[Surtr cosplay] Arknights Red Hair Makeup Test: Forgetting the Horns Brings a Unique Charm

Testing makeup, outfits, and wig styling all in one go definitely requires a bit of impulse. Since I hadn't touched this gear in so long, if I didn't test it now, it'd probably get pushed to next year. This Red wig was actually harder to style than anticipated, especially the bangs—balancing airy lightness with clear vision took some cutting and wax shaping. The paired navy-blue headband and ribbon nicely toned down the red hair's brightness, with golden metallic pendants adding detailed layers. Only when reviewing the photos did I suddenly realize I completely forgot to attach those signature horns on top! Looking at myself on screen, the composition felt like it was missing a key visual anchor, but fortunately the vibe of the makeup, hair, and costume remained intact, so let's treat this as a solid half-finished test fitting record.

For the costume, I chose this deep-purple jacquard gown—showing a delicate jacquard texture and luster under light. The V-cut neckline accentuates the collarbone lines, while dropped shoulders and loose bell sleeves offer plenty of arm movement. The high-slit hemline works wonders in seated poses, visually elongating leg lines without making the sitting posture feel constrained. As for jewelry, I layered quite a few pieces this time: multi-tiered metallic necklaces accented with rubies, complemented by wide metallic cuffs and rings on the wrists. Stacking these metallic elements against the purple patterned dress creates a glamorous visual focal point in this Purple skirt outfit. The delicate metal chain accent on the shoulder felt a bit fragile on its own, but once worn, it echoed the necklaces beautifully.

The makeup focused heavily on the eyes. Deep-toned eyeshadow was blended across a wide contour, paired with slightly elongated, upward-flicked eyeliner and false lashes to deepen the gaze—neutralizing some of the flaming intensity of the red hair in favor of the character's cool, aloof demeanor. I opted for a matte base foundation because top-down lighting easily exposes imperfections, and matte keeps the complexion looking clean. For lips, a natural brightening shade prevented the facial palette from feeling cluttered. The biggest realization during this Cosplay makeup test was that whether all gear is present doesn't strictly dictate capturing the character's temperament; sometimes forgetting the horns let me focus more on whether the makeup and hair could carry the style.

The photo setup was just in front of my home curtain. The harsh lighting created high contrast on the subject, while the curtain's vertical stripes added texture to the background. For posing, I selected two seated shots: the first with an open palm and raised hand felt very poised, leaning my center of gravity slightly back so the shoulder lines and skirt hem draped naturally. The second, with a subtle grasping hand gesture, brought more casual interaction, mainly testing how this purple gown looks with different gestures. I have to admit, the slit skirt slips down easily when sitting and required constant readjustment—while it flatters body lines on camera, the process wasn't effortless.

The greatest perk of a private fitting is relaxing without the pressure of perfect accuracy, allowing time to figure out which accessory sits best where, and how to style the wig to fit your face shape. Although laziness almost derailed this session, once started, it proved genuinely fun—watching myself step closer to that mental image of Surtr from Arknights, even without horns, holds its own recording value. The fabric texture, jewelry weight, and wig color were all documented in front of this modest curtain. Let these two photos serve as a review of this phase; for future formal outdoor shoots, I can make targeted adjustments to angles and expressions, preventing silly blunders where everyone shows up except the main event!