Posts by Allison

Hayley Williams in the “Cinnamon” Music Video

Paramore lead singer Hayley Williams’ aesthetic has evolved considerably since her band’s early 2000s punk-rock heyday. Life events have prompted both an inspiring, thought-provoking solo album and steps away from her iconic orange hair color. The colorful music video for “Cinnamon” concludes a story sequence which, using fantastical and slightly disturbing imagery, conveys Hayley Williams’ recovery process following traumatic life experiences and depression.

Note: In these videos, Hayley Williams wears the front of her hair bleached blond, while the back side is dark brown. In “Cinnamon,” it is heavily teased and tied back with a scrunchie. You can achieve this style by clipping dark brown hair extensions into the back of a blond wig.

Artemis Fowl

It’s taken close to two decades, but a movie adaptation of Eoin Colfer’s world-famous Artemis Fowl series is finally headed to theaters this summer! Artemis is brought to life by actor Ferdia Shaw. Cosplaying the infamously smug Irish child criminal (with a heart of gold beneath all that precocious bravado) is easy with these components. Some notable stylistic touches to Artemis’s outfit are an extremely skinny tie, reflective sunglasses, and an extra long suit jacket (which can be swapped for a regular-length jacket, if desired).

Will Turner from Pirates of the Caribbean

Will Turner from Pirates of the Caribbean

Will Turner (Orlando Bloom) barely remembers his father, the infamous Bootstrap Bill, but when it comes to the pirate’s life, the young blacksmith’s memory is jogged well by a lifechanging encounter with Captain Jack Sparrow. (You have heard of him, haven’t you?) Though his beating heart resides in a locked box following the events of At World’s End, it truly belongs to Turner’s lover-turned-wife, Elizabeth Swan.

Sam Fisher from Splinter Cell Conviction

Sam Fisher from Splinter Cell Conviction

Sam Fisher (voiced by Michael Ironside) is the protagonist of the Splinter Cell video game series based on the writings of Tom Clancy.  During the events of Conviction, the second installment in the series, Fisher has quit from the Third Echelon and begins his portion of the game on a search for his recently deceased daughter. Adventure and intrigue ensue.

At special request from our readers, we’ve sourced a very similar “commando style” pullover sweater to what Sam Fisher wears in Conviction.

DustSans from Dusttale (Undertale AU)

Dusttale Sans

Sans swore he’d never kill a human, but in the fan-made AU storyline to Toby Fox’s Undertale game called Dusttale, Frisk’s repeated genocidal actions force his hand. DustSans’ jovial nature is overridden with by a bloodthirsty desire for vengeance and violence. This alternate reality Sans’ eyes are purple and red — a Sans mask can be repainted with acrylic to reflect this if desired.

Xander Portmanteau from Cliche

Xander Portmanteau from Cliche

When it comes to his looks, Xander Portmanteau embodies everything there is to love/hate about the strapping male leads of women’s fiction books. He’s the protagonist of a wish-fulfillment fantasy romance written by an awkward authoress, who fancies herself the princess lover of this roguish knight.

During the events of Cliche (written by myself and Aerin S. Grey), a pint-sized Xander emerges from the pages of his own novel to confront his author’s questionable plot choices, and prove that he has a mind of his own! In the “real” world, Xander stands barely taller than an action figure. Chased down lengthy halls by his author’s pet cat, Xander forms an unlikely alliance with a mouse in the wall named Bartholomew.

Tricky from Subway Surfer

Tricky from Subway Surfers

Tricky is an unlockable character on the popular mobile game Subway Surfer. In technical terms, she was the first bonus character available to unlock after the game’s main character, Jake, pulled off enough achievements. The Subway Surfer expanded lore (such as the eponymous animated series) reveals that Tricky is the heiress to a family fortune, but she doesn’t let that get to her head or bar her from her favorite activities. Hence, the comfortable clothes and down-to-earth attitude.

Lyra Jones from Cliche

Lyra Jones from Cliche

Lips slightly parted in an expression of grim determination,
revealing for a brief moment a set of perfect white teeth, Lyra Jones swung her saber at the nearest attacker. Her bare, muscular limbs barely strained from the effort. When all the Men of the Moon lay slain at her feet, the valiant Space Huntress allowed herself to rest….

Lyra Jones is one of four protagonists in my novella, Cliche. It tells the story of poorly-written fictional characters emerging from their books to confront their poorly writers — hilarity ensues. Lyra was originally written as a pulp fiction heroine, who somehow manages to win many an intergalactic swordfight in skimpy, impractical armor without losing life or limb. Lyra much prefers pairing her scant armor with a long-sleeved tunic and baggy pants, which offer both modesty and protection against harsh weather out in space.

Strive from Starlight Brigade by TWRP

Strive from “Starlight Brigade” by TWRP

Strive is the protagonist of the music video for TWRP’s song, “Starlight Brigade,” featuring singer Dan Avidan (better known for his more provocative stage name). The young elfin humanoid, a citizen of the planet Moebius, finds himself pulled into an intergalactic journey with the band’s cartoon Starlight Brigade personas.

Using blue and white face-paint as a base, you can follow GhostlyCosplay’s makeup tutorial for Strive’s makeup to complete this look.

Neopolitan from RWBY

Neopolitan from RWBY

Named for Neapolitan ice cream, this pink, brown, and white criminal is a mistress of illusion and a skilled martial arts fighter. Her parasol (dubbed Hush as a nod to her apparent mutism) conceals a pointed blade, which she uses to surprise-attack her underestimating opponents. Neo is a known associate of Roman Torchwick; after his untimely departure from the RWBY webseries, Neo wears his signature feathered hat (which you can recreate using this easy tutorial) in her quest for vengeance.

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