Cosmic Coterie panel on tips and tricks regarding Sailor Moon cosplay. Originally presented at A-Fest 2016.

2. Ice Breaker
Sailor Moon Trivia!
Who is the creator of Sailor Moon? Naoko Takeuchi
Who was the first senshi to awaken? Sailor Venus (as Sailor V)
Where is Chibi Usa from? 30th Century Crystal Tokyo
What is Makoto’s astrological sign? Sagittarius
Which senshi is the tallest? Sailor Pluto (5’10”)
What color was Sailor Moon’s hair
originally?
White / Silver
What curse is Sailor Venus under? To never find love

3. Topics of Discussion
1. Building a Fuku
2. Accessories and Props
3. Wigs
4. Undergarments
5. Makeup
6. Contact Lenses
7. Q & A

4. 1. Building a Fuku
What tutorials did we use?
• Base fuku construction and alterations: Sparkle Pipsi
• Bows: Simplicity pattern
• Double circle skirt: Cupcake Cosplay
• Foam sleeves/hip rolls: Katherine Zan
• Glove rolls: Nyu Nyu Cosplay
Different fuku styles:
• Manga, 90’s anime, Sailor Moon Crystal,
PGSM / Live Action Sailor Moon,
Sera Myu Musicals
• horsehair braid vs no horsehair braid
• knife pleats vs box pleats
Choosing materials:
• selecting fabrics
• poplin vs satin
• how to pick a good satin
• how to pick a good spandex

5. Main steps of construction:
• bodysuit
• skirt
• bloomers
• hip roll
• chest armor
• bows
• glove rolls
• choker
Notions we used:
• Upholstery foam
• Snaps
• ⅜” elastic
• Horsehair braid
• Cotton cording / upholstery piping
• Hook and eye tape
• Bias tape
• Wonder tape
• Pellon #808 Craft fuse interfacing
• Starch
Tutorial:
Detailed tutorial coming soon!!!

6. 2. Accessories and Props
Shoes:
 Buying the right base shoes
 Boot Covers
• Stretch fabric typically works best. Non-stretch can
work, but will require significantly more work
(addition of darts, extra measurements, zipper,
etc.)
• To create pattern: saran wrap method or wrap
fabric around leg and pin
• Add footsie stopper if you cover your whole shoe
to prevent sliding around on slick floors.
• Choose a base shoe that works with your ideal toe
shape (e.g., Don’t use a square toe if your
character has a rounded or pointed toe. It will
show through the boot cover). Can do some mild
alterations with batting and masking tape.
• If you don’t want to create your own pattern:
NyuNyu Cosplay has a boot cover tutorial, Yaya
Han stretch boot cover tutorial
 Painting Shoes
• Process of painting shoes: cleaning, taping,
deglazing, many thin layers of paint, sealant
• We recommend Angelus Paints

7. Big props:
 Who did we commission from?
 Silence Glaive and Space Sword by
Mechaboy07
 Garnet Rod by MASK Props
 Venus’ Holy Blade by Vorpal Props
 Choosing a commissioner
 Do your research!
 Reference their previous works and
inspect the quality
 Choose a commissioner with great
communication skills that will work with
you to create the prop that you are
envisioning.
 Making big props on your own
 Tutorial references for prop construction
that we recommended:
− EvilTed
− Kamui Cosplay
− Kinpatsu Cosplay

8. Small props:
 Casting resin brooches
• We used clear resin for the brooches colored
with sharpie ink and minimized the amount of
bubbles by high pouring and tapping the mold
constantly.
• We used clear plastic Christmas ornaments as
molds.
• Fairy lights diffused with packing foam on the
back for the light up effect.
 Where we got our small props
• Etsy (UniqueCosplayProps) - earrings, odango
covers, Sailor Moon hair “feathers”, Saturn
brooch and choker charm, Neptune choker
charm, Saturn earrings, Mistress 9 forehead
charm and earrings,
• Darin - Tiaras (cold cast resin)
• Mars hip roll brooch - mixed and matched
jewels and jewelry from Hobby Lobby using
E6000 to glue it all together
• Ofuda - Vectorized by Wendy and we will be
able to share it on our future website.
• Christie made her Venus Chain
• Mindy and Reid made their own Rose Chains
• Mercury goggles commissioned through Etsy
• Neptune Mirror purchased on Etsy

