Trying out this new look, I put on that black-blue-white color-blocked off-the-shoulder techwear jacket, grabbed my prop mask and polearm, and headed to the train station to shoot this photo set. Every time I cosplay a character with a combat edge, it takes immense effort in expression management and prop stability—holding heavy props while maintaining a piercing, icy gaze truly tests one's endurance.
When I got this wig, I was thinking about how to recreate that textured, tousled shag; the teal-blue highlights significantly boosted the color saturation of the entire head. Since I naturally have a rounder face shape whereas the original design features prominent bone structure, I spent a lot of time refining the shadows and facial contours in post-processing. Joking that it was heavily retouched, I actually wanted to get as close to the character's temperament as possible while retaining my own facial features, avoiding losing my authentic look entirely.
I especially want to praise the props prepared for this shoot: that black-and-gold dragon mask was built with solid craftsmanship. The horn sculpture and the teal light transmission in the eyes filled the mask with mystery and intimidation. During shooting, holding the mask in hand to half-conceal my face or raising it directly in front of the lens to block the view created totally distinct atmospheres. This was precisely the playful versatility I wanted from the "Girlfriend perspective."
For makeup, the focus was primarily on elongating the eye shape and intensifying the gaze, utilizing light-colored contact lenses to make the eyes look deeper. The pale purple diamond mark on the forehead was the finishing touch; applying dot-like markings requires precision in placement, or it easily looks misaligned. Paired with a black choker and two silver necklaces, it broke the monotony of the plain black base shirt.
For this shoot, we specifically scouted a vintage steam locomotive station as our ACG outdoor location. The massive black locomotive engine, aged train tracks, and slightly desolate bare branches—this industrial, almost wasteland-like scene harmonized wonderfully with the modern techwear style of my outfit. When the wind ruffled the wig, combined with a cool, sharp expression, the visual tension across the entire frame immediately came alive.
I coordinated with the photographer through numerous takes during the shoot. To achieve that "Fierce yet adorable" duality, I had to keep a cold, focused battle expression at times, and at other times offer a subtle, gentle smile. That is precisely what makes this Genshin Impact character so alluring—seemingly aloof, yet carrying deep devotion. The jacket has an off-the-shoulder cut, so I paid close attention to shoulder height during shooting to convey a posture that felt relaxed yet guarded.
From early preparation and makeup tests to on-site location scouting, a tremendous amount of thought went into this set. Every cosplay endeavor is more than just replicating an appearance; more importantly, it's about interpreting those signature movements and expressions. When holding a polearm or mask, the point of exertion in hand gestures and the prop's visual weight in the frame must all be carefully considered. Rather than purely static posing, I prefer shots with a touch of narrative and interactivity. I hope everyone enjoys the costume details and sees my personal interpretation of Xiao cosplay. This is an exploratory journey of my own.