Silently behind the spotlight of the recent “Tinh hoa Kinh Bac” (Essence of Kinh Bac) show was the talented hand of the makeup team led by Makeup Artist Wendy Nguyen (Nguyen Thi Thanh Thu) – the quiet force contributing to perfecting the appearance of the performers, bringing the most polished and professional image to this special art program.
Journey from passion to profession
Born in 1992 in Hanoi, Wendy Nguyen (Nguyen Thi Thanh Thu), Founder of T – Professional Makeup Academy, initially studied Accounting and Auditing before shifting her focus to the Faculty of Beauty Care at Ton Duc Thang University in Ho Chi Minh City, marking her official entry into the beauty industry. With a solid academic background in beauty care from Ton Duc Thang University and experience gained from various international training programs, Wendy Nguyen has been steadily building her reputation in the Vietnamese beauty community.
Over the years, she has made her mark in many professional competitions and earned titles such as Champion of Beauty Tech 2022, Runner-up of National Golden Brush 2022, and was honored by the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee with a certificate as a Makeup & Special Effects Artisan in 2023, as well as being recognized as an Inspirational Figure in Vietnam’s Beauty Industry in 2024. In addition, she has been invited to serve as a judge and mentor for various makeup talent competitions, affirming her solid presence in the professional community.
Impressions at “Tinh hoa Kinh Bac” from adroit hands behind the spotlight
“Tinh hoa Kinh Bac” is a major annual art program organized by Bac Ninh Province to honor the cultural values of the Kinh Bac region – the cradle of quan ho folk singing. This year, the event took place at the square of the Kinh Bac Cultural Center, featuring many prominent names in the Vietnamese music scene such as Xuan Hinh, Hoa Minzy, along with hundreds of dancers, artisans, and students from art schools. Beyond the musical and dance performances, this year’s program also drew attention with a large-scale fashion show that brought together many professional models.
Behind the polished and radiant appearances of the artists and models was the vital contribution of T – Pro Makeup Academy – the professional makeup academy founded and operated by Wendy Nguyen. As the one directly coordinating the work, Wendy Nguyen and her team took charge of the makeup for the program, especially for the large team of fashion models. Rather than simply applying a few fixed makeup layouts, the professional team from T – Pro Makeup Academy crafted diverse makeup styles tailored to each model’s features, aligning with the spirit of each outfit in the fashion collection and the expressive requirements of each performance.
The backstage of the program saw a massive workload, requiring makeup artists not only to have solid technical skills but also to closely coordinate with stylists, lighting directors, and the organizing team to ensure visual consistency. Taking on the makeup for performing artists in an iconic program like “Tinh hoa Kinh Bac” demands quick adaptability, a deep understanding of the overall spirit of the show, and the ability to ensure each artist’s appearance aligns with the content of their performance. The involvement of Wendy Nguyen and the T – Pro Makeup Academy team backstage reflects the professionalism and systematic approach that she and her team are building and pursuing in the industry.
Unsung role in a transforming industry
In the context of Vietnam’s performing arts industry becoming increasingly professional — especially as traditional art programs like “Tinh hoa Kinh Bac” place greater emphasis on visual presentation—the role of individuals like Wendy and her team has become more important than ever. They serve as the bridge between stage concepts and the final image presented to the audience, helping to highlight the artist’s charisma, honor cultural identity, and enhance the overall artistic quality.
For Wendy Nguyen, who has experience working at various cultural and entertainment events, makeup is not simply about “painting a face” but a way to tell a story through beauty. She doesn’t appear in front of the camera or under the spotlight—Wendy chooses to stand behind the scenes. It is in this role that she and her professional team quietly contribute to the completeness of each program through the patience and meticulous craftsmanship of their talented hands.
In the not-so-distant future, as the beauty industry continues to rise to its rightful position, individuals like Wendy Nguyen are bound to go even further on their radiant journey. It will be a journey driven by talent, passion, and the desire to affirm oneself—not through appearances in front of the camera, but through the most genuine values created from behind the spotlight.
May | Cameron Truong
