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Makeup is no longer just a tool for glam selfies or covering last night’s regrets—it’s an art form. But we’re not talking about a simple smoky eye or contouring; these makeup artists are creating optical illusions so wild, you’ll swear they’re CGI. Let’s dive into a world where faces become canvases for bananas, books, and even extra eyeballs. Get ready to be amazed—and possibly confused.
We know we’re not supposed to play favorites, but this piece by Mimi Choi is absolutely mesmerizing. She’s painted dozens of realistic eyes, complete with delicate eyelashes, all over her face.
The surreal, Pan’s Labyrinth-inspired design is both haunting and breathtaking. Mimi’s ability to merge beauty with the bizarre makes this creation a standout. It’s hard to look away—literally, all those eyes are watching!
Not everyone appreciates her bold work, though. Mimi embraces criticism, saying, “Art is subjective, and public work invites critique. I channel negativity into motivation to elevate my craft.”
Canadian artist Mimi Choi takes makeup beyond beauty with designs that confuse and fascinate. Her optical illusions are so striking you’ll wonder if she’s dipped into Photoshop. Spoiler alert: she hasn’t.
Each stroke of her brush transforms her face into something otherworldly. From surreal patterns to extra limbs, she constantly reinvents the boundaries of makeup artistry.
Her meticulous creations prove makeup is more than skin deep. Whether bizarre or beautiful, Mimi’s art challenges us to see faces differently, one illusion at a time.
South Korean artist Dain Yoon is a trailblazer in face and body painting. With a half-million Instagram followers, she has turned her talents into a global sensation.
Dain’s ability to create realistic yet dreamlike designs stems from years of training at Korea’s top art schools. Her wavy, distorted portraits are her signature style.
Her makeup often straddles the line between uncanny and awe-inspiring. Dain’s work isn’t just makeup—it’s performance art with a brush.
Hailing from Milan, Luca Luce claims to be the “First 3D Hand and Head Painter.” While the jury’s still out on that claim, his work speaks for itself.
Luca’s designs are vivid and clever, often playing with the idea of illusion. He even painted himself reading a book on his own head!
His work reflects Milan’s legacy of art and fashion, blending tradition with modern creativity in an unforgettable way.
Andy, known as 21st Century Boy, brings a spooky edge to 3D makeup. His horror-inspired designs often nod to Dia de los Muertos with a futuristic spin.
The neon elements in his work make classic skull motifs look like they’ve stepped out of a cyberpunk movie. His creativity knows no bounds.
Andy’s hauntingly beautiful makeup proves that even the macabre can glow with innovation and style.
RJ, known as Cakeface RJ, is a U.S.-based makeup artist who’s gone from Instagram fame to industry stardom. Her designs are packed with drama and imagination.
One of her most iconic looks involves her face appearing to tear apart, as if she’s crawling out of her own skin. It’s haunting and deeply symbolic of transformation.
RJ credits social media for helping her career take off. From creepy illusions to celebrity portraits, her work showcases a range of skills that continue to dazzle her fans.
Mimi Choi’s younger sister, Kendahl ‘Lahbra’ Jung, takes her sibling’s skills and makes them dinner-table conversation—literally. Kendahl once showed up to a meal wearing one of Mimi’s elaborate designs.
This wasn’t your typical dinner party attire. The 3D illusion turned heads and sparked chatter, proving that makeup can break boundaries in the most unexpected settings.
It’s a testament to how far the art form has come. Who says you can’t make high-concept art and enjoy a plate of spaghetti at the same time?
Cakeface RJ doesn’t just create creepy designs—she also paints celebrities. And by paint, we mean using her own face as the canvas. Her Oprah Winfrey illusion is next-level genius.
From Oprah’s glasses to her iconic smile lines, every detail is spot-on. At first glance, you’d swear it was a portrait, not someone’s actual face.
This look shows RJ’s versatility as an artist. Whether she’s terrifying us with illusions or paying homage to pop culture icons, her skills are second to none.
Luca Luce’s sense of humor shines through in his “Bird Brain” design. Using his bald head as the base, he creates the illusion of a baby chick hatching from an egg.
It’s absurd, it’s hilarious, and it’s wildly creative. This design highlights how makeup can go beyond beauty and dive into the realm of pure fun.
