Recent Musings

Creators & Artists Beware: How Talenthouse Rips Off Creatives

In October 2022, I entered a contest hosted by a company called Talenthouse in partnership with Peacock. It was a cosplay contest asking cosplayers to submit photos of themselves as…

DeLaDoll February 5, 2023

Misc.

DeLa Doll | Hello, 2023: Reflections, Goals, and Where to Find Me

2022 was... a lot. I experienced so many highs and lows at breakneck speeds that I'm surprised to have made it out of the year alive without severe whiplash injuries.…

DeLaDoll January 2, 2023

Cosplay Stuff Misc.

How Cosplay Helped Me Heal

How cosplay helped me regain my confidence. A tale of career struggles, creative triumphs, and being a huge nerd who loves to write and play dress up.

DeLaDoll November 3, 2022

Media & Pop Culture Commentary

Eau de Controversy – Just Some Thoughts on Jackie Aina’s “Soro Soke” Candle Debacle

The Tea Youtuber, beauty guru, and owner of the lifestyle brand Forvr Mood is facing backlash for naming one of her company's latest candles "Soro Soke" -- a move many…

DeLaDoll August 5, 2022

A promotional image of the movie "NOPE" featuring the actors Daniel Kaluuya, Keke Palmer, and Steven Yeun

Media & Pop Culture Commentary Reviews

Nope is About Assholes and Exploitation – A Review

**Warning, contains spoilers** Jordan Peele’s Nope is a fantastic spectacle about our obsession with spectacles. There’s a great cast, it’s a fresh take on aliens in film, and it’s all…

DeLaDoll July 28, 2022

Cosplay Stuff Media & Pop Culture Commentary

Making Sense of the Blerdcon Fae Theme Controversy

If you’re at all familiar with me and my work, you’ve probably already read my 2021 piece about Blerdcon's 2021 cosplay contest controversy and why I have shied away from…

DeLaDoll July 23, 2022

Media & Pop Culture Commentary Reviews

[DeLa Doll] Stranger Things 4: Volume 2 Review – Tasty…but Not as Delicious as Volume 1

[Depressed Beatboxing] *This review contains spoilers, so if you care about that sort of thing, go watch Stranger Things 4: Volume 2 and then come back. When I reviewed Stranger…

DeLaDoll July 10, 2022

Media & Pop Culture Commentary

I Can’t Overlook Donald Glover’s Misogynoir Anymore – Thoughts on Atlanta Season 3 and That Odd Self-Interview

So before I get into this, let me just acknowledge that it has been a minute since I published anything here. I've been working consistently as a freelance journalist and…

DeLaDoll April 7, 2022

Cosplay Stuff Cosplay Tutorials Makeup

[DeLa Doll]Cosplay & Commentary: Vamp – Video, Product List, & Tutorial!

Hello, friends! I'm back with a fresh "Cosplay & Commentary" video featuring a new and improved format! This time around, I transform myself into a tribal vampire inspired by the…

DeLaDoll November 2, 2021

Media & Pop Culture Commentary

Is Chucky a Queer Ally?

Warning: Spoilers ahead! Do not proceed if you are not caught up on episodes 1, 2, and 3 of Syfy's Chucky tv series. Don Mancini's Chucky tv series has recently…

DeLaDoll October 27, 2021

Media & Pop Culture Commentary

Examining Black Vampires in Media

As a longtime fan of vampire folklore, literature, and movies, it’s not lost on me that despite the massive quantity of vampire media out there, there’s still much to be…

DeLaDoll October 19, 2021

Misc.

Confessions of an Impatient Writer

I'm not an impatient person in that I am reasonable about waiting for most things. I don't lower the tip when my delivery driver is late with my Uber Eats…

DeLaDoll October 7, 2021

Media & Pop Culture Commentary

2 Indie Vampire Movies You Probably Haven’t Seen (But Really Should)

In honor of "Dolloween", here are some spooky movie recommendations... Terrifying tales of beautiful bloodsuckers have captured the imaginations of people around the world for centuries, so it makes sense…

DeLaDoll October 5, 2021

Misc.

[DeLa Doll] Life Updates, My First Artist Alley, FanHouse, and More!

