The Cosplay Sessions: Casil's Walkthrough (DRAMAtical Murder - Mink)
It's been a while since we last met for a session, so I tried my best to make this possible before going on a little trip tonight. Besides, I'm looking forward to share this with you, it's so full of useful material that you can use as reference or starting point... or simply to entertain yourself if you're a fan of the toughest of the four DMMd "boyfriends". So now I'll go finish packing and leave you in nice company.
Being a man of few words, other are the elements to speak about Mink, consciously or not. You'll find that despite the many beautifully designed characters and their individual features in DMMd, when it comes to this guy in particular, details can't be taken for granted if you want to approach him.
I've found each cosplayer pays special attention to different parts of Mink when it comes to bringing him into the flesh. In the process of adapting the character to the cosplayer, those details that captured each person's attention the most will be taken care of as much as possible. The results are endless Mink renditions that stand out different parts of him, different pieces of one puzzle. So in the end... words weren't truly necessary.
Casil's rendition is one I'll let you interprete on your own as we go through this Session. The same way you would while playing a Route on the game. One could hardly guess it's been only three years since Casil started cosplaying, they just make it seem like a long path walked... and I do consider it that way. Among first impressions while meeting them in their Mink incarnation personally, a subtle cinnamon scent has left its print, making it easier to understand Aoba.
Let's hurry and make the best out of this chance, Casil's Mink is willing to answer questions to bring you closer to this character from their perspective...
B: What's your first memory related to cosplay?
C: My first cosplay memory was when I was able to go to a little con called StarFest based out in Colorado.
There was an Edward scissorhands cosplayer. He was amazing, I got so spooked I tripped into a wall that’s how much of a real deal he was to me.
But he gave me a call and happened to be a really awesome person. That really made my whole weekend.
B: Do you remember your experience with your first Cosplay?
C: Let’s see.. I actually bought a Miku Hatsune wig a year before I had ever gon to a con or done anything cosplay related..
I had an amazing friend named Ava, she was the one to really get me into anime. So I’d put on the wig, kind of like dress up and we’d run around her back yard pretending to be Vocaloids.
I guess you can consider that… My first cosplay?
This is like sharing embarrassing baby pictures
B: Your favorite thing about this hobby?
C: CRAFTING, I love crafting, my main go to is wonder flex.
I also consider making wig crafting soo, I enjoy styling cutting and wefting wigs~
B: Tell us your very first step to bring a character into reality through cosplay:
C: For me it’s all about the hair and makeup, if those aren’t on point it just doesn’t seem to work in my favor. I’ve had this happen to a few of my cosplays and it SUCKS.
B: You've probably been asked this one, but how did you get to know DRAMAtical Murder?
C: Hmm, my friends had made a cosplay group for DRAMAtical Murder, I was super interested in the character design. So I talked to my friend who’d been playing the game since it came out.
She told me a bit about it then came over and put it on my laptop.. After that moment.. I realized I had found something amazing. Not to mention the fandom is great and so so chilled out.
B: Was Mink your first cosplay option? Why?
C: Like every DMMd cosplayer.. I think it starts out as Aoba.
The reason was because my friend who had put DMMd on my laptop was cosplaying Clear and she really wanted someone to be her gay protagonist.
B: What other cosplays have you done before? What does it take for you to decide on a character?
C: I’ve done quite a few, Levi from Attack on Titan, Vinyl Scratc (AKA DJ pon3) from My little Pony and Saito from Hakuouki.
Photo Credits Shutter Crazy Photos & Oscar A. Arcena.
When your first impression of a cosplayer comes from a character as strong and intimidating as Mink (my case), a glance to their history of contrasting characters is a source of encouragement to step out of your comfort zone. But no matter what, Casil's version of any character projects a strong attitude.
B: Would you say you share any qualities or habits with Mink?
C: Quite a few actually, that’s one of the many reasons I fell in love with him. He’s distant but loving to those who matter and that sums me up pretty well. Not to mention he doesn’t take shit from anyone, and we both look sexy in dreads.
Casil's connection with this character helped them achieve a part of their cosplay you can't sew, build or buy. When it comes to someone as complex as Mink, going past the shell can be as important as a perfectly styled wig.
B: Any ritual to enter character when it comes to wearing this cosplay?
C: Do you really want to know?...
Haha, well it involves cinnamon air freshener and the song Strut (By Adam Lambert) playing in the background.
B: What are your thoughts on people's reactions to your Mink?
C: Mixed, very mixed.. I have people jumping on me yelling “CINNAPAPA”, then I also have people who see me and take a V line away from me. But for the most part I get AMAZING feedback and it makes me so thankful that people appreciate my Mink cosplay so much. It means the world to me it truly does.
B: The weirdest experience related to your Mink cosplay?
C: Let’s see, It was my first time taking Mink to a con.. My friend Mike was also cosplaying Mink. So I walked over and gave him a hug right… But then when I pulled away, our dreads… They were attached.It was amazing, since then my dreads have only been able to attach to the hair of other Mink cosplayer. That’s really special to me.
