All that OTHER stuff. Jewelry, wings, boot covers, etc.

Bootcovers - I wouldn't glue them, just do a T of wide elastic - toe and across the middle of the foot. Also around the heel if you have one.
Wing Harness - I really like HCC's harness. It's super unobtrusive and easy.
Angel Wings - I like their feathered wings too. They look like they have actual musculature under there.
Demon/Bat/fairy wings - Easy easy.
Making a silicon mold for casting - This is only for flat backed things. For round stuff you need to suspend the thing you're molding and pour the silicon around it, then cut it in half to make a two-part mold. Same basic idea though.
Resin casting using a silicon mold - You made the mold, now make your stuff!
Hot glue casting using a silicon mold - If your stuff is little you can use hot glue. I'd suggest resin first, but that's just my preference.
Casting colored jewels - This also goes over what you can and can't use for molds.
Bunny/tall ears in a headband - Super easy, super cute.
Nintendo-style crowns - Right click and save if you like, this is a PDF.
Gloves - If you're very ambitious or have oddly sized hands or need them in a specific fabric.

Whew! That's a lot @_@

So, there are some videos, some pages, and my DEEP desire for Amethyst Angel's book.

Wonderflex (in german, make sure you turn on subtitles!)
Amethyst Angel's webpage. This is like the bible unless you have a vaccuforming table.

Every year we seem to make at least one sword for -something-. So, here are some tutorials (pulled from cosplay.com)

Cardboard Katana/sheath/broadsword - Good for stage fights.
Expanding foam/paper mache sword - Good for pictures or looking pretty on stage.
Make your sword shiny and awesome with foil!


And some for guns:

Dante's Guns (Devil May Cry) - I'd use this for all hand guns really. The only thing I'd do different is make the base out of insulation foam (the pink stuff) instead of fiberboard (the stuff ikea uses for everything, and also what this guy uses. It needs serious tools to work with.)
Shotgun - Again, I'd use this for pretty much all shotguns. The pump action is quite cool - you'd only need to modify the details. Of course, this doesn't apply to the average double barrel shotgun, only futuristic-looking ones.

As an aside, I also just saw a commercial for sprayable rubber in a can called flexseal. They're marketing it as something for repairs - but wouldn't it be nice to have weapons with a rubber grip? Just spray the handle before painting it/wrapping it/whatever. I vote yes.

Videos:

Using expanding foam for a sword - part 1
Carving expanding foam into a pauldron
Paper mache-ing an expanding foam sword

These three are in german, from a cosplayer who goes by Kamui. She's honestly one of the best in the world. If she says to use expanding foam for swords and other large props, you better believe I'm gonna. XD

So, I've started watching this series (my first new series in like...four years) and it's pretty badass. Magical girls that belong to the military? Attacks that aren't wand waving and giant hearts, but bullets and punching and giant cannon blasts? Weapons that are GIANT SWORDS and GUNS and DRILL MALLETS?! This is NOT your typical magical girl anime, and it's all the more awesome for it.

In fact, my love for this anime is so much that I've decided to cosplay from it. I will be making Teana Lanster, who wields a pair of guns that turn into gun+energy knife/chakram thingies. Teana is awesome and I love her.

If anyone would like to join me in this venture, please feel free!

This is the original team:
Clockwise from top left: Vita, Signum, Fate, Nanoha, Hayate (center)

This is the special ops team, Mobile Six (the original girls are the commanders of Mobile Six):
Clockwise from top: Hayate, Caro (pink), Erio (spear), Fate, Subaru (blue hair), Nanoha, Teana, Reinforce (on Hayate's shoulder)

I like giant props, maybe just a little smaller
I liked dinner at the last practice
I like the thought of photoshoots just after judging (we can always arrange judging to be early Saturday, right?) that way I might have some time for hall cosplay XD

Next year, I'd really like to start earlier on my costume XD
I'd also like to toss in some dance choreography - you know I love that stuff.
I'd like to keep our same ninjas as well if possible!

Just as a note:

The -exact ingredient- that makes makeup photograph weirdly is Titanium Dioxide. It's reflective, so it will make your face look both super pale and super shiny! So really, as long as your moisturizer/foundation/concealer/powder does not have this in there, you should be okay. However, I still recommend makeup created specifically for stage use - it will stay on MUCH longer!

So I've been searching for a cheap brush supplier on the internet, and I've found a GREAT one! 

