I was not sure if this should go in the mana cosplay or not.

I was just bored, with nothing to do, so I was what the hell. It would be fun.

The result was not quite Mana, so I decided to stick with my handle...Pythos, LOL

So here are the results of boredom.

Yea, I cosplayed, but by myself:(

I was happy with this shot, I thought it would look terrible, what with the crummy makeup and all, you tell me. Plus my wig was a little worse for wear, need to replace it. But it worked pretty well, for these.

Then I decided a full shot in a manaesque (is that a word? it is now) pose. This is the most "elegant" outfit I could make, most of my old goth stuff is gone.




I'm gonna rework this one with some interesting back round.

This however is my favorite, once again a possible rework for the back round is in order, what say flames? Lol Nah, that's been done by a certain someone, How about a moonlit forest, with a dragon asleep behind me? (ponder)




and yes there is the DIX on me forehead.





A rather demure shot.

Then I decided a little twist with old Malic Mizer Mana, mixed with current. So I put on the chenongsam, but kept the Mdm head style. I would have liked some tall platforms, but my height would get ridiculous.



And a more demure, yet still sinister looking Pythos



And last but not least, a critter shot. Meh little fuzzball Marble. She had no idea what to make of this visage striking her beady little eyes;)



Ok guys (by that I mean men of the forum), I may have demonstrated a guy can kinda pulll off a Mana look. It was fun. I just would like better make up, and definitely wig. So is a guy cross playing when he dresses up as Mana? Confusing.

I wonder if I should go like this to the US concert if I get to go? :dix: :mana: :dix:


(note please tell me if this does need to be put in the mana cosplay section)

I think it suits fine where the thread is.
It is not totally a Mana cosplay as such, more a weird combo of what you came up with. :)

And yes, men can do the Mana look. Do like your outfits, and a cute critter you got there. ^^

True, the boots look a bit weird with the chenongsam, but whatever. :P

I think its really good for a trial! I love male Mana cosplayers and lolitas, because they always seem so unique to me -- you just don't see them all that often, which is a shame. ): I think guys should be encouraged into substyles such as these more often! :love:

I've got a suggestion with the make up for you if you'd like help!(^^)v I think you should try to experiment a little with a more natural color base, rather than theatrical white. Mana actually doesn't wear completely white make up, he wears a natural porcelain base and uses a mineral powder (I think thats what its called) over it. I think at first it seems like that wouldn't really work, but I actually find it quite effective. Heres an example of how I do it with the natural base and mineral powder:



It can still look that Mana-white shade and doesn't show any splotches this way (it also takes a lot less time and effort than applying the theatrical make up).

But I think you did good! I like that second dress especially because I've seen pictures of Mana in a very similar dress! :D I think you can definitely pull off a perfect Mana cosplay, so keep at it! <33

Huh, I hadn't thought of that. But on closer look his is indeed not stark freakin white.

So Natural Porcelain base. Forgive my ignorance but by base you mean a replacement for the stage make up I used, and then apply a Powder over that. So what about the eye make up, like in the close up my eyes are surrounded by red, some is just my eyball itself, but the other is my eylid, is that just something that can't be helped?

My experience with makeup is sporadic ventures in the goth scene, and a broadway cats costume I wore for one Halloween. In these the white make up worked fine.

So the porcelain base, can I get that at a theater store, or a makeup shop.

Oh and thank for the compliments, it was fun. I personally liked it myself, but did think the white was too "the crow-ish". Want to avoid that image like the plague. Lol

That waist cincher is total ass kickery!
You can get a good porcelain base just about anywhere. L'oreal carries a few types of porcelain base foundation.

I always use some concealer to fix my uneven tone, then a layer of liquid foundation and then some fine pressed porcelain color concealer. If you want to get a bit more pale yet still not blinding white, you can use a wide dome brush to cast some white fine pressed powder on your cheekbones.

As for your "red around the eyes" problem, use a white eyeliner pencil, or a light peach one. Many Japanese do this to widen their eyes, and this helps with the placement of false eyelashes. Which is a whole different beast of its own. False eyelashes improve Mana cosplays dramatically!

