5 Minutes With: Mai Quynh
5 MINUTES WITH MAI QUYNH
By Nateisha Scott
Starting off as the assistant to leading make-up artists such as Frank B, Stephanie Marais and Paul Starr, Mai has positioned herself amongst the greats. Stepping out of their shadows and into her own light, she is now sculpting the faces of Hollywood. From Scarlett Johansson to Saoirse Ronan and even working with international brands such as Saint Laurent, Mai Quynh is leading a fresh beauty movement.
Your trustee in-flight essentials?
Chanel No 5 L’eau Hand Cream, Fresh Sugar Advanced Lip Balm, EO Hand Sanitizer, EarPlanes Ear Plugs, Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones and Eye Masks.
What inspires the looks you create?
The fashion sets the mood. If I’m inspired by what the person is wearing, it will help me determine what makeup to do and I always collaborate with the hair stylist to complete the look.
Tips for different face types?
Everyone is doing the same type of makeup on themselves right now. No one is looking at their own unique features and playing them up. My tip is to find makeup that makes you feel beautiful and to standout individually.
A product you would take on a desert island?
La Mer SPF 50 and a lip balm
Your backstage skin secrets?
I apply body makeup when applicable because I always make sure there are no apparent bruises. Always moisturize those arms, legs and décolleté. Trust me it will look great in photos.
Favourite looks to create?
Red carpet glamour. I love transforming my clients, to see their demeanor change for the carpet and photos, it makes me so happy and proud. I just want to make everyone feel beautiful.
Number 1 rule for skin?
No dry patches! Make sure your skin is hydrated thoroughly and that means all the steps. Exfoliate, mask, essence, serum, acids and moisturizer for eyes, lips and skin.
Number 1 rule for make-up application?
Eye makeup first, before foundation. The shadow fallout will be easier to remove on bare skin.
A product you would take on a desert island?
La Mer SPF 50 and a lip balm
Your backstage skin secrets?
I apply body makeup when applicable because I always make sure there are no apparent bruises. Always moisturize those arms, legs and décolleté. Trust me it will look great in photos.
Favourite looks to create?
Red carpet glamour. I love transforming my clients, to see their demeanor change for the carpet and photos, it makes me so happy and proud. I just want to make everyone feel beautiful.
Number 1 rule for skin?
No dry patches! Make sure your skin is hydrated thoroughly and that means all the steps. Exfoliate, mask, essence, serum, acids and moisturizer for eyes, lips and skin.
Number 1 rule for make-up application?
Eye makeup first, before foundation. The shadow fallout will be easier to remove on bare skin.
Now without too much thought, do you go prefer skin prepping or skin setting?
Skin prep. When your skin is prepped perfectly, your makeup goes on like magic.
Dewy or mattifying?
Dewy. There’s nothing like glowy skin.
Brush or blender?
I love them both. I use them both every time I work.
Favourite facial feature to work with?
Skin! I love radiant, even skin. It can really make someone look alive and healthy.
A Nude or bold lip?
I’m a sucker for a nude, but sometimes you just need that pop of colour. So my answer is BOTH!
Working with Luxury or affordable product?
I’ll work with either! I love ALL makeup and skincare.
Interviewed By: Nateisha Scott
Starting off as the assistant to leading make-up artists such as Frank B, Stephanie Marais and Paul Starr, Mai has positioned herself amongst the greats. Stepping out of their shadows and into her own light, she is now sculpting the faces of Hollywood. From Scarlett Johansson to Saoirse Ronan and even working with international brands such as Saint Laurent, Mai Quynh is leading a fresh beauty movement.
Your trustee in-flight essentials?
Chanel No 5 L’eau Hand Cream, Fresh Sugar Advanced Lip Balm, EO Hand Sanitizer, EarPlanes Ear Plugs, Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones and Eye Masks.
What inspires the looks you create?
The fashion sets the mood. If I’m inspired by what the person is wearing, it will help me determine what makeup to do and I always collaborate with the hair stylist to complete the look.
