Nine years ago, at just 13 years of age, Danh Doan started a makeup Instagram. Today, Danh is 23 and one of the most sought-after bridal and special event makeup artists in Canberra.
In this episode, Danh tells Beth about how he built such a successful career at an extraordinarily young age, defying his parents’ dream for him to have a conventional job and creating the career of his dreams. A great listen for artists of any age and at any stage of their beauty journey.
Follow Danh
Follow Beth / Saint Jack:
If you enjoyed this episode then please either:
Nine years ago, at just 13 years of age, Danh Doan started a makeup Instagram. Today, Danh is 23 and one of the most sought-after bridal and special event makeup artists in Canberra.
In this episode, Danh tells Beth about how he built such a successful career at an extraordinarily young age, defying his parents’ dream for him to have a conventional job and creating the career of his dreams. A great listen for artists of any age and at any stage of their beauty journey.
Follow Danh
Follow Beth / Saint Jack:
If you enjoyed this episode then please either:
Beth Wilson: This is Behind the Brush by Saint Jack
Danh Doan: I've had so many moments in my career where I questioned that and makeup artistry to someone who doesn't really understand what we do is quite a superficial job. We get paid to make people look pretty. I've had to dig deeper. And for me, makeup artistry not only allows me to make someone look good. It makes them feel.
Beth Wilson: Hello, and welcome back to Behind the Brush. It's Beth, your host, makeup artists, and founder of St. Jack cosmetics. How you doing things are pretty good on my end though. I've got to say, I'm very happy to see the beginning of may. And though I'm not loving this cooler weather, I'm sure I'm not alone in that.
April was absolutely huge for me. It just flew by. I was so sick for a period in there, but I felt like every other day where I was healthy, I was just working. I did more weddings and you could poke a stick at, and I was actually for the most part, assisting another makeup artist here in Melbourne. And I have never done that before.
I've had someone assist me on a wedding, but I've never assisted somebody else. So these were jobs that I had kind of organized like this time last year. And then they got postponed because of COVID and then they all happen to be like in weekends, in April. I thought, you know, this will be a bit of fun and turns out I was right.
And it was an incredible experience. It will come as no surprise because I have this podcast. So I love to learn things from other people, but really it was a great opportunity to say all of the different little ways that you can do things, you know, so I might do something different to how this artist was doing something.
And you just pick up a few new tricks, you know, for your little tool belt. So I think that no matter who you are, there was always, there is always value in a system. And also since I normally work by myself, I have to say, I absolutely loved working with someone and feeling like I had a colleague again, it was just fun to have that band done that connection.
So we just love to say it. If you've been thinking about it, reach out to somebody and definitely. On the Saint Jack side of things, you guys already know that I am hustling for that second product. It is well and truly underway, but of course we have hit so many delays, even though I was like determined to not let that happen this time, but low-key, you know, I had the first sample come through.
I think I may have already mentioned that, but we're working on the second sample because there were a couple of things that I just wanted to improve. But I'm hoping that when that gets into my grubby little hands, that will be a little bit closer to where I want it to be so that I can bring you this absolutely game-changing iconic new product that you will all want in your kit.
On today's episode of behind the brush. I am absolutely. Over the moon to be joined by Canberra makeup artists. The one and only Jaan don't Danh, literally just 10 23. And he is one of the most sought after event and bridal makeup artists in Canberra overcoming the challenges of his parents, wanting him to have a more conventional Korea.
Hello, lawyer doctor, as well as being a boy in makeup in a conservative town. Danh started his makeup Instagram when he was in. Yeah. Can we just like, think about that for a second. What were you doing in your eight? I sure as shit wasn't starting and makeup Instagram. It's so impressive. Anyway, he started working in retail when he was just 15 and started freelancing as well.
He has to be some sort of superhuman and more importantly, he radiates the most beautiful, authentic energy. And I just know that you will all going to love him. It was a goal of mine to have him on the show from the beginning when I started this podcast. And I am truly honored to bring you this chat today.
So that's enough for me, ladies and gentlemen, I give you Danh Doan,
Danh. Welcome to Behind the Brush.
Danh Doan: Thank you so much for having me Beth.
Beth Wilson: It is a pleasure. I am so excited to also it appears, we both got the memo. We're both wearing pink today, living our Elle Woods fantasy.
Danh Doan: Yes.
Beth Wilson: We
Danh Doan: my jam. It's my vibe.
Beth Wilson: Yeah. I'm obsessed with these glasses by the way, these pink spectacles.
Danh Doan: Oh, thank you. Just a little, my,
Beth Wilson: Yes, of course.
Danh Doan: I did have pink hair for quite a moment. So I was living that full pink fantasy.
Beth Wilson: I know I loved the pink hair.
Danh Doan: And then I think I have a did pink.
Beth Wilson: Uh,
Danh Doan: Is there a such thing
Beth Wilson: I was just going to say, I don't think that there?
is such a thing. It is such a pleasure to finally get to sit down and chat with you. I've been following you for what feels like forever and does absolutely obsess with you. Everybody who I've told I'm talking to you today is just like over the moon.
They're like, Yes.
let's do it. So let's get straight into it. And the first thing I want to know from you is young. What did you want to be when you grow up?
Danh Doan: I wanted to be a painter. I dunno. Is that a weird occupation? I've always been like, oh, like a, full-blown like a van Gogh
Beth Wilson: painter. Okay.
Danh Doan: No like a portrait painter. I mean, I could tell it, paint your walls too, but I'm really bad at that, but I don't know. Growing up, I was always like, let's be a painter. And then the little Asian kid in me was like, oh no, let's make mom happy and just be a doctor or a lawyer.
And I was like, definitely not.
Beth Wilson: Definitely not very different. Was there like a part of you, like when you were in like school where you were like, I have to go down the doctor Voya.
Danh Doan: Yes. 100%. It was almost a straight a student at school. So I definitely liked to keep up my grades, but then come you 12 year 11 and 12. So college for us here. I was like, no, I'm definitely an artist. I cannot do maths or chemistry or anything like that anymore. So I'm just going to focus. Full-time on art.