I am goth like so I do this to myself just about every day XP

very good i like it :D

So I got some actual foundation. Two actually. One that was this very pale purple, that I was gonna use to get things right, and the porcelain base for when I get things right. I tried to use an eye liner pencil for the lines coming off the eyes, and around, well the darn thing failed...badly. It dragged along my skin causing ripples in the lines, and when I went to sharpen it, it wouldn't. It was cheap. So I resorted to the black costume stuff. The green eyeshadow is due to my blue being dead. I put some white powder over the base, and the effect is more like I would like, next week I am trying the porcelain if I get the time.

One of these times I do want to pull of the actual Mana Mdm look, but I need a wig like his hair, and the dress, corset, and other stuff. I am thinking this for a Halloween costume possibly, since it doesn't look promising for me to go to the anime convention.

First a face shot.



My right lip has more of an arch than the left causing a sneering appearance I was none to happy about, but I do like how the skin looks, if with some blotches, that should go away with more attempts.

I also made some claws, these were a right pain, but they look cool




And then some photo shop (paint) fun. Yes it's a rip off, but I like;)



Heh, this was fun, if difficult with the claws. They are aluminum trimmed and shaped, and would not attach with anything, including super glue!!!, I ended up taping the things on.

I think these ones are a bit better, but as I said, I would love to actually do a true to :mana: costume.

i like what you've done!

the first pics you posted was really mana-ish (sp?) xD specially this

the second pics you posted you kinda reminds me off Nikki Sixx! <3

I'm agree with Sarah about the non completely white makeup for a MdM Mana. I remember once in a convention i saw a guy wearing this white make up and it looks like he was wearing a mask xD was too much make up!
it was funny!

besides the make-up everythings really nice ^^ i think you have the right Mana-attitude!


ah! yeh! and the fake eyelashes Porcelain mentioned are important too to give you a more femenine-beauty appearance.

But, but, the second set was with "proper" make up. Ugh, back to the drawin...er, powder room.

*lights candle and dejectedly heads for a door labeled "black powder room"*

NOT THAT ONE!!!!!!

*BLAM* :K2:


And I look like Nikki Sixx?

LOL, the Bassist from one of :mana2:'s inspiration. That's great!!!

I was looking for comments on my Paint work with the second attempt, and on the crummy claws.

I am gonna continue work on this though. What hints would you offer for the white though?

When my friends first saw the first, and then second sets, they were floored, they a)did not recognize me (guys and girls), and B) thought I looked hot (ladies). (I have odd friends). :K2: :mana2:

I think you are looking good! :K:
I will though post a few suggestions.

The make up, you are doing very well, but yyou still have some blochyness. If you do go for the white white, then try using Ben Nye makeup. You can put a thin layer of that on then the slight skin tone mineral power for a bit more of a natueal tone and that would look great!
The lips try using (this is what i do and you may have better just a suggestion.) clack lipstick but butting a bit of black eyeshadow ontop of that, it gives it more of a matte look instead of that rediculously shiny look. Then you put a clear coat over that and bam it is awesome!
Another thing is that i think you might be going a bit too far down on the crown base (the part right under the nostral i can't think of what it is called). Try using your part and just dipping it a bit further down not all the way to the bottom of the lip...
sorry if that is not clear i can't htink of the right works for this.

Clothing wise, I love your outfits, but try doing something with a bit more of an aritsocratic feel to it. You can wear outfits that look like ones he has worn or you can get things that work with your body AND look similar to what he wears.

Those are just suggestions like stated take them any way you will ^W^

Yea, the blotchiness I think is something that goes away with practice. This round was just a trial with the new foundation as opposed to theater makeup.

As far as the lips go, I did kinda exaggerate the "V". That is one of my favorite characteristics of Mana's make up style. It if very distinctive, but in this attempt it was a bit too low. The lipstick was also cheap goth make up. Not sure about the clear coat. I know that for painting aircraft, but one's face? Intriguing. My lips that day were very cracked, so I think what you may see as shine is just really ugly lip texture.

I do have to work on the eye makeup though. This time was worst than my first attempt really. Not too hot on the false eyelash thing too, though I may try it once the overall look gets better.

