Day to Fox Makeup Challenge

We attended a postgraduate course by PURA in the morning, and at night attended a Little Prince themed birthday party.  I thought of this makeup challenge transforming into fox makeup in the afternoon without getting back home to get my complete makeup set.

Also this was my first time to do this fox makeup, no practice before (didn't have time to practice).  I just thought, "bahala na si batman".

So here's my look:

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Trying to be Audrey Hepburn

In our last PUA Midyear Convention, there was a theme for the fellowship night.  Since the PUA is celebrating its 60th anniversary, the theme was "1960s".  I searched the net and searched for inspirations:

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Closet Costume: Mime

And so I went to another party and I only discovered that the party had a 'theme' 1 day before the party.  No time to make special costumes, not even have a time to rent some costume online.

I attended for the first time a christmas party from another institution besides UST, this was Cardinal Santos Surgery Christmas Party and it was titled: "Cirque du Surg".  Carnival was the theme of the christmas party.

Looking at carnival costumes, I would really love to be a ringmaster or a showgirl with all the glitters, sequins, wig and makeup! But with less than 24 hrs to prepare, I had to do with what I have in my closet.

Then this came to the picture:

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Closet Costume: Gatsby

There's a trend to making themed parties here in the Philippines, not only children, but adults as well will be dressing up to parties.  One of my favorite costumes or theme is the Great Gatsby.  I love this theme because of its flexibility and it's all about the Accessory, and they look really great in pictures!

Let's be practical, there are some people who will not be willing to spend a lot of money to buy a costume to be used only one night or one party.  But you wouldn't want to be left out in the themed party right? So there should be a compromise between practicality and being true to the theme.

PS: I'll be tackling the female costume only here.

Let's first take a look what do gatsby-inspired costumes look like

Let's break this down, these are the basics:

• The great gatsby has a general theme of: black, white, gold, silver.  You can use the other colors but generally these colors center on this theme.
• Like I said before, this theme is all about accessory/props: feathers and pearls.
• Makeup: Red Lipstick

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Poison Ivy Cosplay

The last of the induction series as a urology resident is the body painting contest.  The theme for this year was Pinagbenga, since the event was held in the beautiful city of Baguio.  I thought of how I can make this my style, and I had to consider certian 'things'.

1. Since I'm the only girl in the UST Urology as of the moment, I can't let those boys paint on my body?! What would my parents think???!!!
2. I don't like paint all over my body! It's difficult to wash off.
3. I need someone to help me in the body paint and in putting on my makeup and costume etc etc

So I decided that I want a character that will feature flowers in her costume (Of course, has to be a she, I don't want to cross dress at least for this event.) I have to incorporate body paint into the costume as well.

So I decided on POISON IVY! I searched the net and found that I really love the version of Uma Thurman.

I was particularly drawn with the glitters to tell you the truth.  

Luckily, the OR staff had a party not too long ago wherein one of the staff nurses had a made to order Poison Ivy costume. I was lucky enough that it fitted me!!!!  Then for the wig, I had to look at olx and found a Baguio-based cosplayer who happened to have a poison Ivy costume for rent.  I just rented the red wig, since I was able to borrow the costume form the nurse already. Plus she helped me with the makeup and body paint as well!

Then I thought that the green part of arms and legs will be the body painting part.  It's easier to wash off since only my arms and legs will be painted, and I will not look ill-prepared since the costume was magnificent, and... it's not too revealing (that's the most important part).

You can see how I made the Headdress, Boot Cover & Arm Band & Leg Band in these respective pages.

I think this was a success even if I didn't win any prize, since I was able to make this into something that suits my style.  Losing doesn't hurt that much (your pocket especially) when you enjoyed doing the DIYs.

Here's an overview of the other contestants of the body painting contest.

