Bella Hadid’s Make-Up Artist Hung Vanngo Shares His Likes, Loves, And Life Lessons

The Vietnamese-born, Canadian-raised celebrity make-up artist whose magic shapes the aesthetic of names like Selena Gomez, Bella Hadid and Scarlett Johansson shares his life lessons with Bazaar Arabia, prior to headlining Dubai’s Beautyworld Middle East

Is it more important to be liked or respected? I’d rather be respected. Being liked is nice, but respect means people value your work, how you carry yourself, and how you treat others – that matters more to me.

What do you consider the most overrated virtue? Perfection – especially in beauty. It can be limiting. Real artistry and genuine connection come from embracing what’s unique, not what’s flawless.

What are you proudest of? Honestly, it’s being able to say I’m a founder. Launching Hung Vanngo Beauty has always been a dream of mine. Coming from a refugee camp, growing up as an immigrant, and eventually moving to New York – I had to work incredibly hard. Creating my own brand is truly a dream come true.

What does success mean to you? For me, success is about legacy. It’s not just the work I’ve done, but how I’ve made people feel – the impact I leave behind in the industry and with the people I’ve worked with.

What trait do you admire most in others? Loyalty and punctuality. Both show respect – for people’s time, for the work, and for the process. Being on time says a lot without saying anything. And the people in my life, whether friends or colleagues, have been with me for a long time – that means everything to me.

What inspires you most about your job? People’s faces – every face is like a canvas. I’m constantly inspired by the unique features, bone structures, and the stories they tell without saying a word.

What do you most value in your friends? I’m very loyal, and my relationships mean everything to me. I value that same loyalty, trust, and support in return.

What book changed your life? When I moved out of Calgary in 2004, my brother gave me Oh, the Places You’ ll Go! by Dr. Seuss. It’s a wonderful book about life lessons, personal growth, perseverance, and self-discovery.

What did your last Spotify Wrapped look like? Mainly Selena Gomez and Ariana Grande – they were definitely on repeat!

Who are your heroes? My mother and my brother.

If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? Hmm… maybe being 5’10” instead of 5’8”!

What would you ban if you had the chance? I would ban entitlement.

What’s your greatest extravagance? I love sneakers – some of them are way more expensive than they should be, but I can’t resist!

What’s your most treasured possession? My awareness. I’m very observant of what’s happening around me, even without looking. Sometimes I have to pretend I don’t notice as much as I do.

What’s your guiltiest pleasure? I love sweets – especially when I know I shouldn’t!

If you could be anyone else, who would it be? Honestly, I’m happy being myself.

What experience taught you the most about life and why? To be patient. Everything happens for a reason, and things have always worked out for me through hard work and trusting the process.

If you could only wear one brand for the rest of your life, what would it be? That’s too hard to choose – I like a little bit of every brand!