I intend to get an outfit similar if not dead on to Mana's might enlist my friend with the project, she may like to do it. If not, I'll work on something that is kinda mana like, just my own style. As I posted earlier most of my nice gothy shirts went away for some darned reason, and I haven't really replace them.

I know the platforms are a no. I'd be bonking my head into doorways every where, lol. One of my friends has already offered help to make my 10 year old wig look like Mana's hair of the early MDM (she thought it just looked wild and awesome, compared to his newer, shorter look) so we shall see what happens with that. She was suggesting adding more hair pieces to it, not sure how that works though.

This whole project is without knowledge of the parental unit (I hate hiding, but she would have a fit if she learned her boy is messing with makeup, I know lousy reason) But when it is completed, she will see it on Halloween. To her and most, it would just be a freaky looking costume, but Mdm fans should recognize the idea anyhow.

Rambling. sorry.

If you want to do a really good cosplay, you need to have:
*natural manaish hair.
*natural pale/light yellow skin
*Mana's height and body type
*good face features
*Mana's attitude
*experience in make-up doing

If you don't have all these things, you won't be able to look exactly like Mana. That is what i think. But (sadly), not so many people have all these things, right? I think even when you dont have everything Mana does, you can cosplay him.

I have found many people have problems with making Mana-Sama lips. It is because of the difference between your own natural lip shape and Mana's natural lip shape. But i think you did those lips pretty well.

Platforms is an important thing in Mana cosplay. He wears probably 17cms platforms, so yeah.. he is arround 190 then XD. I have ONLY 10 cm platform, so i am "only" 183 XD. But i wish i had 17 cm platforms, then i would also be 190 XD. You can choose platforms that wouldn't be as high as Mana's.

Well, this list knocks out nearly every Anglo saxton descended person :)

If you want to do a really good cosplay, you need to have:
*natural manaish hair.
*natural pale/light yellow skin
*Mana's height and body type
*good face features
*Mana's attitude
*experience in make-up doing

The hair: I have for as long as I can remember wanted long "Rocker" hair. Unfortunately having a mother that took the idea of the 50s a little too seriously, I was unable to ever have such. My hair has been made to be short (which I hate). There have been rare times where I have been able to grow it out, and during that time I get actual compliments, (it also makes listening to heavy metal so much more fun ;) Then I get it cut and people are like "what did you do?". I think I lost a couple of girlfriends for not standing up to mother, not sure about that though. So with that I am stuck with a wig.

My skin is quite pale, though speckled with freckles (I dislike them mostly due to the derision they drew from bullies in school). I do think though one can use foundation to make ones face the correct color, though really in the pics he really does look pale to white. (the WTF is that pic in the humor section really shows his make up, and facial structure, he has a surprisingly thick neck, he also has very "manly" features as well, in this shot.

Mana's height: LOL. I'm a darned Brit, American, Irish, German, Scottish, and French mix, with a sprinkling of Portuguese. The result, a tall gangely individual with funny facial features. One of my girlfriends referred to me as a Girraffe (lovingly though). With the figures you gave he is a little over 2 inches taller ( 8cm taller if I did the conversion correctly), than me when he is on platforms. So Platforms actually do not seem out of the questing, perhaps 3 inches high or about half of Mana's. (cool now I just gotta find affordable ones)

Good Facial features: I have a longer, and more angular face than Mana, once again the Anglo in me My brows overhang just a bit more than I would like, but this is what I got, so I work with it. My chin is a little wider than Mana's...ah well.

I do ask though, and honestly is appreciated, how close am I to the facial features.

Mana's attitude: This is a hard one. Mana has had an entirely different life than most here.. Attitude is a result of that. I have gotten a comment I have the correct "manatude" which drew a chuckle. His attitude outwardly comes from his movements, his eyes, the positioning of his head, and most notably his lips. (those things stay dead still, even while the head is slamming about in wild head banging moves)

Make up doing: I actually have experience, but with the wrong sort of makeup. First off, I am a guy, and being such for the most part forbidden from "playing with makeup". I have had experience though through many times being a Broadway cat for Halloween, but also being goth, and dressing up as a "Gothic beauty", when attending Rocky Horror what seems like an eon ago. (I passed quite well, but funny enough it was very much like a Merveilles like costume. No fake breasts, or hip accentuations . I had not heard anything of Mana at this time. This new costume is the first time I have used actual foundation, so this will take some time. Also concerning the shine of the lips. I have been checking out pics and sure enough they shine all the way back to Dix Inferno days. As stated the Eye makeup is an are I am quite weak in. It didn't help that the eyeliner pencil I got was a POS.