Poison Ivy Armband & Legband Tutorial

Another part of Poison Ivy Costume DIY
You can check the Socks Boot Cover Tutorial & the Headdress Tutorial to know how I made those accessory and you can check the overall look in here

Now let's start with my very childish introduction:
Of course Uma Thurman's version of Poison Ivy Costume wouldn't be complete without the glitters!!!!

I don't have time to put on body glitter, so I decided to make an armband and legband (if that's what it's called) instead.

Materials:
Green felt fabric (hard)
Paper & Pencil
Green & Gold glitters
PVA Glue
Elastics
Sewing Kit

Step 1 - Measure your arm width and your leg width and cut the appropriate elastic length.  Sew the two ends together to form a ring. Draw different sizes of leaves into your paper.

Step 2 - Cut these patterns and use them as guide to cut your felt fabric shapes.  Cut many shapes using the different sizes of leaves.

Step 3 - Place some glue onto your felt fabric and pour glitters over them!!  Allow to dry

Step 4 - Glue the pieces onto the elastics.  Remember to use only drops of glue, do not glue the entire elastic and just place the leaves on top, this will harden the elastic and it will not be elastic anymore. 

And you're done!

Poison Ivy Headdress

This is a part of Poison Ivy Cosplay tutorial series. You can check how I made the boot cover using in this page: Socks Boot Cover Tutorial
The arm band and leg band can be found here: Arm Band & Leg Band Tutorial
The overall look can be found here: Poison Ivy Cosplay

Let's first look at our inspiration for the headdress:

The version played by Uma Thurman is one of my favorite versions of Poison Ivy Costume.

Materials needed (I bought everything in Dangwa, except for pliers and glue gun):
red headband
plastic leaves
fake fabric red roses
wire
pliers
glue gun
Fake red crystals / sequin flowers

Step 1 - Remove all the rose buds from the fake flower stem.  Remove also some small leaves from the leaf bouquet.

Step 2 - Using your hot glue, glue the roses into your red headband.
Step 3 - Wrap the wire of your crystals and sequin flowers in between the roses.

Step 4 - Glue in the plastic leaves.  

Step 5 - You're Done!!!!

Here's a picture when worn.

Socks Boot Cover Tutorial

I'll be doing a cosplay soon for an event.  I've been looking for green boots for the look of the character.  But unfortunately, the 2nd hand shoes in OLX are too big for my size, plus I'm not used to wearing boots, so I'm not sure if my feet can tolerate wearing one.

I went to 2 malls, Robinsons Magnolia & SM San Lazaro, no shoes to match the look.  There are green high heels but my feet can't tolerate them... They really HURT! How on earth do people and actresses run in those things?!

I then thought of why not boot covers? Since they're popular to cosplayers, as alternative for their shoes.  You can wear your own high heels which has been proven to be comfortable for you and plus, they're cheap and easy to make.

I asked around Facebook & online shops, how much will it cost me to have one made.  They answered Php 1500.  Expensive! I might as well buy a new pair of boots!

Anyways here is a 'cheat', on how to make boot cover:

Materials:

• A pair of thick socks
• Scissors
• Your high heels/boots

Step 1 - Insert the socks into your shoe.

Step 2 - Cut a small hole at the heel part of the shoe over your socks.

Step 3 - Slide the heel into the hole you've created.

Step 4 - Do the same with the other pair.

And you're done!

Summary:

To see the overall Poison Ivy Look: Poison Ivy Cosplay
To see the respective DIYs in the series: Poison Ivy Arm Band & Legband Tutorial, Poison Ivy Headdress Tutorial

The Makings of Cosa Nostra Headdress

Let me briefly show you how I made the Cosa Nostra Headdress.  Sorry only few pictures since I was in a hurry making this.

Materials I used:

• ribbon hairpiece - I bought this from Landmark, Trinoma
• Feathers
• faux pearl beads
• acrylic gemstones, flatbacks
• velvet ribbon
• E6000 / hot glue gun
• jump rings, lobster locket, extender, headpin
• scrap ball chains

First, you'll measure the circumference of your head then cut the ribbon to desired length

Second we'll attach headpin & um.. I don't know what it's called but it's in the picture. I glued the ribbon using E6000

Then I put in lobster lock & extender to both ends.

