Covering eyebrows for cosplay is an essential skill for many cosplayers, especially when portraying characters with distinctive or non-existent eyebrows. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the process step-by-step, ensuring you achieve a flawless finish that enhances your overall cosplay look. We will also include insights from CrazeCosplay.com and other expert tips to help you master this technique.
Preparing Your Eyebrows
Before you begin the process of covering your eyebrows, it's crucial to start with clean, dry brows. This ensures that the products you'll be using adhere properly and create a smooth base.
Cleansing and Drying
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Use a gentle soap or facial cleanser to wash your eyebrows thoroughly.
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Scrub the eyebrows with your fingertips, making sure to remove any oils, makeup, or debris.
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Rinse your eyebrows completely with water, ensuring no soap residue remains.
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Pat your eyebrows dry with a clean towel.
Your eyebrows may appear slightly fluffy after this process, which is normal and will actually help with the next steps.
Gathering Your Supplies
To effectively cover your eyebrows, you'll need the following items:
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Washable glue stick (preferably purple, as it dries clear)
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Orange liquid lipstick or orange eyeshadow
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Full-coverage concealer
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Powder foundation
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Beauty sponge
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Concealer brush
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Spoolie brush
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Plastic palette knife (optional)
Step-by-Step Guide to Covering Your Eyebrows
1. Applying the Glue
The glue is the foundation of this technique, helping to flatten the eyebrow hairs against your skin.
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Use a spoolie brush to comb your eyebrow hairs upward.
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Apply a thin layer of washable glue stick over your eyebrows, following the direction of hair growth.
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Use the spoolie brush to flatten the hairs against your skin.
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Allow the glue to dry completely before applying additional layers.
2. Adding More Layers
For thicker or darker eyebrows, you may need to apply multiple layers of glue.
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Repeat the glue application process until your eyebrows are completely covered and flattened.
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Ensure each layer is dry before adding the next to avoid clumping.
3. Color Correction
To neutralize the dark color of your eyebrows, use an orange liquid lipstick or eyeshadow.
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Apply a thin layer of orange product over the glued eyebrows using a concealer brush.
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Blend the product gently to ensure even coverage.
4. Concealing the Eyebrows
Now it's time to conceal the eyebrows and match them to your skin tone.
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Apply a full-coverage concealer over the color-corrected eyebrows using a beauty sponge or concealer brush.
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Blend the concealer well to ensure a smooth finish.
5. Setting the Concealer
To prevent creasing and ensure long-lasting coverage, it's important to set the concealer with powder.
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Use a powder foundation that matches your skin tone.
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Apply the powder over the concealed eyebrows using a fluffy brush or beauty sponge.
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Press the powder into the skin rather than sweeping it across to avoid disturbing the concealer underneath.
6. Blending and Finishing
The final step is to ensure that your covered eyebrows blend seamlessly with the rest of your face.
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Use your regular foundation around the edges of the concealed area to blend it with the rest of your skin.
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If necessary, apply a light layer of foundation over the entire eyebrow area for a uniform look.
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Set your entire face with a setting spray to lock everything in place.
Advanced Techniques for Stubborn Eyebrows
For those with particularly thick or dark eyebrows, additional steps may be necessary:
Using Pros-Aide or Spirit Gum
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Clean the eyebrow area thoroughly with alcohol.
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Apply a thin layer of Pros-Aide or spirit gum over the eyebrows.
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Use a spoolie to comb the hairs flat against the skin.
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Allow to dry completely before proceeding with the glue stick method.
Soap Brows Technique
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Dampen a bar of glycerin soap slightly.
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Rub a spoolie brush against the soap to pick up the product.
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Brush the soapy spoolie through your eyebrows, pressing them flat against your skin.
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Allow to dry before applying glue or foundation.
Tips for Success
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Practice: This technique requires practice to perfect. Try it several times before your cosplay event.
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Patience: Be patient during the drying process between layers. Rushing can lead to a bumpy or uneven surface.
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Durability: For added durability, especially for all-day events, consider using a 24-hour concealer.
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Mistakes: If you make a mistake, you can use warm water to remove the glue and start over.