Well, enough blabbing. Thank you all for your input. I hope it can help culminate in a decent male rendition of Mana.

I am a huge perfectionist, so i don't think every anglo saxton has features he/she needs for Mana-Sama cosplay. I meaned:

Hair-totally the same haircut and hair color as Mana's. Mana's height and body type- 173 cm/5'8 inches. Talking about Mana's body type.. it is pretty hard to guess every centimeter. But i think, a person should perfectly fit into Moi meme Moitie size men.That is a shame, but I am very sensitive to Mana-Sama cosplayer's body type. I don't like when too fat/skinny girls or girls with too wide hips cosplay him. I have exact Mana's height as well as body type, so maybe that is why i am critical to fatter/shorter cosplayers? just wondering...

In addition i am hypercritical to other cosplayers as well as to my own cosplays, so i never tell what i really think about other cosplays, because i don't want to look like a bitch and to make people sad.

I think you should figure out by yourself how good/bad your face features are. I am so hypercritical so i don't think my opinion would be right. For example, i think i don't look like Mana at all when i am without make up, but my friends and relatives think different. That is weird, ne? They say i have Mana's "aura". Haha XDD.

I find this topic quite interesting. I always like to chat about cosplay. Feel free to ask questions about cosplay. I get better at cosplay, so i think i can help a bit. Oh, i use a word "cosplay" too much XD. and my english is bad, because i am not a local speaker.

I appreciate your response.

You are lucky to have friends and family that allow you to have hair similar if not exactly like Mana's. I A) because I am male B) because my mother is scared of what others think, have not been able to have my hair the way I would like my entire life. It is also getting too late in my life to change that.

That being said. I would like to know why when I go to use a eyeliner pencil it drags my skin and just results in a mess? I tried the makeup again today, with an ivory base (which too me was to peach in color, ivory to me is off white), the results were not as good to me as my past attempts. I did get the lip shape a bit better, though the "v" was still not sharp enough.

I may refrain from posting this set, unless I see one that looks presentable, and not a repeat of my past shots.

I can understand the being hypercritical of people who simply are to big (fat), attempting to cosplay Mana. The only problem with that is, what cool characters are larger people left to play, or imitate? Gotta give them cudos for having the courage to try out cosplaying such characters.

There are however some that just look terrible.

I for one want to get at least a close resemblance of Mana by Halloween, this however does not look good, seeing I can't find any dress that looks anything like what he wears, nor can I find the corset like his. I can't even find a shirt, skirt combo that would work. But we shall see.

The whole deal is off if I can't get the makeup right. That is for sure.

Okay, I made a third attempt. This time I used Ivory foundation, with White heat powder, actual black lipstick, and unfortunately black theater makeup. I am just having no luck with eyeliner pencils. This time the pencil pulled on my skin, and caused issues with the powder. I need input on whether or not the base is correct looking. To me it still looks too white. The next attempt will be with liquid eyeliner, pencils just are not working. My eyebrows also went all weird. I had two outfits for this one. The standard black dress shirt, and skirt. The fastener for the skirt failed, so I was wondering what to use since that is the only loose and long skirt I have, and there was much repair needed. Then I recalled :mana: has appeared in a catsuit, a loose and baggy one I don't own, but I decided what the heck, and got into one of mine, for the next several shots.

So first off another attempt at the Nocturnal Opera pose, The original one my head position was all wrong.



I like my head positioning, I think it is closer to :mana: 's pose on the back of N.O., so I will photo shop this one into my previous attempt seen above.

Okay, here is a head shot to see the make up better, keep in mind I was stuck with the crummy theater make up again. But is the skin tone right?





This next one is just a really cool look, despite the fact it was a total mistake. I was attempting the pose of Lilac of Damnation, but the timer seemed to take forever, and I popped my eyes open right as the camera triggered.





A crouching shot for another face study, slightly different lighting, this was one of the first in the catsuit.