Beth Wilson: Wow, because you did get into it so young. So when I was prepping for this interview, I think I actually told you when I asked you to be on the show, I was like, so over the weekend, I went all the way down to the bottom of your Instagram in a really non-creepy way. And if I've got this maths, right, you started that account in 2013 and you were 13 or 14.
Danh Doan: I would have been yet 13. So 2013, I would've been 14, 14 years old creating that account. I would have been in year eight or nine. Yes.
Beth Wilson: That's wild to
Danh Doan: I was wild.
Beth Wilson: because like I'm of the generation that when I was in year eight, I can remember it so vividly. I had Facebook and Facebook, sorry, not Facebook, MySpace and MySpace was a thing with like top friends and that's how people would get bullied. So like, you don't even have, Instagram is like mind blowing to me.
Danh Doan: it was, it was so wild.
Beth Wilson: Do you remember, like what made you want to start that account? Or like what sparks that for moving from wanting to be an artist in paint to makeup?
Danh Doan: I think Lewis at the time where my cousin introduced me to YouTube, the world of like beauty curious. And at that time, Michelle fan, I don't know if you know her, but she was one of the like OJI, Vietnamese. Makeup gurus of that time. And I was just so infatuated by this like online world of beauty and yeah, I think I started just playing.
I used to go home from school every single day, sit down and like play with my mom's makeup. Take photos of it never posted anywhere. And it just wipe it all the way and be like, okay. Back to being a boy now. And so it was just kind of this, yeah. I somehow built up enough courage to be like, you know what, I'm just going to stop posting these books that I do on myself and it kind of never stopped.
And now I'm here and I'm just like, w what's how does, how does this happen?
Beth Wilson: Yeah,
So that was like, 10 years ago. I'm just wondering, and maybe this is like too personal. So if it is just slap my wrist, but like, was there an element of cars that was everyone around you supportive or were there people who, you know, were you susceptible to bullying in school? Were there people who would like bring you down?
Danh Doan: 100%, but it was never, it was, I think it was actually mostly, always in my head and I always perceived people to. The bullying me if they said, you know, a slight comments and often it actually came from my field talking to like straight guys. And so I always felt really insecure at school when it came to the boys.
And so put me in a room full of the girls and I'd be like, perfect. I can be myself. I can be as gay as I want. And you know, no one's ever going to judge me, but. And PA with all boys and I just sit down, I'm like, okay, what is happening right now? Am I supposed to be kicking that football? Because I have no idea how to do that.
And it's probably going to hit my face. So
Beth Wilson: And also not the face.
Danh Doan: not the face because I had to go home and take photos of that. You know, nobody's definitely always in my head and because I was very much accepted. At home by most people, my dad was a little bit homophobic growing up and it wasn't until like later that I was like, oh, okay. He never actually openly shared it to me.
I, I found out later on in life where my mom was like, you know, your dad was homophobic before you were born. And yeah, that kind of changed everything. Because then I started looking at my dad in this weird light, which is a whole nother story, but yeah.
Beth Wilson: Oh, that's awful. I just, for me, I guess it's so different because whenever I wanted to stop playing with makeup, it was. You know, easy to be accepted, that was quote unquote normal. So I can only imagine, especially because you're from Canberra and I don't know if this is like maybe not the right thing to say, but I feel like it's more conservative, right?
Danh Doan: Yes. I'm 100%.
Beth Wilson: Yeah. So it's kind of amazing that through that you flourish.
Danh Doan: I think that's what the help of social media alive, because through social media, I was able to kind of live mentally out of Canberra. And, you know, I was always connected to a whole nother world that wasn't necessarily where I was physically. And so I was always inspired by what was happening. Around more, I suppose, progressive areas in the world and where people could live their truth.
And not that I couldn't, it was just definitely you get eyes and I still get eyes in CAMBA, walking down the street, wearing all pink. It definitely 10, some heads, everyone, Ronnie here as a public servant that loves to wear black. So the minute you wear anything different here, it's like, oh, there's someone different walking in front of me.
What do I do? But no, it's fine. I think this is just, yeah, this is where I've grown up in. So I'm so accustomed to kind of thinking in this way, but it's definitely changing. It's definitely changing. I do love Canberra and saying that I
Beth Wilson: oh, of course we're not ragging on Canberra, you know?
Danh Doan: no, no, no, absolutely not.
Beth Wilson: Like, you know, I'm from Melbourne. I feel like it takes a lot for somebody to turn their head, you know? And I can just imagine that in the land of public service, it's, you know, you'd be walking down the street like this and you'd go to this glosses and people be like, damn like what's going on there?
He's not walking
Danh Doan: even been asked. Yeah. A few times when people are like, where are you from? And I'm like, I'll walk into it with a coffee shop. And this one guy asked me one day. He's like, are you from around here? And I'm like, yeah, I live around the corner. And he's like, what? You don't, you don't look like you're from here.
And I'm like, what does looking from somewhere even look like? And so, I don't know. I I've got some exciting news coming up later on, but yeah, some of my spot canvas home, it's always my safe space. But I'm ready to kind of break free.
Beth Wilson: Yeah. Spread the wings. Fly it's time.
Danh Doan: That's it.
Beth Wilson: I'm loving it. So you were loving makeup in high school, obviously you're in year eight and nine. You've started your makeup, Instagram. You're going for it also, by the way, this isn't a question. This is just a statement. When I was looking at these photos from years and years and years ago, did SIS invent euphoria makeup because you were already putting
Danh Doan: I'm going to go ups.
Beth Wilson: Come on.
Danh Doan: can't take the credit for that. That was, I was inspired by so many artists on Instagram actually. And that whole trend of euphoria gems have been around for years. And so I think. One of my earliest, January creations was from actually, I'm an artist named Alex box and she's like this amazing editorial.
I haven't gotten makeup artists. And I think I can recreated one of her looks way back when I was 13 years old.
Beth Wilson: No for real, this photo was from like literally 2013, 2014. So we love
Danh Doan: think I know the one you're talking about. Yes.
Beth Wilson: Yes.