It's time for a life and content update! A lot has happened over the last year and a half in regards to personal life, my content goals, and, you know,…

DeLaDoll September 27, 2021

Cosplay Stuff Cosplay Tutorials Makeup

[DeLaDoll] Cosplay & Commentary Episode 1: Akaza X Demon Slayer | Video & Product List

For those who don't know, I launched a new weekly web series called "Cosplay & Commentary" on my YouTube Channel! The premise is exactly as it sounds: Once a week,…

DeLaDoll September 18, 2021

A set of makeup brushes inspired by the anime Sailor Moon

Cosplay Stuff Makeup

Aesthetic Anime Makeup Brush Sets Perfect for Anime Fans

A while back, I won a lovely set of Sailor Moon-themed makeup brushes in a cosplay makeup contest. They're so cute I'm almost afraid to use them, but I know…

DeLaDoll September 4, 2021

Cosplay Stuff Media & Pop Culture Commentary

Blerdcon: It Was Never Really About Blerds

By now, most of us in the cosplay community have probably heard about the BlerdCon cosplay contest fiasco. I'm not surprised by it, but I'll tell you why after a…

DeLaDoll July 23, 2021

Cosplay Stuff

Re: Why Don’t You Have More Followers?

Sometimes when I post a new cosplay or makeup look, I’m met with comments like “Wow! This is insane! Why don’t you have more followers?!” I understand they always mean…

DeLaDoll June 23, 2021

Cosplay Stuff Cosplay Tutorials Makeup

Sukuna from Jujutsu Kaisen – Cosplay Makeup Tutorial

Hello, lovely people! I've started uploading cosplay makeup tutorials again to YouTube, and my latest video features my Sukuna cosplay! If you're unfamiliar with Sukuna, he's one of several antagonists…

DeLaDoll June 5, 2021

Cosplay Stuff Creator Spotlights

36 Stunning Cosplays by Black Cosplayers: #28DaysofBlackCosplay 2021 Edition!

In honor of both Black History Month (and also just because they're really amazing), here are some stunning cosplays by amazing Black cosplayers! View this post on Instagram A post…

DeLaDoll February 22, 2021

Cosplay Stuff Media & Pop Culture Commentary

Cosplay CopyCats? Let’s Talk About “Clout Chasing” in the Cosplay Community

I'm breaking my self-imposed "don't give opportunistic clout chasers attention on your blog" rule to share some thoughts and experiences concerning the sudden influx of newbie cosplayers (or individuals who…

DeLaDoll February 19, 2021

Media & Pop Culture Commentary

[DeLa Doll] Ambassador Scams: How to Spot Them

Recently, I wrote about how to identify bad brand deals as part of my "Free Tips & Tools for Content Creators" series. Keeping up with that theme, I'm back to…

DeLaDoll January 29, 2021

Misc.

[DeLa Doll] The Anatomy of a Bad Brand Deal – Free Tips and Tools for Content Creators Pt.3

Recently, I had a very sketchy and unpleasant interaction with a brand that reached out to me via email. The exchange started off questionable at best, and quickly went downhill into…

DeLaDoll January 18, 2021

Cosplay Stuff Cosplay Tutorials

[DeLa Doll] Uzumaki – Azami Kurotani Cosplay and SFX Makeup Tutorial (Dolloween 2020)

Fun fact: When I say "I'll be back tomorrow with a new thing!" as I did at the end of the Wednesday Addams Dolloween Post, I really mean "2 -…

DeLaDoll October 18, 2020

Cosplay Stuff Cosplay Tutorials Makeup

[DeLa Doll] Wednesday Addams Cosplay & Makeup Tutorial (Dolloween Look #1)

If you read my last post, you probably saw me mention my personal cosplay and makeup challenge that I have dubbed "Dolloween" because, you know, "DeLa Doll" is my name…

DeLaDoll October 15, 2020

Cosplay Stuff Cosplay Tutorials Makeup

[DeLaDoll] Cyberpunk Mitsuri Kanroji from Demon Slayer – Cosplay & Makeup Tutorial!

The original, "canon" outfit vs my mirror selfies. I wasn't even wearing the jacket and the belt, and I still felt like I was drowning in fabric. I didn't even…

DeLaDoll October 11, 2020

Creator Spotlights Media & Pop Culture Commentary

Creator Spotlight: Interview with Saturn – Artist & “The Founding Father of Negrofication”

Hello, beautiful readers! Happy Halloween (yes, October is Halloween. Don't argue), and welcome to the first of many "creator spotlight" interviews. This time around, I reached out to artist &…

DeLaDoll October 7, 2020

Misc.

My Spooky Cute Acrylic Charms Kickstarter is Live!

Here are examples of acrylic charms featuring the finishes/overlays I chose! I love shiny things, spooky things, and cute little collectible things. I also love to make my own characters…

DeLaDoll September 21, 2020

Cosplay Stuff Cosplay Tutorials

31 Days of Cosplay: Tips for Participating Without Stressing Out

How to tackle the intimidating #31DaysofCosplay challenge in October without completely losing your shit.