Did I channel :mana: in this one?




I was a little squeamish posting this one, but I liked how the claws looked like they were positioned to do some damage. *If there are problems with this shot, tell me and I will remove it.*




And a different full body pose, I am showing these two for input on the transmitted attitude, if it is right, or needs work. *and again, problems had, I will remove*



Finally the correct pose of Lilac, my eyes closed.



Before anyone says, I know the "V" of the upper lip is once again too deep, and not sharp enough, this was caused by the failure of the pencil leaving me with using just the lipstick for the shape.

I think I am getting better, but not certain. I do know much more work is needed.

The next attempt I will attempt to spike the wig, that should be fun.

with regards to getting the outfit right, all i can think of is buying the moitie items from cdjapan or whatever. he almost always makes public appearances wearing some form of moitie.

Well, I just looked at the prices for MMM, and just about laughed my self silly.

No way in hell can I afford such prices for something that will be worn only occasionally.

I also did not see anything that looked like the black MDM outfit. I think I should be able to find similar if not exact pieces and put them together for something close (real close if I can help it).

:dix:

So check Fanplusfriend, they have some clothes similar to MMM and not so expensive :D

Thank you for that hint, I will check them out.

I am working on possibly having a friend make a pattern, for one of his earlier Mdm, outfits. The one with the blue underlay, with a four tiered sheer black skirt, open at the front. Either with the crushed velvet top with the criss crossed neck opening, or one of the lace sheer shirts he also uses. We shall see.

i think it could still seems too white for MdM Mana, and i think you drew the eyes too much big. I personally love the effect of creepy huge eyes and so i think it looks completely great! but to be honest it definitively fail for a Mana cosplay... and well, i think yr still look too much like a male to be Mana xD

Hmmm. Not sure how to take your last line.

On the one hand I can take it as an honest statement (which I have no doubt it was), and either, completely give up the idea of making an awesome costume for Halloween, that will at least look cool for my group of friends, and possibly find more people who know who Mana is. Or I can work with what I got, and see what I can do. Even if it isn't perfect.

There is only one Mana Sama, and very few other people have that facial structure, and are male.

As far as too white, I agree, I am gonna look for a different powder, perhaps look for this mineral powder described by Manasama (the mod of this site)

More tips would be appreciated.

^ please take my last line in a nice way xD

i meant Mana, though he's a man, even in his most manly appearance has a femenine beauty, that's the way i see it. And i see yr body and face and you look manly for me... maybe that's just me... or maybe it's that my mind just can't stop to see you as Nikki Sixx and i think he's really manly!.

But in my opinion, if i found these pics over the internet i would think you should be a member of a black metal band or something ;)

i think you look good, but not like Mana, i mean in another style.


also, i don't really like criticize much cosplays , the most when it's the first time cause my first Mana cosplay totally sucked as hell and i actually know i'm not a perfect cosplayer... well, i'm not a pro.

anyway it's fun being Mana for a while. And i prefer for cosplay a MM Mana cause i found him more cosplayable in there! his visuals were really jawesome!! My next will be Beast of Blood Mana for sure, but i still don't know when it'll be done.

I think you should get some eyelashes and make yr eyes less huge, for Mana it doesn't work much. That's my only advise. And well, i think you could style the wig more Mana-punk-goth-style and it''ll be working better for sure!

I understand what you were trying to say better, now that you explained it. Sorry if I snapped at you.
The eye makeup was the worst so far. I was following advice on leaving a little white under the eye, but I left way to much. I actually think I will not do this in future. I also have to get proper eye makeup, and forget those lousy pencils. They suck for me.

The wig is due for a major overhaul at the hands of a friend of mine who has said she will "improve" its 15 year old self. I am also actively looking for one more like Mdm's style, just in case the overhaul doesn't work.

I don't think I have it in me to do Mana during his MM days. 15 years ago perhaps, but now, as you have stated, too manly a build. I liked having a light build, but it seems to have gone away to a more bulky manly build. As silly as it sounds that saddens me. Plus I am more drawn to his Mdm style, it is more...."me".

But looking like Nikki Sixx isn't all that bad either;)

for eye make-up, I recommend lots of practice with a high quality cream eyeliner. Some use liquid, but that makes my eyes water too much and that's just a mess waiting to happen.

