[Keqing Cosplay] Yuheng of Genshin Impact: My First Outdoor Attempt

Trying Cosplay for the first time, makeup and styling alone took a full three hours. Walking into the neighborhood park after getting changed, I felt quite nervous inside. This apprehension stemmed partly from a lack of confidence during my first outdoor shoot, and partly because this outfit sets high demands on body shape and detail precision. For instance, the long light-purple wavy hair with pinkish tones, along with those two signature hair buns paired with dark blue ribbons and pearl decorations, required repeated checks to ensure they were securely fixed and wouldn't shift during outdoor movement.

In terms of makeup, to fit Keqing's characteristics from Genshin Impact, I elongated the eye makeup slightly toward a slender, sharp direction, choosing a natural lip texture since outdoor lighting differs completely from indoors—harsh light easily flattens makeup. The black crisscross choker with gold star accents around the neck, combined with detached arm sleeves and black wristguards with white patterns, were all accessories I tried on repeatedly before the mirror the previous night. The top features a black base with fine glitter that refracts subtle starry light in sunshine, while the lower skirt combines a black base with vibrant blue feather-textured paneling, a golden waist belt, and a semi-transparent blue-purple ribbon flowing down the left side, delivering rich overall layering. However, only when truly standing before the lens do you realize the pain point of these gorgeous elements: taking considerable time to adjust their positions to prevent ribbons from blowing messily in the wind or sleeves from sliding down.

The location was chosen as the neighborhood park. Although lush greenery provided a vibrant backdrop, public spaces are always filled with unexpected occurrences. During the shoot, a group of kids was drawn to watch, surrounding me curiously and even asking, \"Big sister, are you a princess from a cartoon?\" While such feedback was a bit embarrassing, it made me genuinely happy, like lighting up a small magical moment in the real world. However, due to the onlookers, shooting efficiency dropped quite a bit. Fortunately, my photographer partner was extremely patient, capturing several great angles—like raising one leg to display the fluttering skirt hem and stockings, or half-body close-ups emphasizing neck-and-shoulder lines.

Objectively speaking, doing cosplay for the first time is far less simple than imagined, or rather, the notion that \"putting on the costume makes you the character\" is far too shallow. From smoothing out wig frizz to securing safety pins inside the skirt lining, to showcasing the outfit's shimmering texture under natural outdoor daylight, every step requires hands-on feel and accumulated experience. Stone benches, fitness equipment, and open spaces beside tall trees in the residential complex all served as shooting spots for this real-world practice. I discovered for the first time that occasionally passing pedestrians or bustling neighborhood surroundings in the background actually added a touch of everyday life and casual cosplay realism to these raw photos, avoiding that overly retouched, distorted feel of studio shoots.

Although this first attempt still has many imperfections—such as needing to trim the wig bangs further, improving eyeliner smoothness, or adding more tension to poses—I still thoroughly enjoyed immersing myself completely into another universe's setting. Characters in Genshin Impact always carry a diligent quality; while I lack her incredible abilities, putting in maximum effort for this shoot—from preparing attire to wearing three hours' worth of makeup outdoors—felt like my own dedication. Many details might not look overwhelmingly striking in photos, but the tactile sensations of gentle breezes rustling purple hair strands, fluttering skirts, and the warmth of sunlight were the most vibrant parts of this cosplay experience. I hope to make further progress in hair and makeup in the future and challenge even more diverse styles as a beginner cosplayer.