Today, @dragonwing shows us how to achieve a classic visual kei look.

@dragonwing is a makeup artist and cosplayer who specifically excels at vkei styles. He's done everything from gyaru to over-the-top kote, and recreations of classics to fully original looks.

As a change of pace from our usual content, we asked @dragonwing to run us through an orthodox vkei look, in a new segment we're calling Style Shock.

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Start

Start with a clean face!

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Skin

Shave brows! Alternatively you could cover them or keep them plucked thin. Apply contacts if desired. Next, use a pore filling primer (or anything with a matte finish). Finally, apply a full-coverage foundation.

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Place concealer to make nose and cheekbones stand out. Blend using finger or sponge in patting motion. Pat on loose powder, then dust off excess. Finally, contour as necessary.

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Eyes and mouth

Apply white eyeshadow under eye and in inner corner, extending up over top of lid in front. This creates a better contrast for the black and pink which come later.

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Using a small angled brush, draw upper line (following eye socket) and lower line (following eyeball) with pink eyeshadow. Concentrate outward from eye to help create the shape.

Using liquid eyeliner, create a drooping shape. Bring the inner corner to a strong point, making it level with the lowest part of the outer line. Then draw on crease line. Using a small, flat, angled brush, smudge corner with black eyeshadow and go over crease. Also apply mascara. Finally, draw brows as preferred.

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Highlight cheeks and nose (optional), then cover lips using a red liquid lipstick. Follow natural shape of lips, or overline if desired. Finally, apply setting spray to hold makeup in place.

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Hair

Straighten hair, then apply a small amount of Gatsby Extra Hard to finger tips, distributed evenly between both hands. With sticky fingers, work through hair as if shampooing, then run fingers lightly through hair to give a thick, sticky base.

Begin simple teasing around middle of hair (work from bottom to top): pull out a section, spray the first few inches with any max-hold aerosol spray (such as Got2b Glued), and while the hair is wet, use a comb to push from the middle toward the root, to give volume.

Repeat around sides and back of head, leaving out top and whatever hair frames your face.

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For the top of your hair, push everything back except your bangs. Tease in small, thin layers, starting closest to your bands and ending with the hair at the crown of your head. Break these layers into small pieces and rub with Gatsby to give more definition. (For a sujimori look, additionally spray each piece and go over it with a straightener.)

After building a layer of pieced, teased sections, spray all over, and repeat until all hair has been sprayed. As finishing touches, spray each large section once more and go over it with your hands to keep those areas together. Play with tucking hair and using using bobby pins to give shape. Then spray once more for good luck!

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Finish

Finished! Throw on your favorite vkei costume and pose.

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Products used.

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We really appreciate @dragonwing taking the time to do this, and we hope that you enjoyed the tutorial! Be sure to comment and follow @dragonwing_hm on Twitter if you liked what you saw here!