We love it. I'll find it. And I'll put it on the, I'll put it on the show, all the Instagram for the check anyways. So you are loving makeup. It's all going. Well, you got a job in Napoleon, is that right?
Danh Doan: I was the youngest Hyde staff member.
Beth Wilson: So is that like a part-time job?
Danh Doan: Yeah, I was in the 10 and I was shitting myself going in and having to apply for. Yeah, this job. Cause I was like, back then, Napoleon was like that we had three major stores in Canberra, like main stores, concept stores. And I'm the one that I went to apply for was in the middle of the mall where everyone could see you and watch you.
And at this time I'll still kind of coming into my own show. And it was like this whole moment where I was like, I have no idea what I'm doing with my life, but I know I want to be a makeup artist and this is yeah. Right. I want to go there.
Beth Wilson: Wow.
Danh Doan: And at that time it was amazing. The Pauline was so good to work for, but yeah, I've definitely learned a lot during that time.
Beth Wilson: Yeah. So, I mean, I've had lots of people on the show before come on and actually quite a few people who've worked for Napoleon, but just retail in general. And they talk about that being really formative and important to their experience in becoming a freelance makeup artist and a makeup artist. I'm just wondering, like, if there's anything that really stands out to you as like a major lesson or something you really took away from
Danh Doan: Oh my God. The biggest lesson that. I got from retail. My cart was actually learning how to be a makeup artist. I think because I was so young, only being what 14, I was 15 years old. When they hired me, I had the creative side of makeup artistry. I knew how to do my own face. And you know, I'd only painted a couple of other faces before, but working in retail and having those books, Saturdays really pushed me into.
Actually becoming a makeup artist and not just like I'm makeup, love, makeup enthusiasts, learning how to paint with so many different faces and Napoleon was great in the sense that they gave us so many challenges. So for instance, one day I'd walk into work and my manager would take our entire brush belt away and give us five brushes to work with for an entire Saturday and be like, okay, you're going to do every single makeup.
Well with just five brushes or they'll take off all of our best-selling products on the shelves and be like, okay, You've got to only work with these products that aren't really selling well, like, and these are weird ass looking at shutters and be like, okay, you can only use this in your make-overs today.
And so it really kind of forced me to think outside the box as a makeup artist. And I think those, you know, years that I was there completely invaluable.
Beth Wilson: Yeah.
Wow. That sounds like the stuff that is nightmare fuel to me use
Danh Doan: I loved it.
Beth Wilson: wants use these brushes that dirty.
Danh Doan: Yeah,
Beth Wilson: I'm wondering. Did you ever get like clients come in and they would have called up Napoleon and made an appointment to be like, Yeah,
I want to get my makeup on for this event or whatever on the side I have to stain.
And then next minute they've got 15 year old. Jaan did you ever get any pushback being like such a young.
Danh Doan: I think I actually being so young and being. A boy and being Asian really actually helps me in Canberra. Everything here is done through word of mouth and back then social media, we weren't even allowed to use our phones at Napoleon's and we weren't allowed to take photos of our clients. And so it would kind of just be like this thing where people would call up and be like, I want to book in with that Asian boy.
And yeah, it kind of just became this thing where I was known. Yeah. I was known as that, that guy, that Asian guy that does make up in Canberra and I really built up my clientele from then. It was just, yeah.
Beth Wilson: That's pretty late because you wouldn't get like in Melbourne, you wouldn't be like, yeah.
I want that like white girl to do my makeup. Like
Danh Doan: Yeah. So, yeah.
Beth Wilson: us.
Danh Doan: Yeah, that's it. But in Canberra that like, I can't even tell you that would be like a handful of boys in my cup, in Canberra that I actively, yeah. Assuming an, all of the boys, I suppose, do makeup and care. Camera ended up leaving to the big cities like Sydney or Melbourne. Yeah.
Beth Wilson: Understood. Well, I love that for you. So in that same year, If my Instagram stalking is correct. You sat at freelancing as well. So did you kind of use that time at Nepali and to build your own little like mobile kit? Like tell me what that was about. Cause you were still in school.
Danh Doan: I was still at school and my first freelancing job. So actually when I was in year eight, I remember one of my girlfriends. She was invited to a year, 10 formal and real. I leave me. I, and she's like, I'm freaking out. I don't know how to do my cob. Can, can you do my makeup? And. I was like, I can try. So yeah, I actually started properly freelancing, like, cause then I started doing a lot more formal.
This is when I was about 13. Did my first bridal party when I was 13. And it was just like, yeah, it was this, it wasn't the best. But then I kind of just like, because Canberra is so small, everything was done through word of mouth.
Beth Wilson: Yeah.
Danh Doan: And so all of a sudden I started getting old and this was when Facebook, you know, you just add everyone, you know, on Facebook.
And then yeah, I was that guy that did make hub for people.
Beth Wilson: I cannot believe you at 14 years old doing bridal parties, I don't even know how you had the strength of character to do that. Like it's so stressful.
Danh Doan: Yeah. You know, right up until I was about, I think 19, I used to lie about my.
Beth Wilson: Not facul. I get
Danh Doan: rock up to a bridal party. Yeah. I used to be like, no, no, no. I'm so much older than what I am because yeah. People ages to people like, nah, I don't want some 17 year old doing my wedding, but look, here we are.
Beth Wilson: Here we
Danh Doan: bridal makeup.
Beth Wilson: We made it that
Danh Doan: We made that.
Beth Wilson: you did the first wedding for survived. It's all good.
Danh Doan: Yeah. We've all had some like shocking.
Beth Wilson: I can't believe that. Like, I just, I can't even imagine. Yeah. Having my own wedding and someone that yeah. But whatever you got the job. We love that.
Danh Doan: And to
Beth Wilson: I mean, how long was it until you left?
Nepalian so I'm assuming you kind of finished school and left Napoleon roughly the same time.
Danh Doan: Yeah. So I would've left in U 12 U 12 to pursue my own business. Full-time I was 17 when I left, because then I had turned 18 the year after I left school. And that's when I got officially, then opened my business and pursue it kind of full time. Yeah.