DeLaDoll September 21, 2020

Cosplay Stuff Cosplay Tutorials Media & Pop Culture Commentary

Who the F*ck is DeLa Doll?

Seriously. I should know better than anyone. After all, I am DeLa Doll. No, of course that's not my given name, but it is the name I am known by…

DeLaDoll September 16, 2020

Media & Pop Culture Commentary

Dear Fellow Content Creators: It’s OK to Speak Up

The recent protests sparked by the murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and countless others at the hands of law enforcement officers have dominated the news cycle and social media…

DeLaDoll June 1, 2020

Cosplay Stuff Media & Pop Culture Commentary Misc.

[DeLa Doll] Setting and Tracking Goals – Free Tips and Tools for Content Creators, Part 2

Part 2 of my "Free Tips & Tools for Content Creators" series! It's all about how to set and track realistic goals as a cosplayer (or other content creator) who wants to grow their following or monetize their content on social media

DeLaDoll March 5, 2020

Cosplay Tutorials Misc.

[DeLa Doll] Social Media Analytics + Recognizing Your Strengths – Free Tips and Tools For Content Creators, Pt. 1

Part 1 of my "Free Tips & Tools for Content Creators", perfect for aspiring influencers, artists, cosplayers and anyone who wants to grow their social media following. This section covers how to recognize your strengths as a creator via reflection and free social media analytics tools!

DeLaDoll March 2, 2020

Cosplay Stuff

20 Black Cosplayers Slaying as Characters of Color! #29DaysofBlackCosplay

Check out these talented Black cosplayers as 20 different characters of color! #29DaysofBlackCosplay

DeLaDoll February 29, 2020

Media & Pop Culture Commentary

#CosplayersForBernie: The Mike Bloomberg Campaign Tried to Pay for my “Support”

Last night, at 5:21pm EST, I was contacted via email by someone affiliated with the Mike Bloomberg presidential campaign. They wanted to pay me to create a video "to share…

DeLaDoll February 28, 2020

Cosplay Stuff Media & Pop Culture Commentary

Quirky, Nerdy, n Cool: 25 Amazing Black Cosplayers to Follow on Instagram!

25 amazing Black Cosplayers to Check on Instagram! #29DaysofBlackCosplay

DeLaDoll February 25, 2020

Cosplay Stuff Media & Pop Culture Commentary

[DeLa Doll] 50 Black Cosplayers You Should Be Following! #29DaysofBlackCosplay

In honor of #29DaysofBlackCosplay and #BlackHistory Month, here are 50 Black Cosplayers You Should Be Following!

DeLaDoll February 17, 2020

Cosplay Tutorials Uncategorized

[DeLa Doll] Garnet Inspired Cosplay Makeup Tutorial + Product List n Blog Post

https://youtu.be/vpK6_VHYQBo Character + Inspiration Character Name: Garnet Series: Steven Universe It's February, which means it's Black History Month! Obviously, I had to cosplay an iconic Black (Black coded? She's…

DeLaDoll February 16, 2020

Uncategorized

10 Reasons Why I Love Demon Slayer

In December 2019, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu No Yaiba, won Funimation's "Favorite Animation of the Decade" fan poll, despite having only coming out earlier that year (on April 6, 2019, to be…

DeLaDoll February 6, 2020

Uncategorized

Celebrity Cyberbullying: When Influence and Power Become Weapons on Social Media

Recently, best-selling YA author Sarah Dessen, has been on the receiving end of backlash and criticism concerning what can only be described as abuse of her large platform and considerable…

DeLaDoll November 19, 2019

Uncategorized

Can’t Relate: Thoughts on Jeffree Star and Shane Dawson’s “Docuseries” and Makeup Collaboration

There’s something hilariously obscene and nauseating about 31 year old multi-millionaire, YouTuber, and New York Times Best Selling Author, decked out in an $850 Balenciaga hoodie (having left his $1600 Gucci backpack back in the boardroom), curled up on the bathroom floor of a Jeffree Star Cosmetics facility, weeping about how he never truly got the wealth, recognition, and respect he deserved until the moment that Jeffree Star himself told him how much more money the two controversial internet personalities could make together.

DeLaDoll November 13, 2019

Cosplay Tutorials Uncategorized

Persephone from Lore Olympus Cosplay Makeup Transformation + Video Tutorial

DeLa Doll's cosplay transformation into Persephone from the WebToons comic "Lore Olympus", complete with a full video tutorial and list of makeup products used to achieve the perfectly pink and floral look.

