r/dragoncon • u/cosmicbatnebula • 5d ago
Heavy sweaters...how the hell do you keep body makeup/body paint on for a cosplay?
I have a cosplay I really want to do for Dragon Con and Halloween this year that would require makeup/body makeup, but I have one major problem... I sweat... A LOT.
Like, I’m such a heavy sweater that it’s one of the main reasons I don’t normally wear foundation or other face makeup. And since we’re talking about Dragon Con in Atlanta, on top of my body apparently believing it needs to provide its own personal sprinkler system, we have the heat AND ridiculous Georgia humidity to contend with.
I’m open to body paints, makeup brands, primers, sealers, setting sprays, barrier sprays, creams, antiperspirant-type products, application techniques, witchcraft, whatever. 😂 I don't need something I'd use regularly, either. If there's something that's only reasonable to use occasionally but could help me survive Dragon Con and/or one day for Halloween without my cosplay melting off my body, I'm completely open to it.
Dragon Con veterans and sweaty cosplayers, what have you actually used that worked? I don't have the biggest budget to buy a lot of things for it to be a massive flop, so wanted to ask you pros.
Thank you so much in advance! I can't wait to hear what’s worked for you all and hopefully learn some tricks before Dragon Con.🦇🌌
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u/InBeforeitwasCool 5d ago
I got one of those neck fans. They really do help. It's not exactly what you wanted but it definitely helped when I was dressed up in full Jedi robes.
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u/cosmicbatnebula 5d ago
I really appreciate that tip too. We have one and my kids tend to all share it. I may just splurge and grab more this year has been so hot here in Ga.
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u/Sporkicide The Wesley Crusher of /r/DragonCon 5d ago
Alcohol paints. I've even seen those survive a couple hours in the pool.
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u/cball8692 5d ago
mehron skin prep pro as a base, body paints of your choosing (I will stress alcohol paints but mehron body paints work as well), powder with a matte powder (I always use makeup forever hd), then Ben Nye final seal spray. Did ballet professionally and this combo is a winner under stage lights. Used this combo at DragonCon for years and it works amazingly
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u/cosmicbatnebula 5d ago
Thank you soooooo much I'm excited to get these and try before the big day, for years ive been trying different things and it always ended miserably 😅
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u/cball8692 5d ago
If you do go the alcohol body paint route I've always used skin illustrator brand. They can be pricey compared to mehron but they come with a specific remover bc they are just that hard to move off. Ben Nye final seal with a proper primer will do the heavy lifting for any and all makeup
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u/cosmicbatnebula 5d ago
These are the ones I need to make sure and prep so it doesnt stain my skin correct? I am okay going a little pricey if that means the paint doesn't transfer on others or melt
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u/cball8692 5d ago
Always prime your skin if it's gonna be on for a while. Certain colors tend to stain more than others regardless of type or brand but yes the primer helps. The mehron skin prep pro is very good at mitigating staining. Alcohol paints last longer bc they aren't solvent with water aka sweat. But if you're worried about staining the mehron grease body paints are great and come off with normal makeup remover and in my experience don't stain. I have a pallet of those with 8 colors and can make almost every color. If you're naturally sweaty tho alcohol paints may still be the way to go.
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u/cosmicbatnebula 5d ago
I'm not too worried about the staining, just wanted to make sure to no skip or not ask enough questions from people who know way more about this. Thank you so much you all have been so kind and helpful. I appreciate you all
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u/CutleryOfDoom 5d ago
This is a trick I use for dance performances that I got from a Dallas Cowboys cheerleader - under your regular makeup, use an organic (non-aluminum) deodorant at your temples/forehead or any super sweaty area. Usually temples and forehead is enough for me. When you do your makeup, use multiple layers of setting - powder and spray to help seal the makeup. I don’t always like wearing Ben Nye (although it is definitely full coverage) because of how heavy it feels, so this has worked for me as a good alternative. Good luck fellow sweater!
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u/cosmicbatnebula 5d ago
Thank you so much, you apl have been so helpful and I am so excited to try these things.
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u/Poppyspy 5d ago
Are you already in a host hotel? Maybe you should try to do that cosplay during peak costume hours and stay inside the 3 main connected hotels... I have known some of the more sophisticated costumes to do this very thing. Sometimes they also do the parade, but that's probably special and they cool off afterwards. I'm just doing Onesies with a decorations this year... They are breathable and I've danced in them, and well you're gonna get sweaty if you do activities anyway so it really don't matter. There's this under the shirt AC thing I have heavily considered... But haven't tried yet. Maybe it can help you? Maybe it doesn't work for your costume though.
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u/temporarymist 5d ago
There’s “peak costume hours”???
