Random Cosplay Tips #8: BURN THOSE FRAYS!

This is an age old method of dealing with the fraying ends of cloth; burning it with an open flame. Of course, it is a dangerous method but personally I think it is a really easy way to solve the fraying problem. Especially if you don’t have access to an interlocking machine.

This method is also useful in creating a whimsical effect for certain looks. Though an important point to note, this method only works on fabric with synthetic content examples like Polyester etc Never try it on natural fiber fabric like Cotton as those are highly flammable.

Start with a candle. I didn’t have a candle holder so I used two shark hairclips to create a temporary candle holder :D

 

The tip to this is moving quickly. Never let the flame burn for more than 1 second.

  

Before and after =)

I was in a rush while making my Makoto Kikuchi costume. And so the entire costume was burned this way…. I mean the edges were burnt this way  @_@;;

Note: Always be extra careful when you’re working with fire! Don’t attempt this if you’re underage or without the supervision of an adult! Unless you’re an adult yourself xD

Random Cosplay Tips #7: Multi-purpose eyeshadow

Other than the iconic big eyes seen in our beloved Anime characters, they have another iconic feature no cosplayers should miss. Their crazily coloured hair.

Of course, you can get wigs to pull off the crazy colours but don't forget your eyebrows too! Here's sharing a small tip to save a few bucks. Instead of buying crazy coloured eye pencil which you'll only use a few times, you can rely on eyeshadows instead! Most of us probably already have a palette of eyeshadow with a dozens of colours but all you ever use is brown.

Now is a good time to use up the rest of the colors by using them as a eyebrow colour.  The key to making this eyeshadow method work is to first get a good base and finding ways to make the eyeshadow stick onto the brows.

 

There are professional products one can get to cover over eyebrows entirely. But I usually just use a fairly thick amount of concealer to dab over my brows and call it done =X. After that, use a sponge applicator or angled brush to dab eyeshadow on. I believe cotton swabs could do the work too but I've never tried it myself.

Usually the concealer would stick the eyeshadow well enough. But if it doesn't, you could try applying a bit of vaseline or lip balm. Or you can wet the brush/sponge/cotton swab before you pick up the eyeshadow to get a more concentrated colour. Other than eyeshadow, the same can be used with your Blusher and Lipsticks. Seriously, I've tried it xD.

In fact, this is what I do for my Megurine Luka, Shakugan no Shana , Kagamine Rin, Himura Kenshin and Mogami Kyoko cosplays.

I have naturally thick and well angled eyebrows *grins* so just layering colours on this way works very well for me. As a disclaimer, I prefer to look 'natural' and 'adolescent' (as required by the characters I cosplay) so no plucked and overly angled eyebrows for me. Which is just as well.

I've never really had thin eyebrows so I don't know how this method would turn out for thin brows. Let me know how it works for you =)!

Random Cosplay Tips #6: Pin to the rescue… again !

I really shouldn’t be sharing such a …lazy bad habit. But I was doing the laundry just now and spotted something on my Haruhi skirt. So I whipped out my camera and decided to blog about this erm…. despicable trick of mine =X

This is a trick I’ve been using for TOO LONG and TOO MUCH. But it does saves a lot of time when you’re rushing costumes. 

Basically, it’s using our trusty safety pins in place of the ‘Bar’ for any hook and bar fasteners on your costumes. The key difference here, is pining your safety pin from the INSIDE of the skirt so that only a portion of the pin appears for you to hook on. And you don’t get that ugly “I can see a safety pin” effect/reaction from people.

 

Left Pic:  How this trick appears from the front of your skirt band. Your fastener hooks onto this.
Right Pic:  How it looks from the inside.

  

Pin and hook! Simple xD!

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BTW, gentle reminder for anyone who is keen to join the Worldwide Cosplayer photo Journey, tomorrow is the last date of registration! Go over to this page if you’re interested^^!

Random Cosplay Tip #5: make up remover!

This is more a beauty tip than a cosplay tip but I find it amazing so I'm gonna share anyway :)

Yes, make up remover. By far, the best and non drying make up remover I have tried and is still continuing to use, is pure olive oil. I discovered this by accident one day and have stuck to it since then.

Not only are pure olive oil great at cleaning, they also moisturizes your skin very well. And you can't deny how much cheaper they are compared to regular make up remover. I believe extra virgin oil will work even better but pure olive oil will do fine too. My bottle cost my mom like $3.80.Yes, I stole my mom's bottle. She had originally bought it for her hair but I decided to try it as a cleanser and have used it ever since then xD

Random Cosplay Tip #4: Reusing Packages

Ever run into the hassle of not being able to find a small part of your costume and regret not keeping your stuffs properly before stuffing them away?

Or like me, you often find yourself in the situation when you have SMALL accessories to keep but not SMALL bags to contain them in. Here’s a environmentally friendly tip, keep the small packages you get from your purchases in stores for any such future uses.

Look at how I kept my Makoto Kikuchi Earrings and other random accessories xD

Random Cosplay Tip #3: Pin to the rescue!

Ever slaved over your costume only to have it fall apart on you 5 minutes after wearing it?
Here's a tip for rescuing fallen buttons on your costume. Use a safety pin to pin it to your costume from the inside.

 

Obviously, this method only work for certain buttons. But it has been a pretty life and TIME saving trick for me since I absolutely hate doing any sewing with my hands.

In fact, all the buttons on this costume was done this way. See how much patience I had? =X

Random Cosplay Tip #2: Ziplock Storage

This is probably nothing new to most cosplayers but I’m still gonna share XD

So everyone loves ziplock and so should Cosplayers with our dainty costumes, intricate props and 14893478945623 tiny parts=_=. Putting them into individual bags and then storing them into a big ziplock is an awesome way to make sure you won’t have to flip your entire house over when you want to wear that costume.

Oh, and I realise they can also double as some sort of compressor bag :D. Here’s my Makoto Kikuchi costume nicely packed with the earrings, badges and Styrofoam stars in their individual packs.

Random Cosplay Tip #1: Visual Checklist

Hi peeps! This is a new segment I’m introducing to TCC! As the title implies, its basically a section where I share random Cosplay tips with you guys. I won’t be covering tutorials here , just sharign some pointers on how to make your Cosplay life easer =)

First tip to kick start the section would be ; Keeping a visual checklist! If you’re as much of a hayhead as I am, you’ll find this list a lifesaver! I’ll elaborate more about that later.

To start the checklist, you first draw out the character you are cosplaying one a piece of paper and label each individual portion of the costume as I did below. You can trying printing if doodling’s not your forte.

I realise it helps to number the portions. Also, remember to include any subsidiary items to bring along, for example: make up, hair net, hair bands or hair pins. I ALWAYS forget to include my hair net along with my wig and trying to wear a wig without that is horrendously difficult!

Oh, as for why I think this list is a lifesaver… I’ll keep the tale short. I ever once travelled an hour to a Cosplay event only to realise………………………………………… I left my costume at home T_T. The ENTIRE TOP I ironed and left to hang at the living room !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! So yeah, I had to run all the way back home to take it. Not only was it a total waste of time, it was also a killer on the wallet (took a cab T_T)

   

Just thought you guys might find these funny XD