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I'm probably going to cosplay hell for saying this, but I wouldn't go too far for my character. I wouldn't go do a bunch of workouts to bulk myself up for a costume. Then again, so far my costumes have all fit the same body type: Skinny female anywhere from 4'10" to 5'7" (estimating). And I happen to fit into that body type too, so I've never had to work for a costume

Most of my planned characters have much shorter hair than I do, but I refuse to cut my hair for cosplay. I'm just going to put it up in some way that the character would be seen doing. Suprisingly, they've all been blonde or brunette so far and I'm a light haired brunette with some blonde mixed in, so I can just pass as a blonde character without hair dye rofl


My redeeming points come from the convention that is 10 months away. I am going with a group of DNAngel cosplayers, so I will be Mio Hio (the really annoying foreign exchange student). I can already do a really good Mio impression, which scares all of my friends since she's preppy and I'm stereotyped as emo. I've been watching epis she's in and taking note on lines to use xD

I'm probably still going to cosplay hell dramallama

Off-Topic:
Actually, there are ways that you can receive compensation for cosplay.
If I am not mistaken Pikminlink has been invited to attend events in cosplay by nintendo to promote the Zelda series. Also, folks occasionally ask cosplayers to make appearances at small events like birthday parties, etc. Also, on the craftsmen side of things, with enough clout and skill one could potentially open an online costume store or enter into a fashion/costuming career.

On-Topic:
I've HAND-DYED, cut and styled my own wig. neutral
I've made my own wig from scratch (not fun, but interesting and accurate outcome to a cosplay I never wore).
I've actually worn make-up for cosplay... sweatdrop
Contacts are pretty much a given for me, since eyes are so important to the anime culture, to me they are something of great significance to have correct and emphasized.