[Tachibana Hikari and Nozomi Tachibana cosplay] Convention elf twins styling record

This time at CICF Expo, my cosplay partner and I cosplayed Tachibana Hikari and Nozomi Tachibana. We started preparing two weeks in advance for this convention. The biggest challenge of this styling lay in wig grooming and makeup unification. Due to the twin setting, we required the makeup details of both of us to be highly consistent, including eye shape adjustment, eyeshadow blending range, and blush application method. To achieve this sense of unity, we even drew half of each other's face in front of the mirror in the same room for comparison. The light green wigs we used tended to look frizzy under outdoor strong light, so I used wig care solution and a hair straightener to restyle them, trying to make the hair strands look neat and glossy. The trimming of the bangs was also very particular, needing to just cover the hairline while avoiding poking into the eyes. The elf ear props were also a key part that needed attention; we had to ensure they were securely worn, and the natural transition between the edges and the skin needed to be carefully covered with skin wax and foundation so that they wouldn't easily give away the secret when walking around the convention site. Moreover, because the ear props were made of hard material, wearing them for a long time was actually quite uncomfortable, so we padded a little medical tape at the ear hooks to relieve the pain.
The crowd at CICF on that day was especially large, and the outdoor temperature was not low either. We found several camera angles inside the venue, and in order to capture natural states, we tried different interactive poses, such as pinching each other's cheeks and supporting each other's chins. The casual feel everyone sees in the photos actually required adjusting angles many times off-camera. Because we were cosplaying twin characters this time, we valued the tacit understanding between the two of us and the balance of the frame when sharing the frame more. When taking group photos, we paid special attention to eye contact and body orientation, trying to give the frame a sense of story rather than just standing stiffly. For example, in that outdoor selfie, one of us supported her chin with her hand while the other pointed at her cheek with a finger; this kind of interactive action can very well relieve the stiffness in front of the lens.
The white crop top and denim shorts in the photos were our final matching plan, which could both reflect a bit of design sense and keep us physically comfortable while walking around the convention. In addition, thought was put into the choice of contact lenses; we chose a yellowish-brown style to match the hair color and overall atmosphere, while also making the eyes look more energetic in front of the lens. As cosplayers, the makeup trials and wig trimming before each exhibition are actually the most energy-consuming steps. While resting indoors, we didn't forget to check against the glass or phone front camera to see if the makeup was patchy, especially the longevity of the base makeup and eye makeup. Because if you sweat and lose makeup at an anime convention, the captured photos will be greatly discounted, so setting spray and loose powder for touch-ups are carry-on essentials.
This time we also customized corresponding merchandise materials, like that badge printed with the patterns of both of us in the middle; the moment I got the physical item in hand, I felt all the previous hard work was totally worth it. While drinking Starbucks Frappuccinos in the rest area, we also seized the time to align the details of the next day's shooting. Overall, the cooperation with my cosplay partner this time went very smoothly, our states were adjusted well, and the effect of the final photos basically met our initial expectations. The atmosphere of an anime convention is always like this: although the body is tired, seeing everyone gather together for things they love makes you feel like you can keep going next time. The biggest advantage of cooperating with a cosplay partner is that when you feel tired or can't find the vibe, the other person can give you timely feedback and encouragement. This shoot wrapped up successfully, looking forward to the subsequent photos.