Beth Wilson: I just I'm shaking my head because when I was 18, I'm trying to think about what, what I even thought was possible. I did not think it was possible to start my own business. What do you think that you had within you at that time that gave you the confidence to be like, yes, I can start my own business. I can be a boy in makeup and camera.
I can do this.
Danh Doan: I think it was more like, I didn't really feel like I had a choice, but to make it work because I. You know, all throughout school, I even left my school four more early because I had a bridal party. Like it was starting out some crazy time, like 4:00 AM the next day. So all throughout, you know, my year 10 to 12, I was always working.
And so it kind of just became this thing where like, if I didn't work, what was I supposed to do?
Beth Wilson: Yeah.
Danh Doan: And then, yeah, I kind of just kept working and now I hear.
Beth Wilson: That's crazy. So at any point, did you have another job, like while you were building up your freelance Curio,
Danh Doan: used to work at my family's restaurant. We, I grew up in like a family restaurant, a nice Vietnamese restaurant here in Canberra and seeing the work ethic of my family. It was, yeah, it really inspired me to just keep working and yeah, I'm definitely thankful for that. I used to wait tables from 6, 7, 8 years old and just.
At the restaurant finish school, go to the restaurant, do your homework at the back, and then come out and help. It was busy. That was kind of my life all throughout school.
Beth Wilson: It's just amazing to me. How much you're working, whether it be in makeup, whether it be in the restaurant, keeping up your studies, like even if you kind of dropped off from the straight A's or whatnot in those last couple of years, you would just working so hard, you know, and it actually shows through on your Instagram, like when I'm scrolling back, I can see how hard you are wagging.
It's just like, you've never, ever stopped.
Danh Doan: Yeah, I definitely think the look that up, you know, pros and cons and I'm only at 23 now. Starting to really take a step back from work and evaluating my life and being like, you know, it's not all about work. And I think because I've been in that hustle mentality from such a young age, I've missed out on actually living,
Beth Wilson: Hm.
Danh Doan: you know, and I, I'm not sad by it.
I definitely wouldn't change a thing because now I'm able to live with the finance. You know, and I never had to go through that. Our mom can, I have $5 to go for a coffee with some friends, you know, I, I, I skipped that whole kind of pot and now I'm able to enjoy life a lot more without that kind of stress of financial burden, you know?
Beth Wilson: I mean, you have in a lot of ways created some financial freedom for yourself, you know, to be able to do the things that you want to do is just kind of funny because for most people, I think. You know, they're in a position where they have those kinds of years immediately after high school, where they go to uni and they're partying.
And, you know, the same thing happened to me. I worked full time straight out of high school. I deferred uni this like long before I got into beauty and I was working really long weeks, like 50 hour weeks and all this sort of thing. And like, my friends would go out on Tuesday night and I'd be like, I can't go because I'm working.
So I, I know what you mean, but it's just kind of crazy that for me, I was working for my family. I was working for some. But you for VSL, it's just so incredible. So incredible. I just love that. Okay. So from there, so that was starting to freelance in 2015 after you finished high school? Yes.
And from there your career, I just go from strength to strength.
So this is the little. Timeline that I put together with my stalking. So after two years, right, two years freelancing in 2017, you already had 10,000 followers. And in 20 19 2 years after that, you're doing clients full time and you're doing your first Masa class. What was inspiring you to create, and not only that, but like push yourself so hard that you're going from, you know, not just doing clients, but educating, like what was going through your mind at this.
Danh Doan: I think it was all kind of just like a natural working back at Napoleon. One of my absolute favorite things to do was to teach. And not only does teaching help those that I'm teaching and actually helped me as an artist because often what I find with myself. I sometimes just do things like as artists, we, we don't really have a way of doing things.
And so when you're asked to explain why you're doing your creative process, You know, teaching and whatnot it's yeah. It kind of helps you understand your artistry a lot more. And I think it naturally, this was at the time of like, one-on-one, one-on-one lessons are really big paperwork and people I knew on socials were taking their masterclasses into stay and all of that.
And I was like, I that's really cool. I want to be an educator for makeup because it's something that I love so much. Yeah. That's kind of how I started teaching.
Beth Wilson: It's kinda crazy. Cause I know you just recently did another. Class. So that's like, well, and truly on the agenda is educating at the moment. I'm wondering though, cause like, and I didn't pray, prepare this, so excuse me. But I'm wondering, cause you know, I said, I've gone through the Instagram and I've looked at the kind of timeline of your career and you just, you're so busy, right.
You're working so much. And you know, from the outside, looking in, you with. Success POS success, pure like amazing vibes. Were there any moments in those years where you're like I've made a huge mistake or this is too hard or we would kind of doubting your choice.
Danh Doan: I think for so long, you know, it's so interesting that you say that because I think I'm currently going through that now and it's yeah, no, and to keep it real, it's like for so long, I had hustled because you know, Growing up. I didn't anyway, in a small country town. It's like, you've got to buy that house.
You've got to, you know, deal with that. And I did that and now it's like for the first time just thinking to myself, okay, well, what next? And so right up until now, I've never regretted anything. From now on where a lot of changes happening right now, where I'm like, I can't feel very, very overwhelmed and I made a Cape myself grounded, but it's really hard to keep grounded, especially with, you know, the whole COVID mentality.
I think that's really, that's got a lot to play with how I'm feeling right now.
Beth Wilson: What do you mean by that? The COVID mentality.
Danh Doan: I feel like during lockdown, like prey locked down. I was the reason why website hot is because I used to travel so much. And so when we were locked down, you know, I wasn't able to leave. And then I started evaluating my life from, you know, the four walls of my home and yeah, then it kind of just became this like snowball effect of.
What are you doing? Like, where do you want to be as makeup artistry? You know, your be all and end all because that's really all I've known since now on until now, you know? So, yeah, it's just interesting, but I'm hopeful. I always like to say positive it's, you know, life is beautiful. Life is great. You just gotta accept it.
It is what it is.
