Kodo Nishimura

Makeup Artist, Buddhist Monk

Kodo Nishimura is a global makeup artist and a certified Buddhist monk. He grew up in ever changing Tokyo, in a serene Buddhist temple. At the age of 18, he moved to the United States, and graduated from Parsons The New School for Design in NY. In 2015, he completed his two-year Buddhist monk training in Tokyo. In 2017, he thought to further his classical training by enrolling at Makeup Desigonory in LA. His story as a makeup artist and a monk is celebrated globally including The Times Newspaper, BBC Radio, Vogue, The New York Style Magazine, and by a documentary program by NHK. Also he was chosen as a multilingual spokesperson for “Global Views” a studying abroad project by the US Ambassador to Japan; Ms. Caroline Kennedy. He gave lectures at TEDx Waseda U, Yale University and UNFPA HQ in NY. He was also featured in "QUEER EYE” on NETFLIX in 2019.His makeup work has appeared in national shows such as Miss Universe, Miss USA.His magazine credits include Nylon, LA Weekly, Men's Health, Esquire, US Weekly Magazine, and the cover of Life & Style Magazine. He is also passionate about education and he has taught numerous seminars including free LGBTQ+ friendly makeup classes. His mission is to empower all people of all gender using makeup skills with a hint of Buddhism.