Today we’d like to introduce you to Ming Ng.
Ming, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I was never a school person, I hated sitting in the same place listening to any lecture for over 20 minutes unless it’s something beauty related. And I did not make my super Asian-Tiger mom family proud because I didn’t become a doctor, lawyer or accountant. But now, they are proud and happy that I found what I love and good at.
We moved to America from China in 1998, from a medium size province JiangXi, Nanchang, I was 12 years old and didn’t speak a word of English. It was hard for a few years and took a while to adjust to this new environment. Growing up, I enjoyed making things or people pretty. When I turned 16, I started makeup freelancing and working for free for all the gigs I could get my hands on. After years of polishing my makeup skills and graduating from UCSD, I landed on my first paid bridal makeup event, and that’s when I thought – Wow! Can I get paid to do this? I want to do this all the time! But of course things never go as planned, my parents did not approve of me becoming an artist but should have a steady income. So after graduating, I got into Social Media Management, transitioned into Digital Advertising, and worked for a few startups which one of them later got acquired by Yahoo!, and that was my last job. I do not regret the corporate experience because some of that knowledge comes very handy while having your own business.
I started my own business in 2016, a makeup studio offering bridal/event makeup and makeup class. My makeup class was a hit, and I’ve taught over 100 students in the first year. In 2017, I looked into permanent cosmetics because it was more exciting because I wanted my work to last longer. Also, made sense for me because I know makeup and understand brow design for different facial structures. And I’ve been doing Microblading ever since. I love it very much, I see it as another form of art that will change someone’s life.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Nothing great comes easy and that is a fact. I’ve gone through self-disappointment, discouraged and almost gave up many times. If you love it enough, you will stick it through. My favorite quote by Robert Frost “the only way out is through”.
Please tell us about Beauty by Ming.
Beauty by Ming is known for permanent cosmetics and our soft glam makeups. For permanent cosmetics, we create realistic hair like strokes, a.k.a. Microblading. As well as the Powder Ombre technique, and Combo brows technique which is hair strokes combined with the Powder ombre for people seeking for a fuller look.
We get many bridal makeup requests because of our signature soft grey/pink makeup eye look. Our business culture and model make your clients feel at home, be comfortable.
That’s very important because I want to get to know the real side of my clients, so I know what they’re really looking for. Because sometimes, it’s very hard for people to communicate exactly what they’re seeking.
We also have a fully stocked mini fridge with many choices of sodas, snacks, and candies at our studio!
Often it feels as if the media, by and large, is only focused on the obstacles faced by women, but we feel it’s important to also look for the opportunities. In your view, are there opportunities that you see that women are particularly well positioned for?
I genuinely think that women can do whatever she wants and the opportunities are endless. I came from a very traditional family where my grandfather treasured his grandsons way more than grand-daughters. However, that never got to me and I started being stronger minded than my boy cousins; I would practice Chinese paintbrush for 8hrs a day whereas my cousin stopped at 4-5 hours. As time went on, my grandfather saw our behavioral and he definitely gained so much more respect for me and this is why I think that as long as the female has a strong mind, respect will be in place, then, opportunities will follow.
I do not think that female or male is particularly better in any positions because the times are different now. It’s no longer only girls like Barbie and boys like trains now. Some of the world’s best makeup artists are male and some of the world’s best car racers are females.
I don’t think there are any opportunities that women are particularly well positioned for, because they could have any opportunities they like as long as they work hard towards it.
Pricing:
- Microblading Brows $680
- 2-Day Microblading Training Class $2300
- Event Makeup $350
Contact Info:
- Website: www.makeupbyming.com
- Phone: 415-832-9393
- Email: beautybymingllc@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_beautybyming_/
Image Credit:
Norm Ng Photography
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