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Former Teacher Uses Mind-Bending Makeup Illusions to Split People into Pieces

3D Makeup by Mimi Choi

Makeup is often lauded for its transformative beauty effects, but the pinnacle of its power is best demonstrated by creating stunning 3D illusions. Mimi Choi, a former school teacher turned makeup artist, has recently wowed us with her ability to alter herself and others into surreal versions of their former selves. She’s since continued this mind-bending work to make people look like they've been split into pieces or hollowed.

So, how does she do it? Choi’s expertise comes from a masterful understanding of how to achieve three dimensionality on any surface. Manipulating makeup like she would a conventional paint palette, she uses well-placed drop shadows to make her artwork appear like it’s popping off the skin—or in some cases, receding into the body. Often, she bumps up the contrast or size of the shadow, which could feel cartoonish. But in this case, it's vital to making her optical illusion makeup believable.

If you fancy yourself a beauty addict and want to try this type of 3D makeup for yourself, it’s possible with drugstore products. Choi often lists the exact makeup she uses in detailed Instagram posts.

Teacher-turned-makeup artist Mimi Choi creates mind-bending transformations with optical illusion makeup.

3D Makeup by Mimi Choi

Using everyday beauty products and paintbrushes, she can make her or others look like they're cracked or split into pieces.

Optical Illusion Makeup by Mimi Choi

Optical Illusions Makeup

Optical Illusions Makeup

3D Makeup by Mimi Choi

Optical Illusions Makeup

Optical Illusions Makeup

Optical Illusions Makeup

Optical Illusion Makeup by Mimi Choi

Optical Illusion Makeup by Mimi Choi

3D Makeup by Mimi Choi

Optical Illusion Makeup by Mimi Choi

Optical Illusion Makeup by Mimi Choi

Mimi Choi: Facebook | Instagram

All images via Mimi Choi.

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Makeup Artist Paints Her Pucker to Turn Her Lips into Mesmerizing Works of Art

Artist Transforms Herself Into Mind Bending Optical Illusions Without Photoshop

Sara Barnes

Sara Barnes is a Staff Editor at My Modern Met, Manager of My Modern Met Store, and co-host of the My Modern Met Top Artist Podcast. As an illustrator and writer living in Seattle, she chronicles illustration, embroidery, and beyond through her blog Brown Paper Bag and Instagram @brwnpaperbag. She wrote a book about embroidery artist Sarah K. Benning titled 'Embroidered Life' that was published by Chronicle Books in 2019. Sara is a graduate of the Maryland Institute College of Art. She earned her BFA in Illustration in 2008 and MFA in Illustration Practice in 2013.
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