Cosplay Tips for Folks over 40

Whether you are a toddler about to debut their first ever cosplay or a grandparent who has seen many generations of movies and dress up, cosplay is for everyone. Young, old, tall, short, big, small, black, white, everyone can cosplay.
While it may seem like a lot of the spotlight is on the younger generation of cosplayers, such as small children and teenagers, the older generation shouldn’t be left out! I know I love seeing adults cosplaying just as much as I love seeing babies cosplay. This shouldn’t be discouraging to older cosplayers but they should see it as an opportunity to cosplay a whole bunch of things they couldn’t before.

A few tips for some older generation cosplayers
1) Cosplay characters who are canonly age over time. Examples of this could be Hokage Naruto, Avatar Aang, Grandpa Joseph Joestar, Goku, The Ice King from Adventure Time.

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How to Change a Shoe Color For Cosplay

Cosplay Shoe color change tutorial

  • -Floral Paint (Design Master Brand)
  • -Shoes in the style for your cosplay
  • -Acetone/Nail Polish Remover
  • -Painter’s tape (only if you want the heel color or any portion of the shoe to stay the same color as the original)
  • -Sealant (optional)

We all have been window shopping for cosplay shoes at one point. Did you ever have a moment where you found the perfect shoes in your size, affordable and the perfect style, but the wrong color? I know I have. Did you ever try to use acrylic spray paint on the shoes and thought it worked well only for the paint to start cracking after a wear or two? I’m also guilty of that.

This is before I found out about the method of using Floral paint, a paint that can be found at your local craft or fabric store. These cans are found in the spray paint section, which is good for easy coverage and run to about $6 dollars or so, which is much easier than buying more expensive but accurate shoes.

While it may look the same as any regular acrylic spray paint, floral paint is meant to be used on live flowers, so it is more flexible and is meant to get into nooks and creases like the ones in flowers without cracking or chipping off.

It comes in a wide variety of colors and is very easy to use.

1.) First, you take your shoe and make sure to keep it on your foot. This isn’t absolutely necessary but it is easier because you can stretch the shoe with your foot more so that all the creases caused by the shoe’s fabric will get covered and lessens the likeliness of the paint from splitting where the creases are. If you’re not in the mood, spray it while someone else is wearing the shoe or stuff newspaper into them.

2.)Clean the shoes off and strip them with nail polish remover. This will take off dirt and let the paint better adhere to the shoes. You can also paint them white to bright the color of the final product.

3.) If you want the heel of the shoe to stay the same color as the original shoe (example: if the heel on the original shoe is black and you want it to stay black before you spray paint the rest of the shoe a different color), take the painter’s tape and cut little strips. Painter’s tape is easy to rip so it is better to rip off small strips and cover the section in it to make sure no paint gets on it. If you just want the entire shoe one color, skip this step.

4.) If the shoe is like a Mary Jane shoe or flat kind of shoe where there is nothing covering the opening of the shoe, stuff newspaper into the shoe so the inside of the shoe doesn’t get covered in paint and rub off on your socks or feet.

5.) Start painting! Take your time and be patient. You can paint the smaller details with a paintbrush.

6.) When your painting is done, feel free to either do another coat, take the tape off and leave it alone, or protect it with the sealant.

7.) Enjoy your new accurate cosplay shoes for a quarter of the price!!!

 

Convention Etiquette; Tips to Help You and Fellow Con Goers To Enjoy The Con

Con Etiquette
Image result for anime convention photos

Hello students! Welcome to professor Viper’s first day of con etiquette class. Today we will be taught the do’s and don’ts of appropriate convention behavior and how to avoid angry cosplayers.

1.Hug
Image result for cosplay hug

We’re starting off with a biggie. Do not glomp. Under any circumstances. Glomping seems harmless but there are a multitude of reasons as to why it’s a bad idea. These reasons include but are not limited to:

  • The cosplayer has a very gently constructed cosplay item on them such as wings or armor that could be damaged or broken if someone glomps them.
  • They could be Haphephobic, meaning an extreme dislike/discomfort of someone touching them, to the point where they will scream or cry the same way someone would if a spider was touching them and they were arachnophobic.
  • They could have back issues where a surprise or ‘extreme’ hug like that would hurt them even more or cause them a lot of pain.
  • They (or you) could have unsealed body paint that could rub off onto your (or their) costume.
  • It could be considered sexual assault because it is usually not consented to beforehand and is meant to come off as a surprise, which quite a few people don’t take too kindly to.