Beth Wilson: You know, but I think that that's actually a really reasonable point. Like I can sit here and be like, you know, you've been so successful and you've worked so hard and you've achieved all these things and that's great, but it's like at the end of the day, There's 23, you got so many years left of your life.
And I can understand how having worked so hot at such a young age. And now you're here. Like you bought the house, you've got the successful business. It's like, well, what do you, what do you do now?
Danh Doan: Oh, what now?
Beth Wilson: And I hope, I hope that for you and for everyone else, it's more inspiring now that the world seems to be open again and we can travel again and kind of expand our horizons.
Yeah. But I mean, I, I really appreciate you being honest about. Right now, because it can sometimes feel like that. And even.
Danh Doan: Yeah. Social media is definitely something that I know. It affects a lot of people. Everyone on social media. Social media is in my opinion, just like a persona. And so you can see people's successes, you can see all of their, you know, their life, how they've wanted to craft it, but it's not always the case.
And yeah, we all kind of have our little moments. I mean, I want to pause and actually post about it, but yeah, I'm very, very excited to travel again. I think traveling helps me stay grounded. I've got a few trips coming up that I'm like, I just can't wait to. Yeah, just put my brushes down and just travel and just focus on me.
Beth Wilson: Yeah.
I love that. And while I find a talking about social media, I kind of want to talk to you about some of the creative looks that you were doing, but more importantly, your creative process. I'm going to post on the St. Jack Instagram, some of my favorite of your looks at it, like super intricate and beautiful on your face.
What was the alter-ego Mrs. But a
Danh Doan: Lady not about, uh,
Beth Wilson: lady Nevada.
Danh Doan: drag persona that I don't know if they want to rename. Huh? I feel like her names a little bit cruise.
Beth Wilson: Well,
Danh Doan: I didn't know about that, but no, it
Beth Wilson: love chat.
Danh Doan: I don't think here she loves you lady. Not about art is like at this drag persona. I have a lockdown.
I got so back into RuPaul's drag race and it kind of just inspired me to be like, painting that crazy makeup that I used to do all the time. And I think being so busy with work, you kind of just lose touch or I've definitely lost touch with that creative side of makeup artistry, but yeah, she was, she's a vibe I'm definitely hoping to revive.
Beth Wilson: Well, I would love to say her and I would love to see more of these. I mean, you just posted one this morning, like these super colorful looks and also like my personal favorite was like, when you painted like Cupid on your face, it was just so beautiful. And you know what, like, as somebody who follows. I see the finished product.
And I say like the perfect photo and the great video and all this sort of thing, but I kind of want to talk about the dark side of creativity for a minute. Like, while we're talking about social media, because these looks can take hours, hours, like all day. And it's like, if you're anything like me and I don't go anywhere, and yet it looks as intricate as that.
But if you're anything like me, sometimes you go to do this like really beautiful creative thing, and then you get to the end. You're like, okay. I hate it. Like, has that ever happened to you? And if
Danh Doan: that was my look yesterday,
Beth Wilson: okay. So how do you, how do you deal with that? How do you cope with.
Danh Doan: I dunno, the real thing that I've noticed with social media and like my mentality is the looks that I personally don't really vibe with. They're the ones that people love. And they're the ones that a lot of brands have actually recognized me from. Long story short, you kind of just have to feel the good thing was make up.
That's so different to actually painting a canvas is that you have to finish your makeup if you want it to, you know, be something with painting. I've got so many paintings where I haven't touched in years, but I know that I can pick up my brushes and start painting on those canvases again. So when you go back to those like really intricate art looks that I do on my face.
It's kind of like a little golf for me to sit down and just finish it because you can't get four or five hours into a look like that and then just wipe it all away for nothing, you know? So it's kind of just like pushing through
Beth Wilson: but what about like if it flops like, and I don't know if you have flops, right. But what
Danh Doan: on social media or just like the look floods.
Beth Wilson: Well, both, but like, if you say, if you put it on social media and it flops and you're like, oh God, great. I spent the last year, 24 hours toiling over this. Like,
Danh Doan: Oh, my God, it happens.
Beth Wilson: how do you personally bounce back from that feeling?
Because I think people really struggle with it these days, because we're all comparing it to.
Danh Doan: Oh my God. 100%. And to be honest, when a post flops. And mute my phone. I silent and I just get on with my day. The reason why I love, you know, working so much as well as, because it actually takes me away from my phone. And so I'm being occupied with something bad. And actually I have to touch my phone all the time and to check those likes, to check those comments, to see who's sharing and all of that.
So. In those times where I do feel like a post is flopping or, you know, all of my hard work has gone from nothing. Then I just mute my phone and turn it off. Like,
Beth Wilson: Say yeah. Say bye. And you know, what I think is nice is like knowing is knowing that, you know, tomorrow's another day we can always claim the brushes. We can claim the face, you know, and we can begin again. I think it's
Danh Doan: That's the good thing with makeup. It's temporary. If you don't like it, you take it off your side again, like that's the absolute worst thing that can happen when it comes to their makeup. And I always tell my clients that, you know, like if you didn't like something, you just take it off. It's not like a cosmetic tattoo or injections,
Beth Wilson: so true.
Danh Doan: I feel like we are so fixed on this instant beauty idea where if you're not looking at certain way, you'd like automatically start feeling shit.
And it's, you know, it's not always the case. You just take it off and you start again, you know?
Beth Wilson: That's it. That's it. You can always begin again. In fact, I had one of those moments on Saturday night, so I love that for
Danh Doan: Oh, I'm sure you still look amazing.
Beth Wilson: obviously, but I mean, like, you know, I can't be going out like. Crap. So when I've got my makeup on, so I had to, you know, Just start that again and no big deal, you know,
Danh Doan: and just rock up half an hour late, you know, that's it.
Beth Wilson: always a little bit late. No doubt. I'm like Uber canceled on me 17 times. So it
Danh Doan: times. I'm sorry.
Beth Wilson: it wasn't me just doing my eyeline of that many times. Uh, so good. So towards the end of last year, I think you moved into your studio space. So like up until then you were doing. Mobile industry. Is that right? Or were you working out of your home?
