We’re excited for you to meet Kim Chi, your next beauty hero. Any die hard Drag Race fan will already know and love Kim Chi, but do you know how she broke into beauty?
Kim Chi became one of RuPaul’s Drag Race stars in 2016, making it to the final of series eight of the show. Since graduating to the drag queen hall of fame, Kim Chi has launched her own beauty brand and we’re obsessed! Founded on the belief that beauty is for everyone, KimChi Chic Beauty know that finding the right makeup can change the way you see yourself.
With 27 shades of creamy concealer, 17 shades of high-shine lip gloss, and setting powders and sprays you can’t live without, Kim Chi Chic Beauty has the makeup staples to cater for everything from neutral looks to extravagant vibes.
But their founder is just as exciting; that’s why wanna know how Kim Chi broke into beauty.
What did you want to be when you were younger?
I wanted to be a wedding dress designer. Now I get to wear big pretty gowns in every colour!
What attracted you to the beauty industry?
Makeup has the power to transform people and boost your confidence. Through makeup, you can create any illusion you want using your face as a canvas. You can also hide your insecurities or enhance any features you want! It truly is art in magic form that washes away at the end of the night!
What did you study and did this guide you into your current role?
I studied to become a graphic designer. I did drag for fun on Halloween and learned how to do my makeup then. I ended up getting booked for a show the first night I went out, and it’s been a wild roller coaster ride ever since! My creative eye and love for fine art set my looks apart from everyone else, and that’s what I became known for. It has stayed with me to this day when creating clothing and makeup looks and making decisions for KimChi Chic Beauty.
What path did your career take after you left school?
After school I was working as a graphic designer but felt restricted creatively doing corporate work. Being my own boss and being able to create the looks and products I want to create has been such a fulfilling journey!
What skills and experience do you need to succeed in your current role?
Professionalism and a creative vision!
What does your day-to-day entail?
Current day to day nowadays entails being in quarantine! Normally, I would be traveling all over the world on tour while also working on KimChi Chic Beauty, but we are living in a different time at the moment.
What are some of the common misconceptions people have about your job?
That KimChi Chic Beauty is some mega huge corporate brand! We just launched last year, and we are a very small independent business who just wants to make great quality makeup at an affordable price point!
What is the best part of your job?
Seeing people create amazing looks with products from KimChi Chic Beauty! It’s like passing down a medium to other artists and seeing what they can create with it!
What has been the most surreal moment in your career so far?
Being able to launch KimChi Chic Beauty, which has been a life-long dream of mine!
What deskside essentials are vital to you doing your job?
A cushy mousepad and moisturiser! Skincare is the easiest and most effective form of selfcare!
What’s your top piece of beauty advice?
Don’t get discouraged if you can’t achieve the look you want with make up right away. The more you try, the more your hand will develop a muscle memory and you’ll see yourself progressing! Practice truly DOES make perfect.
