Perfect ILLUSION

PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP ARTIST MIMI CHOI TALKS TO US ABOUT HER CREATIVE IDEATION, AND THE CONNECTION BETWEEN BEAUTY AND ART

-  MELISSA MAE

With close to two million followers on Instagram, Vancouver-based professional makeup artist Mimi Choi has made a name for herself as a pioneer in illusionary beauty. Just one look at her feed is enough to understand how she's earned such a massive following.

Choi redefines what it means to be a makeup artist by using her face as a blank canvas to create the most mind-bending illusions. Her skills are so impressive that she's managed to gain the attention of beauty aficionados, conglomerates like Sephora (where she now does master classes), and celebrities like Fantastic Beasts actor Ezra Miller, for whom she did makeup for the 2019 Met Gala.

The artist's talents come from an appreciation of makeup at a young age. "I used to love watching my mother put on red lipstick and eyeshadow when I was young," Choi says.

"It amazed me how transformative makeup was and I would find myself sneaking into her room to play with her cosmetics when she was out of the house." "Even before enrolling in makeup school, I enjoyed using colourful makeup to express myself and paid particular attention to clean lines and fine details. I had become quite good at doing my own makeup that friends and family members would ask me to do their bridal or graduation makeup, even when I was working as a preschool teacher."

We speak to Choi about her passion for makeup artistry, what goes into her creative process, and the blurred lines between beauty and art.

Why did you decide to pursue a career in makeup?