9. 3. Wigs
 Where did we each get our wigs/what wigs do we recommend for each
senshi?
• Mercury - ebay
• Venus - Arda (Style Venus in Fairy Blonde)
• Moon - commission
• Mars - Arda (Style Venus in Dark Purple)
• Jupiter - Epic Cosplay Wigs (Phoebe in Copper Red with an Arda
Ponytail clip in Dark Copper Red
• Saturn - Arda (Style Natasha in Dark Purple)
• Uranus - ebay
• Neptune - commission from Ms. Rae Cosplay (two Arda Ferrari wigs
spliced together in Teal and Dark Green)
• Pluto - Arda (Style Venus in Dark Green with matching bun cover)

10.  Wig buying tips
• Heat Resistant
• Watch out for shiny and cheap looking wigs
• Make sure the wig is sized to fit your head
• Read seller and product reviews
 Styling tips
• DO NOT OVERHEAT AND MELT FIBERS
• Strand tests
• Styling tips for poofy bangs
• Styling tips for swooshies
• Arda Wigs Tutorials, Epic Cosplay Wigs tutorials
 Managing long wigs with tangles
• detangle with wide tooth comb, not a brush
• brush from the bottom going up being gentle so fibers do not break or fray
• silicone spray
• Arda tutorial on Mane n’ Tail treatment
 Wig Storage
• Always store styled wigs on a wig head in the upright position
• Braid long wigs

11. 4. Undergarments
 Tights
• Use dance tights for thickness and durability.
• Do not use tights with control top or the control top portion will be visible on your thighs.
• We use full body tights so that we don’t have waist creases or have to frequently adjust.
• Capezio full body dance tights are the brand we use - most of us got Nude or Caramel color.

12.  Shapewear
• Spanx
• Over the shoulder vs under the bust
− Over the shoulder keeps you from adjusting all day
− Under the bust, frequent adjusting but easier for using the
restroom
• Corsets/layering (if desired)
− Opt for a nude, buskless base corset (Meschantes Corsetry
on Etsy has great starter options for a reasonable price)
− Have a thin layer of something to protect your skin (camisole
or shaper leotard), then corset, then shapewear, then tights.
Hides boning lines and creates a smooth silhouette.
 Shoe help
• Insoles
• Moleskin
• Beauty applicator wedges between squished toes in pointy shoes

13.  Makeup process
• Wash your face
• Moisturize
• Primer
• Foundation
• Concealer
• Liquid contours/blush
• Powder seal- no dewiness
• Blushuuuu
• Powder contour/bronzer/highlight
• Eyes (brows/lids/liner/lashes)
• Lips
 How to make your makeup stay longer
• Anti-perspirant powder
• Finishing spray
 Touching up
 Plastic bag trick
 WASH YOUR FACE BEFORE YOU GO TO BED
5. Makeup

14.  Circle lenses:
• Different diameters you can choose from
− 14mm - 20mm
• We use 3 and 4 tone lenses for a blended color look
 Where to buy contact lenses:
• Uniqso and Pinky Paradise are our favorite sources
 FDA approved?
• If it doesn’t require a prescription, it is probably not FDA approved even
if they are non-prescription lenses
 Inserting lenses:
• Thoroughly wash your hands with warm water and antibacterial soap
for 20 seconds before touching your contacts and inserting them!
6. Contact Lenses

15.  Caring for lenses:
• Do not let them dry out
• Check them weekly to make sure they have enough solution in the case
 How long lenses last:
• It depends on the brand and type of lenses. Some last a couple months,
some last up to a year. Read the labels and information on the ones you
purchase.
 What NOT to do:
• Do not sleep in contacts
• Do not continue wearing if your eyes become very red, watery, and/or
swollen
• Do not wear other people’s contacts

16. Q & A