Valve's Portal 2; omgyes

I dont even know what to say. The short video preview they were able to show at the sony conference at E3 yesterday was enough to get me squealing like a 5 year old and causing an anurism. I'm okay now, don't worry. Anyway. The game is still in early development, along with Zelda; skyward sword, and we won't be seeing it until this holiday season at the earliest.

E3 highlights; Kid Icarus, a new Zelda game and the 3Ds

Those are just a few of the fantastic new things coming to gaming from Nintendo int he next year.
Things I'm exited about? Kid Icarus, New golden eye, Donkey Kong country returns, Epic Mickey, and possibly the new Zelda game. As a huge Zelda fan- even my ringtones on my phone are Zelda themed- I'm always excited about anything new and Zelda related, but Im sad to see the darker, more realistic graphics of Twilight Princess not returning in the newest edition to the Zelda saga. This is one of those, we'll wait and see things. Also exited about the new 3Ds; the screen plays in 3d, but you dont have to wear 3d glasses! I'm curious as to how its going to work.

Things I'm not excited about?
Kirby; Epic Yarn.
Nintendo..
What.
What.
WHAT are you doing?!

Kirby sucks up enemies and steals their powers. Wtf is this shit!? It's like you've recycled paper mario and just changed the medium. I'm upset and disappointed in you Nintendo.

ll✖ll Need a Dispenser Here! ll✖ll Otakon 2010

I'm Very pleased to announce that this year my cosplay group and I will be donning costumes from the Valve game Team Fortress Two. Here's the line up so far;






The ladies in this years group had to get a little creative when it came to our costumes because, as anyone who plays this game knows, there are no actual female characters. I'm pretty excited to see what the other girls come up with as I've already got the design finished for my medic coat.

I'm also a little excited and nervous about this being my first prop building experience; I'll be crafting the medic's pack and healing gun so we'll see how this goes. If it goes well, you'll get a tutorial of how I went about doing it. Thats all for today folks, see you next time!

Minashi on the red carpet; inspired by chobits

Anyone whose ever read or heard of Chobits knows that the main character, Chi, has got some crazy wicked outfits. Two years ago I did a cosplay of my original charater, Minashi, in what she would wear on the red carpet.

For a very brief background, Minashi is part vampire, part elf, she's from a parallel dimension where she was a royal body guard and a trained assassin. On earth shes been swindled by an old friend, also from her world, into playing the bass guitar in his rock band.

Now if you not more turned around than a prostitute in a threesome, I'll show you some pictures of the costume I commissioned from the very talented Ulrich, greatly inspired by a popular chi outfit.

Here's the original



And Here's mine

skord comi moved!

I moved my comic- some kind of roller disco- to it's own blog, which can be found here!

I'd like a large iced coffee and a double shot

click to view :D

Opening Shift

click to view :D

Just a few other pointers:

If you want to be noticed, people want interesting, big, colorful costumes. We've all seen Thief Rikku...but the more eye-catching Warrior Rikku might get you more attention. Kairi will always get more pictures over Naminé because Kairi's is a little bit more complex and stands out much more than Naminé's white dress. Last year I was a Rock-star character from my novel. Nobody knew who he was, but I wore bright make-up and interesting clothes, so people wanted my picture even though they didn't know who I was.



Original costumes are a plus. I had everyone taking a picture of a man with an arrow above him saying, "Generic Asian Male". It was simple, but funny and original, so everyone loved him. If you try Piccolo and aren't so great, chances are you'll still get lots of attention because nobody really tries Piccolo, and you'll get major props for breaking out of the mold.




People like completed costumes. How many times have I seen someone with an awesome Vash coat...but no Vash hair or glasses? It's a huge turn-off. If they want to see a Vash coat, they will go on eBay. But hey dont' want to see a Vash coat - they want to see Vash.

How do I get people to take my picture?

1. Look confident in your costume.
We know if a Zelda doesn't like her costume, and we know to shy away from her. Smile, walk with purpose, be in character! Just have fun and look approachable.


2. Pose.
Last year there was a few hours where nobody was taking our picture, so what did we do? We sat down and posed, and kept posing. The moment people see you're available for a picture, then they want you. Stand/sit there, be in character, even when nobody is around. Someone will see you, and someone will take your picture. And once one takes your picture, then the hoard will come.


3. Keep freshening up.
It's 5 o'clock on Saturday. You've been at the con for eight hours. Run to the bathroom and reapply your lipstick, your eyeshadow, your eyeliner. Even if you have the good stuff, chances are likely that some of it has worn off. If you always look presentable, then people will want you.


