I dug out a set of old photos from half a year ago. At that time, I didn't do a complete character styling or tag any characters, purely wanting to record my makeup practice from that period. Because I was wearing my own grey sweater and the overall coordination wasn't quite accurate, these photos just sat in my album and were rarely posted. Seeing them today while organizing my album, I thought of them as a milestone memento of a certain stage, so I decided to share them.
The two wigs back then: one was a coppery-brown with an orange-red tint, and the other was a light flaxen gold. I struggled for a long time over which one suited me better, so I simply wore both and shot a set for comparison. Actually, the texture of a wig looks much more realistic under the natural light inside a car, which is why I chose to shoot this set there. There was no complex lighting equipment; I just took advantage of the soft afternoon light and snapped a few shots leaning against the car window.
The biggest challenge of this makeup was trying to apply thick lower lashes for the first time. Usually used to more natural, slender styles, the adjustment effect of thick lower lashes on the eye shape is indeed obvious, but it really tests tweezer control and glue usage. I applied them with extreme caution, afraid that a single slip would ruin the whole strip or make it look abrupt. Paired with grey-brown contact lenses and pink-orange blush and lip makeup, the overall look presents a rather typical 2D anime feel. Although looking back now, some details could have been handled better—like making the spacing of the lower lashes more even or teasing the wig roots a bit more to make them fluffier—I certainly put a lot of thought into it at the time.
Without wearing a specific outfit, I just slipped on a most everyday grey turtleneck sweater, and the stacked neckline happened to cover the connection edge between the wig and my neck. Fastening the seatbelt and adjusting my sitting posture, I searched for the best angle within the limited space. The white foam mannequin head and cardboard box in the background were the mess left from just unboxing a delivery, which now strangely adds a very authentic slice-of-life vibe. After shooting this set, I roughly understood the compatibility between thick lower lashes and different hair colors. The orange-red wig makes skin look fairer with a strong overall contrast, while the light gold wig softens the facial lines, giving a translucent, airy feel.
In fact, many times, not every styling can achieve 100% accuracy and perfection, especially without the support of props and specific attire. Using everyday clothing to carry a makeup look with an obvious 2D style is a challenge in itself. The car space is narrow and cluttered with items in the back, but this didn't hinder my mood to record my current state. Putting on the wig, adjusting the length and thickness of the bangs, the moment I saw myself in the mirror, that impulse to break through my usual style was satisfied. Makeup is to please oneself; even just a small change in eyelashes can bring a completely different visual experience. This set of old photos records my aesthetic and technique at that time, and can be considered a true assignment submitted for that stage.