How I Finally Nailed My Xie Lian Cosplay Makeup After Way Too Many Failed Attempts

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How I Finally Nailed My Xie Lian Cosplay Makeup After Way Too Many Failed Attempts

Listen, I’m gonna be real with you right from the start—getting Xie Lian cosplay makeup right took me like five tries before I stopped looking like either a ghost or someone who just rolled out of bed.

And honestly? I get why it’s tricky.

Xie Lian isn’t your typical flashy anime character with crazy eyeliner or bold colors.

He’s subtle. Gentle. Someone who’s been through literal centuries of hardship but still keeps that soft kindness in his eyes.

That’s hard to capture with makeup, especially when you’re used to doing more dramatic cosplay looks.

I remember my first attempt—I went way too pale and ended up looking like a vampire instead of a fallen god who collects scraps for a living.

My second try? Too much contouring. I looked harsh instead of weathered.

But after studying his character design from Heaven Official’s Blessing and doing a bunch of trial and error, I finally figured out the balance.

And now I’m gonna walk you through exactly what works so you don’t waste your time (and makeup) like I did.

Understanding Xie Lian’s Look Before You Start

Before we dive into the actual makeup steps, you gotta understand what you’re going for here.

Xie Lian is basically the definition of “pure but worn down by life.”

He’s got that ethereal, almost divine quality because he literally was a beloved crown prince and martial god.

But he’s also been demoted, suffered for 800 years, and now he’s just out here trying to survive while staying kind to everyone.

So the makeup needs to show both sides—that gentle nobility mixed with exhaustion and humility.

Think soft features, fair skin, and just enough shadow to suggest he’s been through some stuff.

Not dramatic. Not glamorous. Just… real and a little tired.

That’s the vibe we’re creating.

The Foundation of Everything: Getting That Pale Complexion Right

Okay so this is where I messed up the first time.

I went TOO pale and it looked costume-y instead of natural.

Here’s what actually works:

Start with a lightweight foundation that’s about 1-2 shades lighter than your natural skin tone.

You want fair and porcelain-like, but not straight-up white.

I use an ivory or pale beige shade depending on the lighting where I’ll be taking photos.

Apply it with a damp beauty sponge so it looks like skin, not a mask.

Don’t cake it on—Xie Lian’s beauty is natural, not painted.

Quick tips for the base:

Use a hydrating primer first so your skin doesn’t look flat or powdery
Blend down your neck so there’s no harsh line (learned this the hard way in photos)
Set with translucent powder ONLY in your T-zone—don’t powder your whole face or you’ll lose that natural texture
If your skin naturally has warmth, use a slightly cool-toned foundation to counteract it

The goal here is “I’m naturally fair-skinned” not “I painted my face white for a costume.”

Big difference.

Creating That Subtle Worn-Down Look Without Looking Sick

This part is super important and also super easy to overdo.

Xie Lian has been through 800 years of suffering, poverty, and basically getting kicked while he’s down.

But he’s not sickly. He’s not dying.

He’s just… tired. Humble. A little gaunt from not always having enough to eat.

Here’s how I do the contouring:

Use a cool-toned contour powder or cream that’s muted—no warm bronzers here.

Apply it very lightly under your cheekbones, but blend it downward slightly instead of just along the bone.

This creates a subtle hollow look that suggests hardship without making you look skeletal.

Also contour very lightly along your temples and jawline.

The key word here is SUBTLE. Like barely-there subtle.

If someone looks at you and immediately thinks “wow that’s a lot of contour,” you’ve gone too far.

For the undereye area:

This is where you add that “I’ve seen some things” tiredness.

Take a muted taupe or greyish-brown eyeshadow (not purple or pink) and very lightly layer it under your lower lash line.

Don’t drag it down onto your cheeks—just right under the lashes and maybe a tiny bit in the inner corner.

You want to look gently tired, not like you have two black eyes.

Blend it really well with a small fluffy brush.

When I got this right for the first time, my friend literally said “you look like you need a nap but in a pretty way” and honestly that’s the perfect description for Xie Lian.