Aoba: Dust off your shoulder & Keep Cosplaying

I'm sure this happened to you before as a cosplayer, where some one questioning you about your cosplay.

"I thought his wig was black not dark brown?"

"Doesn't she have the bracelet on her left arm instant of the right?"

"Oh I think his jacket isn't that long, maybe a bit shorter?"

"What happened to your contacts? It's not the right color"

When people question something about your cosplay there are a few reasons

1. They don't understand why you didn't do it like what they pictures, so they want to find out why it's different from the character.
2. Making conversation. Some people are very fast to speak, doesn't really think twice. So to them it's just a question even thought they really don't care how you cosplay your characters.
3. They are trying to be helpful! Either pointing out some details they think you missed or got it wrong, or trying to give you a better choice. 
4. Straight up don't approve! Can't handle the way you cosplay, forcing their rules of how to cosplay on to you.

Out of all four, only the last one is negative the other three sounds like people just want to communicate and talk about cosplay. So tell them why you did it the way you did and keep your mind positive. The more you think ppl are judging you the more everything seem that way. This is a perfect time to be insensitive about what ppl say and give no shitz about what they think. You do you!

It is OK to be a perfectionist and want to nitpick everything about a cosplay. But, it's not OK when you apply those rules on to anyone else but yourself. So concentrate on your own cosplay make it amazing and wear it proudly for everyone else there are no rules.

Aoba Seragaki from Dmmd, Dramatical Murder by Hushy Plushy

 Ik, Ik, Aoba's inner shirt is long sleeve but since I'm doing this in the mid summer I have to change it to tank top or i be drenched in sweat and that is nasty! o3o

HUSHY PLUSHY

http://fb.com/hushyplushy

Tomoe: Finding a Character

A lot of times finding your 1st character to cosplay is really hard. We always have too many characters to pick from or don't even know which character to pick. Either way being indecisive / no time / not motivated enough, are probably some of the reason you haven't started yet.

To pick out a character to cosplay you have to have feelings / some type of interest for that character. You really don't have to LOVE the character to cosplay one, but you have to WANT to cosplay it. If you don't have the interest you might end up quitting in the middle of your costume making or just cosplay it once and really not interested of putting it on again. So, with that in mind I'll show you how  I pick out a character out of ten for myself to cosplay.

Series: Kamisama Kiss  Character: Tomoe  Cosplayer Hushy Plushy

Since there are so many character 1st thing i normally do is pull up a picture of each character. And, have them in front of me on my computer screen.

Next, I list priorities. Detail/ Popularity / Personality/ Personal Interest/ Budget
Write down these five catgores and number them 1 to 5 [1= most important, 5= least important] For me it's: 1 Budget > 2 Detail > 3 Popularity > 4 Personal Interest > 5 Personality

Now the Elimination: Normally this way I can get it down to one - three characters and then I will hand pick.

• Set a Budget [example: $300]: Since I picked budget as my most important one, I will need to think about how much I want to spend on each cosplay and the ones that I can't afford right now I will have to cross them out. [I normally just think about it in my head and come up with a rough number] So, anything you think passes 300 dollars don't look twice o3o!

• Detail of the Costume: Straight up and forward! You guys already know I love to pick cosplay that have good details and colors. Like; Sessomaru, Kouen, Chikage, Taishi Nai and so. Therefore in my list of character at this point I will probably eliminate characters that have some what plain costumes [example: jerseys, school uniforms, shirt and shorts, etc.]

• Popularity: This is probably the least important to some people. I personally like to cosplay things that are easier to recognize. Why is this so hard for me to explain? Example: If you are at a convention and see a character that you know of, you have feels, you get excited and that is the feel i want to give to ppl. 0v0 It feels good to know what character it is ;A;!

• Personal Interest: By this time I think I probably only have about 3 to 4 characters left in my list, then I will go by who I like the best. "Well, duh Hushy, I started off with ten that I like so I like them all, and YES I like them all equally!!". In this case move on to the last choice.

• Pick it out by Personality: In other words, picking it out by which character you like to RP. As for me I don't really RP. No matter who I'm cosplaying I am me. But when you pose for the camera you have to have a few poses and that I consider RP'ing for a brief three seconds. So I will probably think about who's temperament [using the word right? ] i can represent the best.

