Nana's editorial recently set social media alight. What looks like a magazine spread is in fact a valuable result created by a gathering of talented artists. Nana's makeup, in particular, caught the PAP editor's eye. And so a question arises: who did this makeup work, and with what in mind? To find out, the editor sat down for a short conversation with its author, freelance makeup artist Kim Chae-won.
Q. Please introduce yourself.
A. I'm Kim Chae-won, a freelance makeup artist. I do makeup for shoots across advertising, lookbooks, artists, magazines, and more.
Q. Your work with Nana became a huge talking point. What brought this project about?
A. Nana reached out to the lead photographer, and a team that often works together came together for it. Nana wanted a project with a story, and based on those conversations the crew planned and proposed the shoot.
Q. We're also curious which aspects of Nana you focused on.
A. I focused on drawing out a feeling. Some looks were improvised on the spot as the outfits changed. I wanted a decadent, dreamlike mood, a contemporary reading of Wong Kar-wai's film In the Mood for Love.
Nana's eyes and gaze carry a languid, dreamy charm. It felt right to bring that out here, so I left out sharp eyeliner and doll-like upturned lashes. Instead I leaned into the under-eye makeup and blush to set the mood.
Q. Are there difficulties in working as a makeup artist?
A. Nothing major. Hard moments naturally come with the work, and if you make a living from something you love, I think that much is worth bearing.
If I had to name one thing, it's that unexpected variables come up often on set. This shoot was no exception. Several big variables meant we had to shoot six outfits, variations included, within four hours.
A reference is only a reference; you have to quickly judge where to add and where to hold back to suit the mood and outfit the day calls for, and draw out the most beauty you can against the clock. There are plenty of other variables, but usually you get past them.
Q. On the other hand, what's the most appealing part of this job?
A. There's so much. To begin with, makeup itself is fun. The same shade feels different depending on where, how, and how much you use it, and the same color feels different depending on its texture. The way you build the base changes with each skin type. Finding my own routine through new experiments is fun too.
Meeting all kinds of new people on shoots and working in sync with them to create something wonderful is always a joy, as is seeing the final result.
When I empathize with a client's needs, interpret them in my own style, and the finished result hits their taste exactly, the dopamine flows. Making an already beautiful face beautiful may sound easy, but even the same person can shift completely in mood depending on the makeup look you put on.
The work of correcting flaws and playing up strengths to draw the most charm from a face as it is, and the work of finding a new mood, are both fun. A feature commonly thought of as a flaw can sometimes become a point of charm.
Q. Is there a cosmetic product you're hooked on lately?
A. Chanel N1 Lip and Cheek Balm, and the 2SLASH4 Strobing Cube.
Q. Advice for people who find makeup difficult.
A. To find the makeup look that brings out your own charm, I recommend trying many things. Looking beautiful takes a certain amount of effort, after all.
Q. Finally, as a makeup artist, is there an image of a beautiful woman you hold?
A. Many people have pretty faces, but I think the ones with an aura all their own are beautiful. Everyone has their own charm, and an aura doesn't appear in an instant; it comes from seeking out that charm and polishing it. A confident attitude and a steady inner self matter too.
Photographer. @kimmoondog
Hair. @silvergun_96
Makeup. @chaewonkeeem
Styling. @sensyal
Art. @solty_kimyesol
FAQ
Who did the makeup for the Nana editorial?
Freelance makeup artist Kim Chaewon handled the makeup for the Nana editorial. She specializes in makeup for commercials, lookbooks, artists, and magazines, bringing a refined touch to every shoot.
How did the Nana editorial shoot come together?
Nana requested the shoot from the photo director, and a team she frequently collaborates with assembled to execute it. She wanted a story-driven concept, and the staff developed and proposed ideas based on their discussions.
What aspects were emphasized in Nana's makeup?
The makeup drew on Wong Kar-wai's In the Mood for Love, reinterpreted with a modern, decadent, and dreamlike mood. Under-eye makeup and blush were emphasized to enhance Nana's languid, dreamy gaze, while sharp eyeliner and doll-like lashes were deliberately omitted.