4. Walk around.
I've noticed nobody really takes my picture when I'm in the Artist's Alley or the Dealer's room, or at least not nearly as much as in the halls. There's one reason for that - people go to the Alley and Dealer's room to shop. If they see an awesome Sephiroth on the way,they'll snap a picture, but looking for cosplayers isn't on their agenda at this point. but in the halls, that's where the press is,that's where the cameramen are. If you have nothing to do for an hour until the Masquerade, walk around the halls and enjoy the sights,knowing you're one of them.

What if I'm going alone?

1. Practice, practice.
This goes whether or not you're alone. Know what you're going to say,how you're going to pose, how you'll act. If you're a french maid, what kind of maid? Will you be cute? innocent? sexy? flirtatious? Know all this ahead of time and make it reflect in your pose and attitude.Nothing looks worse than seeing an awesome Roxas just standing there because he didn't know what to do. Know how you're going to smile and pose and be consistent with it.


2. Don't get caught by surprise.
Always be ready for photographers, especially if you have a particularly interesting costume. Be in the "quick pose" mode, as I call it. Have your messenger bag over one shoulder, not over your torso, so you can easily throw it aside and draw that sword of yours.Don't forget that photographers are conformers - if they see two people taking a picture of your awesome Dark Link costume, they'll be inclined to step in and take a quick snap, so don't lose that pose until you're sure that nobody else is interested.


3. Know your limits.
Last Otakon I had a man who was quite interested in my and my friend's costumes. We were half-naked bunnies and kitties! He was asking us to spread our legs, kiss each other, and do other provocative things. Know your limits. If a photog asks you to grab your boob and you don't want to, say so! You're a con-goer, not a professional model. You have every right to deny someone a photograph or a pose. And if he/she insists,call security.

What should I do when I'm in a group?

1. Make sure everyone is happy.
If you all want to do a Sailor Moon group and Ms. Gundam isn't down with it, then don't force it. Either compromise, or do something else.Don't forget that she'll be seen in this costume for over 10 hours,she'll be paying for it, she'll be acting in it. And if Ms. Gundam doesn't want to be Sailor Pluto, she sure as hell isn't going to act that way.


2. Keep the costumes consistent.
If you're all doing an Ouran Host Club cosplay and five of you have the same costume, but your best friend has his uniform made out of a different material, it's noticeable! The same goes with wigs,accessories, weapons, and so forth. And make sure everyone is posing right. If you want your whole Naruto group to pose the same, make sure everyone is aware of that, and everyone knows their place and pose in the group. Be organized and stay communicated.


3. Make sure everyone feels noticed.
Yes, yes, we get it. Roy and Hughes are the main guys in FMA uniform cosplay. But if John McRandomOfficer has an awesome uniform he made from scratch, let him show it off! Don't shove anyone in the back because you or another are in high demand. Have fun with everyone.

How should I take care of my costume?

1. Iron, iron, iron.
Especially if you have a costume that's been shipped from overseas. The seller will cram you and your best friend's maid outfit into a tiny bubble-wrapped package to save a hassle, and when it comes out it looks,like it just got run over by stampeding horses. Iron it, steam it,dry clean it, just make sure the fabric is smooth and crisp for convention day.


2. Brush your wig.
Get a wig brush - DON'T USE YOUR REGULAR HAIRBRUSH. After one or two wears, your wig (especially if it's long and straight) will start to look nappy and bad - kind of like barbie's hair after you just found her after 10 years. It looks bad and won't feel right on your head.I've had to throw many many wigs out simply because I didn't care for them enough. But be gentle with it - remember, a wig can't grow hair.Once hair is pulled out, it stays that way. And if you rip out a chunk because you're tugging on it, it's going to stay that way.


3. Put your make-up on last.
Nothing looks worse on your Sora costume than a streak of foundation that came off when you put the top on. Put your make-up on last and to prevent any powder or liquid falling on it, put a towel over your front and your shoulders.


4. Hang your costume,
don't shove it into a trunk.This especially applies if you have a hand-made costume. The stitching will come out easier, it will tear, get caught and mixed up with other costumes, get lost, wrinkle, or things will fall off. Hang it up, like you would a suit or your prom dress. You never know when you might want to recycle it or let a friend borrow it.

What should I get? What shouldn't I get?

1. In terms of Make-Up:
Get the good stuff. Urban decay, physicians formula, Kryolan, Stargazer...professional makeup! Don'trely on the stuff you get in your nearby Party City. They're meant fora one-time costume party or a talent show - not 10 hours of sweating,walking, talking, posing, flashes, hugs, kisses, tears, food...thesimple fact is that party store makeup doesn't cut it. Spend thoseextra bucks on loose powder (to reduce shine), waterproof eyeliner,professional, high-pigmented eyeshadow, foundation, fixer spray to keepit all on, etc, and practice well before hand to make sure you know/how/ to put it on. Get tips from the internet, a friend, your mother,etc.


