Makeup Artist Launches A Girl Powered Cosplay Convention

How Makeup Battle is building a community of cosplayers and makeup artists

Makeup artists and costume designers work on the same film sets, so why don’t they go to the same conventions? That’s the question Crystal Rogers asked herself while leading the makeup department for CREAM, a 2023 crime drama released by Homestead Entertainment. Known for its gritty narrative and strong female leads, the film earned a devoted following on streaming platforms.

“When makeup artists recreate the looks of Zoe Saldana in Avatar or Gamora in Guardians of the Galaxy, they’re really celebrating the people who work behind the scenes,” Rogers explains. “Cosplayers go to conventions dressed as characters from Black Panther, but the original costume was designed by legends like Ruth E. Carter.”

Crystal’s solution: Makeup Battle — a high-energy convention uniting makeup artists, cosplayers, and character-focused creators under one roof. The event will take place on November 1, 2025, at Piedmont Hall, a ~22,000-square-foot venue in Greensboro, North Carolina.

“I love video games and movies, but makeup is my anime,” Rogers wrote in a recent post on social media. That passion fuels the vision for Makeup Battle, which will feature solo and team competitions for cosplayers, makeup artists, and models — along with an expansive vendor village tailored to the transformation process.

“A lot of conventions have vendors that sell action figures and comic books,” she says. “Makeup Battle is unique because every booth at our event could help you complete your look.” Whether it’s a bold makeup palette, a statement necklace, or a vibrant wig, the event promises to offer everything attendees need to bring their characters to life.

The creative energy doesn’t stop there. In a recent content collaboration, Rogers partnered with actress and filmmaker Leah Voysey, best known for her role as Banjo Blue in the cult horror hit Terrifier 2. Initially cast by Crystal’s production company for a voiceover role, Leah quickly became more than just a voice.

“She’s the voice of Siggi’s yogurt, so we knew she’d deliver a great read,” says Rogers. “But she also happens to love cosplay and makeup as much as I do. That’s why we were excited to collaborate with her not only on our radio ad but also on original social media video content.”

Passionate about the project, Leah brought her filmmaking background to the table and wrote her own script for the promotional user-generated content (UGC). She even applied multiple makeup looks to herself on camera — adding authenticity, flair, and a personal touch to the campaign.

Together, Rogers and Voysey are pushing the boundaries of what a fan convention can look like — one that’s as much about creation as it is about celebration.

For tickets, updates, or vendor opportunities, visit www.makeupbattle.com or follow the event on Instagram at @makeupbattlelive.