[Yunli Cosplay] Honkai: Star Rail's Swordswoman, Bursting into a Traditional Style Studio with Candied Haws

Yunli's outfit is truly packed with details; the color contrast between white and cyan-blue looks exceptionally vibrant. After wrapping up this set in the studio today, the overall results turned out even better than I anticipated, so I hurried to organize and share the raw photos.

First, let's talk about the tailoring and wearing experience of the outfit. This waist-exposing design with layered hems creates great visual layering, but in practice, you have to be very careful about how tightly the waist fits. I specifically wore a seamless, snug corset underneath to ensure the seam of the white outer layer around the chest wouldn't lose its shape. The drop-shaped gem brooch in black and gold at the collar is the highlight of the upper body—it's not just decorative, but also connects two thin red cords. These asymmetrical details instantly give the simple white top strong character recognition. The sleeves are detached sleeves featuring a blue-and-white pattern with gold trimming, giving off the lightweight feel of a battle girl. Although putting on this full outfit with all the straps and tassels took quite a bit of time, enduring this complexity is necessary to accurately recreate the character.

Next, let's talk about how the hairstyle and makeup worked together. Capturing the spirit of the character's short hair really tests wig-styling skills. I specifically trimmed the bangs to be wispy and carefully adjusted the length of the sideburns on both sides. I also used a generous amount of setting spray to ensure that when making big movements in the studio (like opening my arms while holding props), the hair wouldn't collapse or fly around and lose its original silhouette. For the makeup, I focused on sharp eyeliner and vibrant eye color, while adjusting the contact lens color accordingly to give the eyes a candid, confident, yet innocently playful expression.

I also really loved the set design for this shoot. The studio featured dark wooden lattices with a classic circular cut-out doorway behind them, creating a rich traditional depth. The photographer used warm yellow side-backlighting on the screen, forming gorgeous geometric light-and-shadow outlines through the wooden gaps that instantly brought the background to life. The white flowers arranged on both sides and the soft glow of the paper lanterns beautifully enhanced the warm yet slightly mysterious ancient-style atmosphere, perfectly matching the texture I wanted to present.

Of course, the red spherical skewer props in my hands are impossible to ignore. Though not explicitly labeled as candied haws, their plump color and translucent luster are definitely the most playful and lively touch in this shoot. The bright red pops vividly against the dominant white and cyan-blue palette, creating a great color contrast that keeps the scene from feeling too cold. During the shoot, I intentionally spread my arms to form a rough cross composition with the red skewers and the blue-and-white outfit, which not only displays the character's lively personality but also adds dynamic tension to the frame.

As for pose design, most movements centered around these props. Whether holding one in each hand or raising them in a blocking or attacking stance, they made the character look lively and full of energy. The biggest pitfall when cosplaying this type of character is standing still like a fashion model, so I tried to add motion while keeping the outfit neat—especially capturing the natural sway of the skirt and tassels during movement, which turned out great in candid captures.

Every time I do a cosplay and re-examine the details of the outfit and props, I feel that standing in front of the camera wearing them is itself a tribute to the character I love. I'm personally very satisfied with this Yunli cosplay and the traditional studio photography experience. The resulting photo quality is solid, making it a truly enjoyable creation in recent times.