Normally I don't really need this many steps to find a character. But, budget, detail and personal interest are the once that I always consider when I'm picking out a character. I hope this helps some of you to pick out a character and get started it 0v0!

HUSHY PLUSHY

http://fb.com/hushyplushy

I want to collect weird things

I ordered a few items from TaoBao.com [Chinese online market that is sort of like Amazon] like; a few wig holders, two wigs, a T-Shirt, a pair of slippers and etc. While I was surfing taobao, I came by those very interest items where I just had to add them to my favorites. Every time I look at them they make me laugh and some of them I might even want to purchase just to collect silly things.  

1. Pads that are actually cotton candy. I think I was looking for condom shaped hand wipes when I came by those. The seller did mention it very clear "those are not pads, they are pad looking candy". but on the pictures, the packages does say female pads. I just hope no one get them confused one day.

 2. And of course if i looked for condom hand wipes I must've looked for condom candy.  Here it is we have all kinds of candy that are the shape of condoms. I was going to order a box or two just to try it out different flavors but, since I don't know how safe buying food from China. I left them alone.

 3. I don't even know how I came by this item. I have never seen high heels looking like this one before. When I 1st found it by accident I thought it was a piece of art work =3=

 

I'm not too sure these look any good. I guess as long as whoever buys them likes them, then it is all that matters.

4. Yes! Panties! No, they are face masks that look like panties. And, once again I have no idea how i came by this actual item. I might buy one in the future just to have it. But, is it perverted to wear a underwear looking mask? I have to try it to know >3<!

5. And, the last one. Which is an item that I actually want to have. A sponge that look like a piece of bread! Since I found this after my order. I will have to favorite it and maybe put it in to my cart next time.

On the cosplay side: when the storm is coming but everyone is at the Japan Festival looking fabulous XD Kevin did a great job getting a shot of everyone.

Yato: Be a picky picker for picking wigs!

I think when you shop for wigs on eBay it is very very very important to know some facts about the whole system and what is normal and what is not.

So, I know of many friend of my don't ever order from eBay anymore [we all some what started with eBay wigs right? o3o] simply because it's really just trying your luck to get a cheap but decent product. 1/10 a 10 dollar wig on eBay is very good quality and the rest 9/10 pretty much you are getting a 5 dollar wig for your 10 dollars.

Picture above is two wigs that I've gotten on eBay, at different time periods. On the left is the inner front side of a really cheap purple wig [cost: $6 - $7] On the right is the inner front side of another cheap wig in blue [cost: $9 - $10]. The difference is huge! 

From just looking at the fiber they look about the same. Same amount of Shine but, I'm pretty sure if you  use really high heat [example: hair iron] to style the purple wig probably will melt and get destroyed. [That moment when you fail to put the order right in the picture "purple on left smarty!"]

Not to mention how much hair is on the wig! It's just too obvious! There are plenty of times I found myself working on a wig for hours just trying to make the wig look fuller or making sure the hair net won't show. 

This blue wig in the picture is my very 1st wig and I use it as my Kaito Cos. It's from eBay [don't forget it was only $9 to $10] but it is comparable to EpicCos wigs [Cost: $30] since I also wear their wigs so I know o3o.

So, now we are back to the point that to get good wigs, it is highly depends on how you shop at eBay. "What you see if what you get!" Does not apply to this topic >3<

Watch out for:

• Too many shops on ebay uses the same pictures from one shop to another shop.
• Too many shops uses a wig picture that is only similar to the real product, it's not the same product!
• Some times they will even use famous Coser's photos to say that's the wig they are selling.
• Some times your wig won't be in your mail box with in 45 to 60 days.

The most frustrating part is when you get the wig you won't be able to use it either because, wrong color, doesn't fit, or too thin then it's just waste of your money and time. 

This is the same purple wig when i just got it. I choose to buy a really cheap eBay wig because I planned this out and it will work 0v0! I know this wig will be for my Yato Cos and he is a small project for me so I have a budget, not to mention he's hair is basic it didn't need me to do anything crazy. A cheap decent length wig that can allow me to style my own length according to my face is good enough for me.

So guys, you really don't need good quality wigs for every single cosplay. Just know what you want, what you need, do your research, do your comparison and be a picky online shopper! ;3 hyahaha!

