Närcon 2018 (potential) cosplay plans!

Hello folks!

I haven't mentioned it in here yet (I think) but I am going to Närcon this year too! I've bought a ticket second-hand a while ago and I'll be camping again, höhöhöööh~

I'm pretty sure everyone who is going is aware of one little detail and that is that even Närcon itself has officially gone out with a warning about the massive heat wave that is likely to be during the con, some sites even claiming it to be the warmest week of the year. Needless to say I'm pretty sure that this information made a lot of people change their cosplay plans last minute, me included.

Super-mega-viktigt att göra:
- Ta med en vattenflaska. Fyll på den varje gång du går från en aktivitet till en ny. Drick ca 2 liter vatten per dag.
- Ta med solskyddsfaktor, vätskeersättning och annat som hjälper dig tackla värmen. Ha gärna keps eller annan hatt som skyddar mot solen.
- Lämna din varma cosplay hemma. Det kan vara riktigt trist att inte få visa upp sin fina cosplay, men det är ännu mer trist att svimma i solen.
- Det är direkt farligt att ha varm cosplay i år. Lämna den hemma. Ta inte med den. Ja, det gäller även din fursuit, din plåtrustning eller din John Snow-rock.

The text above was posted by Närcon at their event page and it states, in Swedish, that it is directly dangerous to have a warm cosplay this year and they urge you to leave it at home and not take it with you. I'm heeding the advice. I'm not a person who copes with heat very well and I'd rather be comfy than faint so yeah, my original planned cosplay went into the bin and I had to think of what I ~could~ actually bring with me...

...

...

Which proved to be incredibly tough as I realized that 99% of my wearable cosplays consists of multiple layers. Fuck my life. :))

Buuuuuuuuuuuut I think I came up with something. At least ~potential~ cosplay plans! This means that I'll most likely bring these cosplays with me but when and if I wear them remains a mystery and will depend on the weather and my mood. I'm more likely to wear these out after the worst heat has passed, aka during the evening. Better safe than sorry!

~~~~~~~

Main cosplay

Series: Samurai Deeper Kyo

Character: Hotaru

I am not giving up on Hotaru again as I've been postponing his debut way too long already! I really want to wear him out and I feel like Närcon is the best place to do so as SDK was published in Sweden for a while and thus I have a chance of stumbling upon other fans who'd recognize me. :'D Ironically enough Hotaru is one of my "cooler cosplays" and yet wearing him means three layers of clothing on the upper body... when will I do something actually cool?? At least he has shorts to balance it out somewhat. *shrugs* I will hopefully wear him on either Friday or Saturday evening, perhaps both.

Secondary cosplay??

I might or might not bring a second cosplay but if I do (I'll know when I get home later today and can check what cosplays have all their parts where I can find them lol) it's probably gonna be either a random character from Hetalia in casual gear, Souji Okita from Hakuouki in his yukata, a generic Jedi or perhaps even a Team Aqua Grunt from Pokémon Ruby & Sapphire. I'm really unsure where the gloves and shoes for the Grunt are but if I can find them I am leaning towards bringing him right now and yes, his debut is also very long due, just like with Hotaru. xD I'm in a Pokémon mood right now!

~~~~~~~

Närcon has always been infamous for being either really warm or rainy as it's always at the exact same time of year (last full weekend of July) and often on heat waves but yeah, this year is gonna be worse than usual. Weather forecasts promise pretty much 30 degrees for the whole duration of the con so we're all gonna die. Period. 
If anyone's curious my original plans included to take part in the Touken Ranbu cosplay group as uchiban Kashuu Kiyomitsu but yeah, with this heat I'm leaving him home without a second thought as that cosplay is WAAAAAAYYYYYYYYY TOO HOT.

I think that's about it. Tomorrow early-as-shit I'm leaving for Linköping so wish me luck and see ya there!

Shiro Samurai out.

