"The world of beauty needs critics" Interview with Shi Hejun, the make-up artist of unnatural ecstasy

“I’m Shi Hejun, a Chinese make-up artist based in Milan”: this is how our interview with Shi Hejun begins. We discovered him on Instagram, where he posts under the handle chicherdrink. Just like the artist featured in the previous episode of Under the Beauty Radar, our new format dedicated to unconventional beauty, we were instantly struck by his looks, which he shares on his Instagram profile, and decided to reach out to him. The first words you read on his profile? “The ultimate unnatural ecstasy”. And the way he describes himself and his work confirms it: “I love to challenge mainstream aesthetics by exploring sculptural beauty. I enjoy connecting with different materials and combining multiple techniques to express myself in a bold, direct way. My creations truly reflect my emotions and my personality.”

Interview with Shi Hejun, Chinese make-up artist based in Milan

How would you define your aesthetic in three words?

Cult, creepy, heretical.

Can you tell us how your journey began and how you found your creative expression?

It all happened very suddenly, actually. I’ve always been interested in make-up, but I never dreamed of becoming a real make-up artist especially with an aesthetic like mine. I remember the turning point came when I finished my degree in fashion business and had no idea what to do with my life. I was surprised and nervous when a friend asked me to do her make-up for an editorial project with a fashion student, even though I had zero experience. That project turned out to be really special, and from that moment I realized how interesting it was to create my own magic through make-up. I’ve never been a certified or professionally trained make-up artist, but I truly believe it’s never too late to find what attracts and stimulates you the most.

What is the creative process behind building and executing a look?

I’ve always believed that the act of creating is deeply personal, private, and exclusive. It’s a bit like meeting a random person from a dating app, you never know what you’ll get in the end. The idea behind each look always comes when you least expect it, it can hit you at any moment in life. And once the idea becomes clear, the execution feels effortless.

Where does your inspiration come from? Is there a particular medium (film, music, art, literature, etc.) that has influenced your visual world?

I wouldn’t say I’m directly inspired by one specific thing, but I do love cult films, especially those by Alejandro Jodorowsky. An aesthetic so far removed from the mainstream opens a door for me to create my own unique language. It might only appeal to a small group of people, but that’s exactly what I want.

What message do you want to convey through your work and your otherworldly looks?

I don’t try to convey a specific message. I let people feel whatever they want to feel. I’m only interested in creating beauty, and others are free to say it’s awful. The beauty world today needs criticism more than ever, and I’m happy to see that happening.

Is there a make-up trend you don’t feel connected to, and one you particularly love?

It might not be a hot trend right now, but I really dislike when people use double eyelid tape (often used in East Asia) to pretend they have “big, beautiful eyes”. What I truly love, instead, is diversity in the beauty world. Creators from all over the globe bring their own personality into their work, and that allows all of us to make our voices heard.

Is there a product or tool you always keep in your make-up kit?

The M.A.C full coverage foundation palette. I think it’s a favorite for many make-up artists: it covers almost every shade a make-up artist could need, and the texture is very easy to blend.

What advice would you give to someone who wants to become a make-up artist but doesn’t identify with traditional beauty standards?

Feel the world, listen to your heart, and do make-up your own way. I’ve never received any professional training, and I believe that’s exactly why I’ve never been limited by predefined standards. And if you already feel trapped by them, try to deconstruct the traditional make-up process and combine it with your own creative approach.