Cosplay USA

I was working a job today with make-up so I thought this would be an appropriate topic. For a long time I neglected to wear make-up with cosplay. I spend so long getting all the parts and pieces on that I don’t even want to put on make-up. Taking those extra few minutes makes all the difference for photos.

If you’re doing a stage performance put more dramatic make-up on by choosing darker colors. Don’t over-do it though or you’ll look like a hooker or something. That’s never good D: Also don’t forget to take off the make-up before you go to sleep. Not only will it wind up all over your pillow but it’s not good for your skin either.

Some costumes call for really dramatic make-up or special effects. Airbrushing is also really awesome but not accessible to most people. Be sure to test out any body paint before the day of the event to avoid disaster or disappointment. I usually stay away from costumes that call for extreme skin coloring like blue or black. It’s typically best/easiest to choose a character that most closely matches your natural features. Different skin colors are difficult but can be very rewarding. Liquid latex is also a fun medium to work with. It cannot be used on the face but is safe for the rest of the body.

You can buy many types of make-up online but you can’t really test it that way beforehand. Costume and theatrical stores also carry great make-up. Halloween is a great time to stock up, but don’t let it sit around so long it gets old. That’s no fun. Have fun with your make-up! :D

While most costumes are completed, there are always a few that slip between the cracks and are never finished. Most times, the ones left unfinished are never finished. I’m not sure why that is. I would think the biggest reason is loss of inspiration and a higher desire to make a different costume. Also it’s hard to pick up where I left off. Other times I hit a road block and there was a defined reason why I stopped.

Now that I’ve been cleaning up around the house and putting things in storage, I’m uncovering some of these unfinished costumes. I guess you could call it spring cleaning since I started in spring and hope to end around spring. Insert corny “ha-ha” here.

I will start listing them from oldest to newest with short descriptions.

Chibi Usa - I started this one and never finished. I can’t put an exact reason on why. Oh yes, the boots I ordered were stolen in the mail and the seller would not refund me. I reversed the charge, then they reversed the charge reversal overdrawing my bank account. I can’t think of much other than that except underlying negative feelings about the boot situation. Also, this costume has been done many times and I also had trouble finding a good wig.

Maria Renard (adult version) - I have a beautiful wig for this that needs retouching. That’s about all I have for this. Someone already made a wonderful costume of this so I feel it’s sorta been done already.

Dangaizer 3 - Awesome costumes! I was going to help create the 3 costumes for the group. The idea fell through when I realized I was going to be doing 80% of the work and fronting some costs. I wouldn’t have minded except the costumes were very intricate and 1 alone is an accomplishment let alone making nearly all 3. We had the boots, wigs, materials; I just didn’t have the heart. The girls didn’t have the heart to learn the routine either even if I was to do all that sewing. Craptacular.

Flonne - I love Flonne. I sewed the bloomers and my butt wouldn’t fit in them. I ignored that for a while and went to order the shoes. As simple as my desires are for the shoes, I couldn’t find what I was looking for and moved on. Completing the costume meant buying more material because I underestimated my ass size. So in a wierd way it means admitting my ass is too big. D:

Plenair - I still wanted a Disgaea costume and once had a crush on someone who loved this character. In a bid to look cute and impress, I started to make this costume. Then he announced he is moving away. That sucks. I also tried to bribe the perfect wig from my friend from the Dangaizer project. No cigar.

Chibi Usa - Yes again! This time I decided to spoil myself and order one of those picture perfect pre-made costumes of the net from asia. Bad idea. The first one never showed up after about a month of waiting. I ordered another one, waited another month, and MAN! That looks nothing like the picture. Maybe it will look better once it’s on, but yuck. Unbelievable. I still have to worry about the wig. The point of this whole thing is to look really good without all the fuss. All it was is fuss and doesn’t look very good, so at this point I can get a crappy wig and it will match the crappy costume. I just wouldn’t want to leave the house in it.

Lillith - I have everything I need on this one; the wig, materials, boots, and all. I stopped mainly because I never have enough time to finish it before the next upcoming convention. Then there are so many great Lilliths that every time I go to make this, another great Lillith cosplay shows up. I will complete this one though because I truly love Lillith and she is so me when it comes to body type. 

Rachel Summers - Yep, the child of Jean Grey and Cyclops. Why? Because her statue looks cool. I ordered the wig and all the materials. The material came in and it’s dark green, not a true green like she wears. *bad gameshow buzzer* Then the wig came in and its a bit too short. I’d look like a bad 80’s punk rocker. It’s Rachel Summers, not Dazzler! *longer bad gameshow buzzer*

Yoko - This one still has hope. I just need more time. I have the long red hair with nice chopsticks; what a gorgeous wig! I have the white cowboy boots and stockings. The black shorts came in. Yet again I underestimated the size of the mighty ass. The lady let me exchange them for a bigger size. They’re Paris Hilton brand so go figure there’s no ass. I’m still deciding if I want to use those or if I’d rather order some pvc (vinyl) shorts. Vinyl is easier to match for the top. I also still need the belt and the gun seems overwhelming to me right now. All this hope… then I see online that everyone and their momma made this costume already. Dammit.

