The realm of cosplay has been defined anew as of late, surpassing archaic misconceptions of it being strange or difficult to understand. Proving as the ultimate space for freedom of expression, it’s gained traction over the years, with more and more cosplay content creators changing up the flow of the game on social media platforms. No longer can they be reduced to mere attempts with varying wig shapes, coloured contacts or simple costume alterations—but they require actual work to unveil the grand transformations that the space so truly desires. Here, there’s no doubt that cosplay has long had its intersections with the beauty scene but perhaps that dependence has only intensified by leaps and bounds.
After all, with much of cosplay in Japan often attempting to emulate the high-octane visuals of manga and anime characters—an entertainment landscape where its fictional characters are as whimsical and idiosyncratic as can be—it’s only natural that the OTT nature of it all has bled into the aesthetic preferences of Japan’s street set. Although cosplay is a subculture where entire looks are mimicked, much of the techniques and make-up effects also overlap with other smaller Japanese subcultures, such as ever-prevalent kawaii themes or the gothic lolita.
When viewed across the board, an entire spectrum of hair and make-up elements borrowed from these various subcultures are often brought to life in their own little ways. Should you view it from a perspective of infusing fun and allurement into your beauty adventures, then they’re surely a brilliant way to effuse the same eclectic sense of experimentation we so often need to cut through the drab of our everyday lives. From white lashes and puppy eyeliners to the now-trendy hime haircut, discover a range of Japanese make-up styles you can now adopt in your own attempts.
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Yami kawaii: @hakukaze
Anyone acquainted with Japanese media and entertainment might recognise the term kawaii—in reference to an extremely cute appeal. But where yami kawaii is concerned, the subculture is a possible counter to its original derivative: yume kawaii. Whilst the latter is concerned with a brighter, candy-coloured world, the former instead introduces a sinister effect into the mix, with an emphasis on a darker, more sickly aesthetic. This might involve contrasting one’s peepers with bloody streaks across the face, adding plasters or bandages and drawing fake scars around the eyes.
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Yami kawaii: @syu803
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Puppy eyeliner: @saistyling
Forgo the iconic cat eye for a cutesier rendition in the form of puppy eyeliner. Aptly named thanks to its striking resemblance to ‘puppy dog eyes’—the pleading, innocent expression sported by canines—it involves extending eyeliner flicks and sloping it into a downward motion instead, which, thus, grants the illusion of wider, rounder peepers.
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Puppy eyeliner: @djharuharuka
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Hime haircut: @hang_oroshi
Whilst the hairstyle may be gaining a steady stream of followers as of late, one might be compelled to know that its origins are rooted in an age-old Japanese coming-of-age tradition for royal women. Known as binsogi, noble or royal women—which translates to hime in Japanese—who would cut their hair to the length of their ears when they turn 20. In today’s aesthetic realm of Japan however, it is most closely associated with the gothic lolita that leans into a darker, Victorian-inpsired aesthetic. To achieve the face-framing, your hairstylist should section out a part of your hair from the front to create sidelocks; this will be the section that will receive a blunt cut—preferably to the same level as your cheekbones. The longer your already-present tresses, the more disconnected the look.
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Hime haircut: @xiaqua
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White lashes: @aru.rinh
While anime has demonstrated diversification as of late in terms of methods of storytelling as well as art styles, one thing remains constant: the utilisation of vivid, vibrant hair hues for its cast of characters. Stark white strands remain to be a popular choice amongst animation studios; a striking shade which is oftentimes paired with fluttery snow-white lashes. Much like how white eyeliner provides a graphic and standout approach to lids, fluttery white lashes, too, can help achieve the same effect with a softer touch. Go the whole hog and pair it with bleached white arches to complete the look.
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White lashes: @miiacos
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Igari hangover: @yashafluff
Lean into the drunk aesthetic and achieve the igari hangover look with this simple tip: extend your blush through your cheeks via your nose bridge. A look that’s increasingly popular across the globe, the main point is to mimic the slightly dazed and flushed mien you would have when you’re intoxicated. Pair it with a soft brown shadow and a smudged pout for full effect.
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