His love of Disney started from a young age with Ariel being his favourite

He uses costumes, wigs and make-up to morph into his top princesses

A 21-year-old man has told how he's spent years perfecting his Disney princess hair and make-up that people are shocked when he reveals that he's not a woman.

Richard Schaefer from Orange County, California, boasts an impressive collection of 40 costumes and 30 wigs which help him morph into his favourite female characters including Jasmine from Aladdin and Snow White.

The natural brunette wears a steel-boned corset and chest padding to achieve an hourglass silhouette and he's learned how to professionally apply make-up to achieve the perfect doe-eyed look.

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Richard Schaefer is a dedicated Disney cosplayer who spends hours crafting costumes to look like heroines including Rapunzel (pictured)

Richard created his Princess Jasmine look complete with black wig and replica jewellery (left); Richard also dressed as Megara from Disney's Hercules (right)

Commenting on his dressing up passion, Richard (pictured out of character) said: 'I think it's a real compliment when people think that I'm a female cosplayer because it means that my transformations must be convincing.

Commenting on his dressing up passion, Richard said: 'I think it's a real compliment when people think that I'm a female cosplayer because it means that my transformations must be convincing.

'I enjoy being in character because I get to be a different person for a while, which is fun.'

On the online art networking site, Deviant Art, Richard describes himself as a 'Disney addict' adding that 'Ariel is kinda my life.'

The fashion design student, who is currently single, makes many costumes himself but when he's too busy he sources them online.

Taking a twirl: The natural brunette (above as Ariel) says people are shocked when he reveals his true sex

Stike a pose: Richard, 21, dressed as Belle from Beauty and the Beast, pictured with a fellow cosplayer

He has been cosplaying as Disney princesses for four years and loves nothing more than getting dressed up and showing off his transformations to fellow fairytale fans.

The Californian regularly attends comic conventions with friends dressed as one his princess alter egos.

Last year he went to his biggest convention yet run by the Official Disney Fan Club.

'I absolutely loved it, and I loved being around other fans in cosplay,' he said.

Richard Schaefer from Fullerton, Orange County, has spent years perfecting himself into a Disney princess - above he is seen dressed as Snow White

Queen Elsa: Richard wears a steel-boned corset and chest padding to get an hourglass silhouette

Steady hand: The native-born Mexican (dressed as Frozen sisters (l-r) Elsa and Anna) has learned how to professionally apply make-up to achieve the perfect doe-eyed look

Bonnie in blue: Dressed as Cinderella (left) and Giselle from the Disney film Enchanted (right)

Richard, who also works as a freelance make-up artist, spends two hours on each transformation.

He uses contouring techniques to sculpt his face and often wears coloured contact lenses to complete the look.

While Richard will now wear figure-hugging outfits without hesitation, he hasn't always been so confident.

At school he was bullied for his 18st 13lb frame and often kept to himself, creating clothing and artwork in his free time.

Skilled: The fashion design student, who is currently single, makes many costumes himself but when he's too busy he sources them online (left, dressed as Cinderella, right, dressed as Megara from Disney's Hercules)

In the limelight: In 2013 Richard began uploading photographs of his transformations onto Instagram and he now has more than 82,000 followers

Starting young: Richard pictured as a child holding his favourite Ariel doll

It wasn't until Richard lost 6st 11lb in his senior year at high school, then aged 18, that he started discovering his self-confidence.

Recalling the chain of events Richard said: 'I was a bit of a loner at school and spent a lot of time by myself.

'But when I lost the weight, I felt more confident and able to just brush off any comments.

Disney dreams: Richard Schaefer as a toddler with Minnie Mouse

Fond memory: The dressing up fan pictured as a child when he met his favourite Disney character, Ariel

Tough times: While Richard (dressed as Ariel from The Little Mermaid) will now wear figure-hugging outfits without hesitation, he hasn't always been so confident

'I decided to start cosplaying as princesses because of how androgynous people used to say I was.

'Curiosity got the best of me, so I decided to transform myself into my favourite princess - Ariel, who I have loved since I was a child.

'I was pleasantly surprised at how convincing I looked so I decided to stick at it and try different princesses too.'

In addition to cosplaying as princesses, Richard sometimes plays male characters, including Peter Pan and Aladdin.

Blossoming: It wasn't until Richard lost 6st 11lb in his senior year at high school, then aged 18, that he started discovering his self-confidence (above, dressed as Cinderella, pictured with a fellow cosplayer)

Changing it up: In addition to cosplaying as princesses, Richard occasionally cosplays as male characters, including Peter Pan and Aladdin (above)

In 2013 Richard started uploading photographs of his transformations to Instagram and he now has more than 82,000 followers.

He added: 'Being a princess definitely helped me to become a more confident person.

'Not only do I feel beautiful as a princess but I feel even more beautiful when I'm just myself, the ball gown is just an added bonus.'

'I often receive rude comments but I'm quick to shut them down by turning their comment into a joke.