Sorting through these four photo sets feels like submitting my personal assignment for Day 2 of the CP31 anime convention. From early prep to on-site shooting, a great deal of effort went into this Reimu Hakurei Cosplay look. Though the schedule was tight, seeing the finished results made every moment worth it.
First, let's look at the raw camera selfie. Shot right after arriving before getting fully into state, this unedited capture best shows the authentic texture of the base makeup and colors. To match the character's signature red-and-white theme, I kept the foundation matte and fair, while using highlights under the eyes and central face area to maintain three-dimensional facial structure under harsh lighting. Red contact lenses were paired with blended reddish eyeshadow, extending slightly wider along the lower eyelid to quickly catch visual focus—after all, Reimu Hakurei's eyes are brimming with spirit, so enhancing eye gaze through makeup is a crucial step.
Regarding the costume and props, this Red and white shrine maiden costume is packed with details. Red piping on the collar, yellow bow ties, and abundant white lace and ruffle elements all required careful ironing before wearing to achieve fluffy, uniform pleats. The oversized red hair bow on top, flanked by blue and white floral side ornaments, created an iconic silhouette while beautifully framing face shape. The shimenawa prop held in hand—with its bells and tassels dangling in harmony—added dynamic vitality to poses. For outfits with wide sleeves and voluminous skirts, improper body posture can easily look bulky; hence, I paid special attention to keeping shoulders straight and managing arm angles.
The second image is a fan meetup photo recording instant interactions inside the hall. Indoor lighting was cool and complex, yet this medium-distance perspective highlighted overall head-to-body proportions and wig curvature. The length balance between bangs and side locks played a key role during a straightforward smile, preserving youthful energy without losing character charm. Since Reimu Hakurei is lively and capable, I kept my shoulders relaxed even while smiling statically to look more natural.
Next, huge praise goes to the third full-body shot taken by the photographer outside on the plaza, featuring a deliberately designed staff-holding pose. Bright outdoor diffused light illuminated every layer of the red-and-white fabric, clearly defining light-and-dark boundaries between white lace trims and the red outer skirt. Bending one leg slightly while leaning forward allowed the skirt and shawl to billow naturally in motion, while outfit contractions and expansions guided visual focus. Posing the hand holding the prop took time to look empowered without feeling stiff, resulting in a frame overflowing with Touhou Project's oriental fantasy ambiance. This outfit demands a strong frame; to compensate for physical structure, I used multiple petticoats to support the skirt and expanded sleeve width and fluffiness, using costume volume to build visual presence. High winds outdoors posed quite a challenge to the long wig and headpieces, but thanks to hot glue and heavy-duty pins, the styling held solid throughout.
As for the fourth mirror selfie, it mainly documents shoe and lower-leg proportions. Wearing black-and-white platform shoes with white socks lowered my overall center of gravity, avoiding a top-heavy look. Though glass reflections added a hazy layer, it blended the full outfit nicely with surrounding venue surroundings. Friends following me closely might ask whether a guy doing Crossplay for such a cute and delicate character brings psychological pressure. Honestly, convention culture itself is an inclusive and free community. Reimu Hakurei's charm lies in her seemingly casual yet immensely reliable personality during critical moments—realizing this vibe isn't bound by gender, but completed through makeup effects, props, and body language.
For makeup, I adhered to my usual approach: softening masculine skeletal traits by relying on contouring and color adjustments for facial flatness. Lip makeup featured a subtle glossy pink, looking full yet natural under top lighting. Styling the wig took considerable work; its reddish-brown tone rendered distinct textures between indoor and outdoor settings, with shine and smoothness meeting standards. The costume comprised numerous fabric pieces with tiny snap buttons and hidden fasteners along the back, shoulders, and arms—taking minutes each time during adjustments, but serving as necessary groundwork for flawless visual execution.
Though Day 2 at CP31 was exhausting, meeting fellow fans who love Touhou Project and receiving positive feedback on styling and makeup brought a tremendous sense of achievement. Every accumulated experience makes future character recreations sharper; whether in fabric textures or subtle expressions, I will continue refining every detail to bring each character to life.