[Lohen cosplay] Pre-Expo Prep for Genshin Impact's Lohen and Wuthering Waves' Phrolova

Applying for the independent cosplay pass (free pass) at the 25th Chengdu Worldline Anime Expo, I am getting ready to cosplay Genshin Impact's Lohen and Wuthering Waves' Phrolova across the two days of the convention. To present myself in the best state on site, I've been organizing hair, makeup, and prop details simultaneously ever since confirming my participation plans.

The dates I applied for are October 1st and 2nd, the first two days of the expo. Day one will feature Genshin Impact's Lohen cosplay, and day two will feature Wuthering Waves' Phrolova cosplay. These two characters differ greatly in aura and clothing style, making the styling details and makeup emphasis completely distinct between the two days. To adapt to this fast-paced transition, I discussed wig care plans in advance, including wig cap colors and hair strand flow, and separately packed materials according to Lohen's and Phrolova's outfits. For instance, Phrolova's dark-gothic Black tights outfit texture incorporates leather and metallic paneling; if ambient lighting changes on site, over-reflection easily occurs, requiring special attention to light source angles during shooting.

With the help of friends a few days ago, we completed several sets of test shoot photos in advance, which serve perfectly as image attachments for the free pass application. Judging from the final photos, the style span is quite broad, fitting the diverse and inclusive atmosphere of Worldline Expo well. For example, there are indoor studio shots with a Gothic vibe, everyday styles on outdoor pedestrian bridges, as well as night ancient-style courtyard scenes and outdoor natural waterfall backdrops. During indoor studio shoots, light and prop coordination required calibration in advance; after a morning of tuning, we finally captured that cold, glamorously overpowering light-and-shadow effect. To maintain overall character demeanor, I deliberately included earrings and ring accessories into consideration—small items that subtly enhance styling depth.

Worldline Anime Expo has always been a major anime convention in Chengdu, with this year's venue set at Western China International Expo City. Its ceiling height and spatial volume are ideal for constructing various large-scale physical sets. My choice to apply for the free pass stems from being moved by the lively yet warm ACG atmosphere during past visits. Beyond interacting on the main stage with fellow fans, meeting high-level photographers across thematic photography areas to communicate composition and lighting coordination offers a great learning experience.

For cosplayers, the free pass isn't merely a convention appearance, but an on-site test of styling completeness. Given high attendee mobility, cosplaying popular game characters attracts many fan photo requests and candid camera shots from all angles at any time. This demands sufficient physical stamina across the two-day itinerary alongside confidence in character recreation. Especially for major IPs like Genshin Impact and Wuthering Waves with massive fan bases, slight deviations in fidelity might fail to deliver the character's original demeanor on camera.

For these two days at Worldline, I devised two completely different makeup plans. One features a cool, nimble eye makeup and lip tone to match Lohen's innocent vibe; the other leans toward sharp, cold eyebrow and eye lines that fit Phrolova's Gothic dark setting better. The same applies to wig styling—not only managing hair flow, but adjusting fixing methods for venue temperature and humidity, as high-heat convention lights are the nemesis of styling.

Additionally, planning two consecutive days of shoots tests costume storage and hanging. Separating wrinkle-prone fabrics and detachable accessories in advance prevents on-site chaos. Prop transportation also demands careful thought; whether Lohen's catalyst or Phrolova's polearm, portability must be balanced against size so large dimensions don't disrupt shooting tempos.

Getting ready to embrace two days of high-intensity shooting, bringing these characters to life on an actual convention stage is deeply meaningful in itself. Recalling Worldline's slogan "Mark Our World," I feel quite touched. I hope to capture images on site that harmonize perfectly with the characters while immersing myself in the warm, pure community atmosphere inside the hall.