These days, my makeup has been channeling model-off-duty vibes, but I started out doing a lot of drag-style makeup. I didn’t do the typical drag queen performances and events, but I did the drag artistry with a super-painted face. 

Just putting on foundation, concealer, and lip balm is a transformation, but drag makeup is an alteration of the features to make you look almost like a completely different person. It’s simply an enhancement of your most authentic self and lends itself to the utmost creative freedom of expression, in a way. I’m kind of an introvert. Makeup, as well as self-portrait photography, has helped me communicate what I’m feeling and my ideas.

I’m obsessed with [makeup artists] Pat McGrath, Isamaya Ffrench, and Daniel Sallstrom. Lately, I’ve been looking to Val Garland and early 2000s Alexander McQueen shows. These cool, surrealist makeup faces they [all] do are so beyond the beauty guru sphere I grew up with. I saw makeup could be so much more than an everyday glam moment. It could be art on my face.

If I were to sit down right now and create the epitome of a Bismuth look, I would paint my face completely red, do some graphic black lines, and an ombré lip with a nude, shiny gloss. I love a dewy moment, and red is my favorite color. I’ve always been drawn to it, both emotionally and culturally. Growing up part Chinese, red has always been super significant to me.