UPDATES: I am considering making my Instagram account in to selfies, with me and/or friends. But, I still think it's a good idea if I upload the selfie itself on my website just in case if any of you would like a more clear/better version of the photo. 

Also, I found a picture from a long time ago that I never added and didn't feel like making a whole new post for one little picture, so it's edited on to this post on the bottom: http://www.hushyplushy.com/2015/11/tomoe-low-maintanence.html 

Hushy Plushy
check out my Instagram

Nai: For your first convention

the awesome Hunter Allison [from facebook] wanted to know if i have any tips for 1st time going to a con. Well yes... yes i do!
1st i would like to say I'm excited for you! I really hope everything works out great. My 1st convention was really bad and here are a few reasons why.

1. I wasn't cosplaying 
2. I'm not social 
3. I didn't take any photos of anything 
4. I didn't plan it either it was last min.

How i would have fun at a con:

1. I would try to meet up with as many friends as i can at a convention. The best way to do it is let them know you want to see them and text or call them to ask where they are to meet up. [now i think about it no one ever ask me to meet up 心痛！]
2. Don't just say hi and leave, HANG OUT! Tag along with your friends you met up with. If they are going to go to a panel check to see if you are free to go as well. If they are not doing anything then stand around and chat with them. [of course read the situation there are times that tagging along = unwanted.]
3. Of course if you are fully planned every hour of your time to an event, panel or such then meet up with friends have to wait.
4. Don't be shy, go up to ppl and ask to take selfies, pictures and have a nice conversation.
5. If you don't have much planned, then relax and look around, especially in the dealers room.

I hope that helps if you have more questions just comment, or inbox me. o3o

Original Character Taishi Nai by Hushy Plushy PC© B.Tse Photography Hushy Plushy - Cosplayer
http://fb.com/hushyplushy

All about watermarks

I want to talk about watermarks on photographs today. Why you should have watermark on your photos. [This is only my opinion: There are no rules.]

You should put a watermark on your photo because of those reasons:

1. Claim your work: There are plenty of ppl out there do not know it is not ok to steal other ppl's photos. Having a watermark will make it a bit harder for ppl to steal it, since you will have to try to either cover the watermark or crop it off.
2. Informative: when someone is interested in your photo it is a great way to let them know where they can find more of your photos. Giving credit as a text link or in the description sometimes doesn't work as well. If ppl save the photo for later views on their pc they won't remember the description on the photo. But, if you have watermark on the photo itself it is way easier to search you up.
3. Artistic: watermark can be a form of art [totally my own opinion >3<]. This is hard to explain but let me try anyway. Have you seen a Chinese watercolor with text or piece of watermark on the side? It is complete only if it was there [based on my grandfather's thousands of artwork pieces]. If it wasn't there I felt like the artwork is missing something, feels less artistic or was only a practice piece.

 

I'm pretty sure we all seen all sorts of watermarks, such as; watermarks that are really hard to read, watermarks that are the center of attention or even big watermarks right on top of the cosplayer. And, I'm very sure you know what they mean but let me make a list 'cause i should be called the listist since I love listing shit!

• Hard to read: Honestly I think it's just a mistake. No one wants ppl not be able to read their watermarks. I have that problem sometimes too where the watermark is too small when resized. But, I hardly ever use fonts that people can't see well.
•  Center of attention: For this type of watermarks you can be sure that the rightful owner needs your attention o3o! They desperately want you to notice and would love for you to care about their other great work. [Personally do not mind, but sometimes it look a bit trying too hard.]
• Covering the important: This type of watermark is either saying "STOP STEALING MY WORK!" or "you want to use this photo? you can, with a small fee."

With this example I hope you get what I mean ;D and yes please check out my half age figures in the photo of my [I love half age figures] Again, there are no rules for how to watermark your photos. Not to mention if you don't want to you don't even have to watermark. I just hope that watermarks won't ruin the enjoyment of a great photo.

LOLOLOLOL, enjoy my watermarks 0v0! [JK] Have a great day everyone!! <3
trolly boy,
Hushy Plushy

My makeup that you can dust off your shoulder

I have been asked so many times about what sorts of make up do I use for my cosplay. Or, if I can suggest any make up that I know that are good for cosplay. I can honestly answer all my make up, which isn't much, are all from your local Walmart!

