Thank you!

I have been getting great suggestions for my Misa Amane cosplay.Which will take place on september 30th (but it is never too early to prepare :).I have checked out the websites provided sure some of the wigs are pricey but I am grateful that time was taken by the people who directed me to those sites.Once again fellow cosplayers at cosplyr.com Thank you!

Metal Army Code.

This is random but if there are any metal heads out there then here is something for you
ARMY-JMS5-3J6X-X6HA This code can be used at:  http://www.cmdistro.com/
 for 10% off items marked ARMY.Enjoy.

Cruelty Free Cosplay. Part II

Today I purchased an item from the Manic Panic Collection. After much debate I finally decided to buy the "Knock 'Em Dead Total Look Kit." The kit includes face powder,lip color,brushes,eye shadow(base and highlighter.)

I bought this palette because I think it will help me with my Misa cosplay.I decided to do a simple Misa Amane cosplay.

I don't have blue eyes but I have everything else.I would wear contacts but I don't have a prescription. If that makes me seem less dedicated then so be it, but I don't want to ruin my eyes.I love Manic Panic because the makeup they have isn't very easy to come buy unless it is Halloween or you buy from a specialty store that carries goth makeup.Some cosplay characters require a dramatic makeup and I look to Manic Panic for supplies.They have individual eyshadow kits,lip kits,eyeliner,pressed powder, nailpolish.These are their kits:

1. So 80's eye kit

2. Melodrama eye kit

3.Psychodrama eye kit

1.So 80's lip kit

2.Drama Queen

1.Final Curtain Total Look Kit includes:- anemic pressed powder - spiky eyelashes - black eyeshadow - purple eyeshadow - jet black creme eyeliner - black lip lacquer - purple lip lacquer- black lip liner - 1 dual-ended eyeliner applicator - 1 shadow applicator - 1 lip brush

2.Sooo 80's Total Look Kit includes:- Champagne shimmer, Sin City eyelashes, Hot Hot Pink, Blue Steel, Purple rain, Coralline Dream eyeshadows, Mystic Heather and Hot Hot Pink lip lacquer, 1 dual-ended eyeliner applicator, 1 shadow applicator, 1 lip brush.

Source- http://www.manicpaniccollection.com/

For even more makeup,eyeliner,nailpolish visit: http://www.manicpanic.biz/

Lokisa Shop.

I found this store in 2008.

http://www.visual-you.com/catalog/

They sell a variety of things like: makeup,hoddies,cosplay accessories,jewelry,shoes(lolita as well),shirts,visual,punk items etc.

They are located in the US.

Cruelty Free cosplay.Part I

So I am all for dyeing your hair for cosplay or just because and when that requires alternative colors I rely in Manic Panic semi permanent hair color.Sure there are many mixed reviews about the products but my experience with the products were great.Sure the hair dye is pretty expensive but there is a place where it is a bit less pricey  for the cost of  roughly one amplified bottle you can buy both the Bleach kit and the hair color of your choice. I am talking about Sallys.

Manic Panic Hair dye, makeup,wigs,etc...
http://www.manicpanic.biz/Default.aspx?

http://www.manicpaniccollection.com/

Sallys:
http://www.sallybeauty.com/vampire-red-hair/SBS-484002,default,pd.html?tab=tabReview 
(some colors are only available online)

Here are some examples of some characters that have alternative haircolors.Manic panic hair dye can be mixed together to alter the shade safely.

For Sailor Mercury I was thinking that After Midnight Blue was the best fit.But Shocking Blue can also be a good fit.
For Sailor Neptune Atomic Turquoise was a good fit.The color can be light and not as dark as hers but the shade can be altered with a little blue or green.
For Sailor Pluto I think that either Enchanted Forest or Green Envy can work.
Results will differ and for the best bleach your hair as light as you can.


Here is a swatch of the haircolors:

Ok so Orihime and Ichigos  hair isn't alternative but Electirc Tiger Lily is a pretty good match.

For Near Virgin Snow is a good pick.It is a toner and it works on bleached hair.I would reccomend using Flash Lightning Amplified 40 so your hair can get lighter then apply the toner so the brassiness
(if any) is no longer on your hair. Depending on your hair type you might have to bleach two times for the best results.(not on the same day,wait a few days in between bleachings).

I reccomend using a blow dryer every fifteen minutes for a few minutes for brighter long lasting color.*Be warned the color does stain so have bleach or cleaning products containing bleach at hand.Put vaseline around your hairline to prevent staining on your skin."

Legit companies...

