Misa Amane Gwiyomi

I was bored, then suddenly... GWIYOMI!

How Cosplay Changed my Life

Hi there~

I feel like writing a blog post tonight.
It is about one of the most misunderstood hobbies. It's all about cosplay.

Cosplaying, according to other people, is a waste of time and money. Even my parents think the same. I, on the other hand, continue to cosplay because I really love this craft. I found myself in cosplay.

I started this hobby last  2008 or 2009 (I was in my second year in high school). I was a noob back then, but I really wanted to try out this craft because I love watching anime and wearing costumes. I discovered about cosplay when I was in my first year high school and wanted to try it out, but I have no money for a costume. When I finally persuaded my mother to buy me cloth, I had my first costume made by a seamstress. The costume was Mikan Sakura from Gakuen Alice. I also didn't go to conventions because I have no connections to other cosplayers and updates regarding events. I was "closet-cosplaying" for around three years. :))

Behold, my Sakura Mikan cosplay "noob" pic~ XD

Supposed to be Enma Ai, but so out-of-character. hahaha!

As I continued my journey in cosplay, I learned make-up, doing small props, and the like. Also, as a teenager, I was overweight. My heaviest was 63 kilograms for a 5'2 girl. I was inspired to diet and make my cosplays as accurate as possible. My diet paid off and now I weigh 53 kilograms. :)

 This is me at my fattest during my "teen" years. (I'm still in my -teen years now btw). I have some fat kid pictures, but lets not get into that. hahaha!

I also learned how to save money to be able to acquire costumes and wigs (which are pretty expensive for a student like me). I am not a rich girl. I actually deprive myself from snacks so that I'll be able to save. Not that I hate it, it helped me with my diet actually. :)) 

Cosplaying also gave me the confidence. Having your face exposed to people while wearing costumes is no joke. It takes courage and confidence to be able to pull it off. I can now say na "makapal na ang aking mukha". lol. :)))

My Recent cosplay pics. :)  

Without this hobby, I wouldn't be where I am right now. I can say that it had made me a better person.

I would also like to thank the cosplayers who were the ones who inspires me to cosplay. They're my cosplay idols. (Jin Joson (behindinfinity) and the Tuxedo Team, Kaname, Yuegene Fay, Kaika, Jesuke, Saya (RIP), Reika, Kipi, Zhel Guiral, Ikumi Ces, Jaroukasama, and Archira) You guys may not know me, but I just want to let you know that your cosplays inspires me a lot. I would like to meet you all in person someday.^_^

I don't know until when I'll continue cosplaying, but I am happy right now. I have friends who cosplay with me and we are very happy and fulfilled doing our craft. They're not just my cosplay buddies but some are also my also my best friends :D

 Some of our convention pics~

My recent fashion photoshoot (Just this month).

If you have dreams, try your best to reach it. Don't give up and muster some confidence. Follow your heart. Set high ambitions and goals. I still have many cosplans and I still have to improve :D

Misa Amane Cosplay Trial

Hey!

Lately I've been very bored with my summer vacation, aaaaand that means~~ more time for cosplay trials!

After I've completed all materials for my Seijuro Akashi cosplay, I want to try cosplaying Amane Misa from Death Note. I just tried on my old wig for this. I still have to buy the proper Misa wig and of course, her costume.

I have to save up for that skirt I've been aiming for weeks already. hahaha!

Anyways, here's pictures from my makeup trial. :)

 Misa Amane Cosplay

Best pic from this set (in my opinion). :D

I really have to start saving for the skirt and the wig. hahahaahha :D

Jaaaaa-neee~!
Dianne

Makeup that I use for cosplay.

In cosplay, makeup plays an important role. So, here are the items/makeups that I use in cosplaying. Some of these products are used by me during formal events or on a daily basis :)

1.       Facial Wash

Of course, you need to have a clean face before you apply makeup. I use Ponds Clear Solutions Facial Scrub. It’s inexpensive (I forgot how much) and it works well for my oily skin type. 