Instead of glomping, try asking kindly for a hug. Don’t take it personally if they refuse.

2.Pictures/cosplayer etiquette.
Image result for anime convention photos

Taking pictures is fun and getting your picture taken is fun and shows of your hard work and likeness of a character, but it’s only fun if all parties consent.

  • Please ask permission first in order to take a picture of someone. DO NOT TAKE ‘CREEP SHOTS’, which consist of taking a picture of someone when they’re not paying attention and you don’t know them, taking pictures up their cosplay when on the escalator, and taking pictures if they explicitly state they do not want their picture taken.
  • Wait until a person is done eating to ask for a picture.
  • If the person is sitting down and taking a break, wait until they finish their break to ask for the picture or say ‘excuse me’ and ask if you may take the picture. Do not just take the picture.
  • If the person is on the phone, also wait until their call is over to ask for a picture.
  • If the person is crying or upset, do not ask for a picture.
  • If you want to offer a snack, be careful about the distance if it is messy or could get on someone because 1) it could stain their cosplay or 2) they could be severely allergic to said snack.
  • Please do not touch or grab their props without explicit permission from the owner, as they could be fragile or expensive or even dangerous if made with real steel.
  • It is okay to gush over their cosplay but try not to put yourself down in order to make them feel good about your cosplay, saying things like “You’re the best, everyone else can go home.” or “I’d never look as good as you” might seem like good compliments but cosplay is for fun and doesn’t need to be a competition.

3.Artist Alley etiquette

Image result for artist alley images

Buying art and prints is always much fun but please be mindful of these rules to make sure that everyone has fun and is respectful of the artist.

  • Do not touch the art without permission
  • Do not tell the artist their prices are too high (as this is what the main source of young adult artist is and lowering their prices might be better for you but will seriously hurt their end income)
  • Try not to block the table or art with your body or costume parts (such as wings) as it prevents other possible customers to look at the art they might want to buy.
  • Do not hover around the table too much if you are not going to buy anything, simply tell the owner of the booth that they have great art and that you are still going to think it over, which gives you leeway to leave and be able to think about whether or not you want their art.
  • Give detailed specifications of what you want the artist to draw for you so that it comes out perfect when they finish and you will not have to ask for corrections to be made, making both you and the artist feel awkward.
  • Offer to bring them food or a drink if they are swamped with commissions as commission artists rarely get to leave their tables to explore the convention hall.
  • Talk to them! Commission artists, especially if they’re alone, might get bored during the convention when they can’t really leave their table, so strike up a conversation with them if they’re not too busy!

4.Vendors Hall
Image result for anime convention photos

  • Careful when touching an object if allowed; Remember, you break it, you buy it!
  • Have your money ready before you buy so the transaction can go smoothly and quickly.
  • Feel free to haggle by a few dollars, especially on Sunday as that is the day that vendors start to pack up and might be lenient and give you a great deal on something you’ve been eyeing all weekend!
  • If they refuse to haggle, don’t push it. You might be lucky at another booth.
  • If you already have a bag and the item is not very big, tell the seller you don’t need a bag so you can save yourself the weight and them the bag.
  • Feel free to make small talk to the vendors too if they’re not too busy.

That’s all the tips I have today!! I hope these tips guide you well during a convention! Class dismissed!!

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Cosplay Makeup Essentials

Cosplay Makeup Essentials


While not every cosplay needs fake eyelashes and lipstick, particularly for male characters, you still want to remain looking out of this world fabulous and with just these small makeup pieces, your cosplay will look as great as ever!!

-BB Cream


Whether you’re in cosplay or even out of cosplay, BB Cream can take your looks to a whole new level!

