Slipping into this Ruan Mei outfit, coiffing the looped hair buns, and holding this heavily crafted Yueqin prop, I prepared for an immersive Astral Express experience.
The color palette features my favorite combination of teal-blue and white, accented with gold-threaded embroidery. Translating these embroidered and gold-stamped details from a 2D game render into reality demanded considerable thought regarding fabric stiffness and drape. I selected a stiffer blended fabric for the outer blue layers, ensuring sharp tailored edges along the bodice and skirt hem—especially at the above-the-knee slit, where it holds a crisp fan-like silhouette without clinging limply to the leg. Waist snap fasteners, side cutouts, leg straps, and metal hardware all required iterative custom adjustments to fit snug without pinching.
Wig styling is always one of the most critical steps in shooting High-quality cosplay. Beyond ensuring symmetrical ringed hair buns on both sides, the crown curve must remain natural. I personally trimmed the bangs and sideburn contours; since different angles might expose wig seams, I rehearsed styling directions in front of the mirror, using a touch of hairspray to secure side strands so the wig integrated seamlessly with my facial makeup without a harsh plastic look. To embody her detached, aloof aura, my makeup highlighted eye depth—forgoing heavy false lashes for elongated eyeliner to stretch the outer corners, supported by subtle earth-toned shading.
This Yueqin prop serves as the central focal weapon of the look. Though I lightened its structure during prop crafting for handling ease, holding it over extended shoots still strained my arms. Its lacquer finish reflected flash lighting beautifully, so I shot against a pure white backdrop wall and rug to maximize natural color retention. Through the camera viewfinder, aligning the angles of the strings and neck was essential so the instrument wouldn't overpower the character's focus while maintaining a weighty visual presence.
Taking mirror selfies while holding a phone and prop required precise posture control. Balancing an attractive instrument angle while keeping the mirror composition clean took effort across two distinct poses. For standing shots, maintaining steady balance while resting weight on one leg created a subtle natural tilt; combined with the high slit and black pointed pumps, this extended visual proportions for a tall, elegant posture. Conversely, sitting on the plush rug meant setting down the instrument and defense—barefoot with legs crossed, conveying a relaxed, contrasting emotional expression.
Among the final photos, one frame includes a small reference photo card placed near my feet—an engaging way to introduce spatial layer depth for viewers. Post-shoot color grading and lighting adjustments were indispensable; pure white studio backgrounds tend to absorb tone and dull clothing colors. Rather than altering the costume's native blue shades, I slightly boosted contrast so gold motifs and dark areas pop cleanly, retaining a pristine, translucent look with clear tactile distinctions.
Cosplaying this character always touches me through her intricate details—metallic sequins on the dress, hairpieces tucked into the wig, down to stitched hems on dark gloves reflect handcrafted sincerity. Bringing this character comprehension and styling thought into the frame is the most meaningful restoration process for me. I hope these insights on materials, makeup, and shooting add extra value for fellow Honkai: Star Rail fans.