Cyberpunk Panam Palmer Cosplay: Let’s Jack Into the Basilisk

This Panam Palmer cosplay is probably my first somewhat serious attempt at costuming, and I’m so excited to just have this jacket, with all its printed details, stitching, and the different texture fabrics!

Here are the reference pictures:

There’s no end to how deep someone could fall into the rabbit hole of cosplay detailing in terms of character accuracy: hairstyling, makeup, portrait photography, and (not least) the actual outfit.

Let’s be honest, though: plenty of my friends and followers were excited just to see Panam’s highly detailed jacket come to life.

Panam Palmer cosplay but make it 1997 in color aesthetic

The first time you meet Panam Palmer isn’t when she’s bent over, tinkering with a car engine. (Though that was memorable for many Cyberpunk 2077 players!)

You can see her talking to Nash in the Afterlife around the time you meet up with Dexter DeShawn. Also, when you go back to visit Rogue, Panam storms off and rants on the phone outside — presumably about Rogue Amendiares and Nash Bane.

As such, I made sure to get silly pictures in my Panam Palmer costume, grimacing at my phone, too. What’s the point of cosplay if not to have fun with it?

Next Panam Palmer cosplay: how I would style it differently

Here’s what I’ve learned about makeup, hair, and wardrobe while cosplaying Panam from Cyberpunk 2077.

1. Mix the fake freckle shade with a liquid medium

Combining eyeshadow with mixing medium (or setting spray) works great for fake freckles. I’d splatter it on rather than dot it with a brush, using a lighter shade, and give it a more consistent spread.

2. Use a finer-toothed comb for neater hair sectioning

Combs with finer teeth and smaller spacing in between are specialized for that purpose and can make the process go a lot more smoothly.

I also now have a better idea of how to section hair after watching a time-lapse of someone installing wool faux locs — notably, the sections towards the bottom of the scalp get smaller and smaller near the edges.

3. Use a styling pomade for more control of stray hairs

Flyaways and frizz are a pain to Photoshop out. Enough said.

4. Skip the white eyeliner on the waterline, or maybe use a more natural color

It does look like Panam’s eyelid rims are quite light, but using white eyeliner on my waterline didn’t quite suit me here.

It makes my eyes look rounder and more doe-like when I’m cosplaying a fox-eyed character. (My eyes are naturally quite squinty anyway.)

5. Don’t cut the leotard neckline as low

That’s my bad. I mean, hey, I doubt many people will complain about a nude bra peeking through, but it’d be nice at least to have the option of more modesty without the jacket.

6. Higher arched eyebrows and eyebrow slit

If we’re going by the old photos, I would arch my eyebrows more. However, I’ve had my eyebrows inked (ombre and microblading combo) since then, so nowadays, I’d just use some concealer for a faux brow slit.