Mr. Bobinsky Costume Guide: Exact Color Contacts & Makeup Tips from Coraline

Want to become the eccentric blue character from Coraline? Mr. Bobinsky, the quirky sky-blue gymnast from the 2009 stop-motion film Coraline, stands out as an amazing cosplay choice with his unique look and theatrical style.

The real Mr. B (Sergei Alexander Bobinsky) runs a jumping mice circus and lives at the top of the Pink Palace Apartments. His Other World version, voiced by Ian McShane, shows off a brighter sky-blue skin and black buttons for eyes. The look needs careful attention to detail. Your costume's success depends on the right makeup techniques and button-eye contacts that capture Coraline's signature style.

This piece shows you how to create Mr. Bobinsky's striking blue skin, mustache, and complete look from the dark fantasy horror story that premiered in 2009. We'll walk you through each step - from picking the perfect color contacts to applying makeup that turns you into this beloved character.

Understanding Mr. Bobinsky’s Look in Coraline

Let's explore how to bring Mr. Bobinsky's character alive through a detailed look at his memorable features in Coraline. Here's everything you need to create a costume that captures his unique and eccentric charm.

His blue skin and eccentric style

Mr. Bobinsky (or Mr. B) stands out with his bright blue skin. This distinctive color tells a story - it comes from his past work as a liquidator at Chernobyl, where chemical exposure changed his skin tone. His body shape makes him easy to spot: tall and lanky with a noticeable potbelly.

His face tells quite a story too. Sharp cheekbones frame a long, thin nose that matches his quirky personality perfectly. Mischief sparkles in his deep-set eyes, topped by expressive eyebrows. The star of his facial features has to be that magnificent handlebar mustache, waxed and curled upward with theatrical style.

Mr. B's appearance stays somewhat messy - his hair sticks out here and there, and he looks generally untidy. His mouse circus keeps him too busy for grooming. Watch him move and you'll see his gymnast background shine through with exaggerated, athletic movements.

The ringmaster outfit and mouse circus theme

As the proud owner of the Amazing Jumping Mouse Circus, Mr. B dresses like a proper ringmaster. His signature piece is a tailored military-style jacket in deep blue or purple, decorated with gold braid trim and fancy buttons. Years of performances have left the jacket worn and faded, adding character.

A simple white undershirt peeks out beneath his jacket, creating a stark contrast against his blue skin. His outfit includes baggy pants with suspenders - a classic circus performer look. A small hat similar to a Russian kubanka sits atop his head, highlighting his Eastern European roots.

His ringmaster look wouldn't be complete without key accessories. White gloves (often mouse-stained), a baton or pointer stick, and a small pouch for mouse treats round out his ensemble.

Differences between real and Other Mr. Bobinsky

The contrast between regular Mr. B and his Other World version jumps out immediately. Both share blue skin, but Other Mr. B looks more polished. His clothes shine brighter, newer, with less wear. He moves more precisely, without the usual erratic energy.

Black button eyes mark the biggest change - they're sewn right onto his face, slightly larger than normal eyes. This creates an unsettling look common to all Other World residents.

The Other Mr. B holds a dark secret - he's just an empty shell filled with rats. This truth comes out as he starts falling apart, revealing the Other Mother's deceptions. This detail matters if you're planning a costume based on his later appearances, where he looks increasingly disheveled and literally comes apart.

These details about Mr. Bobinsky's appearance will help you create a costume that truly captures this unforgettable Coraline character.

Choosing the Right Color Contacts for Accuracy

Blue contacts play a vital role to nail an accurate Mr. Bobinsky cosplay. These lenses are a great way to get that distinctive look from Coraline. The right pair of contacts can revolutionize your transformation into this character.

Why blue skin tone matters for lens choice

The perfect contacts should work naturally with Mr. Bobinsky's blue skin. This goes beyond simple color matching - you need visual harmony between your makeup and eyes.

Your skin tone affects how blue contacts look when you wear them. Mr. Bobinsky's unique blue complexion needs careful thought about how the lenses work with your blue makeup. Learning about skin undertones becomes vital to pick the perfect pair.

Color theory experts say warm skin tones with yellow undertones look best with blue contacts that have a hint of green, like aqua or turquoise shades. These create amazing contrast against the skin. Cool skin tones with pink or blue undertones match better with blue contacts that have touches of gray or silver, such as ice blue or steel blue varieties.

Mr. Bobinsky's signature blue-toned skin needs contacts that pop against this background instead of blending in. You want to create a bold yet balanced look that captures his eccentric personality.