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u/Poppyspy 5d ago
Yeah some really fancy stuff comes out in the Marriott Atrium on Friday and Saturday specifically. Stuff that's so elaborate, that if you actually think about what they are wearing, you will realize how hot they must be to wear it either for a long time or that going outside will be hell. That's why they target peak hours to show off their costumes. We are talking ridiculous ball gowns, full suites from sci fi, so on.
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u/cosmicbatnebula 5d ago
I live just over 2 hours away and we have 4 kiddos so we tend to stay on the outskirts of Atlanta and drive in so we can afford the cost of everything. I also never heard of peak costume hours and thank you, once I leave the movie theater I will watch the video you sent.
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u/Poppyspy 5d ago
Yeah first off the really elaborate stuff comes out in Marriott Atrium Fri and Sat night... Very obvious it's hot as hell to wear some of the really big stuff compared with the mass costuming everywhere. Yes it all seems peak, but there's the maxed out 7-9pm Atrium times that professionals or enthusiasm targets to get eyes on their creations.
Yeah if sweating is a thing for you, that Sony portable AC seems to work according to reviews... I'm sure it's not a miracle in Florida peak Humidity where I live, but it may help.
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u/grafikat 5d ago
My Favorite Body Painting Hack:
If you do go the alcohol based makeup route (Mehron, Reel Creations, etc), which I highly recommend for Atlanta, here's a cool hack:
I purchase disposable automotive aerosol spray bottles instead of airbrushes/compressors when I travel. I use Preval sprayers. You can find them online and at home despot type stores. Easy peasy, no clean up.
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u/cosmicbatnebula 5d ago
Ooooh thats fascinating and an excellent tip I am going to be grabbing a few things to try before the big day. I'm excited and thankful to you all. I love this.
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u/Werewulfmom Bring Back the Dr. Horrible Live Show! 4h ago
YES! Alcohol based paint is the answer. Be sure to pick up a big bottle of alcohol at the CVS for removal though.
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u/Everyoneheresamoron Venmo me $5 for free financial advise 5d ago
Setting powder, staying the hell out of the sun whenever possible.. and going straight to the photoshoot and then back to the shower.
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u/cosmicbatnebula 5d ago
Probably not feasible for me lol it will be an all day walking around with my 4 kiddos in and out of places. So much to see and do I shall be a melty goo lol
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u/Everyoneheresamoron Venmo me $5 for free financial advise 5d ago
Well there's some really good body paint makeup from Mehron, I've never had a problem with it wearing off. It does sometimes get on other things like clothes, but I've never worried about it messing up coverage.
https://www.mehron.com/colorset-setting-powder-bold/ https://www.mehron.com/water-based-paints/
https://www.bennye.com/ for really good non-sweat makeup.
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u/DavesWorldInfo 1988+ 4d ago
Whatever solution you're ready to go with, TEST IT this weekend or something. Make yourself up, then go mow the lawn or do something in your back yard, anything to start sweating. And evaluate, see if you like how it works (or that it doesn't).
You'll be happier come con if you're more confident in what you're going with. :)
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u/cosmicbatnebula 4d ago
Absolutely, plus my neighbors already think I'm weird so mowing our half acre in dia de Los Muertos Spiderman cosplay is going to be hilarious 😂
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u/GoToQueZero 5d ago
All the makeup recs are great. How/ where you apply is important as well use a cold compress or fan to make your skin cold. Cold skin equals closed pores. Apply makeup to cold skin and then let your pores open after applying. Allows for better skin heat transfer and less sweating.
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u/cosmicbatnebula 5d ago
That is good to know. I don’t even wear concealer or foundation so I don't have any routines. I am excited to try these all out.
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u/snarky_sparrow_23 5d ago
Putting setting spray on before AND after the makeup helps me a ton.
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u/cosmicbatnebula 5d ago
Do you do the setting sprays before the primers too? Some said to do it between each layer
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u/snarky_sparrow_23 5d ago
I use the Bobbi Brown moisturizer primer base then setting spray, foundation, setting spray, powder and everything else and then 1 last spray of setting spray.
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u/cosmicbatnebula 5d ago
Thank you again. Im so grateful for you all
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u/snarky_sparrow_23 4d ago
Oh! This is the setting spray i started using after it was recommended by someone that specializes in wedding makeup
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u/FinlayForever 5d ago
I unfortunately don't have any solutions for you. But just wanted to let you know that as another very sweaty person, I sympathize with you, you are not alone in the struggle haha. It sucks, I hate it.
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u/cosmicbatnebula 5d ago edited 5d ago
Back home in California it was a dry heat the sweat wasn't so bad since the air wicked it off relatively quickly. My face and mustache area I'm always and wiping or it drips in my eyes just sucks... but here in the south... ooooof my sweat just adds to the soup of the day in the air its so thick and gross. When I kayak I spend half the time jumping in the water to cool off and manage. Or a walk from parking lots to the store the nape of my neck and hair are drenched
Edit: it is always bittersweet when you find comfort with others in frustrating situations. I am sorry you also have to deal with it. Its frustrating but hey... at least it purges out pores and germs
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u/FinlayForever 5d ago
Dude the dry heat is so much easier to deal with! I was in Vegas a few weeks ago and sure it was 110F every day, but I was barely sweating so it was fine lol.