Lens review: Vassen Shinny Green

Hello people!

There's a massive heat wave going on right now but I still have to chug out new content so hey, lens review time! Today it's the Vassen Shinny Green lenses that are on the spotlight – I actually spent a really long time trying to find these lenses as I had very high hopes for them. I love green lenses and have been looking for the perfect green pair for a long time and I think I'm pretty near!

Let's get to it!

Base curve: 8.6 mm
Diameter: 14.5 mm

Water content: 42% 

Life span: 1 year (I recommend 6 months)

If you're anything like me you'll wonder why they're called Shinny and not Shiny, is it a typo? No one will know but what I do know is that these are much prettier when worn than what the look in the vials suggests.

I had some trouble finding reviews of these lenses and it was a challenge to find a reputable lens store that even carried them (please note that it was years ago I bought these, so I'm not aware how currently available they are) but when you want something really bad you find a way! The reason I was desperately looking for these is because I had the impression that they would be the perfect green lenses for cosplaying Souji Okita from Hakuouki, one of my favorite characters of all time – and for once I think I hit the mark. Or at least a pretty damn good pair for cosplay purposes.

One lens in.

I have naturally light blue-gray eyes, as the photo above shows, and these lenses make my eyes look undeniably green and a very beautiful, true green at that. The color shows up incredibly well and doesn't do the typical "muddy green" look that some green lenses quite often do on eye colors similar to mine. I honestly love the color – it's bright, vibrant and lively while still not looking fake. One might also notice that the center is of a lighter, more yellowish shade which also helps with the blending and thus in creating a more natural look – it also adds depth to the lens. Hands down this is one of the best green lenses I've ever tried, in terms of color.

There's a moderate to big size increase that is further accentuated by the black limbal ring. I really like how the black rim is incorporated into the design so that it's a smooth transition and not just a sudden wall of blackness that looks really cartoony.

Lens photos below!

All photos taken by me during a July afternoon with a clear sky. There's no color filters or such on the close-up photos and that's so that the colors would be as true to real life as possible.

Indoors, natural room light.

Indoors, yellow room light.

Indoors, unlit corridor.

Bathroom light.

Flash photo.

Facing backyard window. (shadow side)

Facing window. (sun side)

Outdoors, back against sun. (facing wall)

Facing the sun while being under the roof's shadow.

Facing sun.

Comfort is all fine and dandy. The first time I wore these they were incredibly comfortable – I did not feel them at all, which is rare, and I also managed to easily wear them past 3 hours. Now 3 hours might not sound like much to most of you but to someone who has really dry and sensitive eyes it's better than average! I think I might even be able to wear these for up to 5 hours or perhaps more on good days. One time when I wore these they started to feel dry after about 40 minutes though, so as with most lenses wearing time might change depending on how moist your eyes have been on that day, along with other factors. But overall these lenses have been a positive experience in the comfort department.

These lenses are really noticeable and pretty even from a distance! I definitely think that this is a great green lens for both cosplay and fashion alike. There's a great color payoff, a nice and versatile design, modest enlargement and good comfort – these are all kinds of awesome, in other words. ^.- I'd totally recommend the Shinny Greens if you're a fan of green lenses or looking for a semi-natural pair for cosplay (that still somehow manages to look anime) that has a great impact both near and far!

Distance photos!

Short summary:

Color: 10/10
Absolutely gorgeous vibrant, bright and lively green with a lot of depth to it!
Design: 9/10
Simple but really versatile and eye-catching.
Opacity: 8/10 
Solid color coverage, despite the lenses looking a bit transparent in the vials.
Enlargement: 7/10
Quite big in size!
Comfort: 7/10 
Thin and easy to wear – I don't feel them much at all and could easily wear them for multiple hours, despite having ridiculously dry and sensitive eyes.
Naturalness: 3/10

Interesting middle ground between semi-natural and unrealistic.

Thanks for reading my blog! Stay cool out there!

