You asked and we listened!

Our very own makeup artist is here to answer ALL your makeup questions. Meet Motoko Honjo.
Motoko has traveled the world with a loyal clientele that includes Ziyi Zhang, Anne Hathaway, Sanaa Lathan, Gabrielle Union and Michelle Wie.

Born and raised in Yokohama City, Japan, makeup artist Motoko Honjo entered the world of beauty on a whim. After years of experimenting with makeup on the women in her family, this former banker decided that nothing gave her greater joy than seeing the happiness that her talent brought to the people in her life.

Motoko realized that she wanted to share this gift, and it wasn’t long before she enrolled in the Joe Blasco Makeup School, which eventually led her to perfect her craft at Los Angeles Beauty.

In Los Angeles, Motoko has established herself as an accomplished fashion and celebrity makeup artist. When she isn’t traveling for work, she enjoys skiing, tennis, and hiking. She’s also an avid Japanese animation enthusiast. Motoko's future plans include launching a mini salon where she can introduce the line of makeup she plans to develop.

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ASIANCE: How many years have you been in makeup?

Motoko: I’ve been in Makeup for 12 Years.

ASIANCE: What is your opinion on the art of makeup?

Motoko: Makeup is about beauty and creativity.

ASIANCE: What is your creative influence?

Motoko: I draw a lot from inspiration from paintings. I love the Impressionist movement and also the Rennaissance period. They really paid a great deal of attention to the face and detail.

Makeup Artist Motoko

ASIANCE: What is your most important tool?

Motoko: My most important tools are my brushes. The quality of your brushes is so important: they really determine the texture of how the makeup is applied.

ASIANCE: Favorite technique on an Asian face?

Motoko: I think eyeliner is key on an Asian face, since it can dramatically bring out the eyes. Black eyeliner is a classic choice.

ASIANCE: Favorite feature on an Asian face?

Motoko: Asians naturally have a beautiful high cheek bone that creates a beautiful, natural contour.

ASIANCE: First makeup tip you would give an Asian girl?

Motoko: Asians have beautiful dark eyes. You should apply makeup that accentuates them and let the eyes shine, not mask them with heavy eye makeup. I recommend doing a natural eye or a soft smokey eye.

ASIANCE: Give us Asian girls 5 basic tips to putting on daily makeup!

Motoko: Be sure to cleanse your skin thoroughly morning & night. You don’t want to leave behind any dirt or makeup. Healthy skin starts with clean skin!

Apply a good moisturizer—one that absorbs well into the skin and works with your skin type.

Always wear sunscreen! Asian skin is very sensitive to hyper-pigmentation and sun damage, so it’s critical to wear daily sunscreen!

Less is definitely more! Use just enough foundation to cover any imperfections or discoloration, but always let your skin shine through!

Create focal points for your makeup. I find it’s best to emphasize one feature of your face, whether it be gorgeous lips, dramatic eyes, or a beautiful flushed/contoured cheek. When too many things are highlighted, it creates a busy face!

Gong Li travels with her own makeup artist. Believe it or not - this picture of Gong is 2 hours worth of makeup. Here, Motoko helps you re-create our cover girl Gong Li’s natural makeup!

Motoko recreates Gong’s makeup

Face

Start by using a light, yellow-based foundation. The best way to apply a beautiful finish is to patiently pat the foundation into the skin. This allows for an even, flawless application. Set with a translucent loose powder.

Eye

To achieve a defined brow, use an angled brush (like MAC #263) to lightly apply a mixture of dark charcoal and brown powder. The brown will soften it up and make the shade more natural.

To define the eye lid, apply a light brown or medium red brown shadow on the lower lid, concentrating on the center and fading to the sides, motioning toward the temples. Fading is key to opening up the eyes with the eye color.

Outline the edge of the eye along the lash line with a black eyeliner pencil. Apply black mascara on the top lashes.

Finally, on the outer edges of the lower lash line, apply a dark brown powder with an angled brush.

Cheeks

Apply a light pink blush on your cheek, like MAC Powder Blush in Tenderling. Swirl the blush brush and tap off excess to prevent streaks, and sweep from the upper cheek down across the cheek bone for a natural, gentle flush.

Lips

Use a blue-toned light pink lipcolor, like MAC Petal Lure or Chanel Rose Sand Glossimer.

Leave your makeup questions for Motoko below and she’ll gladly answer each and every one.