The world of cosplay is vast and even intimidating for those planning out their first debut. There are those who strive to look like the spitting image of their favored character, those who attempt a near likeness, and those who put their own unique spin on these classic character looks.
Cosplayers may drop a pretty penny on a costume, thrift for select pieces, or create on a budget in order to gather the necessary materials to complete their intended outfit. However, no matter how much is spent, the only thing that matters, in the end, is how satisfied you are with the end product. For those new to the art, a few simple hacks can go a long way when creating the perfect cosplay.
10 Follow The 5 Piece Golden Rule (Choose Cosplays That Only Involve 3-5 Pieces)
Follow your heart, no matter how simple or complex the character you plan to cosplay is. This hack is for those traveling with their gear or whose interests only extend so far as to revel in the thrill of the world of cosplay.
The five piece golden rule advises first timers to choose a character whose ensemble requires three to five pieces to equip because it makes the outfit easy to create and manageable. For instance, cosplayer Jon Rey is Sora from No Game No Life with a few items: wig, red wristband, sneakers, jeans, long-sleeved purple undershirt with a yellow t-shirt on top.
9 Customized Hair Nets And Wig Maintenance Can Extend The Life Of Your Cosplay Pieces
A wig typically comes with a cap to help keep your hair under wraps while wearing the headpiece. The pitfall with the cap is that they don't offer the best fit. Customize your own wig cap with a pair of pantyhose or fishnet stockings by measuring the foot part and cutting it to fit your head, just like Belvani does above.
To maintain those wigs for future cosplays, get out the tangles with a wig brush and a clothing steamer. Instead of throwing them in a corner after a convention, taking the time to hang them up will preserve them for future use.
8 Tape And Contouring Can Change Your Face Shape (If Realism Is Your Goal)
Cosplayers who want to achieve the V shaped jawline do so with medical grade tape. Beginning at the cheek, the tape is placed, held, and pulled up to the top of the head where it will eventually be covered by a wig. Iwasaka does so, pulling up the skin to create a smoother, V-like curve from the tip of the chin to the top of the cheekbone.
Perfecting the look of your intended cosplay may come down to the make-up itself. When looking to change up your lips, making them disappear with a bit of foundation goes a long way with either extending or shorting the width of your smile. Using a lip-liner, draw outward from the corner creases of the mouth to extend your lips, or finish the outline of the lips closer to the middle to make them appear smaller.
7 Gluestick Eyebrow Primer Can Help Cover Your Natural Brows
It may not seem so, but eyebrows can make or break that perfect cosplay. A budget friendly, simple hack is to use a gluestick. Brush the brows, slap on a layer of glue, then brush the eyebrows upwards and let dry. Joseph Harwood demonstrates how completely an eyebrow can vanish with a bit of work and a touch of magic.
You may need a few layers, but the goal is that all the hairs are flat and covered. At this point, dab on foundation until the eyebrows disappear! To achieve those funky anime eyebrows, choose your make-up color of choice and draw them on.
6 Hide Pockets In Your Costume So You Can Keep Important Objects On You Without "Ruining" Your Cosplay
After taking great pains to produce a cosplay to your satisfaction, the last thing anyone wants is to haul around a bag or carry personal items that clash with their look. A simple hack for carrying around a convention badge, money, or even a cosplay repair kit, is by adding hidden pockets to your costume.
Capes and cloaks are the easiest pieces to hide pockets in. Or one might even consider cutting into the seam on those cosplay pants to add a slot for money. The opportunities are endless, and it gives cosplayers the freedom to strike their favorite poses without having to worry about where their belongings are located.
5 Hairspray Can Create Simple Glittery-Skin Effects
Hairspray has many more uses outside of the world of haircare. When it comes to bedazzling yourself with glitter or sequins, it's easy to shed the glitz and glam all over a convention.
A simple hack to keeping yours sparkly appearance is by using a non-perfumed hairspray to make yourself shine bright like a diamond all day long.
4 Felt Pieces Can Help Wigs Keep Their Unique Shapes Over Time
Styling a wig to fit your cosplay needs is sometimes easier said than done. Anime characters have hair that defy the bounds of gravity, and so can yours, with a bit of hairspray, hair molding clay, and a hairdryer.
If you're not quite reaching your desired volume, then felt is your next best friend. Budget friendly, felt is a simple material to measure, cut, and glue to your wig to give it that extra oomph needed to complete the overall effect of those funky hairstyles.
3 Clear Nail Polish Can Fix Frayed Ends Quickly
Pesky, frayed edges are difficult to keep from further destroying that perfect cosplay. A simple, budget friendly fix is the use of clear nail polish. Applying a coat of nail polish stops the fraying, while also offering flexibility after drying. If you need a firmer hold, then continue to apply layers until you hit the desired firmness.
This hack even holds up in the wash so you won't need to retire the cosplay after one or two conventions and can continue to wow the masses with that perfected look.
2 Soak Your Pieces In Oxyclean And Water Overnight To Remove Stains
Convention halls are known for being heated affairs. Very few people can make it through an entire day in a convention centre without having to wipe their brow or check their pits at least once. In your civilian clothes, sweat is no sweat. But sweat stains can ruin costumes that cosplayers spent months perfecting.
However, there is a quick and easy solution to this. A bit of OxiClean, some water, and a nice overnight soak will take those stains right out! It's a simple hack to keep your cosplay looking its best all convention long.
1 Look For DIY Prop Guides Online
Props don't have to be difficult to make, and they can make a cosplay pop. It's the perfect opportunity for craftier types to clean up the closet or upcycle leftover materials.
Pinterest is a great source for finding DIY infographics to create simple, yet cool looking props to give a simpler cosplay an extra boost. Anyone who drinks a glowing potion is bound to stand out. To find out how to create a glowing potion, follow this tutorial.