With over two decades of experience as a TV makeup artist, Luca shows us that even seasoned professionals can embrace whimsy. His designs are a breath of fresh air.
Mimi Choi channels the surrealist vibes of Salvador Dali in her melting face illusion. The design features distorted, drooping shapes reminiscent of Dali’s iconic melting clocks.
This look explores themes of impermanence and fluidity, showing that makeup can have depth and philosophical undertones. It’s makeup art with a touch of existentialism.
Whether inspired by art history or her emotions, Mimi’s work always brings something unexpected. It’s the kind of creativity that leaves you thinking long after you’ve seen it.
Mimi Choi doesn’t stop at Dali—she also takes inspiration from Pablo Picasso. Her cubist face design transforms her features into fragmented, geometric shapes.
The look feels like a modern reinterpretation of Picasso’s groundbreaking style. It’s bold, unconventional, and packed with artistic brilliance.
This piece further proves Mimi’s ability to merge classical influences with contemporary mediums. Her makeup artistry is redefining what it means to wear art on your face.
Luca Luce proves cubism isn’t just an art movement—it’s a lifestyle! His blocky nose and cheek design scream Picasso-meets-modern-illusion, making his face a living canvas of creativity.
By painting his hair and beard into a dark background, Luca adds stunning depth to his design. This clever use of contrast tricks the eye, making his cubist cheek pop with a 3D effect.
Without that dramatic shadow effect, the entire piece wouldn’t feel as striking. Luca has mastered the art of blending classic cubism with modern illusion to create something truly jaw-dropping.
Dain Yoon took cubism to another level by painting cubes all over her face and body. Walking the streets of Seoul, she turned heads with her mind-bending geometric display.
Her fascination with illusions shines through every brushstroke. She believes people live in their own subjective realities, and her cubist work distorts those perceptions to challenge what we think we see.
Yoon’s bold designs aren’t just eye-catching; they make you think. Her commitment to reshaping how we view reality turns her into a modern philosopher with a paintbrush. Cubism never looked this edgy!
Mimi Choi leaves us scratching our heads with her faceless illusion. Her real arm enters her head, while her painted hand seamlessly blends into her own facial features.
The real puzzle begins when you notice her fingers extending past her face. Is it painted on her hair? Is there hidden magic involved? Either way, it’s baffling brilliance!
Mimi’s work plays with the limits of perception, creating art that stumps even the sharpest viewers. Her optical illusions are so immersive, they feel like mind games you can’t solve.
Luca Luce channels Freddie Mercury in his latest illusion. With his creative flair, he blends makeup and artistry to make even Queen’s frontman proud of his iconic 3D designs.
When inspiration strikes, Luca doesn’t hold back. From shading to intricate details, every design is a testament to his dedication. Freddie’s theatrical spirit lives on through Luca’s stunning work.
Whether he’s relaxing or creating, Luca’s art is full of passion. His talent transforms everyday makeup into dazzling masterpieces, capturing the magic and drama of Freddie Mercury himself.
Mimi Choi’s illusion captures how most of us feel on tough mornings. With clever painting, she creates the illusion of breaking free, leaving viewers mesmerized and slightly disoriented.
Her tools are surprisingly accessible—vegan brushes, everyday makeup products, and fine detail paintbrushes. It’s proof that genius lies in skill, not just in fancy equipment or expensive materials.
Mimi’s favorite products, like Make Up for Ever and Kryolan, allow her to achieve intricate details. Her work shows how traditional makeup can become a medium for spectacular illusions.
Dain Yoon takes blending to the next level—literally blending herself with her laptop! Forget about the makeup for a moment; her desktop’s chaos could use a bit of TLC.
Who says creative types can’t be disorganized? Dain’s work may be immaculate, but her desk looks like it survived an artistic hurricane. Still, the effect is mesmerizingly unique.
Dain sees illusions not as deceptions but as opportunities to reshape reality. She believes that even slight transformations can take us out of our usual perceptions and into something new.
Cakeface RJ takes optical illusions to a whole new level of wet and wild! Her hand and glass of water are real, but the rest is painted on her face and body.
The illusion is stunning: real water in the glass cascades through a painted hole on her forehead, spilling down as cheek waterfalls before pooling on her neck. Bravo, RJ!