The thing is, even Mana himself takes several hours to do his make-up. Also, he has spent 20+ years perfecting his look, studying make-up technique and goes to Shiseido (they have services like eyebrow shaping and what-not)

So, to get his effect, he goes to great lengths and that's with his already fairly lovely face. (not that you aren't lovely, but you're trying for Mana, ne?)

Yes, the admin here does exceptional Mana cosplays and she too will tell you (if I'm not mistaken) that getting the look right takes a great deal of experimentation and practice. (and she is uniquely blessed by exceptional beauty and a very Mana-like mouth, herself!)

Make-up art is an art as complex and requiring of effort as his fashion design and music. So, don't give up.

One thing though, I understand that you're going for the spirit of Mana rather than total accuracy, but remember that it takes more than wearing black or feminine style clothes to look like him. He has a very modest, Victorian aesthetic much of the time, so spandex is while cute on you, going in a decidedly un-Mana-ish direction.

Designing a cosplay is complex, of course. I do believe Sarah has in the past hand-made most of her truly amazing cosplays. So while she DOES wear Moitie, she does not just rely on his designs to do cosplay. Perhaps she could offer some advice of wear to look for fabrics that would look like something Mana would wear even if he as yet, has not. :)

And for the eye makeup, when they said to leave white under the eye, they meant you have to draw the black line as close to the bottom eyelashes as you can and use white on the inside your bottom eyelid to make your eyes look wider. I don't have any experience in Mana cosplay because well... I don't do cosplay but I know a little bit about makeup.

If liquid eyeliner doesn't make your eyes run like Acacia then I say you should use that. It won't pull your skin like a pencil would. Pencils are good when used on the inside of the eyelid or when applied with a little less pressure to draw a soft line on the upper lid but to make a more elaborate design, liquid eyeliner is the best.

I should also mention that Halloween makeup is to be avoided under any circumstances (even for Halloween). Get real makeup and real face powder. Though theatrical makeup can do the job (and by that I mean real makeup that's used on stage).

If you really want to get a nice clothes for Mana cosplay the best way is to make it by yourself or ask someone who's a good tailor. But if you can't sew, you have to practice more and more or be very talented.
I've made the Dixanadu Mana cosplay, it was a little hard but sewing for me is quite easy.
For this outfit I used only some simple cotton faric, some lace and a lot of tule. Never use any satin or similar fabrics. Most of them looks really horrible.

For me, you also look more like a heavy metal band member, not like a Mana cosplayer. You have to do your make-up more precisely and your hair have to be straight, not wavy.

I agree. Definitely not a Mana cosplayer. Sometimes I don't even understand why people post such cosplays, ok, I understand, that it's THE PRACTICE, but for god's sake,can't people see for themselves,IF their cosplays are worth posting...? I really don't get it... Ok, you can screw up, but in THAT kind of level... I trully am shocked. In this forum, it seems, nobody really tells what's on their mind. Hmph... Flawless cosplayers, you say...

Velvete

Wow! You just go straight for the jugular. Thank you for your honesty.

Figuring this is only my third try, and admittedly it went bad, and the fact currently I am stuck with what I have, but am in the process of either making or obtaining clothing similar to if not spot on to one of his earlier Mdm outfits, as well as getting the wig re-done, or replaced.

Perhaps I should re-consider my attempt, what with your rather harsh though confusing statement (your last line "flawless cosplayers, you say" sounds like the rest of the statement was sarcastic.)


But I am going to go with my initial reaction to what you said.

Actually No, to answer that question. I cannot see if my attempts are worth posting. I cannot see wether or not I have the shade right, hence the reason for ASKING the forum something along the lines of "Did I get the shade right?". Input on the lip shape is much appreciated. Constructive criticism is what I seek. Not insults, and not "why do you bother?"

Oh, and the theater makeup I had to resort to, is indeed professional stage make up, not "Halloween" garbage, I gave up on that in my rocky horror days.