2.       Facial Moisturizer

Before you start putting makeup, you need to put moisturizer so that your makeup will be easier to blend. It also eliminates dry patches that don’t look good while you are applying your foundation. I use E.L.F. Tinted moisturizer in SPF20.

3 .       BB Cream

The next product I use is BB Cream. BB Cream provides you with sun protection and some good benefits for the skin. I’m using this Etude House Magic BB Cream. It only has sheer-medium coverage though, but it doesn’t matter because I put many layers of foundation for cosplay. I use this before I go to school or mall.

4 .       Initial Powder

This is to set your makeup. I use Johnson’s baby powder for this.

5 .       Lip Balm, Lip liner, and Lipsticks

Lip Balms moisturize your lips. I’m using Chap Stick Lip Balm for this. I don’t use really dark colors of lipsticks since most of anime characters don’t have dark lips. These are the lippies I own anyways. They're from Covergirl, Nichido, L'Oreal, SanSan, and Maybelline. 

6 .       Foundation

I think that this is the most important makeup in cosplaying. It is because anime have the perfect skin and with the right foundation, that perfect skin can be achievable. I use Revlon Colorstay Foundation. It’s quite expensive for a student like me, but it’s reaaaaallllyyy good. I suggest cosplayers to invest in a good foundation. If you are on a budget, SanSan's matte liquid foundation works fine. :) 

7 .       Concealers

All of us have flaws. If you need to cover up your dark circles, pimples, etc, Use concealers. I’m using LA Colors, SanSan, and CoverGirl TruConceal in 1.

8.       Loose Powder /Pressed powder (for finishing)

For a Matte Finish, you need to set your foundations and stuff. I use Covergirl’s Loose powder for this step. I also have Nichido, Avon's Simply Pretty, and Johnson's pressed powder. 

9 .       Eyeshadows/Bronzers/Blush

You have to countour your nose, face, or add depths to your eyes. So, these products are a must for cosplayers.  I use Rimmel London Maxi Bronzer, Nichido, Careline Palette, and Gosh Blusher in Peach. 

10 .   Eyeliners/Eyebrow Pencils/ Macaras

In my opinion, this is the second most important cosplay make-up items. This helps shape your eyes into ideal character shapes and it changes your look. I use Etude House Oh m' Eye Line Liquid Eyeliner, Nichido, Estee Lauder’s Pencil Liner, Saizen liquid eyeliner, and this colored eyeliner set (bought from Cosmic Bytes Shop )

Nichido's Mascara also helps me to achieve that long lashes that anime characters have.

11 . Contact Lenses

Of course, these are important too. This helps you achieve the eyecolor that the character that your cosplaying has. I use Geo and Crystal Brands. They last for one year. 

12 . False Lashes

These help you achieve the pretty anime eyes you want. Mascara is not enough. XD 

I have Nichido’s, Saizen, and Lashes from Japan that Argenn sent me. I like thick lashes since they really look good especially in cosplays. 

13.   Green Beauty Cake

Need to be whiter for your cosplay? No problem. Just use green based foundations/cakes to achieve the fair skin look. Just don’t put too much or you’ll look like Shrek. I have this Nichido Beauty Cake in Mint.

14 .   Brushes, Eyelash curler, and tweezers.

Brushes are used to be able to apply makeup easily. Invest on good brushes and you’ll never go wrong.

I use E.L.F. , Allue, and MAC brushes. Eyelash curlers define your false lashes or your lashes alone, and tweezers helps you position your false lashes and shape your eyebrows (ouch).

15 .   Makeup Remover

Sleeping with makeup is BAD. Make sure your remove all traces of makeup or else you’ll end up with bad skin or a breakout.  I use Maybelline Makeup remover and Apollo’s Petroulem Jelly. 

This is all for now folks. Hope you learned something from this. See ya~

-Dianne 

L (Death Note) Cosplay

It's not the best in the world, but at least I tried. This is my first legit crossplay. :D
Photoshoot on: Dec. 28, 2012
Location: UP Mindanao
Photograper: Mai Enero

Happy New Year!

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas to you all~ 

From: Dii-chan :D