The Official Makeup Thread

[nekovamp13]

There have been a few cosplay help threads, but there is one that hasn't been made that I personally would benefit from, and that's makeup.

Between trying to get that perfect skin, trying to look like the other gender, and the more difficult designs, it's not easy if you don't know what you're doing.

That is what this thread is for! You want to know what brands are good, where to get certain makeups and supplies, or how to do that special effect to finish the character, this is where to go!

If people have good tutorials they want to be seen, just say so and I will add them to this post.

(Also, if an Admin could add this to the sticky threads, I think it should be up there)

[sk_chan]

I'm cosplaying Korra from The Legend of Korra, and I want suggestions on what make-up to use for having her darkened skin. I want something that does not rub off on cosplay and looks good.

[TalaRedWolf33]

Mow
For the darkened skin, try a combination of dark cover up (liquid), some body paint, and foundation powder. It worked for me when I was Jasmine for halloween once. I've also used eyeshadow to change my face color for a zombie. It stays on longer than most things, and it doesn't itch or flake off.


For my question, I'm doing a sexy fem heavy. My friends say I should do a decieving kinda make up. Like make them think I'm a cute/sexy heavy that won't kill you. How would I do this? I want the make up to go with my looks, so I have green eyes sometimes, others blue. My hair is red now but will be black for kumoricon.

[zenneth]

i have a tan skin-- any suggestions on how to make my skin look naturally lighter???

[nekovamp13]

To change skin color, you can get colored foundation. If you're doing more than your face, I would suggest Ben Nye or Krylon brand makeups.

[kappa roll]

the best way to change your skintone is to use layers of foundation. start with a liquid or matte foundation a few shades lighter or darker than your natural skintone, and fade that down to your neck a little. next, cover your face with a powder a few shades lighter or darker than the foundation. finish it off with a translucent powder to make sure the makeup stays.

this way helps the new color blend in with your natural skin, so you don't get a creepy fake look.

[nikkiolie]

I wanted to throw in some advice. I strongly recommend going to Sephora or ulta and getting a good BB cream. It goes on under your makeup and evens out your skin tone as well as other great things. The one I got is from Sephora and its Dr. Jart+ its was $36 which is a little expensive but it works much better than the one I got at Rite Aid (though it worked well too)

I haven't even been wearing any foundation the past few days. I would also recommend people going to Sephora or Ulta and getting someone to match their skin tone and hearing suggestions for foundation and powder.

[Kori123]

I have a question about eyebrows.

I have naturally very dark brown eyebrows but I have a few cosplay that have blond hair this year.  My friend is also doing one that requires pink.

I've had a lot of people tell me different things on using paints, glue sticks, pencil, etc. for coloring eyebrows.

What do you think is the best and easiest way that also looks good?  Also, tutorials on how-to-apply would be wonderful.

[TalaRedWolf33]

I think it differs for everyone. My eyebrows are very dark brown, but when I dye my hair black, I use black eyeliner to color them.
But! You're talking about lightening and changing the color. First thing, dun bleach your eyebrows. Or shave them off. If you're like me, and you have kinda thick brows, I would say to shape them first. I use the Basic Brow Tutorial by Michell Phan. When I get to a computer I can give you the links. EDIT!! Here is the link to the basic brow tutorial : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PugziVUikEg&feature=relmfu
As for lightening them, start with putting on foundation.
Once that's done, this is what I do to lightenmine:
1. Lightly color your brows in with white pencil. Don't color the whole eyebrow, just swipe the pencil across them a few times to basically cover them.
2. Take a qtip and softly rub the white across the brow. This spreads the color a little bit.
3. Now lightly, using a sponge and liquid foundation, blot the foundation onto your brows. I mean, like super lightly. If there's a bunch of clumps when you do it, take a brow brush (I used an old toothbrush) and comb them out.
4. Step back and look at your brows. If you can still see most of the color, and you want to change the color to a light color, repeat step 3 until the color is lightened more.
5. Now you can draw on your brows with either colored liquid liner for super thin ones, or take an eye pencil and "color in" your brows alone their natural line.

This works for me. It may not work for everyone, but you can try it if you like

I also found these Ah, the help I can be when I have a computer
How To : Change your Eyebrow Color - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=puIBd4fhEiQ
"Scene" Make-up Eyebrows - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AdekmF1MpAo&feature=related

[Kori123]

Thanks so much!  This helps a ton!
I'll have to try it.

[kappa roll]

i'd like to reiterate the whole bb cream thing.

that stuff is amazing. it's really useful if you don't normally wear foundation, because it's easy to apply, better for your skin, and makes you look a lot better in photos.

i recently started using the garnier brand, and it's awesome.

[Daws]

I havetips for people wanting to change their skin color that I use. First always make sure that you moisturize any drier spots, such as knees, elbows, feet, or certain areas of the face. Otherwise the color will pile up in that area making it look fake. The second tip is to apply whatever you're using after a shower, just like you would a lotion. I find this makes the makeup appear more natural, and it rubs off less. I've done this with both foundation and face paint that I used to turn my entire self purple, and it worked great. For major changes in skin tones in natural shades you're going to have to use more foundation, so I suggest setting it in powder afterwards so that it doesn't rub off. Some powders can make you look cakey, so I suggest mineral powders as they tend to look more natural.
Hope that helps someone!

[Daws]

Oh and for changing eyebrow color, they have tones of colored mascaras now, so I suggest using one of them, followed by a brow comb to make sure that you don't have clumpy eyebrows I've used it to turn my eyebrows teal and it looked really good. If at all possible I'd avoid metallic shades because they'll probably look less natural, but for blonde you may have to use a gold and follow up by dusting them with a non metallic shadow in the right color to make them less shiny.

[Chromophobic]

I'll be doing some zombie makeup effects for Kumoricon for one of my cosplays (I'll be doing a zombie version of Marluxia from KH)

Anybody have some helpful tips to make it seem life like? I'm fairly new at it...