[Nico cosplay] Boss Nicole from Zenless Zone Zero: Saturday North Venue Convention photos

At Saturday's North Venue convention, I cosplayed Boss Nicole from Zenless Zone Zero. After being busy for several days straight, I finally found time today to organize and share these Convention photos.

Work was very hectic recently, but to do justice to this Nico cosplay, I started preparing the wig and outfit details a week in advance. The pink tone of the wig had to be pure and accurate; otherwise, it easily looks dull under flash lighting, making lighting setup and post-processing color grading crucial. Speaking of the craft behind the accessories, the choker is made of composite leather with a hefty, high-texture heart pendant, and the edges of the white collar were reinforced with stiffening to maintain a crisp, structured contour when worn.

The Cosplay makeup and styling this time was actually heavier than for casual outdoor shoots. Paired with blue colored contact lenses, it captured the character's sharp yet playful gaze. I applied two layers of false eyelashes and drew thicker eyeliner, mainly to counteract the way camera lenses wash out makeup, ensuring the on-site convention shots didn't look too plain. For lip color, I chose a glossy dark red, which seamlessly matched the black-and-white clashing wardrobe aesthetic.

The black leather patchwork top paired with the white lapel collar created a striking visual contrast. The geometric crisscross grid detail at the neckline, combined with the black heart pendant, serves as the crowning touch of this costume. To secure these accessories, I used black straps and discreet mini clips to keep everything intact while running and moving around venues. The cuff straps and metal buckles were also carefully crafted; when cosplaying characters with techwear or punk influences, rich details best demonstrate a cosplayer's dedication.

The North Venue was quite crowded that day, so I brought a hard-shell storage box to protect the wig from getting crushed. Because the hairstyle features twin tails topped with black bows, they swayed with considerable motion. The two-tone hair clips on the bangs served as great accents, but while weaving through booths and displays, I had to keep the wig fluffy and prevent tangles caused by sweat and friction during this 2D daily life adventure.

We chose a minimalist gray stone wall as our backdrop, avoiding overly busy sets so that all visual attention stayed focused on the styling and character traits. During shooting, we tried several angles and expressions—some cool and sharp, others lively and dynamic—striving to project Boss Nicole's leadership presence. For hand gestures, I deliberately practiced how to position my hands to convey her effortless casualness and confidence.

Considering the lighting variations throughout the day, I made fine adjustments to color temperature and contrast in post-processing. Leaning into cooler tones made the skin appear fairer and more translucent while making the pink twin tails pop vibrantly, which, alongside the slimming effect of the black outfit, gave the overall image tremendous visual tension. The solid backdrop accentuated the silhouette, making the wig and accessory colors stand out vividly.

Doing Cosplay is far more than just buying an outfit and putting it on. From trimming the wig to selecting colored contacts and sculpting facial features through Cosplay makeup and styling, every step demands dedicated polishing. I also gathered useful tips this time: for example, hair clips are best anchored under the wig net with bobby pins rather than clipped directly onto synthetic fibers, preventing them from slipping during large movements. The built-in support pads in the headpiece kept the bows looking structured and three-dimensional, maintaining a flawless look while walking around the convention.

Although I was exhausted after days of preparation and standing for hours, and my neck felt a bit sore from the weight of the choker afterwards, seeing the final photos made every bit of effort worthwhile. Meeting fellow fans at the venue who recognized the character created a wonderful sense of shared passion. Furthermore, the chosen location had soft lighting and great shooting efficiency; we even took candid photos for other cosplayers along the way, and everyone had a blast.

Sharing this set of Convention photos is also a way to add some vibrant color to a busy work life in my 2D daily life. Portraying different characters is always a fresh adventure; exploring detail management and expressive performance is genuinely fun. Through this journey, I've gradually found presentation techniques tailored to my face and physique. I look forward to taking on more uniquely styled character designs in the future, conveying their distinctive essence through photography, Cosplay makeup and styling.