Crown Brushes is a wholesaler for other, popular brands - they have many of the exact same ones for wholesale prices! If you choose to buy from Crown, here are the brushes I recommend for my basic makeup steps:

From the "Kabuki" series:
KB3 - Kabuki brushes are AWESOME for powder! And it's only $7.49~ ($45!!!)

From the "Studio" series:
c142 - Blush brush $4.69 ($32)
c152 - Eyeshadow brush (this one can be used for your eyelid color and your highlight color) $1.99 ($22.50)
c138 - Eyeshadow brush (this one is for your creases!) $1.87 ($23)

These four brushes would normally go for over a hundred dollars all together. No joke! Those prices in parenthesis are the prices for the EXACT SAME BRUSH at mac!

If you choose to do the more advanced makeup route, I'd get these brushes in addition:

From the "Studio" series:
c104 - Contour brush (for cheeks and face contouring) $3.70 ($32)
c220 - Angled eyeshadow brush (for nose contouring) $3.85 ($24.50)
c313 - Duo fiber brush (for applying highlights anywhere on the face) $5.39 ($34)
c151 - Eyeshadow brush (For lid colors, leaving the 152 for your highlight) $1.79 ($19)

If you got every single brush I just described at mac cosmetics, you would -easily- be spending over $200 all together. But getting the same brushes from crown, you'd spend just over $30!!

EDIT: If you're leaning towards an already-put-together set, I would suggest the badger hair set. It's got everything you need for the basics, plus an eyebrow brush and a lip brush, and a mascara brush (which, as long as you keep it clean, is really good for separating your lashes after they've been all mascara-ed)
It's a little more expensive, but badger hair is incredibly soft, and will last much longer than the "studio" line brushes!

Or "Three colors just isn't enough for me, Tris!!!!"

Heh. Anyway. Eyeshadow (and eye makeup in general) is a place where people tend to go nuts - I've seen as many as NINE colors on each eye! After a while, it tends to get a little muddy...but five looks nice, adds definition, and is a little more advanced for those of you who feel that three colors just aren't enough.

For this technique, you will need:

• a light, medium (or bright), and dark version of the same color.
• A shimmery highlighting shadow
• A very dark complimentary color (black compliments everything)
• An eyeshadow brush (or as many as you'd like)

Step 1 - The lid
After you've applied the thick layer of powder under your eyes, apply the medium color shadow over your entire eyelid with your eyeshadow brush. Once again, don't be afraid to apply it heavily!
Clean your brush with a tissue, and apply the light color to the inner corner.
Clean your brush again, and apply the darkest color to your outer corner. Make sure to blend so it doesn't look like you have three stripes on your eyes!

Step 2 - The crease
Apply the dark colored eyeshadow to your crease with your shadow brush.
Clean your brush, and apply your black/brown/whatever on your "outer v". Basically, this is the last inch or so of your crease, in a V shape to the corner of your eye. I can guarantee it will look funny to you, but I can also guarantee that it will give your eyes a ton of definition!

Step 3 - Highlighting
Apply your highlight shadow under your eyebrow and to the first 1/4th underneath your eye.

Apply your liner as discussed in the basic makeup thread, and you're ready to go!

I've never actually done this myself, so look to this space later while I take some time to attempt it XD

Highlighting and contouring can give you a ton of impact without a lot of effort - it can make your nose look smaller, your face look thinner, accent your cheekbones, and give you an overall "model-y" look. And all that you need is a slightly shimmery powder three or so shades lighter than your skintone, and a matte powder two or three shades darker.

Step 1 - The nose
This is the place that's most often done on asian women - a lot of girls in japan do it every day! To contour your nose, simply use your middle finger to pat the dark powder from your eyebrows all the way to your nostrils. If this is for stage, don't be afraid to go heavy! As stated in the stage makeup topic, it may feel ridiculous, and look funny in person, but it looks great on stage. You can also add a highlight to make it look even more contoured by using your eyeshadow brush to apply your highlight powder to the top of your nose, as well as to the skin between your eyebrows. That T shape will make your nose look even thinner!

Step 2 - The cheeks
Cheek contouring has been done for years and years and years. It can give you cheekbones when your face is really round (like mine), thus making your face look thinner! To contour your cheeks, before you apply your blush, use your blush brush to sweep a line in the hollows of your cheeks. Don't know where those are? Suck 'em in! The part that goes inwards is the hollow of your cheek. Don't forget to blend!
Afterwards, clean your blush brush and apply blush to your cheekbones. To highlight, simply apply your highlight powder to the tops of your cheekbones - right above where the blush is. Voila! Instant prominant cheekbones! You look more modelesque already.

