Ultimate Cosplay Makeup Cheat Sheet: Transform Into Any Character

Introduction to Cosplay Makeup

Cosplay makeup is the art of using cosmetics and special effects to transform yourself into fictional characters from anime, comics, video games, movies, and more. Unlike everyday makeup, cosplay makeup focuses on character accuracy, exaggeration of features, and sometimes completely altering your appearance. Mastering cosplay makeup allows you to bring characters to life with precision and creativity, elevating your cosplay to the next level regardless of costume quality.

Essential Cosplay Makeup Supplies

Base Products

• Primer: Creates smooth canvas and extends makeup wear time
• Foundation: Several shades (including white/pale for anime characters)
• Concealer: High-coverage for covering blemishes and creating clean lines
• Setting powder: Translucent for most applications
• Setting spray: Long-lasting formula to prevent makeup transfer

Color Products

• Eyeshadow palettes: Matte and shimmer in various colors (neutrals and brights)
• Eyeliners: Waterproof in black, white, and colors
• Colored contacts: For changing eye color/appearance (FDA-approved recommended)
• Lipsticks/lip products: Various finishes and colors
• Blush/contour/highlight: For sculpting facial features
• Body paint: Water-based and alcohol-based options
• Face paint palettes: For detailed character markings

Tools

• Brushes: Various sizes for different applications
• Beauty sponges: For blending foundation and body paint
• Adhesives: Spirit gum, eyelash glue, pros-aide
• Removers: Makeup remover, spirit gum remover, adhesive remover
• Sealers: Barrier spray, fixing spray

Special Effects

• Liquid latex: For building features and wounds
• Scar wax/modeling wax: For 3D elements
• Fake blood: Various consistencies
• Crepe hair: For custom facial hair and brows

Character Type Techniques

Anime/Manga Characters

1. Base Application:

   • Use lighter foundation than your natural skin tone
   • Set with translucent powder for matte finish
   • Apply minimal blush for “2D” appearance

2. Eyes:

   • Enlarge eyes with white eyeliner on waterline
   • Use false lashes (top and sometimes bottom)
   • Create precise eyeliner shape based on character
   • Consider colored contacts for accurate eye color

3. Eyebrows:

   • Cover natural brows with glue stick, setting powder, and foundation
   • Draw thin, expressive brows with angled brush and pomade/shadow

4. Lips:

   • Keep smaller and well-defined
   • Use lip liner slightly outside natural lip line for anime style
   • Apply gradient lip color for “doll-like” appearance

Video Game Characters

1. Contouring:

   • Emphasize angular features with deeper contour
   • Highlight high points dramatically
   • Create defined jawline and cheekbones

2. Special Features:

   • Use body paint for non-human skin tones
   • Apply temporary tattoos or body paint for markings
   • Consider prosthetics for non-human features

3. Weathering Effects:

   • Add dirt, scars, or battle damage with shadow and paint
   • Create realistic bruising with purple/green/yellow eyeshadows
   • Apply fake blood strategically

Superhero/Comic Characters

1. Vibrant Colors:

   • Use cream-based products for bold, opaque colors
   • Set with translucent powder to prevent creasing
   • Layer similar powder products over cream for longevity

2. Mask Areas:

   • Define edges with precision using small detail brush
   • Set with powder to prevent transfer
   • Consider latex or prosthetic masks for complex designs

3. Dramatic Features:

   • Overline lips for comic book proportion
   • Exaggerate contour for defined facial structure
   • Use colored shadows to match character’s color scheme

Step-by-Step Processes

Basic Character Transformation

1. Preparation:

   • Cleanse face thoroughly
   • Apply moisturizer and let absorb
   • Apply primer focused on T-zone and areas prone to creasing

2. Foundation:

   • Apply character-appropriate shade with beauty sponge
   • Build coverage in thin layers
   • Blend down neck and onto ears for seamless look

3. Setting:

   • Apply translucent powder with large fluffy brush
   • Press powder into areas prone to creasing
   • Spray setting spray holding 8-10 inches from face

