This time, I cosplayed Toyama Kasumi from BanG Dream! Let's start with what everyone pays the most attention to—hair and makeup. Kasumi's hairstyle is instantly recognizable, featuring voluminous cat-ear-like silhouettes on both sides of the crown; I wore a dark brown wig for this set. To achieve that natural fullness, I backcombed the top layers section by section and sprayed plenty of hairspray to build and sustain that dimensional volume. The bangs were cut slightly blunt, with longer wisps left along the sides to contour the face. The two red Star hair clips are the true soul of the look—pinned symmetrically on the left and right, placed slightly higher up to emphasize that bright, upbeat energy.
For contact lenses, I chose a purple-blue shade with a diameter slightly larger than daily wear lenses to mimic anime character proportions. Blush was applied generously right under the eyes, paired with a pink lip tint to build that vibrant, lively girl aura. The foundation was kept clear and sheer—outdoor natural lighting tends to wash out makeup, and going too heavy would make it look caked-on.
The outfit is a light-blue sailor suit featuring a white sailor collar edged with black lines, centered with a dark navy ribbon bow held by a white fastening band. A grey rectangular name-tag accent sits on the left chest, and the cuffs feature black striping. When putting it on, keeping the bow perfectly centered and upright is key so the uniform appears crisp and tailored on camera.
This shoot consisted of outdoor self-portraits taken under a bridge by the water, flanked by white metal railings. The natural lighting that day was pleasantly diffuse without harsh direct sunlight, which is exceptionally forgiving for phone selfies. For the first shot, I flashed a peace sign, and the second was a cheek-resting pose. Kasumi's character is energetic and relentlessly driven, so while shooting, I constantly searched for that wide-eyed, sparkling smile that draws people in. When giving the peace sign, lifting the shoulders slightly and tilting the head adds extra cuteness. For the cheek-resting pose, gently touching the cheek with fingers while softening the gaze brings out a gentle, quiet contrast.
Cosplaying Kasumi is all about capturing that sparkling, star-like glow. Even though it was an outdoor phone shoot without elaborate lighting rigs, daytime natural light worked wonders. The complete makeup and styling took about an hour, with half that time dedicated to adjusting the wig and positioning the clips. Dialing in the collar bow also took quite a bit of effort to make sure it looked pristine on camera. Sustaining the character's vibrant energy means that everything from your eyes to your hand gestures must radiate forward momentum. Although the backdrop was simple, the soft natural light by the bridge and waterfront gave the whole set a clean, refreshing palette. I will definitely keep challenging more styles in the future.