Interview with Sau Yan

Sau Yan (Jill Vengeance) is a 20-year-old chinese girl born and raised in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. She graduated from Sense & Style Beauty Academy and started her freelance makeup artist career.

Her makeup services provides personal makeup, bridal makeup, studio photoshooting makeup, stage makeup, creative makeup and special effects. She often go to events that need makeup sponsors like competitions, fashion shows, etc…When she has free time, she will ask her friends to model for her or just use herself and create some new makeup looks. She gets ideas from the internet most of the time because there is a lot of makeup talent out there.

Currently, She is interest in being model. Her friends, some of which are photographers will ask her to be a makeup artist and model at the same time and they work together to make a few portfolio pieces. I spend 3 hours to prepare myself before photoshooting. It’s tiring because I don’t always get enough sleep but I really enjoy it. Jill has modeled for local events and photo shoots with well known photographers. Her portfolio is rapidly expanding as is demand for both her makeup and modeling services.

Jill, it is a pleasure to meet you. Please tell us a little about yourself and where you grew up.

I was grew up in the capital city, Kuala Lumpur. I have 3 siblings and I’m the youngest child in the family.

When you were a child did you enjoy playing with your mom’s makeup?

My mom has never worn any makeup before haha! She said she doesn’t need any because she’s pretty enough. I used to play with my sister’s makeup though.

What is it that you enjoy about being a makeup artist?

It’s my dream and passion. I love makeup more than anything. I love the moment when I see my models or customers feel satisfied with the makeup I do for them. And when I have new ideas to do some new looks or inspired makeups, I think it’s a very big achievement to myself. I also enjoy like it’s an addiction. The moment when I pick up the makeup brush, I forget about the world and I found myself in it.

Since you handle many different types of services which do you most enjoy?

I can’t tell because they are all different things and I enjoy all of them.

Let’s talk about some specific jobs. Tell us a little about this image from your series called “Masquerade Makeup”.

It’s actually a makeup I did with my tutor in the school when I was still a makeup student. It took us 3hours+ to finish it and my tutor helped me too in photoshooting so I could have a better portfolio.

You did a lot of horror style makeup for the Berjaya Times Square Halloween event. Tell us about some of your creations.

I just follow what the participants want for the makeup. I had training and researching before the event so I know how and what to do for the special effects like fake cuts, scars, etc…

Billy Puppet inspired makeup by Yuuki Yuen

VERY. *laughs* I love a lo of stuff that normal people might think they are weird but I would call them “unique” instead. So, I get ideas from internet or horror movies and make use of them on my (or model) face.Do you enjoy doing the more grotesque special effects types of makeup assignments?

Much of your work is doing makeup for weddings and special events. Are there stressful for you since the people are nervous before a wedding?

Yes, because a lot of work need to get done in a very limited time and I have to make sure the makeup and hairdo are still perfect.

How does makeup for the stage differ from other types or styles of makeup?

The stage makeup is heavier for sure. Foundation has to be thick enough to cover all the flaws (e.g acne problems, dark circles, etc…) on the skin and the skin tone needs to be lighter than the natural skin tone because the stage light effect is strong. Also, a brighter skin tone can bring the colors of the makeup sharper.

Can you show us some examples of some of your favorite images in your portfolio?

Fav 1: Glittering makeup – It was the 1st stage makeup I learned in school and it was easy to do but hard to remove the makeup lol

Fav 2: 金枝玉葉 – A masterpiece of mine using handmade papercuts. The fake lashes are made of papers too so they are very heavy.

Fav 3: Animal face print (zebra) – I don’t know why I just simply love this. My friend is good in modeling!

Fav 4: “Summer” – It was a studio makeup. I love this because the colors are sharp.

What about being a makeup artist do you find challenging?

That I have to complete a flawless makeup within a short time. I’m bad in managing time though and I hate rushing. Also, I have to know what kind of makeup a person suites because everyone has different look and features.

What is it that you love about it?

Everything?! *laughs*

You also have become a well known model. Tell us what you like about modeling.

Not really well known haha! I’m still new. I love being a model because I can apply my own makeup skills on myself and show them to the world. It’s like a triumph for me. And yeah, it’s fun.

Can you tell us about some of the projects you have modeled for?

So far, I only have 3 photoshoots. The 1st one is me wearing gothic lolita, taken at a cemetery.

The 2nd one, me wearing a wedding gown with glamour makeup, and taken in a studio.

The 3rd one is the most recent one, I dress myself in summer look because I want something different instead of being cool/elegant as usual.

Sometimes, I will go back to my school to be my juniors’/seniors’ makeup model.

In future, I would like to have more photoshoots and I would like to try different themes. When the time comes, I would like to try art nude, with body arts or tattoos (if my family allows me to have them).

Who inspires you? Are there any makeup artists or models you admire?

Definitely Lady Gaga. Her makeups and also dressing styles are fabulous!!! For MUA I like Promise Tamang Phan and petrilude, for models I like Amanda Cheng.

What do you enjoy doing when you are not working?

I like staying at home, blasting the speakers with heavy metal music or cooking. Sometimes I will also go window shopping and watching movie alone.

What are some of your dreams for the future?

If it’s possible, I’d like to work overseas.

Where can we go to find out more about you and your work?

http://www.facebook.com/jill.miori

http://www.facebook.com/jill.vengeance

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