[Herta cosplay] The Mysterious Witch in Honkai: Star Rail

For this official Herta cosplay shoot from Honkai: Star Rail, I tried a Dark Gothic Witch style. Starting with the hair and makeup: to recreate that enigmatic aura of a Genius Society member, I put a lot of work into the makeup. Wearing blue-gray contacts, I blended reddish-brown eyeshadow across a large area, deepening the outer corners, and deliberately drew lines along the lower lash line in red eyeshadow to evoke magical sigils. Paired with deep red lip gloss, the facial look felt slightly yandere yet mysterious. The wig was a light pinkish-blonde shoulder-length bob with a purple-pink gradient at the ends, topped with a wide-brimmed black Witch hat trimmed with purple silk ribbons and blue lily decorations—securing these flowers and ribbons alone took over a dozen snap buttons.

Regarding the outfit, the top features semi-sheer white lace off-the-shoulder puff sleeves that drape gracefully along the arms, overlaid with a black corset and adorned with purple and silver crest insignia on the chest. The black studded collar around the neck added a sleek, sharp edge. The bottom consists of layered tulle skirts paired with Black stockings; the sheer opacity of the Black stockings flattered the leg shape nicely, keeping the skirt pairing from feeling heavy. I specifically painted my nails jet-black with an almond-stiletto shape, which gave holding props a much more dramatic feel.

The props and setting were also highlights of this shoot. A dark red tablecloth covered the large table, laden with white candles dripping with red wax, metal platters heaped with red apples and grapes, a vintage gold birdcage, dark wine bottles, and ornate gold candelabras. The core prop was the white skull, adorned with red roses, black butterflies, and a string of black beads, with the eye sockets and teeth weathered using black paint. In Photo 2, holding the skull with my finger pressed against my lips was a pose I tried multiple times; the skull had some weight to it, so propping it one-handed required core engagement to maintain an elegant posture.

Lighting on set was meticulously planned. The backdrop was a deep red textured drape, and Photo 2 incorporated additional purple and green ambient lights. A red key light hit my face to brighten skin tones, while purple and green rim lights outlined the edges of the Witch hat and skirt, carving out sharp, distinct layers. Although it was a studio shoot, creating that eerie, fantastical atmosphere of a dark castle while wearing long sleeves and a thick hat without sweating off my makeup—even in a well-ventilated studio—was a real test of stamina.

To capture the best angles, the photographer and I experimented with eye-level, high-angle, and low-angle perspectives. The pose leaning over the table in Photo 1 required resting my elbows on the hard tabletop while keeping my shoulders relaxed, conveying a gaze that was commanding yet subtly languid. The prop skull and candles had so many intricate details; to keep them tactile in frame, the aperture was kept moderate to ensure prop clarity while gently blurring the background.

Before shooting this set, I reviewed official information about Herta repeatedly; her transcendent, slightly divine and disdainful demeanor deeply captivates me. This Dark Gothic Witch styling is more than just visual splendor; it's about giving concrete form to that blend of wisdom and dark mystique. I'm personally very satisfied with the final result—both composition and color atmosphere completely met my expectations.