Best contact lens types for Mr. Bobinsky cosplay

Your choice between standard blue contacts or button-style lenses depends on whether you're doing the ground or Other World version of the character.

Regular Mr. Bobinsky's look needs these blue contact options:

• Opaque blue lenses - These cover even dark natural eye colors and give you that vibrant blue that pops against the character's skin
• Circle lenses with larger diameters - These make your eyes bigger for an expressive, animated look perfect for cosplay
• Royal or deep blue shades - These bold transformations match the character's eccentric appearance

Comfort should be your top priority, especially for convention wear or long cosplay sessions. Quality lenses from prominent brands are worth the investment since you'll wear them for hours at events.

Advanced cosplayers who want the most accurate look can try blue contact lenses with varied tones for added depth. Some brands offer multi-tonal blue lenses that use several blue pigments to create an even more dramatic transformation.

Where to find Coraline-inspired button contacts

Button-style contact lenses, inspired by the eerie aesthetic of the Other World characters in Coraline, have become increasingly accessible for cosplay enthusiasts. These specialty lenses are designed with a dark, stitched "X" pattern that mimics the iconic sewn button eyes from the film, using high-opacity pigments to fully cover your natural eye color for maximum effect.

Due to their unique design, button contacts often restrict vision. They’re best suited for short-term wear during photoshoots rather than extended use at conventions or events.

If you have sensitive eyes or prefer non-lens options, there are alternative accessories like button-eye props or novelty glasses that replicate the visual effect without requiring direct eye contact.

For more elaborate costumes, some creators also offer handcrafted button eye effects made with actual materials for a three-dimensional look—ideal for those who want to fully embrace the unsettling charm of the Other World.

As always, prioritize safety. Read product details and reviews carefully before purchasing, especially since these items are worn close to your eyes. Comfort, material quality, and design integrity should guide your decision.

Makeup Tips to Recreate Mr. Bobinsky’s Face

You can transform your face into Mr. Bobinsky's iconic blue appearance with specific makeup techniques and careful application. The right products and methods will help you create that striking look from Coraline that fans recognize instantly.

Creating the blue skin effect safely

The perfect blue skin tone forms the base of any Mr. Bobinsky costume. Professional-grade water-based theatrical makeup in vibrant blue shades works best. You'll find excellent options from brands like Mehron, Kryolan, or Snazaroo that are safe for your skin.

Your face needs proper preparation with a quality primer. This creates a smooth canvas and protects your skin. A damp makeup sponge helps you apply the blue base in thin, even layers instead of one thick coat. The layering technique prevents cracking and gives better coverage.

People with sensitive skin can try these alternatives:

• Blue-tinted foundation mixed with white theatrical makeup
• Hypoallergenic face paint specifically made for sensitive skin
• Airbrushing (for professional-grade results)

A translucent setting powder seals your blue makeup and prevents smudging during your cosplay event.

Drawing the iconic mustache and facial features

Mr. Bobinsky's handlebar mustache is his signature facial feature. Black cream makeup or eyeliner works well to recreate this element. Start by outlining the shape, then fill it in. Make sure you create those distinctive upward curls at the ends.

The same black product helps create thick, slightly arched brows that show his eccentric personality. His nose needs elongation through contouring—apply a darker blue shade along your nose's sides and blend it carefully.

The Other World version requires button eyes. You can create this effect with special contacts or drawn-on button shapes around your eyes.

Adding shadows and highlights for a 3D look

Your character's face comes alive with proper shadows and highlights. Dark blue or purple shades work best in naturally shadowed areas—beneath cheekbones, around eye sockets, under the jaw, and temple hollows.

Light blue or white cream makeup brightens the face's high points—forehead center, cheekbone tops, chin center, and nose bridge. This contrast adds dimension and turns flat blue makeup into a believable character face.

A stipple sponge or thin brush can create subtle stippling or veining effects with slightly darker blue shades. These techniques mimic Mr. Bobinsky's skin texture from the film and add authenticity to your cosplay.

Careful blending of shadow and highlight edges creates that smooth animated character look. This attention to detail makes your portrayal of Coraline's Mr. Bobinsky stand out.

Costume Essentials: What You’ll Need

A perfect Mr. Bobinsky costume needs several pieces to bring this unique character from Coraline to life. Let's dive into what makes this eccentric blue circus ringmaster's look so special.

Ringmaster jacket and hat

Your costume's star piece should be a military-style ringmaster jacket. A navy blue or deep purple jacket with gold trim or braiding will work great. You can take vintage military jackets and add gold ribbon trim and oversized buttons to create the right look.