Danh Doan: So up until then I was working from my mom's house and working in the living room. And so. Yeah, this is going to be wild to some people, but I did not, I have not experienced what it's like to have a living room from about 15 years old to when I moved last year, because my living room was the makeup studio.
Beth Wilson: I'm not worried about you not having a living room. I'm worried about your family, not having a living room. They must love you so much.
Danh Doan: Yeah, my mom and my sister. Yes. They had TVs in their room because they weren't allowed to go and sit. Well, we didn't even have a TV here in my makeup room. We had the couches, but no TV. So
Beth Wilson: that you're calling your family living room, your makeup room now.
Danh Doan: Yeah, no, it definitely was. And that's why I'm so thankful for my family. I was just my mom and my sister saw, and it was quite a small, like three bedroom house and I really.
Built out what I have now from that. And I would be, I'm forever thankful for that room, even at times where I'm like, ah, it's not really professional, but you know what? I don't need to be professional. People is still booking in to see me. So I'm just gonna, you know, keep going. So yeah.
Beth Wilson: I love that fee. So what was it like moving into the studio? Tell me about the studio.
Danh Doan: The day is ironed buyer at one of my girlfriend's stuff, she's an amazing hairdresser and actually had done a lesson with stuff. And during that time, so at the last year I had purchased my house and I was like, okay, I've got a space to do makeup in my house, but I didn't want clients to come into. My house Houseman.
There was just stuff everywhere, even though maybe for a couple of weeks, it was just kind of thought. I just knew that it was time to, you know, say goodbye to working from home in Canberra and going into a space. So I reached out to her and she has studios stunning, and I would never want to like any, yes, I would never want to work anywhere else, but her studio in Canberra, but yeah, it's, it's been, it's been a different change.
It's definitely a change. I, the biggest thing that I miss from working about, about working from home, sorry, is how intimate my conversations used to be with my clients and how I able to talk about absolutely anything because I'm in a studio space, there are so many ears listening, and I love that because you know, everyone kind of chimes into your compensations, but.
I kind of, yeah, miss so Sundays and Mondays are my days in the studio by myself. And I'm like, oh, this is what it feels like again. Yes. I still have that, you know, moment to just be present with my clients and let them talk to me about absolutely anything.
Beth Wilson: Yeah. Yeah. But do you find that they think it's different? Like when they're in the studio, like the history with other people.
Danh Doan: Oh, my God, a hundred percent. I think it's a lot more professional. You know, I have like being in Canberra, you have some, you know, politicians and all of, you know, your diplomats and your big people. And it's so different. Having them come to a studio space as opposed to.
Beth Wilson: Yes.
Danh Doan: And it's yeah, it's, it's definitely made me as a makeup artist.
Feel a lot more, I suppose, professional in that sense, because yes, since owning my home, it's like you, I miss your sanctuary. You don't want that energy in your, in your space. And so now it's really nice to be able to just close the doors at work, go home and just put my feet up and do whatever I want to do without, you know, fearing that someone's going to be knocking at my door.
Wanting to make an appointment.
Beth Wilson: And you know what I'm sure that your mom and your sister is super grateful as well.
Danh Doan: Yes.
Beth Wilson: So good.
Interrupting this chat with Danh to talk to you about St. Jack's iconic makeup cleaning mix. Did you know, after just three uses your favorite eye shadow palette, I'm looking at you makeup by Mario has 27 times more bacteria than your toilet seat. That's not a lie. That's science. Look it up. Not only is that nightmare fuel.
It is a one-way ticket to an eye infection, skin infections, and breakouts. The makeup cleaning may safely kills all the invisible bacteria on the surface of your favorite makeup without damaging. It has a gorgeous citrus scent. It smells amazing. And your clients will love to see you going the extra mile to keep that beautiful faces safe.
Join hundreds of makeup artists across Australia who are loving the mist and become a hygiene queen today. Head to www.saintjack.com.au and use code brush 15 at checkout for 15% off everything. Now let's get back to the. So I want to switch gears for a moment now and talk about something like a little bit more serious, but something really beautiful that I've noticed about you because I've watched so much of your content, because like I said, I've been following you for a really long time.
I've seen you move your clients to. Like of joy and you know, just lots of emotions so many times. And what I can tell about you even from a fight is that you seem to really connect with your clients and with people on a deeper level. And you know, you see them for who they are and. What might be challenging for you as an artist, for example, I've seen you do transformations on like a mother of the bride, you know, who some people find like doing that challenging because they're like, I don't know how to tune into a scan.
And it's like, it's not as fun as like doing like the hot, like 20 year old or whatever, which is just awful, but it's the truth. And so I just like, love to know about that side of your career, because it probably says a lot about who you are as a person, but why is that important?
Danh Doan: That is honestly the reason why I'm a makeup artist and why I do what I do. So many moments in my career where I questioned that and makeup artistry to someone who doesn't really understand what we do is quite a superficial job. We get paid to make people look pretty. I've had to dig deeper. And for me, makeup artistry not only allows me to make someone look good.
It makes them feel good. And. Being of, you know, being a small minority, being a boy in my car being open, ethnic minority. It's like, I'm the last person that would want someone to sit in my chair and feel like I can't make them feel beautiful for whatever reason it was or it is. And yeah, that is honestly the reason why I do what I do.
The talking to my clients is that connecting with them. And I'm such a big believer in energy. Like the minute that you touch someone's face, or you touch someone's hand. Yeah, you transfer that energy. And especially being a makeup artist, a client is literally sitting, you know, a couple centimeters away from your face and you're in their personal space.
And often clients are really vulnerable. You know, how many times do you have girls or clients come in, sitting in your chair and being like really shy and insecure because makeup helps them feel so much. Beautiful and so much more confident. And that to me is like, I know when I have a full face on I'm a completely different person.
So that's the power that I love to give back to my clients.
Beth Wilson: For sure. I couldn't agree more with everything that you just said, and it's so true. You know, people come to us with a clean face because we ask them to, and we need them to, to do our job, but that. Bringing them into their most vulnerable state, you know, they're coming to you like that. And are there any moments in particular or any clients in particular that really stand out to you?
