As they work their way up, young up-and-coming beauty professionals are blazing trails and making waves. We scoured the country to find out who is doing what and how it all began. Here is our chat with up-and-coming beauty professional, Vu Nguyen.
Salon Magazine: How did you get your start in hair? Why did you decide to be a part of this industry?
Vu Nguyen: After coming to Canada in 2002, I fell in love all the glitz and glam of fashion. I realized that I had an interest in hair, since my nieces always ended up with braids or curls every time I would visit. I started my journey in grade 11 with the co-op program and finished it off with an apprenticeship after graduating from high school.
SM: What drives and motivates you as a hairstylist?
VN: Pursue of excellence. There is always something to learn and always something to perfect. There is so much talent in our industry; just by looking at their work, it inspires me to better myself.
SM: What is your expertise? What do you specialize in or excel at?
VN: I love all aspects of hair, but I really enjoy colouring. Hair colour can add personality and enhance one’s natural beauty.
SM: What is the one lesson you’ve learned throughout your education and career that you still keep in mind today?
VN: Believe in yourself, be patient and don’t be too hard on yourself. Everything takes time so learn from every mistake. These moments will contribute to the stylist that you will become.
SM: Who is your mentor or who do you look up to when it comes to hair? Anyone in particular on social media?
VN: I am very fortunate to have had many mentors in my life starting with my mom Michelle and a teacher from hair school who spent hours after school training me for hair competitions. Because of her, I have competed every year since 2006. My bosses Dan, Linda and salon educator Dee from Lure salon, who took me in seven years ago and expanded my horizons. It really pushed and challenged me to become the stylist that I am today.
SM: Who is your hair hero? Is there someone you want to work with?
VN: I have many hair heroes that include Vidal Sassoon, Garren, Oribe Canales, Guido Palau, Eugene Souleiman, Nicolas Jurnjack. These are legends and just to be in the same room with them would be an honour.
SM: As a young artist, what has been the biggest challenge have you faced and how have you overcome that?
VN: The biggest challenge to me is self-confidence. Confidence is something I don’t think you can fake. So for me, I am honest with myself about what I can do and what I can improve on. Education brings more knowledge and knowledge brings confidence. This is something that I am still working on and I think it will be an ongoing process.
SM: Who gave you the best advice as you embarked on your career and what was that advice?
VN: My Mama Bear (Michelle) told me to always believe in yourself and never put a limit on what you can do or achieve.
SM: What is your one must-have product?
VN: My one must-have product is Oribe Anti-Humidity Spray Impermeable. I use it to protect my blow out, as a working hairspray to construct the look or as a very light hair spray. I just can’t get enough.
SM: What are your goals for the next 5 to 10 years? Where do you see yourself in the beauty industry?
VN: I love education. I would love to become an educator one day and be able to share knowledge with my peers around the world and help to contribute to our industry.
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