Two or more Minks interacting during conventions isn't a weird sight at all, is it? A fan's enthusiasm can transport the toughest character to the cutest of settings. When it comes to cosplay, the same can happen, and it's probably one of the nicest things about cosplay. Here's Casil bonding like a Mink with other amazing cosplayers.
B: Mink's facial features are sure the strongest and even more outstanding among DMMd characters. What were your first thoughts on the makeup department to achieve his look?
C: First of all, I’m beyond pale when it comes to skin tone. So for me it was getting a blush to tan up my face and contouring in my jaw lines perfectly.
B: From his facial features, which is the principal one you think any Mink cosplayer should pay attention to?
C: Here’s my principal, if you’re going todo the lines under his eyes don’t make it one dark line and be done. Shading, blending and choosing natural looking dark colors is the way to go.
B: How long does it take you to achieve the look?
C: I don’t think I ever timed myself; he’s pretty simple to slap on and be done. But the main problem I run into is the eyes and getting them PERFECT and symmetrical.. So I’d say an hour on a good day, and maybe one and a halfish hours if I just can’t get those eyes right.
DRAMAtical transformations often characterize the look for this character. Of course your chosen products will depend on the features you want to stand out the most. Whether you prefer a bare face, layers and layers or something in between, perhaps Casil's selection might give you an idea to start or improve your routine for Mink:
-Most The Brushes I used are a brand called Too Faced, I get them at Sephora.
-Hard Candy Sheer Envy, Primer 137
-e.l.f. Eyeshadow 32 Piece Palette, Natural, 0.99 Ounce
-e.l.f. Cosmetics Liquid Eyeliner
-A cover up matching your skin tone, I use True Match by L’Oreal
-I also got a random blush box from Sephora with a shade a little darker than my skin to make the natural tan look. (here's a suggestion that looks similar to what Casil owns)
B: Imagine you have to quickly transform into Mink with only three of those products. Which would you choose?
C: It only takes me 4 makeup products to transform into him.. But I’d go without the foundation if anything.
From Casil to Mink
Whether you're a cosplayer who is constantly after improvement, or you're indeed interested in this particular character to add to your list, Casil's suggested routine might give you an idea or two.
Remember each routine can be adapted to your own needs and features, the same way your choice of products.
This is Casil's starting point *drum roll*
Grab your tools and spray some Cinnamon scent around. Let's begin!
For the make up I use 4 brushes.
Foundation brush.
2 Blush brushes. (One for the tanning color of blush and one for the contouring.You really don't want to mix those up)
and an eye-shadow brush slightly angled so you cleanly shade in under your eyebrow and side of the nose.
/I didn't put in contacts for this, I also didn't do one side of my face. Just so you could see the difference./
You want to cover you face and lips with your concealer (Be sure to put some clear lip-gloss or chap-stick on your lips before covering them in concealer)
A LOT of people ask me if I use a darker concealer for my skin and that's a BIG no. If you do that you won't be able to blend your face correctly.
It'll leave lines and look terrible, trust me. You'll be tanning up your skin with the blush so don't worry about needing a dark concealer.
You can even lighten up your skin this way if you wanted, just use a lighter blush.
After Primer+Foundation, Casil gradually builds up the perfect cinnamon shade with bronzer on top
1,2,3 color mix for perfect shading!
To create the darker lines under his eyes you want to start under you eyebrow.
Take the angled eye-shadow brush & follow down to the side of you nose and end where they natural bags under your eyes would be. I do that a few times going up and down until I get the color how I want it.
The I just shade it and spread it out to look natural, especially on the bridge of my nose to make it look wider(Mink as a big nose bridge)
1,2,3 instant bone structure change!
Now take your other blush brush for the contouring. You could use to 2 colors I pointed out or whatever works for you.
It's okay to go darker for the jaw contouring AS LONG as you blend it in nicely. Don't wanna look you just got smacked by a dusty tree branch.
I suck in my cheeks and tilt my head down from the light to see the normal shadows. I add the contouring there first then blend it out to give it a very strong look. I go right under the apple of my cheeks and kinda box it out then blend in. That's what works best for me.
Results of some dedicated blending
Now for eyeliner. I'm not too thrilled with how I do it because you can't look down for pictures otherwise it looks silly and curvy.
But for me its the best way to get his very straight and squinted eye look.
So from the top.. err Bottom? of your upper eye lids. (As in right above your eyelashes) make a straight line. Right to where you have that natural line on your eyelid. To do the next part I just pull the skin up and to the side to make it easier for adding the small little line that'll go to the end of where you 2 eyelids connect. Then adding the bottom line, I just keep it as straight as possible and as close to the water line as you can get without stabbing your eye with the liquid eyeliner.
Mink vs. Casil
So yeah straight lines are your best bet for eyes, it'll look better with contacts in. (The just make a squinting female dog face and you're good to go.)
