Beautiful vision

The series is inspired by the Qian Li Jiang Shan Tu (A Panorama of Rivers and Mountains) look, a Song Dynasty landscape scroll painting by Wang Ximeng done with blue and green mineral pigments.

Here, the eye makeup comprises cyan and red, which creates the outline of a butterfly.

And sharp and short eyebrows in black point straight up like a tentacles.

Also, the models' lips are not fully covered with a deep red rouge but only the center is.

Such lip makeup was favored by the royals in the ancient time, and it still looks modern.

Separately, elements like the round fan from the Han Dynasty (206 BC-AD 220) and hats called gugu guan, a traditional headwear worn by the Mongolian women in the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368) are used to show Chinese traditional culture.

For his Tao Hua Su Yuan (Peach Blossom Traces to the Root) range, inspired by Tao Hua Yuan Ji (Peach Blossom Spring), written by Tao Yuanming in the Jin Dynasty (265-420), colors such as peachy pink, rose red, lake blue and jade green are used.

Here, with pink on the cheeks and lips, models look like peach blossoms.

The eyebrows are done in different colors, and delicate accessories are carefully stuck at the end of eyebrows.

Meanwhile, Mao has collected many prizes, including four China Makeup Awards for his work. And through the nine branches of the MGP Image Design Art School he has established in 2000, he has imparted knowledge and skill to more than 100,000 students.

Separately, his team has contributed to many important events including the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, China's 60th Anniversary and the Chinese Military Celebration in 2009.

Mao is a big name in the makeup business, but it is not well known that he is also an entrepreneur with strong national pride and passion.

Speaking about his work, he says: "People ask me why I have to build a domestic makeup brand. But, when I open my makeup bag, I see only Western brands."

He says that as many Westerners have oily skin, makeup products cater to them. But such products make the dry skin of Asians powdery.

So, he established his cosmetics brand in 2000.

"As an experienced makeup specialist, I know exactly what our people need."

Meanwhile, Mao also has many products that help people modify their facial features using light and shade.

He says that people can't look younger using only false eyelashes or eye shadow, but that the skin base and bone position can be modified with highlights and shadow.

Mao's brand has been in existence for 18 years now, but he recognizes the challenges he faces ahead.

He admits that a world-class brand has to be affirmed by high-end department stores, and that national pride is not enough to keep it going.

Ma Yi, a 24-year-old blogger from Heilongjiang province, did some video surveys of products made in China, including ones from Maogeping, and discovered that the public is slowly taking note of China-made products.

He sees Maogeping as a brand that is moving steadily without over-branding, unlike others seeking quick success.

Ma sees himself as a bridge between the public and the products.

As for Mao, he says: "There will be a place for Chinese makeup brands, maybe in five years or 10 years from now. I am ready to wait."