Breaking Beauty Podcast – Episode Summary

Podcast: Breaking Beauty
Hosts: Jill Dunn & Carlene Higgins
Guest: Hung Vanngo (Celebrity Makeup Artist & Founder, Hung Vanngo Beauty)
Episode: Selena Gomez’s Makeup Artist Hung Vanngo Shares His Signature Eyeshadow Secrets, How-to Ace Wedding Day Glam and Are You Applying Eyeliner The Right Way?
Date: October 22, 2025

Episode Overview

In this episode, Jill and Carlene sit down with renowned makeup artist Hung Vanngo, whose signature looks have graced countless celebrities, most notably Selena Gomez. Hung discusses his inspiring journey from refugee to beauty industry powerhouse, shares the insider secrets behind his artistry—especially eyeshadow and eyeliner—and demystifies wedding day glam. The conversation also celebrates the launch of Hung Vanngo Beauty, his own makeup line focused on perfecting basics with approachable, high-quality products.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Hung’s Journey: Refugee Roots to Runway Fame

• Early Life & Immigration ([09:37]–[11:26])
  • Hung recaps escaping Vietnam, living for three years in a Thai refugee camp, and arriving in Calgary in December 1990.
  • Quote: “We all sleep in the cement floor. We all share in a big house like this. There’s no privacy, nothing at all. … But I think the great thing that comes out from that, all the hardship in the refugee camp, is that I find that we do appreciate everything come after that.” – Hung [10:37]
• Beginnings in Beauty ([12:31]–[15:37])
  • Initially known as a hairdresser, Hung found his true passion in makeup after working in a Calgary salon with a small makeup station.
  • Describes overcoming language barriers, shyness, and breaking into freelancing and editorial work.

2. Climbing the Career Ladder

• Moving Across Cities & Borders ([16:30]–[19:42])

  • Outlines the challenges and sacrifices in moving from Calgary to Montreal, then Toronto, and finally New York after securing a working visa.
  • “A lot of time they have family, they have children, they have stuff like that. … I was single and I was so ambitious and I have no baggage.” – Hung [17:42]

• Early Breaks & Key Connections ([22:33]–[24:16])

  • Credits pivotal opportunities to figures like Harry Josh and Helena Christensen.
  • Emotional Moment: Hung becomes teary recalling the support he received: “I call them almost like my guardian angels. … I don’t know why I’m crying, but it’s a beautiful—just like you brought up the name. … So that’s all the support I get from that, how I started.” – Hung [23:54]

3. Career Philosophy: Sacrifice and Integrity

• Describes sacrifice as central to success, especially for immigrants pursuing an ambitious career.
  • “If you want to be driven, you always have to prepare for sacrifice big time. … For me, I always want to have career, I want to have a good balance. … I have to understand why I'm here for.” – Hung [25:00]

4. Building Hung Vanngo Beauty

• Launching the Line ([33:07]–[34:11])

  • Celebrates launching at Sephora with a focus on eyes—the area in which Hung is best known.
  • 60 products, including eight curated eyeshadow palettes with varying textures for approachable artistry.

• Eyeshadow Textures & Application Tips ([34:11]–[35:47])

  • Four textures: Classic satin, matte, metallic, and innovative 3D matte.
  • Tip: For beginners, 3D matte formula minimizes fallout and is easy to blend, especially for dark shades like black.
  • “If you don’t know anything about makeup and don’t have to worry about fallout … that was great.” – Hung [35:44]
  • Review: Palettes are user-friendly, color-coordinated, and pigmented enough for both pros and everyday users.

5. The Eyeliner Breakdown: Kohl vs. Gel ([37:37]–[39:13])

• Kohl Pencil: For blending, smudging, and smoky/sultry looks; more playtime but slightly less long-wear.

• Longwear Gel: For precise definition, works well for hooded eyes or oily skin; sets quickly (in 15 seconds), very long lasting.

  • “The gel liner ... you have about 15 seconds before [it] set. It doesn’t move.” – Hung [38:13]

• Inspired by the Marc Jacobs gel pencil, but improved for greater pigment, smoother texture, and longer playtime.