Step 3 - The face
Most people don't contour the face very often, but it's quite easy! Simply take your dark powder on your blush or powder brush, and apply it from your temples along your jawline, and under your chin. Highlight the "cupid's bow" of your mouth (the little dip on your top lip), and the roundest part of your chin. That's it!

Easy peasy, no?

Here's where I'm going to be putting specific advanced techniques - they aren't totally necessary, but if you feel like it, do it! These techniques look especially good on stage, but if done with a light hand, they can look awesome in photographs too!

I'll be covering:

• Highlighting and contouring
• False eyelash application
• Advanced eyeshadow techniques

And that's probably it unless someone has a request or thinks of more  So let's get going, shall we?

Regular photography is the type you encounter most - no extra lights, just people wandering around with digicams and taking pictures. Think of this lesson as "hall cosplay makeup". This type is at the exact opposite end of the spectrum from stage makeup!

Step 1 - Skincare
Again, always start with a clean and moisturized face! And once again, sunscreen photographs oddly, so try to use a moisturizer with it in there instead of an extra one.

Step 2 - Base
You can use exactly the same products here as you did for your stage makeup - in fact, I recommend it! Stage makeup is often made with harsh lights in mind, so they look just as good in photographs as they do on stage. Simply apply fewer layers with a clean, damp sponge or brush, and you're good to go! And don't forget to set it with your translucent powder!

Step 3 - Eyes
Here is where the most differences come in between stage makeup and not-so-stagey makeup.

Eyeshadow is much more toned down here- people are coming up close, so you don't need your neon yellow or coal black to make an impression (especially not at the same time...ew.) You can and should use similar colors to that of your stage makeup - after all, it's matched or compliments your costume, right? But feel free to buy cheap here! Alternately, apply light layers of the shadows you used for your stage makeup, and layer a beige, peach, or tan eyeshadow over them. This will mute the colors and make them more appropriate for photographs.

Eyeliner can be toned down as well; use thinner lines, and go for a dark brown or dark grey instead of stark black. Highlighting the inner corner is optional here - if done lightly, it looks beautiful!

Finally, mascara. Really...this should be the same across the board ^^;; But false lashes tend to look very very overdone in person!

Step 4 - Cheeks
Stick with that same pinky-peach blush, just apply it lightly. Easy, no?

Step 5 - Lips
When applying lipstick and gloss for photographs, feel free to use a colored gloss instead - it looks pretty and polished in one step!

Since this is where we'll get the most exposure, this is where I'll start, and we'll go step by step. It may seem like I'm telling you to go with a heavy hand (which I am) but...well, it may be easier to show then tell why.

Stage makeup in studio lighting. Looks kinda...slutty, or weird, right?
The same stage makeup on stage, with stage lights. Much better, wouldn't you say?

Step 1 - Skincare
Always have a clean and moisturized face before starting any makeup. This may seem like a given to some of us, but hey, I said basics and I mean it  For stage purposes, feel free to use a moisturizer with a little sunscreen in it, but not too much! Sunscreen tends to reflect white (due to the chemicals in it) so having an spf of 10 or over may effect the rest of your makeup!

Step 2 - Base
This includes concealer, powder, and foundation. For stage use, I would always recommend makeup intended as such: Ben Nye, Kryolan, or (if you have the money and can splurge on it) Makeup Forever. Ben Nye is the easiest to find in costume shops, but Kryolan has its own store in the city, and is the brand I'd definitely recommend most. Always match your foundation color on your jawline, so that you can get a good match with your face AND neck! And if you decide not to use these brands, just make sure your foundation has NO SPF in it!

Always start with foundation, and use a clean latex sponge or (if you have one) a foundation brush. Work from the center of your face out, and apply in thin layers until you get the type of coverage you think you need. For stage, due to bright lights, you'll often need much heavier coverage than you would normally, so don't be afraid to do more than usual! And remember to BLEND BLEND BLEND, especially around the jaw, hairline, and nose (where lines tend to be obvious and/or foundation tends to cake up.)

Concealer isn't a necessity for all of us, as such heavy foundation may cover all of your, er..."imperfections", but if you feel the need, don't hesitate to use it! For under the eyes, go half a shade to one shade lighter than your foundation color, and for red spots try to match it exactly. Apply it with a clean latex sponge or brush, then pat it into your skin with your ring finger. Don't forget your eyelids! Concealer makes a great "base" for eyeshadow, keeping it from creasing or running away on you.