If RJ’s painted water could flush thoughts as effectively as it flows, sign us up. Her technique combines artistry with humor, creating optical illusions that are truly one of a kind.
Mimi Choi finds her creative spark in the dead of night. She says her most inspired moments come after midnight, when the world is silent, and she can work undisturbed.
She often spends the night crafting her masterpieces, pouring her nocturnal energy into incredible works of art. When others wake, Mimi has already created something extraordinary.
By day, she wears sunglasses to hide the tell-tale circles of her late-night artistry. Behind those shades is an artist fueled by moonlight and endless imagination.
Luca Luce draws inspiration from magic and fantasy, even though he never attended art school. His love for makeup and 3D art led him to create designs on his own hand.
Smaller projects, like a spider painted on a face, take him about 30 minutes. Larger endeavors, like full-face cubist designs, can stretch into several hours of dedicated work.
When it’s his birthday, Luca takes things up a notch, painting a birthday cake on his own head. Who needs actual frosting when you have artistic genius?
Dain Yoon mastered her craft before blending herself into Seoul’s skyline. This stunning piece merges her body with a glowing Korean sunset, creating an ethereal and captivating scene.
Though it doesn’t work as perfect camouflage, the beauty of her design speaks for itself. Her artistry showcases a deep connection to her surroundings and a flair for surreal illusions.
If Van Gogh had painted Starry Night in Seoul, we’d imagine it looking something like this. So, let’s dub this masterpiece “Starry Seoul Night” in homage to her brilliant work.
Andy, hailing from Poitiers in western France, has transformed himself into a male Na’vi warrior straight out of James Cameron’s blockbuster Avatar universe.
The contouring and cheekbones under all that makeup are jaw-dropping. It must have taken hours to perfect. The ears, however, have us scratching our heads. Pink pixie-like ears on a Na’vi? That’s new!
And then there’s the nose—it’s got a cheeky vibe we weren’t expecting. Despite these quirks, Andy’s dedication and skill have created a mesmerizing homage to the Na’vi.
Cakeface RJ presents her interpretation of a female Na’vi, giving the Avatar design a more ethereal, soft-focus look. Her style is unmistakably different from Andy’s, with elegance and femininity at its core.
Instead of going all out with colored contact lenses, RJ painted anime-style eyes directly onto her eyelids. The illusion is stunning, and the effort behind such detail is clearly immense.
A bit of digging reveals that female Na’vi do have subtle pink hues in their ears, though not as vibrant as RJ’s. Artistic liberties aside, her work radiates creativity and charm.
Mimi’s stunning blue butterflies appear to be fluttering away from her face in a whimsical display of artistry. How they “fly” is anyone’s guess—maybe wire, or maybe pure magic.
This intricate design likely took hours to complete, showcasing her patience and precision. The balance between her painted face and the 3D butterflies creates a breathtaking visual experience.
Mimi thrives on challenges, and optical illusions are her forte. She admits this style is the most difficult, but the payoff is her awe-inspiring ability to bring fantasy to life.
Luca Luce channels his inner Pumpkin King with Jack Skellington taking up residence in his mind. This Milanese makeup artist turns every season—be it Halloween or Christmas—into an occasion for creativity.
Jack Skellington, famously from The Nightmare Before Christmas, serves as Luca’s artistic muse. This quirky stop-motion character fuels Luca’s imagination, inspiring him to craft unique and festive designs year-round.
Fun fact: The movie wasn’t directed by Tim Burton but by Henry Selick. Luca’s Skellington look is a nod to this iconic film and a testament to his artistic range.
Mimi transforms her face into a shattered piece of Qinghua porcelain, China’s iconic blue and white pottery. Her design is steeped in tradition yet modernized with a striking dragon motif.
The broken pieces spill across the table, while Mimi’s hollowed-out face completes the illusion. The porcelain’s delicate cracks and intricate details are painted with astonishing realism.
With over a thousand years of history behind Qinghua porcelain, Mimi’s design brings this art form into a new realm. Her ability to merge cultural heritage with illusion art is remarkable.
Cakeface RJ has done it again! This time, she’s transformed herself into rapper Chris Brown with such photorealistic precision that she could fool fans on the street.
While her Oprah Winfrey creation resembled a stunning oil painting, this Chris Brown look is hyper-lifelike. RJ confessed the hardest part was capturing the vibrancy of Chris’ red hair.
