Meet Jian Lu of New York City

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jian Lu.

Hi Jian, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
My love of makeup began when I was a kid, flipping through fashion magazines and watching music videos. I was fascinated by how beauty, fashion, and imagery could work together to create a character or tell a story.

I later studied theatre, where I became deeply interested in all the visual elements of production—from costumes and lighting to the way a performer’s appearance could shape a character. After graduation, the pandemic brought theatre work to a standstill, which prompted me to reconsider my path and gradually shift my career toward makeup.

I began teaching myself through YouTube and social media, practicing constantly and building my portfolio through independent shoots. Being based in New York gave me the opportunity to reach out to established artists and begin assisting whenever I could. At the same time, I took on my own clients and explored many different areas of the industry, including Fashion Week, editorial, e-commerce, film, bridal, and private clients. That variety helped me understand where my strengths and interests truly were.

A major turning point came when I was introduced to renowned makeup artist Hung Vanngo and began working as his first assistant. That experience has taught me an incredible amount—not only about makeup artistry and technique, but also about professionalism, collaboration, and the level of preparation required at the highest level of the industry.

Through these experiences, I discovered that I am most drawn to beauty-focused work and working closely with clients. I’m continuing to develop my own voice as an artist while building a career that brings together everything I have learned from theatre, fashion, and the artists I have been fortunate enough to work alongside.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It definitely hasn’t been a completely smooth road. Makeup is an incredibly broad field, and every type of job—editorial, e-commerce, runway, film, bridal, or celebrity—comes with its own expectations and way of working. Understanding those differences takes time, and there isn’t necessarily a guidebook for it. Much of that knowledge can only be gained by being on set, observing carefully, and working alongside more experienced artists.

Celebrity work, in particular, involves many unspoken rules. Beyond being punctual and professional, you need to understand how to communicate appropriately, respect boundaries, anticipate what people need, and handle unexpected situations with discretion and calm. There is an enormous amount of interpersonal skill involved in the job, in addition to makeup technique.

Learning how to read a room, adapt quickly, and earn people’s trust has been one of the most challenging—but also most valuable—parts of my journey. I’m still learning with every job, and I think that willingness to observe and grow is essential in this industry.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I work as both a makeup artist and a beauty content creator. One of my greatest strengths is my understanding of makeup products—how formulas, textures, shades, and application techniques perform differently depending on the person and the context.

I’m fortunate to work closely with some of the industry’s leading artists and to experience new products and emerging trends firsthand. This gives me a strong sense of what is genuinely innovative, what is worth exploring, and what will actually be useful to people beyond the initial excitement surrounding a launch.

At the same time, I’m a very empathetic artist. I understand the challenges that everyday makeup users face, especially when they don’t have the training or techniques of a professional artist. I’m always thinking about what makes a product intuitive, what qualities will stand out to the person using it, and how it can realistically help them feel more confident and look their best.

What I’m most proud of is my ability to connect these two perspectives: the technical knowledge and access I have as an industry professional, and a genuine understanding of the everyday consumer. I believe that balance allows me to create work and content that feel elevated and informed, while still being honest, approachable, and useful.

What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
Best: the people and endless possibilities
Least: traffic

Contact Info:

• Website: https://jianqiaolumakeup.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jianlumakeup/?hl=en
• Other: RedNote: https://xhslink.cn/o/83KhyimfpwW

Image Credits
personal photo is taken by Kas Yu, ins @sheslateagain_
backstage photo (the two in black top) is taken by Grace Johnson. ins @graceannajohnson
event photo (the two in deep green shirt) is taken at a launch event of Hung Vanngo Beauty ins @hungvanngobeauty