STRONG POINTS IN CASIL'S ROUTINE
Casil's method is really friendly for anyone who is starting with characters that require intense transformations OR of it you are more from the Natural Looking make up instead of Theatrical ways. The main focus in this look is blending, as Casil said it. But here are other few details that stand out in this routine and might be helpful for you:
-The right shade: Casil uses bronzer to darken their skin. This is a way more subtle technique, and you are more in control on how dark or light your results will be, because it's buildable. Meanwhile, foundation's color cannot be modified by itself when applied to the skin.
-Know your undertones: in this routine, for both bronzer and contouring shades Casil plays with colors to achieve a tone that flatters their skintone and looks natural enough. Whether it's by instinct or knowledge, Casil makes good use of colors to match the undertones of their skin. Just because you're trying to achieve a tanned look does not mean it's automatically a Warm undertone!
Are your undertones Cold? Are they Warm? Knowing this will help you A LOT when it comes to choosen the best foundation for yourself, as well as blush, bronzers, etc. It will look way more natural.
-Eyeshadows for your face: this might be a trick many of you are familiar with, but I'd like to mention it because of how it was used during this routine. You can start experimenting with just one shade that isn't TOO pigmented, and then try mixing two colors and so on. You'll create new shades like the one Casil used for contouring their nose and cheekbones.
B: If you were a character from the game, how would your route be?
C: Let’s see, I’d be a very tusundere character for sure.. Start off quiet until you found out my true power.
C: I’m not honestly sure.. WAIT, I would be an MMA instructor who could really kick ass. The silent but deadly type. Back flips.. Jumping from wall to wall, breaking more than 2 bricks at a time with my hand… And I’d definitely have some of Liliana Vess’s outfit incorporated with mine.. Especially the glowing eyes.
C: I’m not honestly sure.. WAIT, I would be an MMA instructor who could really kick ass. The silent but deadly type. Back flips.. Jumping from wall to wall, breaking more than 2 bricks at a time with my hand… And I’d definitely have some of Liliana Vess’s outfit incorporated with mine.. Especially the glowing eyes.
Random fact: Casil genuinely practices Mixed Martial Arts during their free time.
Would you like to play a Route like this one?
B: Thank you so much Casil for your time and the many things shared! However, this question is directed to Mink, if you'd let me... it'd be nice to hear some encouragement words from him to all cosplayers reading this
M: Listen, I’m pretty sure you tell yourself you aren’t capable of doing something you really want to.
But you need to stop letting that get in the way. Don’t let your insecurity’s bitch you around.
Just, go out and do the best you can even if it doesn’t seem right to others. Do something how YOU think it should be done.
And that was Mink for all of you. I hope you can make proper use of his advice
CASIL's ROUTE
Bad End: Black hair same length but it wouldn’t be slicked back just some mild J rock style. Karate Gi pant and a wife beater tank top with a snake design… But I’ve have some really epic bracelets that go all the way up my arms, just tons of them.
Aoba would be able to pull me away from the power growing within. The purple in my eye’s would die down and eventually I'd go back to my day job as an MMA Sensei, Aoba would teach the little kids class and we’d live happily ever after the end.
Some Polyvore-kind of sorcery for an approach to Casil's vision (Kirito's hairstyle somehow seemed to fit Casil's description)
Ideal Allmate: Snake
Yourself as an Allmate: Goat
Good End Theme: Don’t fear the reaper, by Blue Öyster Cult
Bad End Theme: Cannibal song, by the Ministry
COSPLAY ANATOMY
Easiest part to work on: Bracelet (Even though it broke ten times)
Most difficult part to work on: The wig, took 2 months to finish. There was a lot of adding in hair, lengthening and drying taking place.
Most expensive piece: The jacket
Cheapest piece: The pants? Does that count?
Favorite part of the costume: JACKET
First item to work on: Headband
Last item to finish: The wig
Piece you would wear in everyday fashion: The jacket
Piece you would NEVER wear out of cosplay: The neck shackle
And this is how we reach the end of another session. I hope this was helpful and entertaining to those of you who stumble upon this corner. To me it was a pleasure to read Casil, and let myself be fascinated by this cosplay which took a lot of dedication and passion... characteristics that casually can be found in Mink himself.
See you next session!
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1 comments
Casil seems like a very interesting but also very open person, when it comes to cosplaying and that is great. They shared many of their tips, and the tutorial was very easy to understand.
ResponderEliminarTheir version of Mink is absolutely stunning, honestly, for their normal complexion to achieve this, it shows how anyone can cosplay anyone, with the right amount of work put into it.
Wow, the route question, so detailed!! xD they really thought of all details. Very impressive. Seems like that'd be another pretty interesting route to play.
DMmd cosplayers keep surprising me. They are all very interesting, and very good at cosplaying and bringing the characters to life too!
Loved it!
Thank you and Casil for sharing this! Keep it up!