Woman Gives Up Teaching To Create Optical Illusions With Makeup and It’s Perfect

By
Jovana A
-
Image via mimles/Instagram

Mimi Choi from Vancouver used to be a teacher before she quit her job to become a full-time makeup artist. And good thing she did!

She’s specialized in surreal makeup with classic surreal artist such as Salvador Dali as an inspiration. Mimi also experiences sleep paralysis and tries to recreate those hallucinations with makeup.

Check out some of her latest work below and follow her on Instagram for more.

View this post on Instagram

Me watching myself watching others watch me. 👁👁👁 Let go of your self-consciousness by realizing that most people are too busy thinking about themselves to notice what you’re doing. 🧠 This is all #makeup. (Video in story) • Hair by the super cool and talented ➡️ @sabrinafetterkindhair ⬅️ – the red eyes were made out of real hair by Sabrina using gel and hairspray to set, and painted by yours truly • Inspired by an artwork by Lola Dupre ____________________________________________________________ Complexion: @nyxcosmetics @nyxcosmetics_canada Total Control Drop Foundation, @dermablendpro Quick-Fix Concealer and @makeupforeverofficial @makeupforeverca Artist Face Color • Illusion eyes: @kryolanofficial Variety Eye Shadow Compact, @maccosmetics @maccosmeticscanada Chromacake and Acrylic Paint • Freehand red swirls: @suvabeauty Hydraliner “Cherry Bomb” #eyes #androgyny

A post shared by ＭＩＭＩ ＣＨＯＩ (@mimles) on

View this post on Instagram

Don’t let your old demons get a hold of you. 👿💥😈 • Tag a friend who needs to move on. 🙌🏼 This is all #makeup. ___________________________________________________________ Complexion: @nyxcosmetics @nyxcosmetics_canada Total Control Drop Foundation and @makeupforeverca Artist Face Color. • Eyes: @makeupforeverofficial #ArtistColorShadow and @my_loveforlashes “Cornelia” • Lips: @maccosmetics “Flat Out Fab” matte lipstick • Brows: @morphebrushes Brow 8 Palette • Illusion hands: @kryolanofficial Ultra Foundation palette and Variety Eye Shadow Compact • Illusion nails: @maccosmeticscanada “Rebel” satin lipstick and white acrylic paint ||| Inspired by the beautiful distorted sculptures of @johnson_tsang_artist ❤️ – see story for my inspiration.

A post shared by ＭＩＭＩ ＣＨＯＩ (@mimles) on

View this post on Instagram

This is #MAKEUP • Tag a friend who hates a TWO-FACED person. • Don’t let your lips and your lives preach two different messages.💡 | This took 1 hour. Inspired by photoshopped mask portraits, see highlights for video and inspiration. ———————————————————————— Products • For the #mask part: @bennyemakeup “Diverse” Matte HD Foundation palette for highlighting, @sauceboxcosmetics “Étude” eyeshadow palette for shading, @suvabeauty “Grease” Hydraliner for definition • For the #beauty part: @kevynaucoin Skin Enhancer, @makeupforeverca Artist Face Color and Artist Color Shadows, @kashalashes “Dazzling”, @beccacosmetics “Champagne Pop” Shimmering Skin Perfector, @maccosmeticscanada “Little Darling” matte lipstick, @morphebrushes Brow 8 palette.

A post shared by ＭＩＭＩ ＣＨＯＩ (@mimles) on

View this post on Instagram

This is #makeup • OH SNAP! 📸👁👃🏼👄 • Throughout these past 2 years, I’ve always been asked this question: How do I deal with people who constantly take from my old concepts without ever crediting me? My answer is to continue to create new and better things so that by the time they think they’ve caught up, I’ve already moved on to the next chapter. Instead of focusing on the negativity you feel when someone copies you, use that energy to motivate you to reach another level. People who constantly take your ideas will always be your shadow. No matter how well they imitate you, they will always be one step behind.💥 _____________________________ POLAROID MADNESS using @makeupforeverofficial @makeupforeverca Artist Color Shadows and Flash Case, @anastasiabeverlyhills Waterproof Crème Color in black, @kryolanofficial @kryolanuk Aquacolors and @kashalashes.

A post shared by ＭＩＭＩ ＣＨＯＩ (@mimles) on

View this post on Instagram

This is #MAKEUP, not a filter or Photoshop. 👅👅👅 Tag someone who is thirsty AF. • My eyes are completely closed here. Video in highlights. ________________________________ MAKEUP SEMINAR IN SAN JOSE WITH @jmakeupacademy on SAT JUNE 16th 1:00PM-6:00PM • I will be doing a live #illusionmakeup demo, sharing my techniques, and answering all of your questions during my class! To register, click link in bio (select J Makeup Academy Lesson Registration in my linktree!). I can’t wait to see you there! 💥 #sanjose #makeupseminar _________________________________ Used @bennyemakeup All-For-One Lip Color Palette, Essential Eye Shadow and Rouge Palette, and @makeupforeverofficial @makeupforeverca Flash Case for this.

A post shared by ＭＩＭＩ ＣＨＯＩ (@mimles) on

View this post on Instagram

This is #makeup —— KALEIDOSCOPE 👁👃🏼👄🤪 • Used @makeupforeverca @makeupforeverca Aqua Black and Artist Color Shadows, @kryolanofficial Aquacolor, @bennyemakeup Diverse Matte HD Foundation Palette and All-For-One Lip Color Palette for this. Inspired by “Kaleidoscope of Faces – Les portraits destructurés” by Suzanne Pascal. ___________________________________________ 💥 LIVE DEMO AT IMATS NY SAT APRIL 14th AT THE MAKE-UP ARTIST MAGAZINE BOOTH 💥 • Get your tickets at IMATS.NET • Looking forward to hanging out with you guys! ❤️ @imatsofficial @makeupartistmag @michaelkeyreal ____________________________________________ So before I could attempt to wake @andrewy527 up, he came downstairs and ruined my plan! 😤 He still looked at me like 😳 but it’s not the same as getting him when he’s sleeping. Oh well. This only means that the Universe wants me to get him with a creepier one.

A post shared by ＭＩＭＩ ＣＨＯＩ (@mimles) on