Behind the Brush: Featuring Nguyen Artistry

Get to know Lisa Nguyen of Nguyen Artistry whose brush brings visions to life. Discover her story, style, process, and signature looks that redefine beauty.

Photo by Vanessa Yeung

Can you share the story of how you got started in the bridal makeup industry, and what inspired you to turn it into a business?

"It all began during my undergraduate years in Waterloo. Friends and acquaintances would often ask me to do their makeup, and what started as a fun hobby slowly turned into something I realized I truly loved. I honestly didn’t see it as a potential career at first, until my close friends started planting the seed. They were the ones who said, “Lisa, you should turn this into a business. You’d be amazing at it!”

Their encouragement gave me the push I needed to believe in myself. In 2020, I finally took the leap and started treating my artistry more seriously. While I began self-taught, I invested in further education to refine my techniques and deepen my understanding of skin tones, colour theory, and everything that makes a look truly glamorous. That’s when Nguyen Artistry really started to take shape."

Photo by Kevin Darcheville

Can you walk us through your process for creating a customized bridal look for a client?

Creating a customized bridal look starts with understanding what the bride sees for herself. As a Hair and Makeup Artist, I look at popular trends and techniques, but I always bring it back to what would genuinely suit the client not just what’s on their Pinterest board.

I take in everything: skin texture, features, comfort level, and what will actually enhance the client naturally. My goal is to help the client feel confident and beautiful without feeling like they have to transform into someone else for the day.

A big part of it is also reading the client's personality. Most of my clients are either introverted, extroverted, or a mix of both. I get a sense of what feels authentic for them. At the end of the day, it’s about creating a look that aligns with who they are and how they want to show up.

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What steps do you take during the consultation to fully understand a bride’s vision and preferences?

During the consultation call, I start by introducing myself and sharing the niche I specialize in when it comes to makeup and hair. I’m big on transparency, so I like to be upfront about my approach to make sure we’re aligned from the beginning.

I ask a lot of questions about their past makeup experiences because that usually tells me a lot. I also pay close attention to their daily makeup habits, like what they typically wear, what they gravitate toward, and what makes them feel good. That helps me understand how to incorporate elements of their everyday style into their bridal look, so it still feels like them, just elevated.

It’s all about building trust and making sure the final look is something they feel confident and comfortable in.

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Do you offer a trial makeup session before the big day?

Yes, I do offer a trial makeup session before the big day. It’s typically about an hour and a half and includes a mini skin consultation as well. I encourage clients to bring any inspo photos they have so I can get a general idea of what they’re drawn to.

That said, a trial is more than just recreating a photo, it’s about breaking down what works for them. Sometimes clients bring inspo that looks amazing, but it may not reflect what they’re actually comfortable wearing. For example, a bride might show a bold winged liner, but if she doesn’t normally wear that day to day, it can end up feeling unfamiliar.

So during the trial, I guide them through those decisions to make sure the final look feels aligned with how they want to show up -- not just in photos, but in person too.

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How far in advance do you recommend brides book with you, and how do they book an appointment with you?

I definitely recommend brides book at least 8 to 12 months in advance, especially for peak wedding season. The sooner, the better to secure your date!

To book, bride can head to my website and fill out the inquiry form!