I have a few questions. I'm a larp newbie. What amount of makeup is best for summer, if any? Is is better to wear a regular bra or a sports bra? Thanks

WOW OK THIS QUESTION IS MY JAM SIT RIGHT DOWN.

So, make-up first. Shortest, most relevant answer is: it’s entirely up to you. What suits the game? What suits your character? Some go for elaborate make-up to reflect their character’s interests in fashion, or their status, or even phys-repping some trait or characteristic: some go very plain. But don’t instinctively think, “Oh, I’m playing a not so feminine character, they won’t wear make-up”; sometimes you can use make-up to defy norms in the most awesome ways.

For example, the following:

(Photo from Empire, Oliver Facey)

No make-up at all! A very practical lady about to go into battle. Of the mindset: what’s the point of wearing make-up into battle? There are more important things at stake. But then what’s this?

(Photo from Empire by Oliver Facey)

DARLING! A battle not worth putting on your full, finest make-up for - not to mention headwear and fancy regalia - is simply not a battle worth attending.

Some use make-up as an expression of an important part of their characters:

Has crocodile on face. WILL fuck you up. (Photo by Tom Garnett from Odyssey.)

Some use the very act of APPLYING make-up, in character, as a big part of who they are.

“Yep. Yep. I will get riiiight onto giving a Single Flying Fuck about your warband, once I’ve juuuust…. dooone….. oh man, I’ve gone and smudged it, I’m gonna have to start again, MY FUCKS TO GIVE ARE DELAYED, AGAIN, ALAS.” (Photo from Odyssey by Tom Garnett.)



I’ve just realised I could wax lyrical about this and so may save it for another article. But my main advice is: yeah, start with the character. Think of what make-up they’d wear.

Then, think about what you practically want to be applying every day. Easiest thing to do is to think about what you can realistically apply IC, rather than having to do in your tent first thing every morning when you’re bleary eyed and haven’t had coffee yet. Obviously racial phys-reps/scars etc. will have to be applied before you face the big wide world, but otherwise applying make-up IC is big, clever, and most of all fun, and really helps you get into the mindset of your character.

“Well, it’s not the blood of my enemies, but it’ll do, as a shade.” (Photo from Pioneers by Oliver Facey.)



Oh - and bring plenty of make-up remover wipes. Someone always forgets theirs.

NOW! ONTO BRAS. I’m a rather large chested lady, so this is a subject, quite literally, very close to my heart. I’ve spent much time agonising over my bra drawer pre-events trying to figure out what to pack. Sports bra? Party bra? That normal one which doesn’t look incredible but is just so comfy? Bras, as any significantly endowed person knows, can make or break an outfit. Quite literally, at times. I had a dress once that just wasn’t quite up to the challenge.

Exhibits A and B: What I, quite literally, have to plan my costumes around. Sigh. (Photo from Empire by Oliver Facey.)

What have I learned? Simple - pack as you would for any other event.



Are you expecting exertion? Are you likely to have to break into a sprint to chase down bad guys at a moment’s notice? A sports bra is your friend. Although I find, if I’m also wearing leather armour that fits snugly, that tends to hold the duo firmly in place well enough for legging it across fields to get away with a normal bra.

Yep, they’re not going anywhere. And yes, they ARE in there. I didn’t leave them in the ref hut. (Photo from Falling Down by Tom Garnett.)

But on the other hand, are you attending a ball and hoping to catch the eye of that dashing soldier at last? Then dress as you would for any party, and if you have a bra that makes your dress go from “pretty” to “too hot, hot DAMN”, then you know that’s your choice - though some of those dances can get pretty bouncy, as fair warning, so proceed with caution.

“Oh minister! A whole new museum and a substantial donation, just for me? You shouldn’t have!” (Photo from Rockets, Rayguns and Really Nice Tea, by Oliver Facey.)



Basically, my advice is, if you’re not sure, or if your activities will be varied (I have had events which have literally gone from Masquerade Ball into Knifefight at the drop of a beat), then take a selection! You can always dash back to your tent to change. In that regard, if you’re sharing a tent and a little bit shy and modest of stripping off your bra in front of people, I recommend getting a loose flowing vest you can throw over yourself as you take the old bra off and slide another one on underneath.

And now that I’ve written a whole LARP advice post on make-up and bras, I feel that my work is done.