If you didn’t know better, you’d think she spent hours practicing his autograph. The detail in her work is so incredible, it could pass for a photo from a magazine shoot.
Mimi’s latest creation features a cup of milky tea spilling in midair, its contents cascading down from a lofty height in a beautifully chaotic stream.
But here’s the twist—her face is part of the spill! Her eyes, nose, and mouth peek through the liquid, while her hair strands are cleverly blended into the tea itself.
The illusion is so seamless that it looks like she’s both the tea and the table. This piece shows her knack for blending surrealism with everyday objects in the most creative way.
We’ve all heard of the “third eye,” but did you know some ancient creatures had an actual eyelid for their pineal gland? Luca Luce takes this creepy concept to new heights.
In his eerie design, a reptilian creature emerges from his brain, merging sci-fi vibes with evolutionary history. It’s as if his “lizard brain” has been brought vividly to life.
The idea ties into the basal ganglia, often nicknamed the “lizard brain.” Luca’s fusion of science and fantasy gives this design an unsettling yet fascinating vibe that’s hard to look away from.
Mimi’s fish-inspired design is a nod to the surreal 1591 artwork Vertumnus by Giuseppe Arcimboldo. Instead of fruits and flowers, she’s used an array of marine creatures for her masterpiece.
Flatfish, shrimp, starfish, and shellfish make up her face, while an eel elegantly wraps around her neck. It’s a breathtaking underwater tribute to the Roman god of transformation, Vertumnus.
The blend of aquatic life forms is both haunting and beautiful, reminding us of the sea’s mysteries while paying homage to art history in Mimi’s signature style.
Andy channels dark fantasy with his haunting Dark Elf design. The blackened neck and silver lips create a chilling, otherworldly vibe straight out of a gothic dream.
The glowing contact lenses give him a devilish stare, perfect for his otherworldly character. The intricate beads and wire embellishments on his face add to the mystique and fantasy appeal.
While the origin of this fantasy being exists solely in Andy’s mind, the craftsmanship and imagination behind the look transport us to an eerie, far-off realm where elves and darkness reign.
Mimi Choi took multitasking to a new level when she painted this intricate carousel design while 30 weeks pregnant. Talk about dedication and a spinning imagination!
During the process, Mimi battled morning sickness but powered through like a true artist. Fun fact: British folks call carousels “merry-go-rounds.” How charmingly quaint! Just don’t remind Mimi—she might need a breather.
This piece is a testament to her perseverance and passion for illusion art. Despite her condition, she created a whimsical, dizzyingly detailed masterpiece that truly brings joy to the viewer.
Cakeface RJ’s sweet tooth isn’t just a craving; it’s her artistic muse. She adores ice cream so much, she crafted a design featuring not one, not two, but three ice cream pops.
This delectable creation took her six hours to complete. By the time she finished, the real ice cream was melting, and she had to rush to capture the perfect shot.
And when she’s not indulging her love for desserts, RJ has a good sense of humor. Her love for ice cream makes her scream with joy—or maybe just scream if someone steals her scoop!
Mimi Choi fuels her late-night art sessions with pizza, or at least that’s the story her “Big Mouth” design tells. This oversized slice looks floppy, bland, and oddly satisfying.
She cleverly painted a piece of paper to blend seamlessly with her face paint, crafting a larger-than-life tongue for this illusion. The details stretch beyond the boundaries of her face.
This playful and exaggerated design captures Mimi’s quirky humor and unparalleled artistry. Who knew a simple slice of pizza could inspire such a bold and imaginative piece of work?
Andy transformed himself into a living Jackson Pollock painting with this colorful, splatter-inspired design. While it looks random, every stroke and splash was meticulously painted.
The vibrant pinks and yellows make his skin look like a canvas straight out of Pollock’s studio. Those striking contact lenses and dramatic eyelashes add an edgy twist.
This masterpiece captures the chaos and control that defined Pollock’s art while showcasing Andy’s precision and dedication. It’s abstract art come to life, one deliberate detail at a time.
Mimi Choi takes the concept of “falling apart” literally with her slice-of-life design. Her face appears sliced into thin strips, resembling linguini or ribbons of pasta.