In cosplay, typically for the a male cosplayer or to cosplay male character they don't have too much variety of colors going on. So, the make up for those characters are minimum. You basically want to look very clean and sharp that is pretty much it [excluding Sesshomaru and such].

So the basic color that I always use are: Black, White, Brown and Ivory [foundation]. It's actually hard to pick out any other color if you asked me for more choices. I think I would have to bust out red for Aoba's eyes and Taishi Nai's outer corners. Even when a character have crazy hair color, I still would rock black eyebrows sometimes.

In the picture are the things that I normally go to for a normal cosplay make up look.

• Contour: I like to contour with any type of matte brown. 
• Eye liner pencils: Black for thicker lining around the eyes, brown for contouring or eyebrows and white for lining the water line ;D
• Primers: Ok I have a eye primer that isn't from Walmart [Shadow Worx] but it's oily so I'm just trying to finish using it and get myself Elf eye primer next time. I also do not like Hard Candy primer so i will randomly pick up something else after i finish this bottle.
• Foundation and Concealer: Again I run in to a store and pick up random shit. So with out doing any research I got the Hard Candy concealer, luckily it is a really good concealer. Foundation I have nothing to say. It's just something to even out my face.
• Eye liners: I use black on top of my eyes and dark brown under my eyes. But, they don't show up well on camera. Just all black. 
• Finishing powder: I get oily and sweaty fast, so I powder my face every few hours to keep myself matte [NOT, I'm really lazy orz! Sometimes I just stay shiny!]. 

Ok, I didn't really go in to too much details on this because I feel like all the girls [and those talented guys] out there probably use way better stuff than me and know way more professional products than I do. So I feel bad listing something so noob but it's be asked for.

P.S -  You guys always say that my make up is great. Thank you so much, but the truth is, the only make up I know how to do is on my own face. If you give me a different face I will be so clueless!

Kaito: Overexposure

Just the other day. I taught my friend how to use a camera. But, it's not easy. Mainly because there are a lot of stuff to remember such as Shutter Speed, Exposure, ISO and Aperture. Just remembering the information doesn't really help much either, it's best to put yourself behind the camera right way while you still remember what is what.

Here is some of my opinion on how to get use to a camera for the 1st time.

1. Do Not Use Auto Mode: You might think well the picture comes out more clear and the color is right when I use auto mode, and on any other mode I get confused what I need to do. Yes, that auto mode does everything for you, but if you don't figure all the stuff out by yourself and learn from under exposure and overexposure mistakes you aren't really learning. 
2. Take Pictures of Everything: Don't just use a camera for a event and then leave it to collect dust for a few weeks/month after. Any chance you will get you should pick it up and shoot. The more you play the easier to remember and understanding your camera.
3. Play With Lens [can't apply if you only have a prime]: If you only have a kit lens then don't forget you have a zoom in and zoom out option. A lot of times my friend never use the lens to zoom in or out, they just forgets it's there.
4. Try Everything: If there is a mode you don't know what it's for, or a feature you don't know about. Try it out [or you can read the manual, but normally i forget right away]. The more things you figure out the more you know about your own camera. If anything goes wrong or you don't know how to set something back just go to main menu and reset your camera to start fresh again.

Anime, Game: Vocaloid  Character: Kaito [Senbonzakura]  Cosplayer: Hushy Plushy

There is many things to learn on a new camera. Don't be afraid to make mistakes and keep trying. My friend did a great job figuring out some of the setting by them self. And, here is a Kaito photo that they took but overexposure [meaning the whole picture was washed out white.] which when you try to balance the color later on in photoshop some parts will turn grey [because the detail is lost].

Tips: Things to think about before buying a wig

I'm not a expert at dying, style nor buying wigs. But, I do love to look for good wigs or at least try. I am here to make a list of what I normally do before I click that buy button. [This is just how i would do it. It's not a instruction, only opinions and tips.]

I have over 30 wigs, it's not a big collection and most of them are very cheap wigs. I try to get them as cheap as they can while try to make sure it's the right color and wearable. The length can be shortened, and the style can be cut to match. For what kind of fiber, I really don't care, as long as it can take some heat such as blow dryer on hot.