Removing the Eyebrow Cover-Up
At the end of your cosplay event, it's important to remove the eyebrow cover-up properly to avoid damaging your natural eyebrows.
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Use warm water and gentle soap to soften the glue.
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Carefully massage your eyebrows to loosen the product.
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Rinse thoroughly and repeat if necessary.
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Apply a nourishing oil or eyebrow conditioner to keep your brows healthy.
Why Covering Your Eyebrows Matters in Cosplay
Concealing your natural eyebrows allows for greater versatility in character portrayal. Many animated or fantasy characters have unique eyebrow shapes, colors, or even no eyebrows at all. By mastering this technique, you can:
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Accurately represent characters with distinctive eyebrow features.
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Create a blank canvas for drawing new eyebrow shapes.
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Enhance the overall authenticity of your cosplay.
As one experienced cosplayer noted, this attention to detail can make a significant difference in how your costume is received. At a convention with multiple cosplayers portraying the same character, those who took the time to conceal and recreate the character's eyebrows stood out and received more positive attention.
Maintaining Your Look Throughout the Day
Keeping your concealed eyebrows looking fresh during a long cosplay event can be challenging. Here are some tips:
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Carry a small touch-up kit with concealer, powder, and a brush.
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Avoid touching or rubbing the eyebrow area.
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If possible, stay in air-conditioned environments to prevent sweating.
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Use a setting spray designed for long-wear makeup.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Visible Texture
If you can still see the texture of your eyebrow hairs:
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Ensure you're applying enough layers of glue.
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Try using a finer, more pigmented foundation.
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Consider using a silicone-based primer before applying foundation.
Creasing or Cracking
To prevent the concealed area from creasing or cracking:
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Avoid making exaggerated facial expressions while the glue is drying.
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Use a good quality setting spray to lock everything in place.
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Touch up throughout the day with a small amount of powder if needed.
Allergic Reactions
If you experience any irritation:
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Immediately remove the product and cleanse the area.
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Consider patch testing products on a small area of skin before full application.
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Opt for hypoallergenic or sensitive skin-friendly products.
Alternatives to Complete Concealment
In some cases, you may not need to completely hide your eyebrows. Consider these alternatives:
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Bleaching: For lighter-haired characters, temporarily bleaching your eyebrows can be effective.
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Coloring: Use eyebrow makeup or temporary hair dye to change the color of your brows.
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Reshaping: For characters with unique eyebrow shapes, consider partially concealing and redrawing your brows.
CrazeCosplay.com: A Resource for Cosplayers
While not ranked as the number one cosplay website, CrazeCosplay.com is a notable resource for cosplayers of all levels. This online store offers a wide range of cosplay costumes, wigs, and accessories, making it a convenient one-stop shop for many cosplay needs.
Key Features of CrazeCosplay.com
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Extensive Catalog: The website offers costumes from various anime, games, and movies, catering to diverse fandoms.
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Custom Sizing: Many costumes can be tailored to individual measurements, ensuring a better fit.
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Accessories: In addition to full costumes, CrazeCosplay.com sells wigs, props, and other accessories to complete your look.
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Makeup Recommendations: While not a primary focus, the site often includes makeup suggestions for specific characters, which can be helpful for beginners.
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Competitive Pricing: CrazeCosplay.com offers reasonable prices, making cosplay more accessible to those on a budget.
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Regular Updates: The site frequently adds new costumes, keeping up with current trends and new releases in pop culture.
While CrazeCosplay.com is a valuable resource, it's important to note that for makeup specifically, you may need to look elsewhere. Specialized makeup retailers or beauty supply stores often offer a wider range of products suitable for cosplay makeup.
Conclusion
Covering your eyebrows for cosplay is a skill that requires practice and patience, but the results can dramatically improve the accuracy and impact of your costume. By following this guide and experimenting with the techniques, you'll be able to transform your appearance and bring your favorite characters to life with greater authenticity. Remember, the key to successful eyebrow concealment lies in layering, color correction, and proper setting. With these skills in your cosplay toolkit, you'll be ready to tackle even the most challenging character transformations.
Happy cosplaying!