3rd: I took some acrylic rhinestones & attached it to the ribbon, using hot glue gun.

4th: I took some scrap ballchains & attached it to lobster locks, then I attached it to big rings.

Then I glued the big rings to the ribbon using E6000

The other ball chains I attached it behind the rhinestones to hide the other ends.

I made a strand of pearls & attached it as well.

5th: I took the ribbon clip, then attached the 2 feathers at the back to give me that 'flapper' feel of the 1920s.

Here's the finished product!

when worn!

Materials for Kairi Cosplay

I just bought the materials I needed for the cosplay. Nakakadrain talaga ang divisoria because of all the people. But it was worth it. Actually i don't know if nakamura ako or hindi... The total of all was 1000+ around 1075 I think for everything, the fabrics, the wig, the shoes, the buckle, the zippers & some swarovski, too bad wala na yun size na gusto ko na swarovski so I wasn't able to buy the size I wanted. Titipirin ko nlng yun swarovski rhinestones dito sa bahay.

Actually yun wig ang nagpamahal, kc P450 yun wig, pro yun ang gs2 ni mama kc dw makapal dw, tska yun color similar sa picture, tpos sbi dw ng nagtitinda is washable nmn dw xa, yun d ko alam, well you know naman in 168, wag ka basta maniniwala sa mga seller. Meron dun mga around 100 -350 na mga wigs, but wla yun color na similar kay kairi, either black, brown, or red yun andun, e kairi is like auburn ba tawag dun bsta reddish black.When I was talking to my mom, sabi ko "ma, ok narin yun 1000 na patahi no, sakanila na yun fabric" sabi ni mama hindi no, "magandang tela yun binili natin, xempre kpag sa iba di ka naman bibigyan ng magandang tela nun."

There's a change of plan by the way. My mom told me that wala daw siya tiwala that I'll be able to make my costume right. hahahha. so... sabi niya, magpapatahi daw ako, siya na bahala sa bayad. =D But I insisted still on making one, sabi ko, I'll just make another version, purple nlng, para di madoble. That's my craft soul being stubborn talaga.

I just hope this project will work out para di nmn sayang pagod namin ng mom ko in searching for all the required materials in divisoria. Sana meron nalang 1 store dun na andun na lahat no? pero wala e, or di lang namin nakita kung meron.

Oh holy crap! I forgot to buy purple thread for the purple dress! hm... isip isip... meron kaya yun tita ko??? or meron kaya malapit dito samin???

I think I wanna cosplay Kairi

I've been searching cosplay characters that I can cosplay. Then I came across kairi from kingdom hearts 2. I soooo love her outfit! I mean it's really cute!

So I decided, if ever matuloy ako in participating sa cosplay, I wanna be kairi. I've talked to some of my friends & they agreed to join me in the cosplay too. They're just waiting for my go signal. Why? Because I have to ask permission from my parents, because I'll be spending & borrowing my mom's sewing machine. I planned on making my own costume. Hopefully I can make it & also make it in time.

My target date is on Nov 8, as suggested by vyron. I originally thought that I'll just wear the kairi on Nov 28 if ever I can help sis nuni in selling in the bazaar. But since my schedule is unpredictable, I set my deadline on Nov 8, because on Nov 8, I'm still on semestrab break, our toxic life in school starts at nov 11.

I'm really excited on making this costume. To tell you the truth, it's the process of making the costume that I'm more excited than the cosplay itself. In fact, I haven't played kingdom hearts 2. I played kingdom hearts 1 before, but didn't finish it. I don't have the patience in playing RPGs for some reason.

To tell you the truth also, I haven't tried making a costume or sewing a dress or any clothing... Never tried cosplaying also.... I'm a little nervous but excited =D

Sana pumayag parents ko... tska sana matuloy to...