I personally use the Tony Moly brand Goddess Aura BB Cream, though it can get pretty pricey. The reason it’s so expensive is because it smoothens your face and makes it all an even color with a touch of light so that you look radiant. It evens out uneven skin and hides pores and smoothens out acne you might have right before the big con! This product isn’t just for girls either, a lot of KPOP stars use BB Cream on their faces because it stays on for a while and makes you look gorgeous in front of the camera. It’s one of my highest recommendations and you can find BB cream at any local beauty store!

-Contouring


Now that you have your BB cream on, you can move onto contouring your face so that you can have a better defined and more pronounced face. If your facial structure is similar to that of the character, just do some light contouring with a dark color underneath your cheek bones and the sides of your nose, as well as a little bit on your jaw line, and don’t forget to highlight using a light color on your nose and the apples of your cheeks!! Contouring can make someone’s face go from a baby face to a stronger looking face in just a few minutes!! It’s definitely recommended for older characters.

-Eyeshadow


The eyes are a key focus to any good cosplay, so regardless of gender, try your hand at a good eyeshadow to enhance the look and create a more natural looking cosplay. For girl characters, go for a color in their general theme and go either intense or light depending on their personality. For male characters, use a nude palette with brown and peach tones to give the eyes a little bit of pop and use the eyeshadow to create dark circles under the eyes for a more natural tired look.

-Eyeliner

Sticking to the key focus of the eyes, eyeliner (while it isn’t always necessary), can make your eye shape look wider or more sleepy in order to match a character. If you have a shaky hand or just need help when it comes to eyeliner, have a friend do it for you or use the tape method, where you add a piece of tape to the corner of your eye in a diagonal slant so that your eyeliner will come out in a perfect wing. Liquid is usually preferred over pencil for the top of the eye but feel free to use a sharp eyeliner pencil for both if that works for you. Even male characters can use some light eyeliner!

-Lipstick

While no one would expect you to use lipstick for male characters, a light dab of a nude color can really help create a natural look as male lips tend to be paler in color than women’s lips. For girls, go for a pale color in pink or peach for younger girls and for older girls, go with a deep red or plum pink if it matches your character’s color scheme and personality.

-Blush

You’ve got the rest of the components down, now to add a pop of color to your cheeks! Anime characters tend to have this “perma-blush” going on that makes it look like they’re usually embarrassed or nervous or just happy!! For this, you can use a light dust of rosie pink or peach color to brighten up your cheeks, but don’t use too much!! Anime characters aren’t THAT shy!

-Contacts

While contacts aren’t necessary, they add an extra zing to cosplay that makes it come to life!
Find a contact seller such as Pinky Paradise, Honey Color or Lens Village and choose a pair in the color of your character’s eyes. Remember to know your prescription and ask a doctor before ordering contacts to make sure that you’re able to wear them!
Also make sure to brush up on contact care and replace the solution often so they don’t end up drying up before you get the chance to wear them! Also remember not to stress out the first time you put them in, it could take a while.

-Eyelashes

Anime characters are usually known for their big eyes, so to get this effect, use fake eyelashes or use mascara on your real eyelashes in order to gain that anime appeal. These usually come in sets so you have a few different options to choose from. Use bigger ones for females and shorter ones for males. Choose the one you like best and apply the eyelash glue and blow on it so it will become tacky and stick better. Apply right on your eyelash line and position it well. Now go bat those eyelashes~

With these small essentials, your cosplay will look a million times better than ever before!!

How to Make a Madoka Crossbow Prop

Hello everyone, I’m back with another tutorial!! Being a fan of Puella Magi Madoka Magica, and a cosplayer of the title character Madoka, I’ve realized that while just having the costume is fun enough and recognizable, it’s always cool to have a prop handy to pose with, so what better than Madoka’s Bow and Arrow that she gains in her magical girl form?  /人◕ ‿‿ ◕人\

This tutorial is easy for beginners and use mostly items you can find around your own house or get at a local craft shop, such as:

-A pack of wooden dowels (you can find these at Michaels for $3-$5)

-Model Magic Air-Dry Clay (Also sold at Michaels or Target in multiple colors for $3-$5 dollars a pack)

-Brown Acrylic Paint

-Pink Acrylic Paint

-Modge Podge Sealant

-White or Brown String

-Hot Glue Gun

-Exacto Knife

-A big fake pink rose

-Foam board/Cardboard/Layered transparent files in red or pink

 

Step 1: The Arrow.

