/cgl/ - Cosplay & EGL

>>9615468
There actually are quite a few guys who have potential to be real hottie cosplayers at cons, but a lot of them don't invest in the little details such as natural makeup, styling wigs, and steaming/ironing their clothes.

It may not seem like much, but when you're walking around cons your skin will sweat, get flush -- you know, just the regular stuff that all humans do. Add natural imperfections such as red spots and old acne scars, and then everything will make your overall cosplay look less polished.

Seriously, dudes, play around with Korean BB cream samples, or if you're dark-skinned then play around with drug store foundations (a lot of drug stores offer refunds on opened makeup that doesn't work out).

We're not expecting you to become a contour master or learn to apply every shade of the rainbow to your eyelids. Just even out your skin tone, and you will look less tired and gross. Don't forget to buy makeup remover.

Men are not more passive. It's just that mainstream culture tends to discourage men in learning the details of makeup, sewing, and clothing at a young age.

One could argue carpentry is a "traditionally male" skill that helps for cosplay items like props, but sewing and makeup are essentials for cosplay, and it may take a guy until his "not give a fuck anymore" stage in life to begin to start sewing for himself and not for a home economics class.

Product marketing is already honed for this acculturation. At the first sign of puberty, marketing for young women is "OMG you need makeup and skincare and clothes because your looks will always be judged! Of course makeup and skincare are different product types, are you an IDIOT", whereas marketing for young men is "here is a razor for shaving, and some acne wash if you have zits, go get 'em kiddo". Any young man interested in makeup, clothes, or in any way grooming themselves can easily get labeled as gay or sissy in high school circles and socially ostracized. Of course, most men and women will eventually graduate high school and that mentality, but that time in high school is still a good amount of years during which you could have been honing any skill that applicable to cosplay.

A 18-year-old woman who had been experimenting with makeup and posting selfies to facebook since 12, is more likely to know what kind of foundation shows up well in photos and IRL, and will buy and wear it every day for work, whereas a 18-year-old man who cosplays for the first time may more likely recoil at the thought of makeup at a three-day convention.

Of course, all these skills can be learned with online forums, youtube makeup tutorials, and practice. Thank god for the Internet.

Don't be discouraged. It's never too late to learn new skills.

God speed, male anons.

Pet peeve in that it does no't enrage me, but only makes me sigh: cosplayers who wear zero makeup.

In cosplay see it happen more among men than women in cosplay, but I see it in a few women as well.

Even if you are a perfect flawless natural beauty, the sweat and oils that normally come from your skin will accumulate within the first hour of wearing that cosplay, and add a noticeable shine in your appearance. In your photos, the shine, small blemishes, and areas of redness will be even more pronounced.

Get some BB cream or foundation that matches your skin tone. Mix two different bottles if your skin tone doesn't perfectly match any one product. If you are a super-pale, there are even bottles of pure white foundation sold that are meant just for mixing and lightening up normal bottles of foundation.

Everybody -- guys, girls, and all in between -- will overall look healthier with some natural makeup.

I'm not asking you to learn2contour and have your eyes go smokey-artsy-fartsy with gold glitter eyeliner. Just have a light, natural-looking layer on. Most women who work in office settings already do it at least five days a week; people just don't notice or think about it because it's makeup meant to look natural.

Whatever gender you are is no more an excuse in this day and age. There are South Korean BB creams marketed towards men (with samples), and you can buy drug store Western brands online without setting a foot in a store. There are also nice stores like Sephora or Nordstrom where the employees are trained to guide beginners into makeup without judgment.

Makeup can look very intimidating to beginners, but there are plenty of cheap options, and there are tons of youtube tutorials available.