Cosplay Shopper Blog

Convention Essentials Survival Kit

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Katsucon, the first “big” North American convention of the year, is fast approaching, and while many of you are probably experienced cosplayers and con-goers, for others, this might be your first convention ever. And while I dove into my first convention with a group of more experienced friends, I still felt nervous – what do I bring? What should I leave at home? Should I pack light, or stuff as much as possible into my bag? So here, we’ve compiled a list of must-haves at any convention to make your packing and prep experience a little bit easier!

1. Sewing kit

This first one is more important for cosplayers, but helpful nonetheless. If a part of your costume starts falling apart mid-con, the last thing you want to be caught without is a sewing kit! This should include at the very least needles, safety pins, thread, and a small pair of scissors. Some conventions also have costume repair stations, so make sure you know where those are in case you experience a particularly devastating wardrobe malfunction.

2. Eyelash adhesive

This rule might be familiar to the makeup wearers reading our blog: at any major falsie-wearing event, whether it’s a dance, a fancy dinner, Halloween, or a convention, you should be carrying your eyelash glue with you – because rest assured that you or someone you know will have malfunctioning eyelashes halfway through the day.

3. Emergency makeup kit

Well, eyelash glue was so important that we decided to give it a place of its own. However, that doesn’t mean that you should forget about your other makeup, either, especially if you’re not used to wearing makeup and accidentally rub your eye in the middle of the day. This kit should include eyeliner, mascara, concealer, and lipstick/gloss!

4. Hand sanitizer

We know this is something you might not be used to carrying around, but conventions are dirty, germy places, and you’ll be shaking hands with a ton of people, touching tons of public things, etc. And if you don’t want to walk away from the convention with post-con illness, make sure you keep yourself as germ-free as possible.

5. Advil/Tylenol

That being said, getting sick mid-con is unavoidable in some circumstances, too. So if you’re prone to headaches, heat strokes, and other medical conditions, make sure you’re carrying around painkillers and Band-Aids just in case.

6. Glue

Emergency adhesives are fundamental, especially if you’re carrying a prop around with you. Whether you opt to lug around your hot glue gun, or if you just carry a tube of super glue with you, make sure you have something for when that guy who isn’t watching where he’s going knocks into your prop.

7. Hairbrush

A comb is fine, too, but if you’re wearing a longer wig, a hairbrush to tame your tangled threads in the middle of the day will make your life a lot easier and will probably make your photos look a lot better. Extra gel, hairspray, or whatever styling products you’re using wouldn’t hurt, either.

8. Bobby pins, hair ties, wig caps

Okay, this is three items, but they all go into the same category – hair-accessory-stuff. Definitely keep this in mind if you’ve styled your wig with accessories such as flowers, hats, and bows. Bobby pins can also come in handy if you’re out of safety pins for your costume, or if you happen to get locked in a closet.

9. Phone charger

Your phone will run out of battery. This is an accepted fact, especially if you’re using it for a camera as well. If the con has outlets in the hallway, make sure to take advantage of them with your charger (you’ll probably notice these outlets because there will generally be a gathering of people around them).

10. Water

Fainting and dehydration is common at concerts, conventions, and fairs, especially with all the talking and walking around you’ll be doing coupled with your possibly constricting or uncomfortable costume. Make sure you keep your blood pressure up by stay hydrated and energized!

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