Mileena - I almost finished!!!!! But no!!!! The sewing machine decided to start sewing in irregular tension. I’ll have to rip it apart and start again. I wish I were Kitana instead, but the fabric I have is Mileena’s color. Such is the price to pay when you’re poor as I. It would be nice someday to buy whatever I need, not do with what I’ve got. I hope to get there someday. :]

For now, I don’t think I’ll be starting any new costumes. I’ll have to finish up on one of these!

I got home from a long day of working at a football game, kicked off my shoes, and put on some 2″ heels to relax. That’s right. My household shoes are heels. I’m tired of everyone at jobs telling me I’m going to be uncomfortable in heels when I’m actually most comfortable in heels.

Heels come in all shapes, sizes, colors, and structures. Your basic heels have height measurements to tell you the height/slope of the heel in distance from the heel to the floor. 1-2″ are pumps, 3-4″ are heels, 5″+ are extreme/fetish. The 1-2″ heels are comfortable. Once you reach 3-4″ you’re going to feel it. Don’t even think about walking around in 5″.

The heel itself can also vary in shape. There are spike shaped heels, chunky heels, and other shaped heels. They can also vary in color and material such as plastic, wood, or metal. With costumes durability isn’t as much of a factor, but the shape can set the style and appearance of even the simplest costume. Choose wisely! 

Platforms make it possible to acheive height with more comfort. There is a measurement for the heel and the platform. If the platform is 2″ and the heel is 5″, it is actually only a 3″ heel. The platform size is subtracted from the heel size to figure out the slope for comfort.

There are also wedge shoes and platforms. These look like they’re easier to walk in because the heel and the toe are attached with continuous structure. There is no gap between heel and ball of the foot. The tricky part is that this attaching piece is usually slimmer than a heel is and it’s usually placed further forward. You may think cool! The heel won’t get stuck on anything, but you’re more likely to fall on uneven ground.

Hats off to heels on!

That’s right folks! In cosplay size does matter. I’m not just talking about the obvious; choosing a clothing size. I’m talking about the size of ourself and how it plays into your character.

I truly believe there’s something for everyone in cosplay. It doesn’t mean that something is for everyone. We’ve all seen men in Sailor Moon costumes and much of a woman in a small outfit. If you’re going for the comedic effect or you’re just comfortable with it, go for it. I’m not here to tell anyone what to do but I am giving suggestions on presenting good cosplay.

Try to match characters’ body types or skin colors to your own as best you can. If you just plain love a character, then go for it even if you don’t match. A lot of things can be changed or purchased like wigs for hair and contacts for eyes, but our bodies aren’t so easy to change. I guess what I’m trying to say is this is a reminder to be aware of yourself and love who you are. If you’re not quite there, you can start today. In winter time I know I put on a few pounds. Once I see a problem with it, I can watch what I eat and go exercise more. Today I’m going to skateboard about a mile or two for an appointment I have. Go figure they’re feeding me ice cream at the appointment. Don’t ask, I have a strange life. B)

So I’ve been putting it off and putting it off, but I don’t have enough fabric to finish this project so it looks like I’m going to the fabric store. Sometimes it’s cheaper to order on E-Bay but this time it’s just about the same price with shipping and I can get it NOW because someone would like it BEFORE Halloween. :)

Anyhoo. I think I’ll try Jo-Ann’s since they’re the closest fabric store. I’m looking for a very simple red velvet with stretch. That should only run $10-12/yard. I got some once at the flea market but I don’t go there often and the selection is scarce.

I also need to find a heart shaped belt loop or something that can serve as one. I’ll try Jo-Ann for that also. Discount Stores might be good too. Where is a cheap plastic heart when you need one! I bet in the 80’s I could just go to any arcade, roll a few skee-balls, and get a big plastic heart shape. I miss the good old arcade days! This 80’s rehash of an era sucks. D: Ok not completely, I’m being dramatic.

Wish me luck! Somehow I never seem to find what I’m looking for in the first try.

Oh crap, I just realized; since it’s Halloween time that means a lot of different things at the fabric store: 1) More people, more lines, less knowing what the hell they want   2) Seasonal fabrics are back   3) Seasonal fabrics are almost already sold out   4) Prices are either up or on super sale. I’m guessing UP!

Double wish me luck. No don’t. They might cancel out eachother. :D

In other world news, I got some red plaid wool in the mail today. It is smaller print than I expected. Semi-sad panda. Panda isn’t really sad because I know I can make badass doll clothes or lingerie with it. Ahuahuahuaauha.