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Beginner's Cosplay Essentials
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items Looking to cosplay without breaking the bank? Here are some budget options to start with. The Athena palette and styling tips for cheap wigs are particularly useful. I built up this collection over time, and much of it (especially clothes) can be thr...
Sections
3
Makeup
Wig Styling
Clothing
Makeup
I've had this palette for years and still have plenty of product left. It is oil-based, so you'll want to set with a good powder and setting spray. It blends easily and doesn't feel cake-y on the face.
UCANBE Athena Face Body Paint Oil Palette
Spirit Halloween is a lifesaver for cosplay. Their makeup collection is a pretty solid mid-grade option. This spray has lasted me years and gets the job done on a budget.
Makeup Setting Spray - Spirithalloween.com
This translucent powder is affordable and works great for setting. It also works as a daily face powder that smoothes and mattifies your skin.
Maybelline Fit Me Matte + Poreless Pressed Face …
This is by far the best product I've used for face paint. It's water-activated, and once it dries down, it stays put. Works very well for detail work and for covering large sections of skin. I buy individual colors to save money because the palettes ...
Face & Body Paint | Mehron Makeup – Your Go-to Pro Makeup Brand
Brushes are crucial for effective makeup application. Make sure you get a big fluffy brush, an angled brush for details, and a medium-sized brush for blending.
e.l.f.s Best Makeup Brush Sets - e.l.f. Cosmetics
Wig Styling
Hair rollers, when paired with a shower cap and steamer, work well to bring boring wigs to life.
Amazon.com: Hair Rollers
Dry shampoo works great for de-shining cheap wigs. An easy trick to make them look more realistic.
Amazon.com: Batiste Dry Shampoo
Fabric softener is a must for washing and removing excess shine from wigs.
Amazon.com: Fabric Softener Liquid
Layering scissors are great for adding dimension to wigs. Most natural hair has layers, so adding them to a wig can make it look more natural.
Amazon.com: Layering Scissors
Fabric steamers are great for heat styling wigs. Since many wigs are nor meant to handle heat, straighteners and curling irons can melt the fibers. Mother Birdie has some great wig styling tutorials for budget wigs.
Amazon.com: Fabric Streamer
Clothing
SO many characters can be cosplayed with a simple white shirt. It's a timeless classic.
Amazon.com: White Collar Shirts For Men
A good neutral color waistcoat is a very versatile option that can be used for many characters.
Amazon.com: Waistcoat
A classic blazer is a must. Combine it with the waistcoat and white shirt for a formal look. Blazers are popular in character design so it can be used for many characters as well.
Women's Blazers & Suit Jackets
A good pair of black pants will compliment SO many characters. Plus, you can use them for formal events.
Amazon.com: Black Pants
A classic boater hat also works for many characters.
Amazon.com: Black Boater Hat