Powder's the last base step. I always recommend translucent, so that you don't end up changing the color of the makeup you just did! Apply it with a powder puff in very light patting motions, or with a large fluffy brush.

Step 3 - Eyes
Liner, mascara, shadows of all shapes, sizes and types...where to start?
Well, the best place to start is to dust a thick layer of your powder under your eyes. That way if your eyeshadow ends up getting sprinkled all over, you can just wipe it all away with a brush!
There are many many MANY types of eyeshadow, but the easiest ones to use are powder. They come in tons of colors and textures, so it will be easy to pick out ones that match your character's outfits!

The most basic type of shadow application is as follows: bright color on your eyelid, dark color in your crease (the space between your eyeball and your socket), and shimmery light color just underneath your eyebrow (that's your browbone!) as a highlight. There are variations, of course, and you can always add more, but three shadows will add the depth and color needed to look good on stage. And don't be afraid to make it super dark and super bright! You may feel silly, but it will look GREAT! After all, the closest people are at least 50 ft away - unless your colors are loud, they won't see them!

Eyeliner is a quick way to draw attention. A black pencil is the way to go for ease of use and visibility on stage, no matter how pale or dark you are! Line your upper lashline from inner corner to outer, and your lower lashline from the outer corner to 3/4ths of the way in. Thick lines, while usually a bad thing, actually look good on stage, so don't be afraid to make it thick! Don't forget to use your highlighting eyeshadow on the inner corner of your eyes and on that last 1/4th- it will make them look big and wide awake!

Mascara makes your lashes longer and thicker looking through waxes and other such things. For stage, I'd recommend a waterproof variety - maybelline great lash is a good one! And don't forget to curl them! That will help add to your "big and wide awake" look (something we all need after a night spent practicing, sewing, and generally screwing around till 3 AM XD) I -also- recommend false lashes - a cheap pair from the drugstore that you'll throw away afterwards. They really do make a difference!

Step 4 - Cheeks
Go for a pinky-peach blush- it looks pretty and natural on stage, and who could ask for more? And no shimmer! Apply it with a fluffy brush along your cheekbones. Don't know where they are? Just smile! See those round parts next to your nose? That's called the apple of your cheek. Who knows why, but there you go. Simply draw a line from there to your temples. Voila!
If contouring's your thing, we'll cover that in another section at another time - this is for basics!

Step 5 - Lips
This step involves three things- lipstick, lip liner, and gloss. All of them have a good shelf life, so you can buy one and have it stay good for up to 3 years!

Lipliner isn't a step most people take, but it's another one of those that "looks good on stage." Simply pick a lipliner that's two shades away from your natural lip color, outline your lips, and blend inwards with a finger so that the line isn't so crazy harsh.

Lipstick, like eyeshadow, has many colors and textures. The easiest to work with is a texture called either "satin" or "cream" or a variation of those. It's soft, with very subtle shine. Try to match your lipliner color with your lipstick, and apply it however you like. A lip brush is the most precise way!

Gloss is super easy- just get a clear one, slick it on, and go!


There. Now that wasn't TOO terribly hard, was it?

Hi all!

Since I'm sort of the makeup queen around here, I figure I may as well put down what types of make-up you should be using in what sort of settings - studio photography, stage, and regular photography. All three have similarities and differences - we'll be going over that as well. Okay, let's get started!

 

EDIT: just to add something about cosmetic brushes - you don't need many. The only ones that I think are absolute MUST HAVES are a powder brush, a blush brush, and an eyeshadow brush. Seriously, that's all you really, really need. Of course, you can have a different brush for every color you own, but that's an awful lot of money to spend, don't you think? XD

EDIT 2: By the way, if you get nothing else I mention, GET KRYOLAN'S FIXER SPRAY! It will set your makeup, making it water/sweat/rub proof, and thus stage ready. We're gonna be sweating a lot, especially for bleach on fire, and we don't want to end up looking like zombies by the end XD

EDIT 3: A few other brands if you would rather not use the ones I've mentioned:
Graftobian
RCMA
Cinema Secrets
Face Atelier

...Yes, I'm replying to my own thread. I'm such a loser 

Anyway, I was scouring youtube for stuff, and I found this...
http://youtube.com/watch?v=UZe2WgzlQCg&mode=related&search=

If you can't see it, it's a fan-made music video that's been professionally done. Next time we do something j-pop, I want to do this. For real, y'all. I'll save my tips for two years if I gotta.

Also next time we're doing it in a studio because I -can- afford that. So there! XD