The August Convention photos have just been sorted, this time featuring Xia He from The Outcast. Preparing for this character involved thorough research; beyond her canonical midriff top and trousers, I opted for this contemporary street-casual outfit. Choosing this styling allowed the silhouette to look sharper and cleaner amidst the visually chaotic convention hall. The black lettering across the white tee, the frayed raw edges on the denim shorts, and those brown slouch boots were all chosen to channel her effortless, cool swagger.
Hair and makeup took substantial effort, with the red speckle markings on the face and neck demanding the most patience. To ensure they remained vivid under outdoor and hall lighting, I tested multiple mediums before settling on a durable, quick-drying body paint. The wig was custom-pieced with long Pink hair styled into loose, voluminous waves that caught the convention lights brilliantly, delivering dynamic flow with every step.
For the shoot, we scouted a relatively clean open spot on the convention floor, using overhead industrial lights as the key illumination. The first shot was a candid frame captured while lifting one leg; while seemingly simple, it heavily tested balance on elevated heeled boots, though the posture relieved foot pressure while accentuating leg contours. The second shot utilized a low-angle upward perspective paired with a slight downward gaze, cleanly displaying the red facial sigils alongside the bust and waist curves.
Xia He's greatest charm lies in her stark contrast—appearing effortless and nonchalant on the surface while exuding overwhelming menace beneath. Before the lens, I deliberately sustained a faintly contemptuous gaze to project her signature Yujie style dominance. The photographer offered helpful direction on shifting body weight to elongate the torso and resting the long-sleeved gloves naturally.
Reviewing the photos brought back memories of the August heat: because of the delicate facial paint, I couldn't wipe sweat away and had to rely entirely on blotting sheets. In such sweltering weather, makeup melting is the primary enemy, but meticulous setting powder saved the day. Nailing that upward angle was tricky, requiring a tucked chin while keeping the physique relaxed to avoid stiffness. Cosplaying this character marked a return to the Yujie style for me, fine-tuning everything from heel height to micro-postures for authentic fidelity. The harsh lighting was embraced during retouching without over-smoothing, preserving natural skin texture and the dimensional punch of the red markings to match our envisioned mood. Roaming the August expo hall in full gear for an entire afternoon was an exhausting, sweat-drenched workout, yet seeing these results made every minute worthwhile. This shoot deepened my appreciation for Xia He, and I look forward to exploring her alternative looks to showcase every facet of her allure.