The illusion is mesmerizing, with her realistic makeup creating depth and movement. Her oversized almond-shaped eyes might seem hypnotic, but they’re a painted illusion, not her real eyes.
This piece blurs the lines between art and reality, showcasing Mimi’s ability to turn a whimsical idea into an intricately detailed and captivating masterpiece. Who knew linguini could look so elegant?
Dain Yoon considers her face the ultimate canvas, stating, “My face is the most powerful medium of art. I use it to express individuality and redefine first impressions.”
Her handpainted designs, taking anywhere from three to twelve hours, reveal hidden depths. She describes how “the real face reveals itself underneath the hand that hid it,” challenging surface-level judgments.
For an extra twist, Dain painted her face onto her fingernails—yes, complete with her real hair! Her ability to merge art and identity proves she’s much more than a pretty face.
Cakeface RJ doesn’t just recreate musicians and talk-show hosts—she dives into superhero territory too. Her ability to transform herself into iconic figures feels like a superpower in itself.
In a stunning tribute, RJ painted herself as Marvel’s Black Panther, brilliantly embodying the spirit of Chadwick Boseman. Her attention to detail is so sharp, it’s worthy of a Wakandan throne.
This incredible piece invites you to cross your arms and declare, “Wakanda Forever!” With her creativity, RJ turns makeup artistry into an inspiring homage to superhero legends.
Dain Yoon’s lifelong dedication to art is paying off in big ways. After years of training and industry experience, she’s collaborated with brands like Apple and BMW while traveling the globe.
Outside the Great Pyramid of Giza, Dain painted herself into a cubist Cleopatra, blending cultural history with her signature surreal style. Her bold blue hues are as striking as the desert backdrop.
Even the camel in her photo seemed less impressed than we are. Maybe he’s just “in denial.” Get it? De Nile! Dain’s humor and creativity shine through in every piece.
Here’s a rare moment of Mimi Choi au naturel, showcasing her behind-the-scenes artistry. She’s finally made it to Hollywood, working with none other than Jeff Goldblum himself.
Mimi shared on Instagram, “Behind the scenes of my day with Jeff Goldblum.” Her transformation work was featured on The World According to Jeff Goldblum in the Disney+ episode “Cosmetics.”
If you’ve ever wanted to see Mimi in action, this is your chance. Her creativity and talent have taken her from makeup brushes to the stars, quite literally.
Dain Yoon’s incredible talent landed her a spot on The Ellen DeGeneres Show. Her six-eyed, three-mouthed illusion had Ellen—and the audience—in awe.
The Hollywood gig highlighted the blend of humor and skill in her work. Her makeup stunned viewers and proved her art’s mainstream appeal.
Dain’s ability to charm audiences while bending reality shows that true talent always shines through, extra eyeballs and all.
Dain Yoon’s illusion of having multiple hands is a design that needs a second—and third—look. Only two of the hands are real, and the rest are painted.
This design plays with themes of sensuality and eeriness. Depending on your perspective, it’s either seductive or sinister.
It’s a reminder of Yoon’s ability to make us question what’s real, blending humor and artistry with every stroke.
Mimi Choi doesn’t just stick to faces—her legs have gotten the illusion treatment too. In one quirky design, she transformed them into bananas.
From the texture to the stickers, her banana illusion is almost edible. The peeling effect adds a playful touch.
Though some might argue it’s more corn-like than banana-esque, the creativity behind this design peels away our doubts.
Dain Yoon’s art often channels the surreal vibes of Hieronymus Bosch’s famous paintings, blending beauty with unsettling dreamscapes in a single stroke of genius.
Inspired by her training in scenography, Yoon creates theatrical designs that feel plucked straight from a Renaissance nightmare. Her intricate work evokes the chaos of Bosch’s hellish worlds.
Through her detailed, otherworldly illusions, Dain’s designs transport viewers to places where reality and imagination collide, proving art’s power to mystify.
Mimi Choi’s sweet tooth has never been so apparent. She created a jaw-dropping look with nine painted mouths devouring candy all at once.
The hyper-realistic mouths seem to grin and chew simultaneously, making us wonder how she even breathes under all that makeup. Talk about multitasking!
This illusion sparks hilarity and amazement. And a reminder to Mimi: always unwrap your candies first, no matter how many mouths you have.
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