1. Study the character you are going to cosplay closely.  Remember all the details or have it on the side while you search for wig shops as reference.
2. Length of the hair. Don't forget wigs can only be longer than the length you want, that way you can shorten it as you like. 
3. Color of the hair. This one I don't think it's that important to match exactly like the character. For example, If a character some times look like he have light blonde hair, but sometimes it look like ash blonde at this point I would just get what compliments my skin color.
4. Style of the hair of your character be very hard or really complicated to do, make sure you look for a wig that have enough fiber to work with. A lot of times cheap wigs have just enough fiber to cover the head you can't really style them but to wear it down.
5. Sizes, This is very important if you have a lot of hair to hide or head size is normally bigger than the wig cap you will have to check out wig cap in Large, or to be sure, be ready to ask for the perimeter of the wig.
6. Wig cap check is optional, but a good idea if you are spending a bit more than cheap. Ask the seller to take a picture of the wig inside out where the wig net /cap is showing. This way you can see how full the wig really is and the sewing quality of the wig.
7. Before you buy, don't forget to check for how much is shipping and handling, store return policy and how long it will take to get to you.

Out of my 30+ wigs. The most comment problem that I have is wig cap too small. The exact color is not important to me, I also shorten and style on my own so these two i have control over. In the end the less you need the easier to buy. [for example; If i was to do a short pink spiky hair. I would just look for a medium length full wig. Because I will cut and style it myself.]

Totally random: Did you know back in ancient China time, a typical man that are righteous normally wears white? This totally explains why Taishi Nai is a demon.[at least all the movies are such ;D]

Cut scene from the movie "Surprise" -万万没想到

Anime Convention Do's but no Dont's

Oh yes, you have heard this too many times. There are plenty of Do's and Don'ts of Conventions on the internet, but I'm just going over the Do's. So here is my opinion / version.

Anime Convention Do's:

• Do plan the convention ahead of time. I'm not sure about anyone else but when I plan something out I am more likely to want to get these things done. Plan out what you are going to cosplay, what panels you want to go to, which meet up event you want to show up to and where you and your friends should go eat after [etc]. 
• Do take pictures of everything that catch your interest. It really doesn't matter what it is. Take a picture of it. I remember ppl mentioning do not take pictures when the cosplayer is busy [that's just a preference from the cosplayer side]. It's your camera, your memory, if you feel like you want to take a picture of some one eating or coming out of the bathroom, JUST DO IT. Unless there is a sign saying "no pictures". [If someone took a really ugly picture of you, just dust off your shoulders and move on because you probably never going to see that photo anyways ;D]
• Do the social! Yes, I know i am really bad at this because I tend to only talk to ppl that i know of and sort of don't want to bother ppl that i don't know. So that makes me only stick around a small group of ppl which really isn't opening myself up to make new friends. But sometimes, when new ppl comes up to the group I'm hanging around with I would love to introduce myself and get a conversation going.
• Do look around and look at everything. You bought a ticket didn't you? Use it well ;D Attend different panels, learn something new, get to know the guests and have fun with all the Otaku. Walk around the dealers room and find good deals or new things that you don't normally see from online shop [but normally you can find them cheaper online o3o].
• Do bring your emergency kit and backup items. A set of comfortable clothes just in case after cosplay you need to go get a drink with friends or go outside. A jacket just in case it will get cold at night time. A pair of slippers after your feet can't handle the cosplay shoes any longer! 
• Do keep yourself clean and fresh! This is important. The better you smell the longer ppl don't mind hanging around you. If someone smell bad, no matter how interesting they are ppl want to end it faster so they don't have to smell it anymore. Also when someone smell bad I'm pretty sure 95% of the time no one will say anything about it. So put on that body spray and pop in a chewing gum if you want to be extra sure.
• Do compliment and ask questions. Compliments are a good way to start a conversation, make them feel you appropriate what they do, then ask questions to let them know you are interested in their cosplay. You could just talk about what you guys have in common, but by asking questions maybe you can find out something you didn't know about making a cosplay ;D
• Do keep negative opinions to yourself. I'm basically saying, be kind to everyone and don't give out any critics on anything. Because some ppl can handle it but others can not. So, just to be safe "If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything".