Cosplay Makeup Essentials- My 15 Must Haves For Cosplay

Cosplaying is such a fun hobby and a great way to express your creativity.  There is nothing more exciting than transforming yourself into your favorite characters.  Getting started may seem a little daunting, but fear not!  Once broken down step by step, cosplaying is simple and extremely rewarding.  In this article, I will be listing and going into detail about all of my cosplay essentials needed to create a flawless makeup look.

Disclosure: Some of the links below may be affiliate links, which at no extra cost to you, I’ll get a small compensation.  But don’t worry, I’ll only link to products that I have personally tried and loved.  Using my links also helps me out a ton!

0. Pre-Step: Face Preparation

Before I get straight into the makeup products, it is very important that I prep my face the night before.  I am currently using Hada Labo Tokyo Gentle Hydrating Foaming Facial Cleanser.  Using a face scrubber, I lightly brush my face in circular motions with a gentle face cleanser.  This helps exfoliate my skin and removes any dead skin cells.  I always avoid face cleansers geared toward acne removal, as these tend to dry out my skin too much.

After exfoliation, I pat an Anti-Aging Hydrator onto my skin and I gently massage a moisturizer into my face to prevent any over drying and skin pealing.  The moisturizer I am using now is Hada Labo Tokyo Skin Plumping Gel Cream.  Doing these two steps the day before makeup application will leave my skin smooth and ready for any type of makeup.

Having a great base is always important to ensure my makeup applies smoothly.  Because my skin tends to be on the drier side, these steps are extra important.  Without removal of dead skin cells and moistures, dryness of my skin can be seen even after my makeup application.  Think of your face as a blank painters canvas.  Before the painter starts, she must remove all dust and debris that may be present on her canvas.

1. Beauty Blender and Brushes

My most used makeup applicator is my beauty blender.  It is important to have the correct brushes for makeup application.

2. Primer

Primer is very important for creating a clean polished base.  I personally do not have the smoothest skin and I have large pores that are visible.  Baby Skin Primer helps fill in my pores, acne scars, and any other deviations that I have on my face.

3. Liquid Foundation

The application of foundation is where we really start to see the magic of makeup.  I personally use Maybelline Fit Me Matte + Poreless in 128 warm nude.  Finding the right color for your foundation is key.  What can help with finding the correct color, is knowing the color of your undertone.  A tip that I learned was looking at the color of your veins.  If the majority of your veins are blue or purple, you will want to go with a cool undertone.  If your veins are a mixture of green and blue, you will want to go with a neutral undertone.  And if your veins are green and brown you will want to go with a warm undertone.

When I apply my foundation, I do so with thin layers at a time.  I place the liquid foundation on the back of my hand and use a beauty blender to apply.  I start with the outer part of my face first and work the makeup inward.  Once I finish with a layer of foundation, if I feel it is not enough, I will go in with a second and even third layer.  I am not modest with my foundation, I tend to use quite a bit.

4. Liquid Concealer

I use my concealer to hide those extra stubborn blemishes and to also brighten up the center of my face.  I am using Naked Skin Color Corrector in the color pink.  This is on the pricier side, so feel free to find something more affordable.  I place my concealer in the center of my forehead, in between my brows and drag a straight line down the center of my nose to the very tip of my nose.  I also conceal under my eyes, the inner most part of cheeks, just above my top lip and just under my bottom lip.  Again, I use my beauty blender to blend everything together.

5. Cream Contour Stick

My absolute favorite way to contour my face is using a contour stick.  Since my skin is on the lighter side, I use L’OREAL Crayon Corrector in medium/deep (n6-7-8).  It is super simple and easy to apply under my cheek bone, my jawline, near my temples and shaping my nose.  Once I have made those lines, I really take my time blending it out evenly.  Try not to over blend to the point where it is not visible anymore, but enough to where you cannot see the harsh lines.

6. Liquid Highlighter

Liquid highlighter is great for bringing out the high parts of your face.  I use Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector Liquid Highlighter in the color Moonstone.  It really gives your face a nice glow and accentuates your best features.  I place liquid highlighter on the top of my cheek bones, a little above my eyebrows, just above my top lip and to the tip of my nose.

7. Baking

It is always a great idea to bake the center of your face.  What baking does is help set your foundation and other liquid makeup that has been used on your face.  I use Airspun Loose Face Powder in the shade Translucent.  I leave the powder on my face for about 5 to 10 minutes, and the heat of my face will set the powder.  Once it is done setting, I take a large fluffy brush to pack it on and sweep away the excess.  This is very important to keep your makeup long lasting if you are going to be wearing your makeup all day or to an event.

8. Bronzer

Bronzer is great for giving nice color to my skin.  I currently own NYX Professional Makeup Matte Bronzer in shade medium.  I place the bronzer on the same places I placed the contour stick; below my cheek bones, jawline, temples, and if I want to shape my nose even further, I would do so now.

9. Eyebrow Pencil

A lot of characters have brown/dark eyebrows, so the eyebrow pencil I use the most is a Brown Super Fine Microblading Pen.  Having neat clean shaped eyebrows help wonderfully with the overall look.

Another use for the eyebrow pencil is for making freckles.  I start from the bridge of my nose and gradually work my way outward.  Make sure not to press too hard, freckles are suppose to look light.

10. Eyeshadow Palette

Having an eyeshadow palette with a wide variety of colors can be very useful for many cosplay characters.  If you are looking for a shimmering eyes or even smokey eyes, I would suggest this Nude Warm Palette.  But if you are looking for brighter colors, you will have a lot of fun with this 60 Color Eyeshadow Palette.  Not only can you use eyeshadow for your eyelids and under the eye, I have also used eyeshadows for my lips and as blush.

11. Pencil or Liquid Eyeliner

Eyeliner is very important for creating the perfect shaped eye.  If I want my eyeliner to have a sharp wing, I will always use liquid eyeliner for that.  When I do not need any sharp lines, I will use pencil eyeliner.

12. False Lashes

False Lashes are what really give my eyes a larger feel to them.  I have noticed that the longer lashes I use, the better they look in photos.  I also use false lower lashes for extra enhancement.  If you hate putting on false lashes with the traditional glue, you many want to try Arishine Magnetic Eyelashes.  Check out my review for them for extra information.

13. Blush

Placing blush on your cheeks will definitely give you a more Kawaii Look.  Many anime characters have cute rosy cheeks, and blush adds a great feminine touch.

14. Lipstick

Bringing color to your lips is always a great idea.  Often times after my makeup application, my lips will be left looking like the same color of my foundation.  Adding red color to the inner most part of my lips or even a nude color helps bring out my lips so they do no blend in with the rest of my face.

15. Setting Spray

Setting spay is the final step.  I currently use NYX Professional Makeup Setting Spray.  This helps keep my makeup in place and prevents it from melting during hot days.

Cosplay Makeup Essentials – Final Thoughts

If you have made it this far, congratulations! Your cosplay makeup is ready for an audience!  All faces are different, so I encourage you to play around with your makeup and see what styles and what looks really fit you well.  Luckily all these products can be found at very affordable prices.  Because your face is such a sensitive area, always be sure you are using quality products.  If something does not agree with your skin, remove it right away.

For those of you with tons of makeup like me, I would highly recommend this rolling makeup suitcase.  It conveniently fits all my makeup for any occasion.  If this article, Cosplay Makeup Essentials, has helped you with your makeup, send me a comment down below! I would love to hear from you!