For this Touhou Project Reimu Hakurei Cosplay shoot, having pulled a massive all-nighter the night before, my facial condition was honestly not at its best. Initially, I worried whether my eyes would look overly puffy, but once I put in the red contact lenses, they unexpectedly captured that cold, serious, and slightly impatient glare—which is probably why the caption mentions having a 'fierce gaze' with this All-nighter makeup look.
The Red and white shrine maiden costume exhibited an intriguing texture under the warm indoor studio lights; the cluster of white lace at the shoulders and the white paper talismans hanging across the chest formed a strong visual anchor. The fabric is quite distinctive—the red sections aren't soft, shiny cloth, but rather a firmer, structured material that holds its shape well and elevates the commanding presence of the Red and white shrine maiden. There is extensive lace trim throughout, especially around the collar and sleeves, which required meticulous handling. The oversized red ribbon headpiece is the most iconic element: bordered by tiers of delicate white lace, pinned with blue-and-white blossoms and red-and-white ribbons, looking light and airy yet requiring countless bobby pins to secure firmly.
To enhance an otherworldly atmosphere, I also wore elf ear prosthetics which, paired with the red eye makeup, added an extra touch of mystique. The long brown curly wig took some effort to tame, as loose curls easily look disheveled without a solid coat of hairspray. For setting the makeup, I intentionally used matte loose powder to ensure no oil shine on the face or neck, maintaining that detached, stoic expression. The hardest part of shooting a serious character is facial muscle control—the slightest smile breaks the immersion, so I had to keep a straight face throughout. Preparing the costume also had its challenges, such as securing the wig seamlessly to the head, thankfully fastened tightly with clips to prevent slipping. The red ribbons on the long cuffs also needed to be tied securely to keep them from constantly slipping over my hands.
During the shoot, standing before a textured wooden wall with side lighting accentuated the lace textures and the drape of the red ribbons. Handling the Paper talisman props hanging from the chest was tricky because of their length; I had to avoid creasing them while finding the center of gravity so they would hang straight rather than curl up. When posing, I partially shielded the Paper talisman props with my hand, allowing the focal point to settle naturally on the face. Truthfully, wearing a long string of Paper talisman props became a bit cumbersome after a while, swaying with the slightest movement, but that orderly chaos was precisely the intended effect.
This shoot relied on no elaborate sets, depending entirely on the character's demeanor and costume details to carry the frame. In post-processing, we adjusted the color purity of the red and white while deepening the shadows to make the solemnity more dimensional, balancing facial shadows so dark circles from staying up late became a flattering, deep shading. Shooting late into the night when surroundings were quiet lent the finished photos an aura of serene stillness—perfectly harmonizing with my vision of Reimu Hakurei, who sips tea leisurely at the shrine during daily life but instantly turns stern and focused when resolving an incident. While the gear was not top-tier, the bold red-and-white contrast and the piercing coldness in the eyes successfully captured the core soul of this shoot.