Because I've seen like some particular videos that I can like play back in my head right now, but were there any real life moments that stand out as like, you really made a huge difference?
Danh Doan: I think it's every single weekend that I work and, you know, so I would say every single client that's actually sat in my chair. I've been able to connect with them. I don't actually work with a mirror in front of my clients. So every single time I finished a makeover, I showed them at the end. And it's just that reaction.
It brings me so much joy. And as you know, it reaffirms our, I am supposed to be doing this. This is my calling in life. This is my happy space. And yeah, don't get me wrong. It's very draining, like at the end of a full weekend, I'm sure you feel this, your exhausted, your is exhausted, but yeah, I wouldn't, I wouldn't change it.
So, so many of my clients, every, all my client. Yeah, I'll actually speaking of a specific one was a face tattoo on this man.
Beth Wilson: This was the one I was thinking.
Danh Doan: Yes. A Maori man, you know, had a Tomako I'm not too sure if I'm pronouncing that correctly, but it's a tribal tattoo that they get favorite in New Zealand and we covered it for him for the first time.
He hadn't seen himself without his Tomoko, since I think it was 19 or something. And yeah, it was the first time that he had seen himself. You know, as an adult, without his face covering and it's just, yeah, it's such a beautiful moment. Eat that really
Beth Wilson: And it's just, I suppose, the wild. We have, you know, as artists that power in our hands to be able to do that for people. And also, you know, it means a lot that people come to and give you that trust, all day, every day of the week. Like it's just a really, it's a really beautiful thing, but it's something that it really is.
Energy, but really radiates even from something as kind of sterile as social media, you know, like it's not always easy to feel what a passenger might be like on the other end of a brush or what their personality might be like. But you can just tell that you just care for people in a really special way.
Danh Doan: you now. I definitely, yeah, I've got my mum to thank for that. She's such a soft. Woman. She's quite a Powell, like a strong energy vile. She teaches me a lot of softness and calmness and just to treat people how you want to be treated, you know, like, I think there's so much negativity in the world right now.
And it's yeah. If I can help someone just feel a little bit better walking out of my chair, then I'm going to do that. Now I have this one weekly client who. Get some makeup done every single Friday. And she always says, you know, she doesn't even mean to it. She doesn't even go to places. A lot of the times you just get some makeup done, goes home, but she says, you know, I just love coming in to see you, because first of all, I get to talk about all my problems and then I get to leave feeling really pretty.
And I'm like, yes, that's exactly. That's what I'm hateful.
Beth Wilson: Oh, my God. I love that. That's so beautiful. So gorgeous. Well, I'm interested. So we kind of touched on this before, because you were obviously very honest and you told me that, you know, right now you're kind of in that moment where you're like, I don't know what I'm going to do, but I mean, you just turned 23.
Effing amazing doing it. Might I add up in the gold coast? What is next for you right now? Like, even in the next few months, like where, where do you want to go with your career? You know,
Danh Doan: This is the first time I'm actually saying this on a platform like this exit exclusive, but I will definitely be moving to a different city next year.
Beth Wilson: Ooh.
Danh Doan: Yes, I am wanting to kind of shift. My focus on as much as I love bridal, I feel like bridal has been worked that I kind of just been boxed into being here in Canberra.
That's what's going to pay the bills. That's what's going to, you know, put food. On the table, but when it comes to my artistry, it definitely kills my artistry, like kills my creativity, doing the same, pretty soft glams, you know, over and over and over again. And, you know, there's, I've, I've done this for so long now where I'm like, okay, I need to get back in touch with that creative side of my artistry.
And so this move has kind of as being thought. Yeah. Factor in, I'm going to push more creativity. I'm going to push more color in my walk and yeah, I'm excited for this next chapter.
Beth Wilson: Oh, my God. I am so excited to say where you're going and what you're doing. I so know what you mean. You know, like it can get really repetitive sometimes and you just kind of want to break free, but you still need to make money. So it's like, how am I going to do that?
Danh Doan: I'm going to go to a hundred percent.
Beth Wilson: is your oyster baby.
You can do whatever you
Danh Doan: road is everyone's oyster.
Beth Wilson: That's it. I actually truly believe that I really do. Are there anything. Anything's on your makeup bucket list that you still want to tick off, that you haven't
Danh Doan: Fashion week. I want to.
Beth Wilson: Why aren't you there fashion week is right now. What's going
Danh Doan: I know. So that's speaking of, I was invited to attend our show this Friday and I, this is the thing being a makeup artist. You miss out on so many of these last minute opportunities because you know, you've got weddings. I can't then call up my brother and be like, Hey, so this really cool opportunity has just come up.
Can I just cancel your wedding that you've booked in a year ago? Thanks. You know what I mean? So I think when I move I'm I don't want to be so committed to work. I just want to, you know, move and just be free for a little bit. Just see what happens, see what work I fall into because for as long as I can remember, my life is restricted by work.
You know, I have to know what I'm doing six months to a year in advance because my. Rely on that to book in. And so, yeah, no, I'm excited.
Beth Wilson: So he's closed his books.
Danh Doan: Yes. Well, full now, definitely in Canberra, but yeah, when it comes to fashion and fashion week and Sydney and then London, Paris, like, yeah, this is New York, that's it.
Beth Wilson: I can so see you in New
Danh Doan: I can see me.
That's her.
Beth Wilson: be amazing in New York. Yeah.
I can say like the Instagram pitches right now that would just be like popping off. So good. I love this fear before we kind of wrap things up for a moment. If you'll indulge me, I would love to think about.
1413 year old yarn because you know, I think about him and I'm proud of him, you know, I don't think it would have been easy to start that Instagram account as a boy in makeup, as an Asian boy and makeup. Not that I know what that feels like, but based on what you've told us and, you know, I've seen the evolution of everything that you're doing as an artist.
And like, you've just told us, it's going to continue to evolve. You've worked so hard and everything is so well. And like what qualities do you think you have. As a young person, as a teenager, that helped you get to where you are.