To get the arrow out of the way, look up a reference picture of Madoka’s arrow.

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Draw the image onto your surface or a practice piece of paper and carefully cut it out using sharp scissors or the exact knife (then cut out on the actual foam/cardboard/transparent files using the scissors/exacto knife if you used a practice piece of paper).

Clean the arrow up around the edges and sharp turns of the arrow and then coat it in Modge Podge so it becomes a bit sturdier. After this, take your pink acrylic paint (if you’re using foam board or cardboard for your arrow) and paint your arrow pink before sealing it in another coat of Modge Podge. After this, you have completed your arrow.

Step 2: Starting on the Bow.

Setting the arrow aside, it’s time to start on the bow portion of the prop.
Make sure to get a reference of the bow off of the internet so you know what your end product should more or less look like. Gathering your wooden downs, grab about six or seven and set the others aside.
These dowels usually come in packs of ten.Now cut the ends of the towels at the end at a slight angle. This is so they fit more smoothly into the next dowel and look neater.

Step 3: Hot Glueing

Take your wooden pieces and put two together, hot gluing them at the connecting angled joint. Do this to each end of the bow except for the last end (since there will be nothing to connect it to).

This will make the next step a lot easier.

So far it should look something like this

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Step 4: String

Now take the glued together bow base and make sure it’s the size you want and fits in your hand comfortably. Once you’ve made sure of that, take your string and start wrapping the glued joints in the string. Be gently as to not undo the glue bond. Wrap it and wrap it and wrap the string around the connecting joints to strengthen them so they become sturdy. It’s ok if this looks messy because the next step will hide that.

Step 5: Model Magic

Now take your model magic and wrap the bulky string-bundled joints with the clay. The clay should already be soft and moldable out of the bag but if you need to, a few drops of water can make it easier to mold. Shape the two main joints into diamonds, while the other joints should just be smooth to connect the dowels to each other while still looking like one item. Create ‘thorns’ on the two diagonal branches closest to the top dowel by molding them out of clay and connecting them to the dowels, just like Madoka’s bow has.

Make a little ‘cup’ at the ends of the two dowels with nothing connecting them so you can easily attach the flower and leaves that Madoka has at the beginning and end of her bow. Using your flower, press the bottom of the flower into the clay area at the top of the bow so it creates an indent which will make it easier to glue onto the top of the bow for later. Carefully place your bow aside to let the clay dry. This might take a while.

imageimage

Step 6: Gems

While your bow base is drying, you can get a head start on making the gems. Simply take your clay and shape them into diamonds big enough to fit the diamond shaped area you created with your clay on the bow. You’ll need to make four of these; two for each side so they look the same no matter which way you take a picture with it. Once those diamonds dry, paint them pink using your pink acrylic paint and seal them with Modge Podge.

Step 7: Painting

Once your bow is nice and dry, you can start painting. Simply take your brown paint and paint the entire thing brown. You can add a wood like texture with paint if you have more than one shade of brown and let the paint dry.

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Step 8: Flowers and Gems

Once your new bow is all dry, hot glue the gems you created earlier into the areas where they are supposed to go and also glue your flower and leaves to the top and bottom of the bow, respectively.

Step 9: String

Once your whole bow is done, the last step to do is take your string, cut a piece big enough for the height of the bow and tie it to the top and bottom dowels so your bow now has a string. Final step is to hot glue the knots to the dowels so that the string is stable and doesn’t slide around.

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Alternatively, you can go to a craft store like Michaels that has a floral section and pick out a branch that you can modify to fit the bow if that is something you’d prefer to do. An even better alternative if you’re not that crafty is to buy the Madoka Arrow we have right here at Miccostumes!!

Whichever way you go about it, enjoy your new Madoka Archer Bow and have a lovely day!! Thank you for reading my tutorial and I hope you’ve enjoyed it!!

Pictures by http://www.maidoftime.co.vu