Inside the Chengdu Museum in southwest China's Sichuan, among ancient artifacts and centuries-old statues, Lan Xi, a makeup artist, sees more than history — she finds timeless beauty waiting to be reimagined.
"We'll be recreating this smiling figurine, a cherished relic of Chengdu. Its cheerful expression spreads joy to all," said Lan at the museum.
Once known for creating Western-inspired glam looks, Lan Xi now finds herself on a very different track: bringing back faces from centuries past by drawing inspiration from ancient statues and paintings.
"Based on historical trends, given that the figure dates back to the Han Dynasty, we speculate it would have cherry-shaped lips with trapezoid-shaped lipstick. Since the artifact was unearthed in Chengdu, we estimate it would have 'Yuanshan' eyebrows," Lan said, explaining which features she considers when recreating ancient looks.
From brow shape to lip color, each brushstroke is backed by hours of research. But for Lan Xi, what excites her most is the world this work brings to life.
"At first, I just followed instructions, painting as others wanted and sticking to a routine. But when recreating historical looks, it's different. It breaks the boundaries I used to work within, and that's what really excites me," she said.
Lan Xi likens what she does to archaeology, as she digs, analyzes, and brings ancient faces to life for the world to see through her short videos.
"One of the reasons we recreate these historical looks is to learn more about the past. Once a look comes together, it naturally makes you start to wonder about the history behind it. You're bringing something historical back to life," she said.
The artist says what she has done is just the beginning. For her, the work ahead isn't just about restoring faces -- it's about reawakening a lost connection to the past. She wants people to see these ancient figures not as relics, but as gateways for reflection and new perspectives.
Chengdu makeup artist turns ancient relics into living beauty