Danh Doan: Honestly, just not caring what people. You know, like so many times people have said, you can't do this. She can't do that. How, where this, like, why do you have to wear that? And now as an outlet, I'm just like, I wish I had stuck to that even more than what I did. And it's just becoming so much more confident in myself and not caring about what anyone else thinks of me because they don't live my life girl.
Beth Wilson: No, no, they don't. And you know what? It really is so powerful even I think about myself and I'm a little bit older than you as we discussed, not too much, but enough. I have had, even in the last few years, like on a personal level, I have had to shed thoughts of caring, what other people thought otherwise, I would have never saw this podcast.
I would have never started Saint Jack. I would have never pursued the makeup artistry. Like that was a really big thing for me. I was so worried about what other people would think.
Danh Doan: And look at you now,
Beth Wilson: Look at me now, baby. That's
Danh Doan: look at you now. That's it.
Beth Wilson: if I had CAD about what the haters, who still are out there today, probably fucking listening to this podcast.
If I can, it'd be a
Danh Doan: That's it, but I don't think it's just the haters. I think it's caring about what your family and friends think. Like for me, my family and friends, his opinions matter so much more. And if I had cared about, you know, originally what my parents had wanted me to achieve, I would have been a doctor or a lawyer, you know, going down that route.
But it's just, yeah. I often think just not caring at all and just sticky. Thinking by your word and to sitting yourself down and having these conversations with yourself and really honest conversations and asking yourself what you want. It doesn't matter what anyone else wants. It's this is your life and what you want to achieve from it.
Beth Wilson: And surgery. I don't think we have those conversations with that. Enough. And I didn't have that conversation with myself, not until too late, but I wish I had had it. So now, so if anyone's kind of listening right now and they don't know like what, you know, what they want or what's going on, like just kind of do the work, like sit with the feeling and see where that takes you.
Danh Doan: It's confronting doing self work is so confronting because it forces you to look inwards and ask yourself these really. Life-changing questions. And often we all know the answers to it, but whether we actually action, it is so different. Like this move, for instance, for me, I've always learned all of my clients from as early as 17, 18 have always known that I eventually want to be in London.
And so this move is kind of that like baby step to
Beth Wilson: just tell us where you're moving?
Danh Doan: No, no, no, no. So I'm moving within Australia, but this move is just like a baby step. Cause I've never left Canberra. I've never left my hometown and it's like, festival, how am I going to survive with my, my mom now my son needs you to be my best friend, please.
But yeah, no, it's just like a little baby stuff. So finally actioning it. I know the answers. I just need to do it now.
Beth Wilson: So sure. I love that for me. And finally, before I let you go back to your beautiful day in Canberra, which I'm sure it's like the place to be at the moment.
Danh Doan: It is so miserable and cold right now, but yes.
Beth Wilson: I can't imagine. I'm wondering now that we've kind of got this platform. What advice would, you give to an aspiring artist? Say they're also really young say there's a 14 year old listening to this and I like, do I want to do it?
I'm scared. Like, what do I do? Like, what would you say to an aspiring artists at the beginning of their journeys?
Danh Doan: I would, if it wasn't clear before, just don't care. What anyone else thinks be here. Be inspired allow, you know, inspiration to just flow in, but don't take yourself too seriously. I think that's, you know, the biggest, one of the biggest things that I've done, especially as a teenager was I used to take myself so seriously and just have fun with her.
Like makeup is so fun if you'll allow it to be fun and it can be an outlet for so many of us, a form of self-expression and yet try not to like compare yourself. I know everyone says. So much easier said than done, but do not compare yourself to what's happening on social media and you just, just be year, but yourself.
Beth Wilson: Perfect. Perfect words of advice for anyone listening, not just to people, a makeup, it has been such a joy the last hour or so is just like flown by. I feel like I've known you for so long.
Danh Doan: Honestly, it feels like that. Thank you so much for having me I'm like, when did this hour just gutter, honestly.
Beth Wilson: know it's actually wild. I clearly need to have you back on the show.
It was an
Danh Doan: Yes, I would love that. Thank you for having me
Beth Wilson: You're welcome. Thank
Danh Doan: Bye!
Beth Wilson: Oh, Danh, Danh, Danh. What an amazing person, you know what? I've exchanged tons of dams with yarn, but I've never actually spoken to him before, like on the phone or zoom or whatever. And that hour, I know I said it, but it really just flew by. I could actually speak to him older. I'm so inspired by the way, he's worked so hard, so much at such a young age and has created an era of freedom now to live the life of his dreams.
I truly cannot wait to see where he is going next in terms of where he's going to live, where he's moving to next year, but also where he's going to take his work. Because no matter what he does, I know it is going to be truly sensation. There was a lot. I love from that chat, but here are my top two takeaways.
Just for you. Number one, age is just a number doing a bridal party. When you're 14 or 15, I beg your pardon? Why? I think I was 26 or 27 when I did my first bridal party. And I was absolutely terrified, but much like young, I was faking it till I made it. It just goes to show, you can build a loyal client base at any age, if you carry yourself with grace.
And if your work is great, it's never too early or too late in your life to paint your first face. Number two, caring too much about what other people think, whether that's the haters or people who love you, it will only hold you back. from your authentic self in the. You have to be in tune with what you want to build the career and the life of your dreams.
Is there a, too many voices, whether that be from your parents or your friends or other people around you, make sure you're taking the time out to do the self work and tune into the only ways that actually matters. And you know it, baby, that's yours. Well, that's enough for me. And you think by the time this episode goes live, I will be just one week away from going on my long awaited vacate to the gold coast, baby.
I think also I have actually locked in my next guest and we may be meeting up in person while I'm in the gold coast. So I will leave that to you to guess who that might be. In the meantime, keep up with me and Allah, my antics. You can find me on Instagram. My artistry account is @BethWilson_MUA, and the brand is @bySaintJack.
Jack that's at B Y St. Jack, or you can find me on take shock. You know, I be loving that tick-tock it's @Bethinbeauty or @saintjackcosmetics, but until then, I'll see you on the next one. Bye.