To be honest, the reason I am TRYING is because a) I find his look fascinating. B) it is a variation of how I would have liked to have appeared the few times I got to go to a Goth club, before work prevented that. and c), because it is both a challenge and fun. I see very few guys try to emulate Mana, despite the fact he is indeed a male rock star. I see plenty of women do it, and frankly many really miss the mark as well, they have either too big a body, too chubby a face, and honestly some have far too big a chest area. Does that mean they shouldn't try?

So Velvete, how is your attempt going? That is if you have even tried. Or are you one of those that spout off about other people having the courage to do something you yourself would like to do, but don't have the guts to do. Or are you one that just likes to put people down to feel good?

Dude. He just asked for constructive criticism not a flaming attack!
Everyone's got to start somewhere, albeit it is on a really low level.
As for "saying what's on our mind" - Have you considered we respected the fact that this person just wanted guidance, instead of being beaten down, like what would have happened on some other Mana/MdM forum?

I am sorry for hurting your feelings, I didn't mean to do that, but I honestly think you are somewhat overreacting to the things other people say. You say, you would like to hear a criticism, but you start to fight with everyone who critcisses you (for example, lips_blood_red). Maybe my statements were too harsh, but that is the way I am. I think people who do extremely bad cosplays, shouldn't upload their pictures on the internet, because they can scare people. I have tried to cosplay Mana, I sucked and don't want to scare other people, so I am not going to upload them.I understand, it's fun and all, but I, personally,I mean MYSELF, don't like to be emberassed. I understood that I can't cosplay Mana.And if you are a Mana fan, it is a must to cosplay, that you can be recognized as true fan?

^
Mana actually prefers the diversity.

When he first came to Europe he stated how great it was that people took the Japanese "Gothic Lolita" look and mixed it with the European "Goth" look to become something totally new.

I'm sure he's flattered about people emulating his look, and yes some people have awesome skills at doing it, but I think Mana's message is to be your self.

The whole "true fan" thing is a bunch of crap... Just fucking enjoy! EVERYONE! FUCKING ENJOY MOI DIX MOIS!!!!!!!!

I'm with Izumi here...

I qould have said something earlier about thew harsh attacks, but I'm having some formatting issues, I think the pics resize the screen but my stupid computer won't let me slide to the end of the message...

but....constructive criticism doesn't mean cruelty.

Pythos...I apologize if in that context my remarks seemed overly critical, I actually meant to be encouraging! I meant to say that it's OK to need more practice because even Mana took lots of time to learn what he was doing. So...please don't give up or become discouraged!

Your post was to explore how a guy can work towards an effective Mana cosplay and I think you're doing well. I think it'll just take some ore working at it is all. Please don't give up!

It was the same to me when i began practising on Mana-Sama make up. You don't use a liquid eyeliner, right? You shoult try it. I never use a simple pencil, because i would end up with the same results. But if you still use an eyeliner pencil, it should be very soft. You can try to put a pencil in a warm place before using it. When the pencil is warm, it is more soft and the lines are nicer You should care of your skin and eyes if you use a pencil/liquid eyeliner. I know so many people that can't use pencils/liquid eyeliners, because they just don't know how to work with them correctly.

Now the make up. What make up brands do you use? You shouldn't use a make up from gothic shops. Is it an ivory base that you use? I can't believe! I also use an ivory base, but it is more yellow... Maybe my skin is different...I use MaxFactor make up/color-ivory beige. I think it is perfect for Mana-Sama cosplay.

Lips. They look a bit "too long". The shape you have made is pretty good, but you should make your lips a bit smaller/shorter. I hope you get what i mean :D

Eyes. You are european, not asian, so you have naturally bigger eyes than japanese people do. So, you shouldn't leave the white under your eye. You just have to leave the white at the part of the eye nearest your nose. But the white shouldn't be wider than 0.3 centimeter. This would give you more asian look. It is very important to make your eyes look slightly almond-shaped as Mana has. And you definitelly should use false eyelashes. This would give you more "sleepy" look.

I have to admit the wig you use is not good. You should buy the new one. It doesn't look like natural hair and it is wavy. It simply doesn't fit. You should change clothes as well.

