The Ultimate Beginner's Guide to Cosplay— How to draw cosplay makeup for beginners？-03
Cosplay makeup is the most crucial step in bringing a character to life, but it can seem complex and daunting for beginners. Don't worry! This guide will teach you every step of Cosplay makeup from scratch in the simplest way possible. Whether you want to recreate anime characters' dramatic eye makeup or achieve video game characters' unique skin textures, you'll find beginner-friendly tutorials here. Starting with basic skincare, we'll guide you through foundation, eye makeup, lips, contouring, and even special effects makeup, ending with proper makeup removal to protect your skin. Follow this guide and practice, and soon you'll be creating stunning Cosplay makeup looks!
Following the analysis of base makeup and eye makeup in the previous two issues, now let’s analyze lip makeup and contouring.
🔴 Lip Makeup & Contouring: Perfecting Character Dimension
After completing foundation and eye makeup, your cosplay look is nearly finished. Now we move to lips and contouring - steps that may seem simple but dramatically impact the overall completeness and accuracy of your character portrayal. The right lip color brings expressions to life, while precise contouring can reshape facial structure to better match your character.
🔘 3-Step Lip Perfection
1️⃣ Lip Prep:
Many beginners apply lipstick directly only to find the color doesn't show or fades quickly. The correct method is to:
Apply lip balm first (wait 2 minutes to absorb)
Gently cover natural lip color with foundation/concealer This makes subsequent lip color more vibrant and long-lasting.
2️⃣ Lip Lining:
Essential for accurately recreating anime lip shapes:
Start drawing from the cupid's bow, then connect to corners
For fuller lips: Draw slightly outside natural lip line
For thinner lips: Draw slightly inside natural lip line
3️⃣ Color Application & Setting:
Use a lip brush to apply color from the center outward
Blot lightly with tissue, then apply the second layer
Final touch: Use a small brush with concealer to refine edges
🔘 Essential Tools List:
Exfoliant: DIY sugar+honey scrub (weekly)
Primer: Professional hydrating lip primer
Lining:
① Lip liner pencil
② Detail concealer brush
Application:
① Flat lip brush
② Silicone lip brush (non-absorbent material)
🔘 Anime Lip Shaping (6 Professional Techniques)
1️⃣ 3D Base Preparation
Massage lips in "∞" motions with balm for 1 minute
Press with tissue to absorb excess oil (crucial!)
Lightly pat foundation from edges toward center
2️⃣ Precision Mapping
Mark with white eyeliner 5 points:
Cupid's bow peak
Arch transition points
Lower lip center
Reference measurements:
Cute style: Peak spacing = ½ pupil distance
Mature style: Sharp 45° angles at peaks
3️⃣ Contour Sculpting
Hold pencil at 30° angle like calligraphy brush
Top lip: "Shooting star" strokes (heavy→light pressure)
Bottom lip: Even "smile curve" strokes Pro tip: Use "stippling" not swiping motion when refining with concealer
4️⃣ Color Layering
First layer: Thin application then blot
Second layer: Focus on center for dimension Special techniques:
Cute style: Apply clear gloss on cupid's bow
Dark style: Create "shadow triangles" at corners with dark liner
5️⃣ Edge Blending
Use the smallest concealer brush (3mm width) at 45° angle
Maintain 0.5mm natural gradient at edges
6️⃣ Final Setting
Light dusting of powder through single-ply tissue
Setting spray + 3 seconds of cool blow-dryer
Finish with colorless lip oil
🔘 Beginner Lip Tips
1️⃣ Color Selection:
Test on hand/arm - natural lip color affects final result
Cosplay typically requires brighter colors than daily wear
2️⃣ Smudge Prevention:
After application, place tissue over lips and dust with translucent powder
3️⃣ Longevity:
Drink through straws to avoid direct contact
Carry matching lip product for touch-ups
🟡 Contouring for Dimensional Definition
1️⃣ Understanding Light & Shadow
Cosplay contouring emphasizes dimension more than everyday makeup. Remember:
Highlight protruding areas (forehead, nose bridge, under-eye triangle, chin)
Shadow recessed areas (hairline, nose sides, jawline)
2️⃣ Product Selection
Beginners should start with powder formulas (easier to control than creams):
Contour: 2-3 shades darker than skin tone
Highlight: 1-2 shades lighter
3️⃣ Application Techniques
Contour: Use angled brush to sweep from ears toward chin, blending thoroughly
Nose: Start at brows, follow nose sides, and taper at tip
Highlight: Apply precisely with a small brush
🔘 Pro Tool Kit
① Contour palette (powder/cream duo)
② Brushes:
Angled contour brush
Multi-detail brush
🔘 3D Bone Structure Mapping
1️⃣ Landmark Identification
Mark with eyeliner 7 points:
Cheekbone peaks (aligned with outer eye corners)
Jaw angles
emple hollows
Guidelines:
Cheek contour: Line from nose wing to earlobe
Jaw shadow: Start 1cm below earlobe
2️⃣ Precision Shading
Creams: Dab with sponge tip using "stamping" motions
Powders: Blend in "Z" patterns Character-Specific Tricks:
Mecha: Draw "panel lines" under cheekbones
Vampire: Create "sunken triangles" at temples
3️⃣ Advanced Highlighting
Liquid highlighter: Use fine brush for sharp light beams
Powder highlighter: Dust on bone peaks with fan brush
Innovative Uses:
Nose: Leave 1mm bare center for realism Browbone: "Lightning bolt" shapes for edge
🔘 Face Shape Adjustments
1️⃣ Round Faces:
Intensify jawline + temple shadows
Elongate with vertical highlights
2️⃣ Square Faces:
Soften jaw angles
Shadow forehead sides + under chin
3️⃣ Long Faces:
Horizontal highlights (apples of cheeks)
Minimize chin highlighting
Contouring is not necessary, especially if the character you are cosplaying is a 2D image. But for some game characters or real-life film and television characters that require a strong 3D sense, proper contouring can greatly improve the restoration. You may feel that the painting is very dirty when you first practice, but don't worry. After practicing a few times, you will find the contouring method that best suits your face shape!