Meet Trang Huynh | Permanent Make-Up Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Trang Huynh and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Trang, where are your from? We’d love to hear about how your background has played a role in who you are today?
The story I’m about to share is heavy, but important in understanding how it has shaped me into the person I am today. I’m second-generation Vietnamese. My parents immigrated to the United States in 1979 shortly after the Vietnam War for the chance of opportunity and safety. During this time, many surrounding countries around Vietnam refused aid to fleeing refugees due to racial tensions and political unrest. Thousands upon thousands died from drowning or starvation, but this didn’t stop them. My parents desperately boarded a large boat with roughly 285 people with just the clothes on their back and 2 young children. Shortly into their journey, Thai pirates robbed them of their personal belongings, navigation tools, and supplies. This forced them to stop in Malaysia. To their dismay, the Malaysian Navy confiscated what was left of their supplies, split them onto 4 smaller malfunctioned fishing vessels, and towed them out to the high sea for death. My parent’s vessel consisted of 89 other refugees tightly crammed like sardines-sitting side by side or on top of each other’s laps. They drifted out on the South China Sea like a floating coffin for 10 days carrying minimal food and rainwater. Finally, their white flag was spotted on the horizon by World Vision’s freighter-Operation Seasweep whom rescued “boat people” during this crisis. Fast forward, World Vision rescued 93 Vietnamese refugees that day, which led to my parent’s placement in a refugee camp in Singapore. From there, my uncle sponsored them to San Diego.

Given these sacrifices and struggles, my parents were extremely strict and pushed us to do well educationally to be successful. Their vision mirrored one aspect in which American society viewed as success. As a result, I was raised in a sheltered environment and constantly felt the need to comply with parental expectations and societal pressures. I was lost and confused about my identity throughout my childhood to early college. Culinary school was where I began to pave my path as an artist. In my opinion, success didn’t equate to a specific amount of money or material objects. My definition of success is simply following your passion and doing what makes you happy. It means staying true to myself 100% and having the self-belief that I can be successful if I love what I do.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Art has always been my passion. I have embraced the fact that art can be expressed in several forms, from designing my own jewelry to graduating culinary school and becoming a Pastry Chef. It’s challenging when society can dictate who you should be. The pressure of comparing myself to others caused me to constantly reevaluate. One unwavering factor that I have relied upon is hope that I will find my place as an artist. Despite the setbacks that I have endured in my life, I consistently believed in myself and found my way. My father instilled the value of hard work and that work ethic has deeply influenced who I am.

Perseverance pays off. I firmly believe with this mindset; opportunities begin to knock at your door. So here I am, in the newest and most exciting expression of my creativity-the Owner and Permanent Make-Up Artist of Revel in Artistry. A business built on the greatest enjoyment of art, while striving to elevate people’s natural beauty and confidence. The experience is about celebrating people and those moments that are special to them.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Ideal Spots to check out in San Diego 1. Hike on Iron Mountain or stroll along San Diego Harbor
2. Coffee at Acento Coffee Roasters (best customer service and cortado)
3. Breakfast at Morning Glory in Little Italy
4. Visit tide pools at Cabrillo National Monument
5. Lunch at Liberty Station Public Market
6. Ferry to Coronado from San Diego Harbor to check out the shops and lay in the sand
7. Dinner – picnic and sunset at Torrey Pines Glider Port
8. Drinks at Boochcraft hard kombucha brewery at Del Mar Sky Deck or Jaybird Kombucha in San Diego

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
First and foremost, my success is attributed to my family specifically my siblings. We always found strength in each other to keep pushing through life despite our challenges growing up. They have supported me through good and desperate times without judgement. My other inspirational figures are author/motivational speaker Mel Robbins and mountaineer Nirmal Purja. My journey of self-healing and love for hiking has enabled me to live life with a more positive mindset and to believe that nothing is impossible.

Website: msha.ke/revelinartistry

Instagram: @revel_in_artistry_pmu

Facebook: https://Facebook.com/revelinartistry

Other: revel_in_artistry on Tik Tok