Tips for different face types?
Everyone is doing the same type of makeup on themselves right now. No one is looking at their own unique features and playing them up. My tip is to find makeup that makes you feel beautiful and to standout individually.
A product you would take on a desert island?
La Mer SPF 50 and a lip balm.
Your backstage skin secrets?
I apply body makeup when applicable because I always make sure there are no apparent bruises. Always moisturise those arms, legs and décolleté. Trust me it will look great in photos.
Favourite looks to create?
Red carpet glamour. I love transforming my clients, to see their demeanour change for the carpet and photos, it makes me so happy and proud. I just want to make everyone feel beautiful.
Number 1 rule for skin?
No dry patches! Make sure your skin is hydrated thoroughly and that means all the steps. Exfoliate, mask, essence, serum, acids and moisturizer for eyes, lips and skin.
Number 1 rule for make-up application?
Eye makeup first, before foundation. The shadow fallout will be easier to remove on bare skin.
Now without too much thought, do you go prefer skin prepping or skin setting?
Skin prep. When your skin is prepped perfectly, your makeup goes on like magic.
Dewy or mattifying?
Dewy. There’s nothing like glowy skin.
Brush or blender?
I love them both. I use them both every time I work.
Favourite facial feature to work with?
Skin! I love radiant, even skin. It can really make someone look alive and healthy.
A Nude or bold lip?
I’m a sucker for a nude, but sometimes you just need that pop of colour. So my answer is BOTH!
Working with Luxury or affordable product?
I’ll work with either! I love ALL makeup and skincare.
If you were to advise a London guide, what would be on your list?
Well, As I grew up in Notting Hill, it will always have my heart and if I was recommending spots in London, a wander around Notting Hill would be high up on my list. From there it would be all the best shopping destinations, the iconic private members club, Annabels, Harrods and Liberty’s for any cute and unique gifts. I would always pop into 111CRYO at Harrods for the Cryo Facial and treatment for the ultimate recharge. Sometimes the city is great, but the beautiful secrets of the English countryside is something that should be experienced.
Your In-Flight Essentials?
I don’t have a routine per say and I am certainly not as thorough as Naomi Campbell but I would apply the Meso Infusion Lip Duo and I would always wipe my phone down with anti-bacterial wipes, in fact I do this every day, the bacteria build up is no good for the skin.
In terms of Industry, where do you see the hair industry going?
Well Instagram has changed so much and has impacted the way we consume and learn within the industry, especially with so many creatives, but I still find that a massive amount of people come to the professionals to share the knowledge on how to carry out or complete a desired look, more than ever there is power behind ‘how-to’ videos.
A very valid point and in terms of 2020?
In terms of what we are to see in 2020, things are going to be super creative and we will see a wider awareness for people doing their own thing and it will be expressive and artistic. People will move away from the overtly glamorous looks and will create looks they can tailor to their everyday. As it’s currently Award Season which is the busiest time of the year leading up to the Met Ball, hairstyles are certainly more elaborate, and everyone loves an up do. I would say the most timeless look has to be the blunt bob, it comes around year on year, but it is effortless and timeless.
Outside of hair, what other industries are you into?
I am hugely into Interiors and I would describe my style as 60s/70s glamour, think elaborate and dramatic but I often fantasise about 80s Dallas and Joan Collins and I have to reign myself in. I also love Baking; it is the ultimate way to relax and I find that it is my meditation and therapy. If I’m in the USA I would bake a lot of cookies as everyone is obsessed with then over here and in the UK, I would bake more traditional styles like a lemon tart or an apple tart – it allows for me to be creative outside of my job.
Finally, the best advice you have ever received?
It would have to be from my grandfather, he would often say to me “it’s not how well you’re doing but how well people think you’re doing”. I haven’t successfully implemented it however you can look to Instagram today and people see our work and are blown away by it, but we can be so hard on ourselves and not appreciate our own work ourselves.