to Medium skin tones. Sadly they don't have a darker shade for darker skins./ (Can be found at Target(s))
-NYX HD Concealer $5 /Liquid concealer that blends out to a powder finish./ (Can be found online at cherryculture.com or any store that sells NYX. If you live in Socal, Little Tokyo has a store that sells it in person.)
-NYX HD Primer $7 /Eye Primer which ensure lasting power of liner/shadows and prevent creasing. Also enhances vibrant of the colors./ (Can be found at Ulta and cheeryculture.com or any store that sells NYX. If you live in Socal, Little Tokyo has a store that sells it in person.)
-e.l.f. Complexion Brush $3 /Used for blush, bronzer or all over face powder./ (Can be found at selected Target(s) and also http://www.eyeslipsface.com/)
-e.l.f. Shine Eraser Sheets $1 /Used to blot face of oil and sweat./ (Can be found at selected Target(s) and also http://www.eyeslipsface.com/)
-e.l.f. Defining Eye Brush $1 /Used for blending out eye shadow or smoothing out contour lines./ (Can be found at selected Target(s) and also http://www.eyeslipsface.com/)
-e.l.f. Eye Shadow Brush $1 /Used for packing on eyeshadow, contouring nose, and can be used to place shadow on top of liner to ensure staying power./ (Can be found at selected Target(s) and also http://www.eyeslipsface.com/)


Optional items I would suggest if you feel you are more in depth with your make up.
Bulletproof Liquid Eyeliner : Milani Infinite Liquid Eye Liner $6 (Can be found at selected Target(s), Ulta, Walgreens and anywhere else that carries Milani products.)
Intense Black Eyeliner Pencil : Milani Liquif'eye $6 /This is good for the waterline and to use as a regular liner if you aren't a Liquid or Gel person. However when you use this, be sure to let it set in a few seconds before touching it.  (Can be found at selected Target(s), Ulta, Walgreens and anywhere else that carries Milani products.)
 Good White Eyeliner Pencil : NYX Slide on Liner /Safe on the waterline and one that stays longer than any other drugstore ones I have tried./ (Can be found at Ulta and other online stores.)
Gel Liner : Wet n' Wild Gel Liner $3 (Can be found at selected Target(s), Walgreens and anywhere else that carries Wet n' Wild) //Warning : This product is really good but do NOT use the brush it comes with, You will need to buy a gel liner brush. There is one sold by e.l.f. for $3 if you are looking for affordable or you can get whichever you work best with. Also this product is known to dry out if you aren't that careful with closing it when it's needed to be closed. This happens to all Gel Liners.//
 Finishing Powder : e.l.f. High Definition Powder $6 (Can only be found at e.l.f. website. http://www.eyeslipsface.com/) //Warning : I suggest using a fluffy brush to apply the powder to your face after you finish your face make up. I highly suggest NOT to use the puff it comes with, remember less is more.//
Affordable Good Eyeshadows : Wet n' Wild Palettes , especially the singles ($2) and 6 pan color icon palettes with 3 matte shadows ($3-5). Below is the new limited edition holiday palette only available at Walgreens stores. They claim it's all Matte Shadows, majority is, only the purple and blue has some sparkles in them but not that bad. You can see the swatches on my hand, this is without a primer and it's already that vibrant. The quality of Wet n' Wild shadows really top a lot of higher end brands big time in my opinion. Perfect for people who want to play with color and want to work with high quality shadows. (Important!! : The black is perfect for setting your liners. You can also get a rich matte black from the 8 pan palette "Blue Had Me At Hello.")

Tips & Tricks for Cosplay : Character File "Naruto"

Tips & Tricks for Cosplay : "Tira from Soul Calibur V"

Tips & Tricks for Cosplay : Must Have Series #1

At any time and place, I have suggested people to take care of their lips. Both women and men at conventions will need a handy lip balm with them. The ones I absolutely love are these EOS lip balms. Not only they are good for you, they have many flavors that are very yummy! I really can't stress enough how much of a difference you will look in photos and cosplay when you take care of your lips. Your face and body needs sun protection, but so does your lips! Highly recommended and affordable around $2-4 depending where you live. It can be found at Target, Wal-Mart, Walgreens etc. (They make great gifts too if you are planning to get something for friends for any special occasions!)

