When shooting this custom design cosplay look for Shimoe Koharu, what I thought about most was how to balance cuteness with a subtle touch of mystery. As everyone knows, the character design of Shimoe Koharu in Blue Archive is very distinctive, so I put considerable effort into the hair and makeup.
Because I decided to go with a sweet, cute style for this custom design, I deliberately chose this light pink twin tails wig with blunt bangs. The hair has a beautiful natural sheen, and the thickness of the bangs perfectly frames the face. The pink halo headpiece overhead and the large black feather wings on both sides create a striking contrast in color and motif—one symbolizing purity and delicacy, while the other carries a demonic or dark visual punch. I really adore this kind of gap-contrast.
For the makeup, to maximize eye enlargement, I tried contact lenses blending light pink with subtle violet undertones, paired with generous sweeps of pink blush across the upper and lower eyelids alongside dramatic false eyelashes. The lower eyeliner was given a distinct touch to make the eye shape look rounder and more stylized, better matching an anime CG aesthetic. The base makeup was kept light and sheer to retain authentic skin texture without looking cakey or mask-like, while the lips were finished in a natural dusty-rose peach tone that harmonized smoothly with the overall palette.
For the outfit, I picked a top featuring off-white lace and pearl woven embellishments. The silver-and-pearl heart pendant at the neckline is a detail I especially love; it draws the focal point effectively, breaking the monotony of broad white areas. The sleeves are puff sleeves shaped like flower buds, trimmed with delicate pearls and bows, creating an intricate yet exquisite overall aesthetic. Combined with a slender black choker, the neckline is visually elongated. With custom-prepared outfits like this, the finest details often lie where the eye cannot immediately see—such as the durability of the seams and the softness of the lace—which only the wearer truly knows.
When taking these photos, the locations were quite casual—just ordinary mall corridors or convention rest areas. Sometimes, everyday ambient light actually produces a far more natural feel. In the first photo, I placed an index finger against my lips with a zoned-out gaze, attempting to convey the character's signature innocence or slight confusion. In the second photo, I used a black heart graphic cover-up, aiming to create a bit of mystery. The third photo is one of my personal favorites: closing my eyes, slightly tilting my head, and resting my chin in my hand, where the makeup, wig, and costume borders blended together seamlessly at that instant.
Naturally, selfies call for fun interactive props. The last two selfies holding a pink Monster energy drink weren't deliberately planned; I simply bought one because I was thirsty, and feeling that the vibrant can created a lively color pop against my pink wig and outfit, I snapped a few casual shots. Even just holding it in front of my chest instantly infused the frame with authentic everyday life. This spontaneous, slightly otaku-like interaction feels delightfully true to her everyday character setting.
Regarding post-processing, it was mostly fine-tuning skin tones and soft glow without drastic face-slimming or body warping, aiming to keep the overall tone soft and luminous while preserving realism. Because this was a "custom design cosplay" concept, I blended styles on top of the original lore—retaining Koharu's angelic motifs and cute style traits while showcasing my personal aesthetic preferences through the garment tailoring. Walking around conventions or shopping centers in this outfit, occasionally hearing fellow fans murmur, "That's Koharu, right?" brought an irreplaceable joy of being recognized. When it comes to cosplay shoots, what I truly enjoy is participating throughout the entire journey from makeup and styling to shooting and editing. I only hope these spontaneous mobile phone captures can convey my earnest passion for this character and hobby.