So you’ve got a great costume and the perfect wig, but does that mean you’re all ready to strut your cosplay look? Well, anyone who’s into cosplay won’t deny the fact that make-up is the essential part of the cosplay art. It is the stuff that can either make or break your portrayal of a character. Set up your cosplay game to the professional standards with the right beauty picks.

Without the right makeup, no matter how many conventions you go, and no matter how many pictures you pose for, you’ll still be appalled by the outcome. Bad makeup can wash out your whole face and make you look heavier as well. And the last thing you want at comic con is to look like a random person wearing a wig, rather than really resembling your character

The solution to nailing the best ever cosplay makeup is picking out the right stuff to apply on your face. Yes, it does take a bit of work to get those anime eyes and flawless facial contours down-pat, that’s why we have gathered some of the biggest make-up must-haves you should have in your cosplay kit in order to level-up your look for the next event!

Here Are The Makeup Products You Should Include In Your Cosplay Kit.

Makeup is what gives your look life. It helps you become the character you desire and is the key to looking good on camera or under stage lights. But, not every costume requires makeup whereas some looks need excessively heavy makeup. It all depends on the look so make sure whatever you do doesn’t exceed the limit of your look. 

The key to nailing cosplay is to watch lots of cosplay makeup tutorial and trying it out a couple of times till you get the look you want. If you’re wearing something that obscures your face like a mask, hood then makeup is unnecessary and adding on makeup will be overkill. But if you’re cosplaying an original character and the goal must be to look exactly like the character. So, you must put in the extra effort as you cannot get away without makeup. 

1. Moisturiser

Don’t skip any makeup without basing on a good moisturiser. No matter how organic and miraculous they say it is, but makeup is something foreign to the body. So never apply foundation directly to the skin without at least a moisturiser to bar them off. Moisturisers are also good to keep the skin hydrated and gives it the moisture boost you need before cosplay. The key is to find a moisturiser that suits your skin.

Must-Have Cosplay Moisturiser: Clarins HydraQuench Cream-Melt.

2. Makeup Base 

If you can, invest in a good makeup base would be a good inclusion. A make base can help to even out your skin tone and give your face a canvas-like feel to apply the makeup smoothly. Unlike your everyday makeup, for cosplay makeup, you need an almost airbrushed look because anime, comic book and video game characters rarely have freckles, tan lines or blotches. Plus, a good makeup base can absorb light so you don’t look too flashy in photos.

Must-Have Cosplay Makeup Base: Diorsnow Brightening Makeup Base Color Correction SPF35 PA.

3. Cream Foundation

Foundation comes in several varieties and opacities. For cosplay makeup, we highly recommend you use a Cream Foundation.  It is a thick paste-like foundation that is the most opaque foundation often used by theatrical/stage makeup. You can apply it with a sponge or brush. Crème foundation can even help you change your skin tone dramatically but the key here is to make sure it blends in well as it can easily clot up and create lumps on the face. 

Must-Have Cosplay Makeup Foundation: YSL Beauty All Hours Foundation.

4. Liquid Concealer

While foundation can help hide all the unwanted spots or blemishes, concealer can help completely erase them from your overall cosplay look. Adding concealer on top of the foundation will further hide those distracting circles under your eyes and give you a perfect flawless look. Liquid concealer is the best for cosplay makeup as they glide easily along the face so you won’t get that cakey appearance. 

Must-Have Cosplay Makeup Concealer: Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer.

5. Compact Powder

If you are using a cream foundation you definitely need a compact powder to keep it from smearing or rubbing off. Pressed powder that is usually shaped like a flat disc of solid that comes in a compact is the most ideal type of powder for a cosplay look. They are easy to carry for quick touch-ups throughout the day. Apply powder all over your face and neck every time you feel like your makeup is fading off.

Must-Have Cosplay Makeup Compact Powder: Estee Lauder Double Wear Brightening Powder Makeup and Soft Blur Powder SPF 25/PA+.

6. Pencil Eyeliner

Eyeliner is a must in your cosplay kit. They can give you the edgy dramatic look that you need. For cosplay makeup, we suggest you use pencil liners as they can help you draw for a softer line and won’t smudge off easily as well. Remember, too much liner can make your eyes look small and narrow, so apply sparingly! Also, don’t go for coloured liners and stick to natural colours like brown, grey, soft black and apply liner only to the outer third of your eyelid.

Must-Have Cosplay Makeup Pencil Eyeliner: Urban Decay 24/7 Waterline Eye Pencil.