Thank you for reading! Hopefully this will give you suggestions for something natural and good for you. You can use daily or during conventions. We always forget that our lips is one of the important things we use everyday, so best is we take care of it. (Alternative if you cannot find EOS at anywhere local to you, is Burt's Bees, but not everyone is fond of the taste and smell they have. EOS taste is much more subtle.)

Tips & Tricks for Cosplay : Character File "Gray Fullbuster"

Tips & Tricks for Cosplay : Character File "Len Kagamine Matryoshka"

Tips & Tricks for Cosplay : Female vs. Male for Women

Everything written below is just quick 5 general tips per section. (Means also that it's thinking of a general sense because different characters are different.) It is all my opinion and I am not ordering people how to do their make up/what to do. It's just how I see things when I cosplay and what I do to myself haha. So take it with a grain of salt and see if you can pick up any good advice! Thanks for viewing everyone!

Male

• Cheekbones/Contouring : Honestly I can't express how important cheekbones are, mostly contouring your face with a matte bronzer will accentuate your face. Some need more, some are less, just look at the character like an art piece when you do your own face. Don't go overboard because you just want it to look natural enough for photos and in person.
•  Eyes : Lay off the eyelashes if you can, majority of the male characters don't need extra lashes. You should focus more on using neutral shadows to bring out your eyes. Eyeliner is fine too for sharpness, but don't go too overboard, just remember to study the characters carefully. You want to be convincing, not over made up.
• Eyebrows : A major player to look achieve the male look. You sometimes have to thicken or slant your eyebrows more to get the attitude down. For me, it usually is the eyebrows that finishes my characters.
• Body Language : This is important to do regardless who you do, you can't be a male character if you don't study how their body language is. Majority of the males are more relaxed, not as conservative as a female would be. Just pretend you are acting for the day, you'll be perfect it fine. Main thing is study study study! Every character is different, some are super manly where your body language is much more aggressive and open, some may just act like girls so it depends who you cosplay as.
• General Tips : Go light on the make up, I mean you don't need blush, mascara, lipstick (unless you are character does have that.) Honestly less is more, so just remember not to pack your face with too many products. The more you have, people will noticed and feel you might be a little too overboard for being a guy. How else do you think I fool other people when I cosplay guys? :D 

Female

• Eyelashes :  False eyelashes really play up your game in looking girly for cosplay. So if you can, do try using it. If not, at least apply your favorite length and volume Mascaras to play up your eyes, it really does make a difference. Aside from that, of course we know everyone uses circle lenses to exaggerate their eyes haha.
• Blush : Instead of bronzer contouring, you should focus on blush, try a coral blush for a lighting contour and lift to your face. Just a little peachy will make your face more lively and less washed out. Foundation can really make you look like a ghost sometimes! So remember that blush, but don't go overboard unless you want a clown face haha.
• Lips : Lips for a girl in my opinion is very important. Apply either nude or color. Add a little gloss. It makes your face. Majority of the time what captures pictures is your eyes and lips for girl cosplays.
• Body Language : It's much easier to cosplay girls, but what if you cosplay guys a lot? It'll be more hard to get the girly attitude down. Like sitting with your legs closed, opening your eyes wide awake for your photos and posing to accentuate your curves. You have to mostly pay attention to characters just like I mentioned. Each and everyone is different, study study study!
• General Tips : Even though females will have more make up than guys, you still don't want to cake on too much make up. Enough for your face for coverage is most important. However play with what makes your face look to your characters. If you aren't a foundation type of person, just remember tinted moisturizers go a long way. If you don't have a preferred one you can always make your own by mixing a little foundation and your favorite moisturizer. It feels great and natural! 

In general, study your character you cosplay for their attitude, body language, and the more you enjoy a character the more you will feel into the character. Everyone is beautiful in their own way so discover your character's beauty~