I rushed to finish editing this Xishi photo set and quickly organized the finished pictures while the feeling was still fresh. As my main hero in Honor of Kings, the preparation for cosplaying Xishi this time was actually much more detailed than imagined, especially adjusting the fit of the outfit and props, which took several nights of tweaking until I was satisfied.
First, let's talk about this white-and-blue costume. The upper body features light, ethereal chiffon fabric paired with detached wide sleeves, creating a natural drape while walking and bringing an ethereal vibe. The gold accessories on the chest and the necklace are delicately crafted, blending with the overall tone so it's neither too plain nor overly complex. The lower skirt has an asymmetrical short design, which is very flattering for leg lines, though built-in safety shorts meant no worries about exposure during the shoot. The separate tall boot covers on the legs are another highlight—blue and white outlined with gold edges—paired with open-toe clear strap slippers, giving the entire look both classical Chinese charm and the lightness unique to 2D aesthetics.
For the wig and makeup, I picked a silver-white to light-blue high ponytail wig, adorned on top with translucent blue fin-like or wing-like hair ornaments that catch the light beautifully. For makeup, I tried pinkish-purple eyeshadow and matching contact lenses, slightly extending the outer eye corners so my gaze appears more spirited and lively on camera without looking stiff. The overall makeup focused on a clear, clean finish that fit the refreshing tone of the outfit.
The indoor studio set on the day of the shoot was also packed with atmosphere. The background featured a massive circular luminous panel simulating the glow of a moon gate or lattice window, casting a very soft warm yellow light. A dark Chinese wooden daybed was covered with a white plush mat, complemented by artificial white flower trees and a blue-and-white porcelain vase, while a vintage floor lamp hidden behind maxed out the scene's Zen and Xianxia aesthetics. The on-site lighting used a cool-white main light source paired with warm background lighting, rendering a very translucent texture for the subject while preserving the environment's mysterious air.
During the shoot, I tried several different poses: a relaxed posture sitting on the edge of the daybed with a leg raised, a gentle look sitting quietly with my chin resting on my hand, and a playful stance squatting on wooden steps. Since the outfit as a whole was light, even larger movements didn't look clunky. Those flowing gauze ribbons captured great dynamic motion when walking or turning around, preventing the overall frame from looking stiff.
In Cosplay post-production, since the raw studio shots were already clean, I focused on fine-tuning light, shadow, and color. When discussing Cosplay post-production, photo editing really means refining fabric textures and skin tones to preserve the luster of gold ornaments and fabric weaves, avoiding exaggerated filter overlays in favor of realism and delicate skin. I slightly suppressed highlights and brightened shadows on the raw photos, giving the entire composition stronger depth.
Having done Cosplay for so long, I've always felt that recreating a game character isn't just about piling on props and costumes, but more about capturing that character's unique demeanor during the shoot. For this Xishi cosplay, whether it was costume tailoring, makeup/styling details, or final post-production presentation, I felt my effort in interpreting my main hero was completely worth it. The moment I saw the finished pictures, all the preparation felt entirely rewarded.