During these two days at Kaizhou Music Valley, the itinerary was tightly packed with the convention's rhythm. Arriving on-site past eight in the morning, before the crowds thickened, I quickly finalized the wigs and makeup for both looks. This time, I tried two completely different styles: one featuring a red and white plush cape with eye-catching red ears on the hood, and the other centered around a gorgeous black-and-red oriental fantasy design featuring two high hair buns paired with intricate pearl and flower tassel headpieces.
Wearing the red-and-white plush outfit on the first day, although it looked extremely cozy and cute, walking around the exhibition hall felt rather stuffy. To recreate the character's gaze, I wore red colored contacts and purposely deepened the red tones in my eye shading. On-site, I met many photographers and fellow fans who were extremely polite, making the shoot go smoothly. However, because the costume material was relatively thick, during intermission breaks I had to quickly find a well-ventilated spot to catch my breath, and touch-ups were needed much more frequently than usual.
On the second day, I switched to the off-the-shoulder oriental fantasy costume, where the beaded decorations on the shoulders and the pearl chains on the arms carried unexpected weight. The two large buns on my head combined with metallic hair ornaments created a relatively high center of gravity, requiring extra caution while walking to avoid the tassels tangling or the buns loosening mid-turn. The makeup for this look was lighter and more translucent than the previous day; I swapped to light brown colored contacts and opted for softer blush.
These two days at the Kaizhou New City Music Valley COSSHOW were not only about cosplaying myself, but also an incredible process of observation and learning. I encountered many talented makeup artists and photographers, alongside breathtaking costumes and props. Personally, translating a 2D design blueprint into a 3D real-life ensemble every single time requires meticulous fine-tuning across countless details. For example, wig trimming and styling can look awkward if they fail to hug the facial contours; furthermore, foundation longevity is non-negotiable under high-intensity walking and sweating conditions at conventions, making setting spray and translucent powder absolute lifesavers.
In fact, whenever preparing for a convention, the most tedious part isn't the makeup, but packing before heading out. The faux fur collars, accessories, and backup stockings (which weren't worn this time but packed out of habit) of both outfits, alongside various hair clips and touch-up tools, filled an entire suitcase. Only upon arrival did I realize I forgot my spare wig hairnet, though thankfully a neighboring booth vendor kindly lent me one—the mutual support atmosphere at conventions always feels exceptionally heartwarming.
During on-site shooting, I discovered that natural light exerts a massive influence on makeup presentation. Under direct midday sunlight, the red contacts and dark eyeshadow appeared sharply defined; yet by afternoon when the light softened, the overall makeup radiated a sweeter elegance. To adapt to shifting light conditions, I experimented with modifying my angles toward the lens. When wearing the plush cape, slightly lowering my chin so the cape's furry edge framed my facial contour created a much more atmospheric vibe. Meanwhile, wearing the oriental fantasy look called for baring shoulder lines and highlighting the drooping tassels of the headpieces, where side-profile framing better accentuated the styling's dimensional layers.
After two full days, the soles of my feet were undeniably sore, but glancing back at the captures inside the camera made all the hustle completely worthwhile. I sincerely hope to have future opportunities to attend events here and connect with even more friends.