Nam Vo's Journey to Becoming a Celebrity Makeup Artist
Nam Vo's Journey From Bridal Makeup Artist to Instagram Queen of the "Dewy Dumplings"
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"Throughout the last 12 years in New York City, I really manifested my dreams here, and it turned out to be much bigger than I could ever even imagine for myself."
The defining moment of her career came a few years after her rise to fame on Instagram. At that point, she was so used to saying yes to every job offer she was given as a freelancer but when she could finally say "no" comfortably, she felt like she officially made it. "That was a pivotal moment for me," said Vo. "That's when I knew that I'd done something right and I'd had some level of success. I was like, 'You're doing OK, dumpling. You're doing okay.'"
The celebrity clientele started rolling in shortly after. Paris Hilton was one of the first people she worked with and the relationship came organically. "Because of Instagram, celebrities find you," said Vo.
The whirlwind of opportunities — from big-name clients to brand deals — that followed still have Vo pinching herself. "I feel tremendously grateful. I used to hang out on Avenue C, date DJs, eat $1 pizza — throughout the last 12 years in New York City, I really manifested my dreams here, and it turned out to be much bigger than I could ever even imagine for myself."
Still, through it all, there was always one underlying certainty: "It would always have to be beauty," said Vo.