Music:
COCC – Columbia Japan
KICA, KIDA, KICS – King Record (Starchild)
KTCR – Kitty
LACA – Lantis
PICA, PIDA – Pioneer
PCCG – Pony Canyon
TKCA, <2digits>ATC – Tokuma Japan
TYCY – Toshiba-EMI (Futureland)
VICL, VIDL – Victor (also known as JVC)
VPCG – Vap
SVWC – SME Visual Works (also known as Aniplex)

Source:  http://music.3yen.com/category/bootlegs/

Comment on this post if you know of more companies.Thanks!

Another mistake...

So a few years ago in anime etc. called Chibi Metropolis, my aunt bought me a Sailor Moon DVD; season 3. It was really expensive around $85.00 ish. But at the time we thought it was the real thing...it is not, just another bootleg. I researched again and this time I went to reviews about that store and came across this... "Every cd they have is from one of the many well-known bootleg labels (Alion International, Miya Records, Ever Anime, Son-May, etc.) but they charge real Japan version prices.(ain't that the truth!) Their scrolls are WAY overpriced - most of them are, again, unofficial merchandise that I've seen for $10 or less, and they charge $15. Even their Ryo-Ohki bags aren't manufactured by the companies affiliated with the Tenchi series. Not to mention, their display cabinet is FULL of low-quality Hong Kong fansub bootlegs. When so many GOOD anime series are being licensed in the USA, there's no excuse for this. Skip over these guys & head over to yesasia.com, cdjapan.co.jp, or even just amazon.com if you want to actually support your favorite anime studios & jpop artists. Do NOT support this store until they start selling the real thing!!!! "
So apparently there are some well known bootleg companies(which I underlined in the quote). I have not purchased(knowingly) from these companies and never will!It really is sad to know that the closest anime shop is selling illegal items that may land the customer into trouble without knowing.I understand the need to make money but this just isn't the way.I'd rather save up and buy authentic merch and etc.So remember do your reasearch and buy at your own risk!
Here is a list of companies to avoid:

Son May (SM) – GGG, GA, GSM, SM, SS, AnG, SMA, SMB, GAME, CK

Smiley Face Records Ltd – KA, HO

Ever Anime – A8, TV, CV, NP, GM

Hi Fashion

Alion – ALCA

Miya Records – MICP

Archer Records – R

Ho Son – B, H

Wisdom Records

Yuanding

Top Circle

Golden Diamond

Source: http://music.3yen.com/category/bootlegs/

Here are how the logos look like.

If you know of more please comment on this post.Thanks!

Sadly...I was mistaken.A crash course in spotting bootlegs.

This post is about the Sailor Moon DVD. I did some research.It is something that I should have done before making that purchase. Some of you may have known when reading the post, it is a bootleg.I bought it without knowing at the time.I will still keep the post up but I do NOT encourage you to buy bootleg!It was a mistake that I made and it could get you in big problems if you decide to do the same.Yes, it was amazing to be able to watch the whole series and at a great price and all but it really isn't fair to those involved in the project to be ripped off.I will post some tips on how to spot a bootleg(I wish I had them at the time...)

"Check the packaging. While some bootleg copies are pretty hi-tech and "compressed" just like the studios do, others are ripped right on someone's computer and with just a little scrutiny, you'll notice things like pixelating on the cover art or even a DVD that actually says "DVD-R."

Check the audio. If there's no English dub, then it's probably a bootleg. There are exceptions to this, of course, such as a true import DVD from Japan, but in general, DVDs released for the North American audience are going to have an English dub.

Check the region. DVDs released for North America and Canada are Region 1. Import DVDs from Japan will be Region 2. To get past this encoding problem, many foreign bootleggers will encode as "Region Free" or "Region 0." But take note: the legitimate studios DO NOT put out "Region free" or "Region 0" DVDs. They just don't do it. If yours is region free or region 0, you're holding a fake. Period.
Check the number of episodes. If you haven't already noticed, most legitimate anime DVDs come with anywhere from three to five episodes per DVD on average.

Check the price. We all love a bargain. Especially when it comes to our anime and I'll be the first to admit that you'll sometimes luck into a really good (and legitimate) find.

Check the seller. A DVD bought direct from Amazon is probably okay, but a DVD bought from an individual seller through the Amazon marketplace isn't guaranteed. Similarly, if you're out buying at a convention or on eBay, you need to pay a little more attention than you would if you purchased something from a known and reputable dealer.

If you're buying at an online auction such as eBay, check the descriptions, most (but not all) legit sellers will say "this is not a bootleg." Even more important, however, is the description itself. If the seller tells you that it's "high quality audio/video," it's probably a rip."

Sources: http://anime.about.com/od/animecollectibles/ht/bootlegdvd.htm
http://www.otakunews.com/piratefaq.php
http://anime.about.com/od/animecollectibles/qt/dvdregions.htm

*If it is too good to be true...then it is!*
Buy at your own risk.

My finds at Flea Markets,Fairs,and Conventions.Part I

I found this at a Flea Market...A Sailor Moon wall clock.It was $2.00