The Trompe L'Oeil Eye Makeup Trend Will Blow Your Mind

Updated on Jan 17, 2017 at 7:20 PM

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If you've ever scrolled through the numerous beauty-themed accounts on Instagram, you know for a fact that art inspires other art. However, self-trained makeup artist Stefania Atupe (who is just 16 years old!) draws from classic works for her own itty-bitty masterpieces.

The London-based teen told POPSUGAR via email that she only made makeup artistry "a proper hobby" in September 2016. "I really wanted to change things up and be more adventurous with my makeup," she said. She started by creating animal-print designs and sharing them to Instagram. One fan noticed similarities between her work and Van Gogh's, and Atupe was immediately inspired.

"I really love Van Gogh, and have done so for as long as I can remember," she shared. "I remember finding out we shared the same birthday when I was like six, and ever since then labeled him as my inspiration!" She then proceeded to spend an hour and a half re-creating "Starry Night" on her lids.

Since that first foray into post-impressionism, Atupe has replicated another one of Van Gogh's paintings as well as the ukiyo-e work, Hokusai's "The Wave." Prepare to be even more impressed: she uses drugstore products to create those precise designs. All those incredible swirls in the night sky you see above were painted on with NYX Cosmetics Liquid Liner ($7)! In fact, she uses the brushes in those tubes for that fine detail work, but switches to Morphe liner brushes for even sharper strokes. Depending on how ornate the look is, it can take her up to two hours per eye to complete the design.

She plans on sharing more ultradetailed work on her Instagram account @stefaniabeauty. Atupe added, "It would be amazing to continue as a career, but right now I'm just seeing where things go!"

Atupe is one of a handful of Instagram artists who dabble in what Elle UK has coined trompe l'oeil makeup, a form of painting so lifelike, it momentarily tricks you into believing that the art is the real thing. And once you read on, you'll be completely mesmerized.