The right headwear makes a big difference. You'll need a small-brimmed hat that looks like a traditional Russian kubanka. A pill box hat or modified beret painted to match your jacket's color works just as well. The pieces should look a bit weathered to match Mr. B's lived-in style.

Padded belly or body suit

Mr. Bobinsky's thin frame has an interesting potbelly that stands out against his lanky build. You can create this look by:

• Using foam or batting to make a padded belly under your clothes
• Getting a body suit that comes with built-in padding
• Layering clothes with strategic stuffing

The key lies in balance. Your stomach should stand out but not look too big, and you should still move easily during your cosplay activities.

Mouse circus props and accessories

The final touches will make your character come alive. Start with white gloves that show some stains to hint at your work with the performing mice. Add suspenders to keep your baggy pants in place and complete your look.

The mouse circus elements really sell the character. Paint some small toy mice to match the film's style and place them on a tiny platform or circus ring you can carry. A small baton or conductor's stick will showcase your ringmaster role perfectly.

Advanced costume makers can add a small tin of "mouse vitamins" as a prop. This detail links to the film's story and shows everyone you're the real Mr. Bobinsky from Coraline.

How to Assemble and Wear the Full Look

A great Mr. Bobinsky costume needs more than just the right pieces. The blue circus ringmaster from Coraline comes alive when you put all the components together the right way. Let's look at how you can assemble everything to create this amazing character.

Step-by-step costume layering

Your costume needs a significant foundation that many people miss - a moisture-wicking base layer. Synthetic fabrics like Under Armor HeatGear or a Lycra dive skin work better than cotton blends. This extra layer might seem unnecessary but it helps you sweat less by making perspiration more efficient.

1. Your base layer needs washing before first use to stop dye from getting on your skin or costume
2. Put blue body makeup on exposed areas (face, neck, hands)
3. The padded bodysuit or belly padding goes on after your makeup sets
4. Next come the main clothing layers—pants with suspenders first, then undershirt
5. The ringmaster jacket goes on last, and you'll need to adjust it over the padding for the right look

Your hat and accessories should stay close by. Add these last so they don't get damaged while you're getting dressed.

Attaching button eyes or glasses

You have several good options to create Other Mr. Bobinsky's signature button eyes:

Spirit gum sticks buttons right to your skin. Put it where the button touches your face and wait until it gets tacky. Be careful to avoid the fumes near your eyes, then press the button eye in place. Command strips cut to size work well too and are easier to take off.

Button eye glasses offer a more comfortable option by modifying round-framed spectacles. You can attach buttons to existing frames. More experienced cosplayers might want to try this method:

• Take round prescription glasses or plexiglass circles
• Create the button effect with black limo tint and punched holes
• Use model magic clay to make the button border

Tips for comfort and mobility during cosplay

Your comfort matters when you're playing Coraline's blue character. Getting your costume pieces dry between wearings should be your top priority because moisture can make you uncomfortable and damage your costume.

Extra base layers come in handy at longer events. You can wash them in hotel sinks with shampoo if needed, roll them in towels and hang them overnight to dry.

Your button eye solution should let you take vision breaks during long wearing periods. Button eye glasses can lift up when you need to move around and go back down for photos. This works much better than taking off and putting on adhesive options again.

Practice makes perfect with this costume. Mr. Bobinsky moves like a gymnast, so you'll need to test how well you can move and make changes to optimize your range of motion.

Conclusion

Creating Mr. Bobinsky's look needs careful attention to detail. You'll need to nail everything from his blue skin to his unique ringmaster outfit. This piece covers all aspects of bringing this beloved Coraline character to life. You can choose either the real-life version or his button-eyed Other World counterpart.

The blue skin forms the base of your costume and goes naturally with the right contact lenses to match your makeup. His handlebar mustache and facial features create that unique look that makes Mr. B easy to spot. The ringmaster jacket, hat, and padding help shape his distinct silhouette. Mouse circus props add the final theatrical touch.

Your comfort is just as important as how you look. The way you layer clothes, apply makeup, and move around will affect how long you can keep up this amazing transformation. It's best to practice putting everything together before any big event to make sure all elements work well together.

Mr. Bobinsky is one of Coraline's most eye-catching characters. He's a great pick for cosplay fans who want to show off their makeup and costume skills. The look might be complex to create, but bringing this blue circus performer to life offers a fun experience that will amaze other fans and photographers.

This complete guide gives you all you need to become part of the Amazing Jumping Mouse Circus world. Your attention to detail will pay off when people's eyes light up as they spot your distinctive blue character from the Pink Palace Apartments.