DeLaDoll September 23, 2019

Uncategorized

Product Review: “Sweety Crazy Cyborg” Cosplay Lenses from UNIQSO

I reviewed of "Cyborg" themed cosplay contact lenses, courtesy of Uniqso! How do they stack up in terms of comfort and style? Find out in my review!

DeLaDoll August 14, 2019

Uncategorized

Monday Motivation: Join Me While I Critique My Makeup Videos!

When you're an artist or content creator, the ability to self critique is essential. It's not enough to believe in yourself (although that is also essential); you have to also…

DeLaDoll July 22, 2019

Cosplay Tutorials Uncategorized

Ariel (The Little Mermaid) Makeup Tutorial + Product List

Hey, peeps! Here's a simple post featuring the products used in my Ariel Makeup Tutorial. As you can see, I usedeasily accessible and affordable brands because you don't have to…

DeLaDoll July 14, 2019

Cosplay Tutorials Uncategorized

Himiko Toga from My Hero Academia Makeup Tutorial & Product List

I recently cosplayed Himiko Toga from My Hero Academia based off this really awesome fanart by Iury Padilha. Before I began doing my makeup for this cosplay, I decided to…

DeLaDoll June 22, 2019

Uncategorized

To Lewd or Not To Lewd: Thoughts on Sexiness in Cosplay + Several Ridiculously Sexy Cosplays

Cosplayer and Blogger DeLa Doll shares her thoughts on lewds and sexiness in cosplay, featuring several sensually silly cosplays from a variety of cosplayers!

DeLaDoll May 16, 2019

Uncategorized

Let’s Talk About Arya

The final season of Game of Thrones has started. We're two episodes in, and since I don't want to be the asshole who posts spoilers all over Facebook and Twitter,…

DeLaDoll April 25, 2019

Cosplay Tutorials Uncategorized

$10 DIY Backdrop Tutorial! No PVC Pipe or Power Tools Required!!

An unbelievably simple and affordable way to level up your cosplay pics by building a backdrop with basic materials!

DeLaDoll April 7, 2019

Uncategorized

#ShyGalGang: Hundreds of Cosplayers Pull Epic April Fools’ Cosplay Prank

Happy April Fools' Day! If your social media newsfeeds have been flooded with pictures of your favorite cosplayers in Shy Guy or Shy Gal cosplays, you've been pranked! https://gfycat.com/composedqueasydarklingbeetle In…

DeLaDoll April 1, 2019

Uncategorized

Super Cool Shit I’m Currently Doing: March 2019 Edition

I'm doing some really cool shit right now guys, like mega cool. Wow. Check it out!

DeLaDoll March 22, 2019

Uncategorized

I’m DeLa Doll, @Me

I'm that Tia Dalma you've been seeing around + Why it's important to tag cosplayers like me when you repost their images. The power of an @ is pretty significant.

DeLaDoll February 14, 2019

Cosplay Stuff Creator Spotlights

28 Days of Black Cosplay 2019 Edition – F*ck the Negativity, Spread the Love!

What is #28DaysofBlackCosplay, why does it exist, and who are some amazing Black Cosplayers you should be following?

DeLaDoll February 11, 2019

Uncategorized

15 Times The Room Perfectly Illustrated Cosplayer Experiences

If there's one thing I love more than cosplay, it's probably the best, worst movie ever made: Tommy Wiseau's The Room. As I sit here looking up tutorials for a…

DeLaDoll December 7, 2018

Misc.

[DeLa Doll] February Vibes – Updates & Stuff

I promised myself that I would ease into 2023 by using January to reflect on my goals while being gentle with myself. I'm pleased to say this was a great…

DeLaDoll January 31, 2023

Creator Spotlights Media & Pop Culture Commentary

Interview: BLERDFEST! Creator Promises a “BIGGER, BETTER, and BLACKER” Convention

Image of cosplayers from BLERDFEST! 2019 In 2019, BLERDFEST!! hit the convention scene of New Orleans, Louisiana as a new and inclusive event that focused on the intersection of Blackness…

DeLaDoll January 7, 2023

Media & Pop Culture Commentary

AI Art – Information, Thoughts, and Feelings from One Artist Who Doesn’t Hate It

Me and the AI art makeup look I created using the StarryAI app As the title suggests I don’t hate AI art tools. I don't automatically hate all AI-generated art…

DeLaDoll December 17, 2022