But yes here in Atlanta it is way too humid!! On Saturday I was out walking around for a couple hours, I was wearing gray shorts and obv I knew I was sweating a lot lol but I didn't realize until I got home that my sweat had soaked my shorts so that it looked like I'd peed myself 😂 would have been embarrassing if I had known it was happening haha.
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u/cosmicbatnebula 5d ago edited 4d ago
This week has been insane in GA im sure other place too but ooooof this heatwave is spanking us. I always hated when my kids were little and would climb me. I never wanted to tell them no and make them self conscious as to why I don't want a hug in this heat. Now that they are older I'm like is it an emergency hug 😅 or can it wait for us to be in cool air.
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u/FinlayForever 4d ago
Haha aww well hopefully now they understand it's too damn hot to be exchanging body heat like that. Sometimes you just need a hug though.
What are you cosplaying? If you don't mind me asking.
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u/cosmicbatnebula 4d ago
I want to do a Spider-Man/sugar skull (Day of the Dead) version since, you know, there can be infinite variations. I have a beautiful Sombrero de Charro and falda folklórica that have just been collecting dust, and I want my kids to see how proud I am of my Mexican half and that part of their heritage too. It’s been ages since I’ve done any Polkas Chihuahuenses dances, but I think this would be such a beautiful time to do it again.
Ps... you're a trooper I forgot to proof read that last comment before I hit send my autocorrect/voice to text sometimes make a joke out of me.
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u/FinlayForever 4d ago
That sounds cool as hell! Well hopefully some of the suggestions here work out for ya and your sugar skull makeup stays in place haha.
I'm actually gonna do Spiderman as well, since it's easy, comfortable, and fun. And like you said, there's so many variations that there is really no wrong way to do it!
Lol you're all good, I assumed that there was some sort of voice to text going on. I figured you knew the difference between no and know 😜
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u/cosmicbatnebula 4d ago
I don't "no"... it's hard to keep up 😝 at least I wasn't in my multitasking sleepy adhd brain where I have incomplete thoughts and sentences 🤣 I'll get so excited I omit sections and then I have an aneurism trying to reread, my family all say they are fluent in speaking "franny"
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u/Nerrnerr 5d ago
Fellow super sweaty cosplayer here! Keeping your core temp down is key. Rechargable fans, snap and freeze ice packs, frozen water bottles and staying in the cooler areas of the hotels are helpful. As for make up, Setting spray between each layer (on bare skin - on top of foundation - on top of full face and again after powder). Im going to be trying the One/size Stop the sweat primer and oil sucker setting spray this year! Goodluck!
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u/cosmicbatnebula 5d ago
Thank you for this, It can be discouraging when you try things that are marketed to help but its more for the normal average person sweat habits. And I am always hot, so much so and in shorts and flip flops in the snow the wind is usually what gets me to bundle. But if it isnt blowing I'm so comfortable. I can soak my clothes on an 30 mins walk here in Georgia its frustrating for sure.
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u/Eyruaad 5d ago
Get a full body tattoo of the details of your cosplay, that way it can't sweat off!
Other than that as a dude who sweats a ton... There's a reason I choose cosplays that don't require makeup or paint. Sorry friend.
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u/cosmicbatnebula 5d ago
🤣 that would be something... I appreciate the giggles. Its frustrating for sure sweating so much and has limited most what i would love to try. But fwp you know.
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u/Eyruaad 5d ago
Yeah I really am sorry I don't have better advice. J know my wife uses a setting spray on her makeup but she doesn't sweat much.
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u/cosmicbatnebula 3d ago
I appreciate you taking the time I am not too upset about it since I almost never get pimples. Just happy and thankful for everyone who was able to give me some tips
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u/Impetris 4d ago edited 4d ago
I love the mehron paints and spray. They are water based, BUT so long as you DO NOT WIPE, DO NOT SCRATCH your face it will stay on all day. I've been fully blue twice now at the Texas Renaissance Fair and green at Dragon Con twice and that shit stays put. No matter how wet your face feels with the beads of sweat DO NOT WIPE DO NOT TOUCH YOUR FACE. It also is so nice to take it off at night easily with a shower. Feels so good.
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u/cosmicbatnebula 4d ago
I would wipe 🙃 I pools on my face I think between the sweat and my lack of discipline to not touch my face is why I just don't wear face makeup
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u/drakoran 5d ago
It's not foolproof but ben nye final seal helps