Makeup Artists Share 25+ 3D Looks That Require a Second Look to Figure Out

If you thought makeup was just for covering blemishes, then we have news for you! Men and women have used makeup for thousands of years as warpaint when going into battle or to stand out from the crowd. We’ve found a group of unbelievably talented artists who take 3D art to a whole new level with their incredible, bizarre, and mind-boggling makeup art. So, join us as we get to know some very gifted artists and their amazing optical illusions…

Mimi Choi

Canadian makeup wizard Mimi Choi creates optical illusions on her own face. Sometimes, they’re beautiful. Other times, they’re bizarre. And then there are times that they’re just baffling. But in this digital age, the super-talented young lady hasn’t taken the easy route and used Photoshop. In fact, all her creations are made using traditional makeup.

Mimi Choi

This was one of her first makeup optical illusions from when she started in 2017. She calls this piece of art Worlds Within Me, and it was inspired by a surreal drawing.

Dain Yoon

Another talented makeup artist is Dain Yoon from South Korea. Known for her face and body painting, she has more than half a million followers on Instagram. She started painting at a very young age. And she immediately excelled at art.

Dain Yoon

So, it’s hardly surprising Dain graduated at the top of her class from two of Korea’s most prestigious art schools. Several of her designs feature this wavy effect. It looks like a painting, but it’s achieved using only makeup.

Luca Luce

This is Luca Luce, who hails from one of the world's fashion capitals — Milan, Italy. His Instagram profile proclaims he is the “First hand and head painter 3D in the world.” We’re not sure about that, Luca, as people must have been painting their heads for centuries.

Luca Luce

Mexican people do it every November for their Day of the Dead festival. However, Luca’s little boast doesn’t make his designs any less impressive. If proof was even needed that reading gives you brains, here’s Luca to put that argument to bed.

21st Century Boy

Andy is another up-and-coming makeup artist who shows off his 3D designs on social media. He has swathes of Instagram and TikTok followers.

21st Century Boy

We don’t even know his full name, but he likes to create horror-themed designs — and this one is inspired by the Mexican Dia de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead festival. Andy has updated the classic skull look with some 21st-century neon elements of his own. Check out those crazy red contact lenses and the green dye in his hair.