7. Eyeshadow

Eyeshadows are another necessary item in your cosplay vanity. But again, don’t go overboard cuz most cosplay costumes are usually super colourful so it is better to keep the eyes looking natural. Use browns, greys, or charcoal tones to shade the crease area of the eyelid. And for the middle part go for a shade that matches your costume. And apply shadow with a brush, in very light layers. Start off slow and gradually go thicker.  It’s easy to go overboard but you don’t want to end up looking bruised!

Must-Have Cosplay Makeup Eyeshadow: NYX Professional Makeup Ultimate Shadow Palette – Brights.

8. Eyebrow Pencil

Everyone needs a good tool for their eyebrows. Eyebrows are just as important as the rest of your makeup. Since it frames the face, it can help complete your whole look. Some struggle to make their eyebrows look similar to their cosplay characters. Maybe their eyebrows are too dark or too light. Regardless, you should keep your eyebrows well-groomed with an eyebrow pencil. A dual-ended eyebrow pencil is best as it comes with a spoolie and pencil shade of your choice. 

Must Have Cosplay Makeup Eyebrow Pencil: Benefit Cosmetics Precisely, My Brow Eyebrow Pencil

9. Mascara

Mascara is a great finishing touch to that dramatic cosplay eyes. They can make your lash look longer and fuller. But not all character needs long dark lashes because long dark lashes usually indicate a feminine or very pretty character. Only use a black mascara if you’re going for this look. Whereas If you want the bolder less girly look then go for, brown, blue, grey or even white mascara instead.

Must-Have Cosplay Makeup Mascara: Hourglass Caution Extreme Lash Mascara.

10. False Lashes

With the help of false lashes, you can enhance your eyes so they stand out more. There are different lengths, styles and size for you to choose from. If not, you should also use mascara to help volumise your natural lashes first. This can help make your eyes appear bigger too. False lashes are a saviour for those that have short or droopy lashes that won’t stay up. Not only does it make your eyes pop, but can help enhance your whole eye makeup look too!

Must Have Cosplay Makeup False Lashes: Dolly Wink False Eyelashes No.22 Secret Doll

11. Contour Stick

Contouring is basically the makeup art of sculpting and defining features on your face to refine your jawline, give a slimmer nose, or even create the illusion of having a six-pack or bigger breast. It’s truly a work of magic and can upgrade your cosplay look instantly. If you’re going for a slender, feminine character, then use a contour stick along the brow bone and cheekbones. You can also apply this just under the jawline to create a more pronounced jaw for masculine characters.

Must-Have Cosplay Makeup Contour Stick: Smashbox Shaping Stick Foundation.

12. Blush

Blush is an unassuming miracle worker when it comes to completing cosplay look. Seriously! That’s because blush has the ability and the power to brighten up your entire face and highlight your visage with just a few strategically placed swipes. For those going for a feminine cosplay look, blush is the gorgeous finishing touch. While for those going for a darker or bolder look, try using bronzer as it gives a more natural glow. 

Must-Have Cosplay Makeup Blush: Clarins Joli Blush.

13. Lipstick

Lipsticks are definitely a necessity with cosplay makeup. Even if you are going for a masculine character that wears no lipstick at all,  applying a naturally coloured one would still make a significant difference in the overall complete look. If you are looking for a dramatic lip, then we definitely recommend mixing at least two or three shades of lipsticks for a kickass cosplay makeup look. 

Must-Have Cosplay Makeup Lipstick: Givenchy Le Rouge Night Noir Sheer Lipstick.

14. Makeup Brush

For your everyday look, you can get away with using your hands to apply makeup but for a cosplay look, you definitely need a good set of a makeup brush to help you apply your makeup smoothly and precisely. You need a set of make-up brushes that comes in all sorts of shapes and sizes that allow you to carefully achieve the exact gradients, shadows, and dimensions on your face to accurately emulate your character’s look.

Must-Have Cosplay Makeup Brush: Zoeva Complete Eye Set.

15. Setting Spray

Setting spray is another essential that you carry around with you in your bag. It can help keep your makeup stay in place without too many touch-ups needed. It can also prevent your makeup from smudging, creasing, or fading quickly. For cosplayers who anticipate a long day, or those who sweat a lot, or those wearing easily-stained costumes, setting spray is indispensable.

Must-Have Makeup Setting Spray: Huda Beauty Resting Boss Face Waterproof Setting Spray.