I must say, your cosplays are not so much good, but you are a begginer. Almost every begginer is kinda bad, but i am happy you want to learn things about cosplay. If you learn, appreciate constructive criticism and practise a lot, you can get pretty good results. :D

Let me see Astral
*dumps out make up bag*
crap
*flings away cheap goth store eyeliner pencil*
crap
*flicks away Bloody Mary brand White heat powder"
even more crap
*tosses aside Hot topic black lipstick*
Ah the foundations.

One is Neutrogena healthy skin liquid makeup, in classic ivory. Frankly I think them calling this ivory is ridiculous. It is too peach to be ivory. I thought it would lighten when it dried.

Then the other, trial, foundation is Manic Panic, very light lavendar stuff. I just got this to get used to foundation.

I was hoping to get a hang of getting the makeup right before spending money on actual makeup, but it looks like I am gonna have to bite the bullet, and get the proper stuff.

Using actual makeup is all new to me. Even in my Rocky days I used theater make up, and all I really did was wear black lipstick, and darken my eyes. I made my face pale with white makeup. In the low light of the theater the look was good. But in actual lighting, I am sure it looked crummy. Mana's style is so much more complex than what I did those times. My cats costume was also simple, though more lines, but still the theater make up.

Thank you Astral for the hints.

More from others much appreciated.

However insults will get called out. :rolleyes:

another helpful trick to dealing with foundation is to use certain moisturizers beforehand. I can't recall which ones, but for guys it's important because men typically have larger pores, see?

Have you looked on the net for drag make-up tips? There may be stuff about reshaping facial features there. (I say that because my ex-husband is transitioning to a female so I've been watching him learn this process kind of too!)

Also, cheap make-up really generally is inferior, except from personal experience, some Wet N Wild products have worked well. But mainly lip liner in that case.

Also, to do black lipstick. Do not use black lipstick, it will never give even coverage. Begin with eye liner pencil to trace the shape and fill in evenly. Then use a very dark lipstick to smooth it out, then a layer of powder eye shadow to deepen the color then finish with another layer of lipstick. For your sake, one of these days, I may even allow some pics of me in make-up to be seen! x_x x_x x_x

For the mods.

A kind member here suggested I should look at the picture rules for this area. She thought perhaps the I posted are too big. I did look at the rules before hand but upon looking at them again there is this line.

"3. Please limit pictures to a reasonable size. If they are extremely large, you may post a link to your picture."

If my pics are indeed too big, I will attempt to reduce them. Please tell me if this is indeed an issue.

Meanwhile I think someone needs a drink :sugiya2: While another needs a little more self introspection :shadowx:

Yes, the pics are indeed too big as Acacia stated. Although it didn't turn out too bad on my resolution, I see it can completely mess up the forum layout for some. I suggest you either resize them or post thumbnails linking to the larger versions.

P.S. Thank you Izumi for putting the convo back on track while I wasn't there.

By the way.....
Youtube "Mana-sama make up tutorial" as this maybe of some help just so you get a better idea.

EDIT: you're all lucky I'm not a mod....... It'd be banhammers away! lol

Thumb nails it is. Sorry for the oversight.

Also, I have to say this.

At first, as the title suggests this was something started out of boredom. I wanted to see what I could do with basically junk.

Sometime between then and now, it has become an all out project, and goal. For the last few years except last (I did nothing that year), I have gone out to Halloween parties dressed as a black cat based off the Broadway cats costume. I have gotten tired of the costume, but have found nothing inspirational.

My bored attempt I guess sparked an inspiration for what could be one hell of a costume.

It has occurred to me with the help of a friend on this forum that I have not clarified this change from a experiment, to an all out project.

I think my reactions to some statements are due to myself being nervous and frankly insecure in doing something quite different. I usually do not try to emulate people. When in Rocky I chose to not dress as any of the characters like most others there did, instead I just dressed myself as what was termed "gothic beauty". A getup that was admired by several of the Rocky Fans, though I am sure in proper light the makeup, which was quite simple, look horrendous, but in the low light of that old theater it probably looked more than decent. (it's funny looking back, this outfit was quite similar to Mana's in Illuminati, just not latex, and no where as good makeup. I didn't even know of Mana back then.)

So with that I must apologize for my over reactions. I can do that sometimes especially when in unfamiliar territory.

I will try to discipline myself and let a day pass before responding to a post when it comes to this subject.

Thanks for reading.