Shiro Samurai out.

Lens review: Flora Gerbera Red

Yo my people!

Today it's time to chomp on my newest lens review – peel up your eyes as I'll bring out the Flora Gerbera Reds! Unlike the pink counterpart which I reviewed recently I must admit that these are definitely better in the color department. Let's get to it!

Base curve: 8.6 mm
Diameter: 15.0 mm

Water content: 55%

Life span: 1 year (I recommend 6 months)

The design of these lenses is like a sort of 'burst' design with colored streaks racing towards the pupil hole. It looks really nice and all but when looking at the lenses in their vials the coloration appears a bit sparse, to the point the red looks more pink to me. You can assume that there will be some transparency with these, just like with the pink pair.

One lens in.

Much to my surprise the red actually shows up nicely, huzzah! I was mentally prepared for them to just kinda blend in and turn into this ugly mix shade. I actually even like how it's a soft red and not a super obvious red, thanks to the blending and the transparent areas – it's like if red was a natural color then these could perhaps be like it.

There's a quite big size increase and the black limbal ring adds a dolly eye look. The color is mainly at the edges; the print is done in a way so that the color fades towards the center, further creating a semi-natural look.

Lens photos below!
All photos taken by me during a July afternoon with a clear sky. Close-up photos are all free from color filters etc and that's so that the colors would be as true to real life as possible.

Natural indoors room light.

Yellow indoors room light.

Unlit corridor.

Flash photo.

Bathroom light.

Facing window. (sun side)

Facing backyard window. (shadow side)

Outdoors, back against the sun. (facing wall)

Outdoors, facing the sun while being under the roof's shadow.

Outdoors, facing sun.

Comfort is a bit of a random crapshoot with these – the first time I wore them they were all kinds of great (no irritation, invisible, no vision blur etc) but the second time I constantly felt them in my eyes (not really scratchy, just felt thick and annoying) and they started to dry already after 30 minutes. :( It's a bit of a hit-and-miss for me. I think on good eye days I could wear these just fine but if I have a worse than average day then these are out of the question. 

Despite the comfort hiccups I actually like these lenses and the interesting soft red shade that they have! It doesn't really 'pop' and sometimes disappears (especially in photos farther away, darker or shadowy, see below) but it's a solid choice for those who seek a calmer, more tame red color that won't scream crazy at you. It might not be a first choice for cosplay but it's all the more suitable for fantasy creatures and alternative fashion, especially those who like to play with unnatural eye colors.

Distance photo!

Interested in more Gerbera reviews?

Check these out: Pink, Blue, Green

Short summary:

Color: 7/10 
A subtle, soft red that has enough color to pack a punch but still manages to look tame and delicate.

Design: 8/10

Cool yet simple 'burst' pattern with streaks running towards the center.

Opacity: 6/10

You can tell it blends somewhat and there are transparent areas where your real eye color show up, but it still looks red most of the time.

Enlargement: 7/10

Big lenses with a noticeable black rim.

Comfort: 5/10

Unpredictable. Sometimes dries quickly and does the whole "plastic in the eye" thing that just won't go away but might also have times when they're really comfy and invisible to wear. On a good day the wearing time is around 2-4 hours on dry eyes.

Naturalness: 4/10

The size is too big but still somehow, despite being red, it actually isn't all that weird.

Thanks for reading and I hope you enjoyed this review! 
~ Shiro Samurai out.

[Sponsored] Lens review: EOS Super Neon Violet

Hello puppies!

Today I feel like it's a lens review day so say hello to the EOS Super Neon Violet! It's a really nice dark violet lens with great color coverage and a deep mystic shade. I'd rate it cosplay-friendly as well as suitable for many fashion styles! LoveShoppingholics sent me these gorgeous lenses for review purposes so thanks to them for making this review possible ~

The lenses that I'm reviewing in this blog post were sponsored by LoveShoppingholics, meaning that I did not pay for the product(s) myself. This does, however, not affect my honesty in any way. The words and opinions in this review are mine and mine alone, I don't ever compromise the truth.

