“Through makeup I want to become unbelievably cute!” Hasn’t every girl had this thought at some point? In Japan there are words like “seikeikyuu meiku (cosmetic surgery-level makeup)” and countless features on makeup techniques designed to conceal problem areas. But now, the queen of makeup techniques, “Zawachin” has hit the big time.
Almost overnight, Zawachin was showered with attention for her monomane meiku (imitation makeup) which made her look exactly like popular former AKB48 member Tomomi Itano. Currently, there isn’t a day when one cannot see her on television or in magazines. Zawachin’s makeup techniques not only easily cross over the borders of “cute transformation”, but also those of ethnicity and gender, allowing her to become completely different people.
Originally, Zawachin’s appearance lacked distinction, with droopy double eyelids and a low nose bridge (How rude!). Which is why it’s surprising that she was able to, through the power of makeup, transform not just into a popular idol but also a world-famous top model.
There are two important points for monomane meiku: shaping the eyebrows and getting the eyelid folds to look exactly like those of the famous person. In order to do that, one must first cover up their eyebrows with concealer and then draw on new ones on top. In the case of transforming into a man with thicker, darker eyebrows, black eyelash mascara containing fibers is added. In order to create the eyelid folds, a special product called “Mezaik” is used to adjust the shape/style of the eyelids accordingly. Mezaik is a product that uses long, thin fibers that stick to the eyelid and allow one to make new folds in the skin.
Using those techniques freely, Zawachin is able to transform herself into a lot of different characters. However, her technique has one flaw; she never shows her mouth. Whenever Zawachin displays her monomane meiku, does she realize that she seems to be is always hiding her mouth using things like her hands or a surgical mask? It seems that no matter what technique she uses, changing the shape of the mouth has proven difficult.
Even so, this is pretty impressive, no? It’s hard to believe we’re looking at the same girl here!
Images : Zawachin official blog
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