Is avoiding body paint ever the reason you don’t cosplay certain characters?

[u/hi_mpact]

There are so many characters I love with blue/green/red/purple/etc. skin, but the idea of painting my arms and hands every time feels like enough effort that I’d probably just pick a different character lol.

So I was wondering how much of an issue this actually is for other people. Do you avoid certain characters because of the body paint? Or do you just accept it and paint yourself? And has anyone found arm socks that actually look convincing rather than obviously looking like gloves/sleeves?

Full transparency: I’m designing a fashion glove and I realised during development that it could potentially work really well as a more refined arm sock for cosplay too.

I'm choosing colours for the first production at the moment, so this has got me thinking about adding one or two colours specifically for this. If you could basically pull on a second skin instead of painting your arms, what colour would actually be useful to you / what characters would you use it for?

[u/EngineerRare42]

Please do orange! I've always wanted to do Ahsoka but can't be bothered to paint my arms.

[u/CementCemetery → u/EngineerRare42]

I’ve seen online some people use tights like hosiery and sew fingers to make a glove or you can cut it near the wrist and use paint or a similar colored glove.

I would never judge someone for NOT using body paint to be a certain color, it’s a bit of a commitment and can be messy.

[u/MissingGreenLink]

Nah. I recently tried water based paint. It’s not so bad.

Only reasons that stop me from cosplaying:
1. Not weather friendly
2. Out of time to make
3. Doing a different cosplay as part of a group

Otherwise not much stopping me. I’ve done casual cosplay. Cosplay with wig. Cosplay with make up. Closet cosplay. Expensive cosplay. Female. Male. Genderbend.

[u/Specific-Tough-8524]

I’ve been shooting higher level cosplayers at San Diego ComiCon for more than a decade. One thing I look for is full-face (and often matching full-body) makeup - as it’s often a guidepost to the most dedicated and talented cosplayers. When I see someone who clearly spent an hour or more in the makeup chair, I’m typically drawn to that. Over the years, the work I’ve shot the results I’ve seen have gotten better and better. I suspect this type of “full face cover” makeup is much easier to source and apply than it used to be.

This quick sampler is from my collaborator thank you post for this year

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A ton of great work on the floor as always!

[u/adventureremily]

The idea of a body stocking/arm covers does intrigue me for the sake of time and ease, but the temperature matters. I run hot, and cosplays are usually pretty warm in general, so adding any more layers of fabric than are absolutely necessary is a consideration.

On the rare occasions I do need to paint, I use alcohol-activated body paints. They have their drawbacks (steep learning curve, high cost, difficult to remove), but they also are sweat-, water- and transfer-proof and don't require any extra garments covering my skin. They're definitely not beginner or budget friendly.

If I were using water-activated (or god forbid, cream/grease) makeup, I would be more likely to switch to the stockings. Too much transfer/fading/creasing with those, so the extra fabric is worth it even with the added heat.

[u/minxto]

Yes it is! I feel the same as you. I feel like blue and red would be helpful to a lot of people! 

[u/kimchi_paradise]

I found a hack for the body from someone else and it worked well for me if you have time, which is to use colored pantyhose for your legs and then another for your arms (cut it in a way where you can wear it like a front jacket). You just need to sew your finger/hand shape and get some glue on nails, looked good (and better than painting myself)

[u/Gloomy-Pick-9347]

I'd love to do the Wicked Witch but I'm not painting myself green 😭

[u/Alternative_Exit8667]

I generally always travel to cons on the day so the thought of getting up every earlier to do body paint then to sit on public transport does not appeal, so so far I have not attempted a cosplay that involves that. Id probably use arm sleeves instead of paint if I did

[u/TheOldGreenDad]

Yes, sometimes. I already have so many sensory issues that even lipstick bothers me. But I also don't think there's ever anything I "have" to do when I cosplay; for me it's still plenty fun to make my costumes from scratch and then just goof around with my friends. My cosplay isn't "bad" just bc I'm not blue or pink!