This costume has taken on a life of its own, in a way I never could have anticipated.
The decision to don Lady Two-Face stemmed from how much I enjoyed wearing my gender-bent Princess of Persia. Two-Face has always been one of my favorite Batman villains, right up there with Poison Ivy and the Joker. While I enjoy most Bat-flavored entertainment, Dini’s Batman: The Animated Series has always been at the top of my list. As such it seemed a good fit to opt for the comic styling from the TV-show, rather than the more realistic interpretation that came courtesy of the movies. It was also an attractive challenge to try something simultaneously glamorous and grotesque.
Harvey Dent/Two-Face from Batman: The Animated Series.
Honestly, the costume itself wasn’t that hard to pull together. In total I clocked in two or so weeks securing all the pieces. The majority of the time was consumed ferreting out similar cut double-breasted suits on eBay. The white one is Ralph Lauren surprisingly, and I nabbed it for only $30. I won the black pinstripe suit for $10. I ordered two of the same pair or shoes and two of the same corset – one in black and one in white.
I commissioned a professional tailor to stitch together the suit, knowing full well that I would butcher the job trying to rush in the limited time I had before SDCC. We took in the jacket to an exaggerated degree so to contrast the baggy slacks.
After ordering the coin replica and a plastic Tommy gun online, all the pieces were in order.
I didn’t tease the fact that I’d be wearing Lady Two-Face to SDCC, instead leaving it a surprise in case the makeup didn’t come together properly. Hydred – the amazingly talented makeup artist I hire every year for SDCC – and I discussed the execution in great detail for weeks, hashing through the construction and toying with different ideas. In the end I shouldn’t have worried, as Hydred knocked the look out of the park.
Makeup and hair in full took six and a half hours – twice as long as I wore the costume at the convention. Hydred began by painting my left side (face, neck, and even bust) with blue latex. For delicate areas around the eyes we instead used a saturated blue eye shadow. From there, Hydred built up the mouth with wax, using Spirit Gum to adhere it to my face. We filed and painted acrylic nails yellow to use as the teeth, which were carefully placed and secured within the wax structure. Next, gums were layered on and attached above the teeth, before being painted various shades of black, red, and blue.
In total hair and makeup took six and a half hours.
We decided to exaggerate my features with animation-esq lines, drawn on with black eyeliner and shaded by a careful hand. Even my eyebrow on the right side was made to be a bit more angular, hinting at the inborn deviance of Two-Face. For hair we opted for flowing curls on one side, contrasted by a wild, white up-do on the other.
The final touch was the single yellow contact, which was a bit of a challenge to wear as I’d never successfully used one before. Somehow I lucked out and it stayed in for most of the convention without issue.
I finally made it out to the show floor around 2:00 PM Saturday of SDCC. Walking about was complete madness, and I’m still astonished by the reaction of fellow attendees. I’d hoped fans would appreciate the costume, but never expected to be stationary for hours inundated with photo requests. It was difficult to talk or smile, otherwise I’d have been grinning ear to ear.
Funny enough, I didn’t even name this character myself. The Internet sort of did. I was struggling to come up with a name for the character even as put on the suit – I vetoed Harley Dent early on for the obvious lack of originality. Someone dubbed me “Lady Two-Face” and it stuck.
It’s going to be hard to top this costume next year, as somehow a rumor got started that I “won the best costume of SDCC.” While I have no idea where it originated, I’m pleased by the sentiment. I’m also quite happy that the risk paid off, proving that fan service doesn’t always require an excess of skin. Not that I complain when it does. 😉
As with every SDCC, I shot a set of photos with LJinto and they turned out fantastic. Check out his work and a gallery of show floor snaps below. Enjoy!
Lady Two-Face Portfolio
You always take your CosPlay seriously and this result is so stunning and spot on it’s really a tribute to all your efforts. I’m glad the rest of the world is taking notice of “Meagan the Model” and I wish you nothing but the very best!
Thank you Jeff.
Such a random walk…
I originally saw this costume on Facebook via an unattributed link (http://pete.com/view/the-most-awesome-costume-ever)… one of your comments on another thread today led me to your site here where I fortuitously stumbled on this!
Of all the costumes I’ve seen this year, this is indeed the best one, period. Absolutely amazing…
I usually go to SDCC as No. 6 from “The Prisoner”, and it’s much more fun to roam the floor than do a stage bit. Many more fans see the costumes that way, and I admit, it is fun to be stopped by fans who want pics. Your costume, however, is the best I’ve ever seen, it’s brilliant in concept and especially in execution – thanks for mingling!
i was very impressed with the improvisation of this look, great job! as for myself, i have been involved in the professional costuming industry for many years (my parents worked at a studio that made costumes for shows on cruise ships) and have learned a lot since i began at 16. i would like to show you my first costume that i donned at the 2003 orlando megacon, which was one of the tusken raiders from star wars. i had my pictures taken by the awesome risingsun.net photographers. if you’d like i can email them to you. great stuff Meagan!
I know I’m a little late here but awesome costume! Just saw the pics online and wanted to stop by and show some love. GREAT GREAT GREAT job! Wish I could of been there to see it in person!
Thank you all!
I prefer the “white side” : )
Awesome work \o/
The right side spells “awesome”, the left – “terrifying”, so I think I’ll settle for “mind-blowing”)
Your makeup artist is a miracle man (or rather woman) – the scars send shivers down my spine even though I know they are not real. She could make a career at intelligence service)
Sorry for commenting on this so late but I’m new here. I agree with everyone else, this is an amazing achievement, both in terms of design and commitment. I’ve never been to the SDCC even though I used to live in San Diego. One day…
I also agree with you about Paul Dini’s Batman series. I loved the animation, the involving stories, and the great music, especially Elfman’s main theme adapted from Burton’s two films. Out of curiosity, have you put any thought into Lady Two Face’s back story? Anyway, again, this is awesome work.
Amazing Work! Love the make-up! Two thumbs up!
Thank you Leslie!
This is the best cosplay costume I’ve ever seen! Great work and great modeling. Digging this site 😉
Just stumbled across this searching around and wanted to add my voice to all those who already let you know its fantastic! As my eye jumps around I think every little choice worked out to make the whole costume incredible. The mouth is so exaggerated but it doesn’t feel unrealistic.
I think you turned out really scary.
Great job to you and Hydred!
You said that he built up wax on your face. What kind of wax did he use?
Thank you Ben and Kris!
Hey Kristin! I’m sorry, I don’t remember exactly. It’s a wax/putty that’s fairly common, though, attached with Spirit Gum!
Thanks Meagan!
I really want to know who the purple-haired girl in the last picture was cos-playing as…
Psylock!
Honestly, I think Lady two-face should be cannon. Guys want more sexy women in comics and girls want more diversity of female appearances in comics. So why not a character who’s half fulfilling both?
God! It’s wonderful!
Congratulations!
what did you use to make your hair that grey/white color?
Hi Meagan, I love this cosplay and it´s so cool. And i have to ask you: How do you make the teeth and the interior of your mouth? I have so much curiosity about that awesome effect you made. Please Answer 😛 Halloween is comming 😀
@Reyna – White hair spray!
@Aldo – Its wax and fake nails shaped like teeth! Adhered with spirit gum.