Base curve: 8.8 mm
Diameter: 14.8 mm

Water content: 38%

Life span: 1 year (I recommend 6 months)

For more information about LoveShoppingholics and their online shop, be sure to check out this lens review where I talk about their store, my impressions and such!

If you're new to circle lenses I highly recommend that you take the lenses out of their little glass bottles and put them to soak in ordinary lens solution over the night, before wearing them for the first time. The reason why is because the solution that the lenses are stored in is of a different kind (stronger) and thus it might irritate your eyes and, well, as your sight is really important I urge you to be careful with your eyes and not take any unnecessary risks.

The EOS Super Neon series of lenses have a wide and intense black limbal ring, often feature a dark color and have a rather eye-catching design. It's not a single color but actually multiple different shades of violet, which adds depth to the lens and keeps them from looking flat and unrealistic. I dare say that the color is beautiful and it also appears to be densely pigmented, which means that it will cover your real eye color well.

One lens in.

As you can see on the photo above the violet is darker than average, the black ring might enhance the effect but whatever the case it's a beautiful color that you don't stumble upon too often. I also like how the design has this subtle 'burst' style pattern that gets lighter towards the center. It's a lovely, rich dark violet that shows up really well and adds that kind of alluring, mysterious look – I really have nothing bad to say about it.

Lens photos below!
All photos taken by me during a July afternoon with a clear sky. All close-up photos are free from color filters and such and that's so that the colors would be as true to real life as possible.

Natural indoors room light.

Yellow indoors room light.

Unlit corridor.

Flash photo.

Bathroom light.

Facing window. (sun side)

Facing window to the backyard. (shadow side)

Outdoors, back against sun. (facing wall)

Outdoors, facing the sun while being under the roof's shadow.

Outdoors, facing sun.

Comfort is doable. Easy to insert and no stinginess, scratchyness or irritation when I move my eyes around. I don't feel them in my eyes at all, except for that the first signs of dryness come really early – 30 minutes in and my ultra dry eyes react. Then again, be aware that everyone's eyes are different and I just so happen to have super-dry and sensitive eyes which tend to manifest in the sense that lens wearing time is drastically shortened for me;  average is 1-3 hours (when for "normal eyes" it would probably be 3-6 hours) and anything beyond 4 hours is extraordinarily good for me. So yeah, do read my comfort gradings with that in mind as I grade according to my eyes and, in the case of the Super Neon Violets, I would estimate wearing time to be somewhere between that average 1-3 hours for me. :) The dryness does seem to go on and off so yeah, as long as I bring eyedrops then these are definitely wearable!

All in all I like these lenses. They have such a great color that is really versatile, thanks partly to the simple yet striking design which lends them to both cosplay and j-fashion alike. I also want to think that because of the dark violet shade that these would also be a great addition for goths and other mystery seekers! It's definitely a violet lens worth trying, especially if you enjoy darker tones.

Distance photo!

Want to see more of EOS Super Neon lenses?

Check out my other reviews: Blue, Green, Brown, Gray

Short summary:

Color: 8/10
Dreamy, alluring, deep dark violet. What's not to love?

Design: 8/10
Beautiful yet simple with multiple shades that run towards the center.
Opacity: 8/10
Thanks to the dense color pigmentation these are really covering!
Enlargement: 6/10
Big but not massive. If you want dolly eyes then these got it.

Comfort: 5/10
Average. Dries really quickly but otherwise invisible to wear. 1-3 hours on super-dry eyes, approximately.
Naturalness: 1/10
Unless you've been living under a rock you know that huge violet eyes aren't realistic.

Kudos for reading my review, I hope you found it helpful!

Thanks LoveShoppingholics for being my sponsor~

Shiro Samurai out.