Meet Shu Zhang | Makeup Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Shu Zhang and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Shu, is there something that you feel is most responsible for your success?
Originally trained as a painter and ceramic artist, I graduated from the China Academy of Art, one of the most prestigious art schools in China. I later changed careers out of a growing passion for painting on faces instead, and pursued professional training in makeup at Vancouver Film School.

My background in fine art still plays a big role in how I work today. It taught me how to understand facial structure, how to work with my hands, and how to think visually across different cultures, whether I’m doing something rooted in Eastern or Western aesthetics, or mixing both. That training gave me a strong foundation to handle all kinds of makeup, from beauty to special effects, from fashion to film. I like to keep things fresh, and never repeat the same formula twice.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I was born in a small town in southern China, where makeup wasn’t really allowed. I still remember being told to stand outside the classroom for the whole day just because I had straightened my hair.. In college, I started doing makeup while modeling for photography classmates — we couldn’t afford artists, so I did it myself. That’s when I realized: painting on a face felt just like painting on canvas.

After graduating from the China Academy of Art, I studied film makeup in Vancouver and started my career in LA. I’ve worked on Cannes winning films like Venus by Water, Luckily Lu, and Blue Sun Palace, and now work between New York and LA across film, fashion, commercial and music.

Since 2020, I’ve been creating visually driven looks for musicians — designing all 22 tour looks for Epik High’s North American tour. sci-fi-inspired look for Omah Lay’s hit Soso, and collaborating with artists like Saya Grey, Amber Liu, Rich Brian and Keshi. On the commercial side, I’ve worked with major brands including Arc’teryx, New Balance, Nike, Adidas and more.

It wasn’t easy getting here. I started out dragging my kit through subways, working for very little. But those years taught me speed, precision, and how to lead on set. Today, I still stay hands-on, blending storytelling with technique — always chasing surprise.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If a close friend came to visit, I’d give them the Shu-style tour—chaotic but full of gems.

In LA, we’d start with a hike to that Mulholland Drive overlook! yes, the David Lynch one—just to feel a little existential before noon. Then lunch at Chifa, run by the power couple Humberto and Fernanda—Chinese-Peruvian comfort food in the most stylish setting. We’d end the day somewhere unexpected, like the half-forgotten ruins in Malibu, because decay can be cinematic too.

In New York, I’d take them for the real stuff: an iconic Jewish pastrami sandwich at Katz‘s, a weekday brunch at Clinton St. Baking Company, and obviously a classic New York bagel with scallion cream cheese, no shortcuts. We’d grab drinks at Red Hook Winery, watch the sun melt into the harbor, and talk about nothing important. Maybe sneak in a dirty martini at Angel’s Share, and if we’re lucky, catch a night at the Met Opera—if I’m working backstage, they’re getting free tickets.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I want to dedicate my shoutout to the artists — of all kinds — who’ve shaped the way I see the world. Not just makeup artists, but filmmakers, performers, dancers, storytellers. I’ve always been drawn to strong visual narratives, and when I feel stuck, I return to the works that first lit that fire in me.

Old films like Casablanca, Sunset Blvd, Hitchcock’s The Birds and Psycho; immersive theater like Sleep No More; the drama of The Rocky Horror Picture Show; classic operas like Madama Butterfly; the raw power of Butoh and Peking opera; the elegance of classical ballet; even drag and burlesque shows like Duane Park in. These are the things that keep my imagination moving.

They remind me that makeup, for me, is not just about beauty, it’s about emotion, storytelling, and mystery.

So, my deepest gratitude goes to all the artists out there who dare to make things weird, emotional, and beautiful.

Website: https://www.shuzhangmakeup.com

Instagram: https://shu.zhang