4. Character-Specific Features:

   • Apply contour, highlight, blush as needed
   • Create eye look specific to character
   • Add any markings, scars, or special features
   • Finish with appropriate lip color

Covering Eyebrows (for Dramatic Character Changes)

1. Clean brows of any product with makeup remover
2. Apply glue stick (washable, purple disappearing preferred)
   • Work against hair growth first, then with hair growth
   • Apply 3-4 thin layers, allowing each to dry
3. Smooth with spoolie brush between layers
4. Apply setting powder once completely dry
5. Cover with full-coverage foundation using patting motion
6. Set again with powder
7. Draw new brows in character-appropriate position

Creating Facial Prosthetics

1. Create template of desired shape
2. Apply petroleum jelly to skin where mold will be taken
3. Mix alginate according to package instructions
4. Apply to face and let set (usually 3-5 minutes)
5. Remove carefully and fill with plaster
6. Once plaster sets, remove from alginate
7. Sculpt prosthetic on plaster cast using modeling clay
8. Create mold of sculpt using plaster
9. Pour liquid latex or silicone into mold
10. Apply finished prosthetic with spirit gum or pros-aide

Comparison Table: Makeup Products by Character Type

Common Challenges and Solutions

Best Practices for Cosplay Makeup

• Research thoroughly: Collect reference images from multiple angles
• Practice full look: At least once before the event
• Layer products: Build up gradually for better control and longevity
• Take breaks: During application and wearing (especially with contacts)
• Consider lighting: Convention lighting differs from home lighting
• Take progress photos: Help identify areas needing improvement
• Prepare touch-up kit: Include mini versions of key products
• Hydrate and use primer: For longer-lasting makeup
• Set time boundaries: Allow 2-3x longer than you think you’ll need
• Remove properly: Use appropriate removers to protect skin

Quick Reference Guide: Makeup for Popular Character Types

Anime Eyes Techniques

• Shoujo/Magical Girl: Rounded eye shape, pink/peach tones, glitter accents
• Shounen Hero: Strong liner, minimal shadow, defined lower lashes
• Villain/Dark Character: Winged liner, smoky outer corner, cooler tones
• Mecha/Sci-Fi: Geometric liner shapes, metallic accents, bold colors

Non-Human Skin Techniques

• Blue/Alien Skin: Use blue body paint, highlight with white, contour with purple
• Zombie/Undead: Green base, purple/blue/yellow bruising, texture with liquid latex
• Robot/Android: Metallic body paint, highlight strategically, contour with dark gray
• Elf/Fae: Natural base with green/gold shift, highlight cheekbones and temples

Male Character Makeup

• Contour temples, jawline, and under cheekbones more dramatically
• Fill in eyebrows to be thicker and straighter
• Create facial hair with crepe wool or shadow
• Minimize lips by covering with foundation and redefining

Resources for Further Learning

• Books:

  • “Special Effects Make-Up” by Janus Vinther
  • “A Complete Guide to Special Effects Makeup” by Tokyo SFX Makeup Workshop

• Online Courses:

  • Kamui Cosplay’s Makeup Tutorials
  • Punished Props Academy SFX courses

• YouTube Channels:

  • Madeyewlook
  • Keevanski
  • Djarii
  • Kaypike Cosplay

• Communities:

  • r/cosplayers subreddit
  • Cosplay.com forums
  • Instagram cosplay makeup tags

• Conventions:

  • Many offer makeup workshops and panels

Cosplay Makeup Removal Process

1. Remove prosthetics: Gently using appropriate adhesive remover
2. Remove heavy makeup: Use oil-based remover for waterproof products
3. Cleanse face: Use gentle cleanser twice
4. Tone: Remove any residual makeup
5. Moisturize: Replenish skin after heavy makeup
6. Treat skin: Use calming mask if irritation occurred

Remember, cosplay makeup is about creativity and character accuracy, but skin health should always come first. Schedule recovery days after heavy makeup use, and never share eye products or colored contacts with others.