2. A wig.
Unless you're being Duo Maxwell and you have long, brown hair, it's not necessary. But if you're planning to go as Axel, Yugi, Chii, etc, get a wig. Hairgel, hairspray, and dye can only do so much, and it takes hours of planning, practice, and executing. Get a wig either pre-styledor do it yourself,and put it on in the morning. If you have a hotel full of 10 eager cosplayers, you can't stay in the bathroom trying to get your gel to work while Mr. Vash wants to take a shower before throwing his coat on.It's more expensive sometimes, but it's worth it.


3. A wig CAP.
Okay, so you've slaved away and spent a ton of money on that awesomeSakura costume you've dreamed of having, and you finally got it, and you put it all together. You stick the pink wig on and you realize,damn! you can still see my black hair through the pink! This is a huge mistake that many cosplayers make. They stick their headful of hair under a wig, and after 20 minutes we start seeing the darker strands.By two hours, nearly all your hair has come out. Get a wig cap. They're cheap, effective, comfortable, and a life saver. They make your pink hair actually look like your real hair.


4. Don't get a satin costume.
They wrinkle, they pucker, they shine against a flash. Satin accents are all right, such as trim, ruffle, or a bow, but avoid a completely satin outfit. You may think you look fabulous as a satin-clad Sailor Moon, but once you see your picture on the internet in a sunny room with a flash, you'll see all the wrinkles or puckers (if you aren't blinded from the brightness firsthand) that weren't obvious in your hotel mirror. And trust me, after many hours, it will wrinkle.



5. Get shoes with some sort of platform.
Even if it's not apart of your character's costume, try to find a shoe with some sort of platform! Even one inch will help. Why? Because if you're walking with heels, you're going to walk with more force than you do while walking on flats. This force will go straight from the floor to the balls of your feet, and over time your feet will HURT! If you get a platform, one that's not too heavy and not too bulky, then the platform will actually absorb a lot of the shock and force that's sent to your feet at each step. It will keep your feet from hurting longer!


6. Get Dr. Scholl's!
If you're going to a convention all day, especially if you're going tobe in shoes you're not quite comfortable with, get some sort of insert!I like the massaging gels, and I notice a big difference when I'm going a day without one! They slip right into your foot, hardly take up any space, and help A LOT!

Prepare your cotsume!

1. Plan, plan, plan.

No cosplay looks poorer than one that's done last minute. And when Isay plan, I mean plan. I usually have a clear idea of my cosplay fornext year a weekend or two after the last convention has ended. Thisleaves a lot of room for changes, preparation, discussion, and soforth. You have time to buy materials, costumes, make-up, get a grouptogether, and add accessories and weapons.




2. Get everything ahead of time.


I mean like, way ahead of time. If a convention is in August, I usuallyhave all to most of my major costume materials in by May. This isespecially important if you are buying your costume from China or Japanand if it is being custom-made. Complications can occur that delays theorder, and you may need to return it or order a new one. If you haveeverything in order, you're not waiting a week before the con wonderingif you'll get your Organization XIII coat in time. This will also giveyou time to make adjustments to your costume yourself and see if it'scomfortable.




3. Put everything on beforehand.

Never, ever, everwait until 8 o'clock Friday morning to put your completed costume on.And when I say everything, I mean everything. Make-up, wigs, shoes,bracelets, weapons, everything. I had a friend once who realized toolate that the wig she had looked horrible with her costume, so she hadtwo options - either take it off and have it look incomplete, or wearit and try to make the best.




4. Don't forget anything!

Nothing is worse than working your hardest to make Sora'sKeyblade...and then forgetting it at home! It's very easy to leave asmall accessory or make-up product at home, so here's what I do: Get anotebook and list everything you need on one page. I meaneverything. Write down your red glitter, your white glitter, yourmake-up remover, your garter belt, your one rainbow stocking and yourone black one. Anything you wear / carry, no matter how small it is,write it down. As you buy it or complete it, check it off. Then onanother page, do the same list, but save this one for when you'repacking. When you put your white apron in the appropriate suitcase,check it off, then go on to the black dress! This way, you'll beprepared and you'll know you have everything.

First Post! Huzzah!

so my plans for this blog are essentially to give helpful tips on make up (both products and application) and cosplay tips for cosplayers both naive and veteran.
Hope you enjoy!
:]