  • “If you love the Marc Jacobs gel pencil, you would love this one even more.” – Hung [39:24]

6. Signature Eye: Hung’s Two-Step Everyday Eye Recipe ([40:24]–[41:20])

• Smudge a gel or kohl pencil over the lid and waterline, then blend a lighter shade at the edges.
  • “You don’t have to go so complicated … the most really gorgeous. … You don’t have to do too many color in there.” – Hung [41:10]

7. Common Eye Makeup Mistakes ([42:19]–[43:34])

• Overloading brush with product (swirling too much), leading to mess and excess blending.
  • Quote: “If you hold the brush and you do like this—yeah, you screw. … You only just dab, dab a little bit. And that’s all the color you need.” – Hung [42:19]

8. Wedding Day Glam: What Makes It Timeless ([48:30]–[49:42])

• Advises against heavy makeup for weddings; aims for softness that will stay beautiful over decades.
• Important tip: When doing a wedding makeup trial, wear white to see truer results.
  • “Sometimes the most effortless makeup is always beautiful for wedding.” – Hung [49:29]
  • “The makeup color ... you need a lot more softer than you think it is.” – Hung [49:29]

9. Artist-Led Brands & Industry Favorites ([49:42]–[51:22])

• Hung praises peers, including Mario (eyeshadows, foundation), Mary Phillips (underpainting), Gucci Westman, Violette, Charlotte Tilbury, and Pat McGrath, highlighting their authenticity and intention.

10. Product Recommendations (Favorites & Hidden Gems)

• Hung’s Line: Bronzer ("Positivity") and kohl liner as "unsung heroes."
  • "The co liner is makeup artist favorites, you know, I mean, and a lot of time, like, it's the easiest liner to use." – Hung [47:41]
• Rare Beauty: Especially the new blush ("Hope") and powder highlighter ("Mesmerize").
  • "If you want ... my favorite blush come out in a long time, I'm not being biased at all, is the rare beauty blush." – Hung [51:28]
  • "The unsung hero product to me also is their powder highlighter. ... It's the one ... like this. It is so good. I think it's one of their best." – Hung [52:19]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Resilience:
  “You always have to prepare for sacrifice big time. … For me, like, I always want to have career. … I have to be a bit more mindful, be responsible and have to understand why I'm here for.” – Hung [25:00]

• On Makeup as Sanctuary:
  “I always describe makeup as my sanctuary…” – Hung [12:13]

• Emotional Reflection: “I call them almost like my guardian angels. ... I don't know why I'm crying, but it's just like you brought up the name.” – Hung (on Helena Christensen & Harry Josh) [23:54]

• On User-Friendly Design:
  “I lay out the eyeshadow, they somewhat like a map for you already. So it doesn't intimidate you that you look at the shadow palette and you say, 'Oh, I don't want to wear them.'” – Hung [36:52]

• On Color & Aging:
  “The older you are, the more color you lose your face, the more color you need to build back.” – Hung [45:51]

• On Timeless Wedding Makeup:
  “I want them to look back in 20 years. They will say, my makeup's still current or still beautiful.” – Hung [49:29]

Timestamps for Segments

• Introduction & Background – [07:55]–[16:30]
• Journey to New York / Career Milestones – [16:30]–[24:16]
• Philosophy & Sacrifice – [24:52]–[27:07]
• Meeting Selena Gomez & Celebrity Work – [31:02]–[33:07]
• Hung Vanngo Beauty: Product Line Launch – [33:07]–[36:52]
• Eyeshadow Tips & Common Mistakes – [37:12]–[43:34]
• Holiday & Wedding Day Glam – [45:51]–[49:42]
• Other Artist-led Brands & Recommendations – [49:42]–[53:04]
• Product Steals & Final Thoughts – [53:04]–[54:11]

Additional Product Tips

• How to Use Hung’s Eyeshadow Palettes:

  • Minimal colors create depth: Smudge liner on lid & lower lash, blend with a coordinating lighter shadow.
  • Don’t overload brushes: Dab, build as needed.

• Eyeliner How-To:

  • Kohl: Best for blending and smoked effects; forgiving for beginners.
  • Gel: Defined, sharp lines with quick set; perfect for oily or hooded eyes.

• Wedding Makeup:

  • Plan for softer, more neutral looks—avoid heavy-handedness, especially when wearing white.

Conclusion

Hung Vanngo’s journey and artistry are a testament to resilience, adaptability, and innovation in beauty. His approach—combining high-level skills with products designed for real people—demystifies iconic looks and encourages playful, yet timeless, self-expression. His episode is a masterclass in practical artistry, emotional fortitude, and the continual evolution of beauty itself.