Suit up with Jeremy Tok
Kuala Lumpur based mens bespoke designer, Jeremy Tok was in town last week to share his expertise and knowledge on menswear. The event was held at Matadoe Bistro ...
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bruneions interview with vena
“The highest compliment my clients can give is the referral of their friends, family and business associates." That, is how Vena Osman, make-up artist and beauty empowerment coach, feels about a good-job done. Meet Vena, a make-up extraordinaire who can make you look gorgeous, but can also turn you into a zombie, if you so request.
When did your love for make-up begin?
I think I slowly fell in love with doing make-up and make-up itself. I definitely knew make-up was something that I wanted to do after watching Michael Jackson's "Thriller" and it’s behind scenes when I was about 6. I wanted to meet him, work with him and also I thought Zombie make-up was AWESOME!!!
What was your big break as a make-up artist?
I have yet to get my "Big Break". I still have not achieve what I think is a ‘break’ for me. I am still working to achieve my goals. However, things did get easier and money started to flow in after I started giving trainings and instructions on makeup and beauty in several beauty and makeup colleges.
What challenges have you faced in this field since you began?
Hmmm.... challenges...Everything is a challenge. I am still on that journey - getting work, getting inspiration, getting collaborations, getting practice, getting models and so on. I guess it’s the challenges that are appealing and overcoming them and learning from them are the rewards.
What’s a typical day like for you?
There is no typical day. As a freelance trainer and make-up artist, I am blessed that my day can be quite exciting. One day, I can wake up, enjoy the sun and do nothing but draw and have coffee with a friend while on another, I have to drag myself out of bed at 4am and drive to the studio or set location with my make-up kit.
Have you worked with any local or international celebrities?
What kind of celebrity? Yes, I have worked with a few people who are celebrities to me. :)
Name someone famous you always have a blast working with.
I have not worked with anyone tremendously famous more than once but I was lucky to work with some people once, for a shoot or on a set. Doing music videos are always fun and they are the most memorable ones.
If we peeked inside your make-up kit what would we find?
Just makeup! :) I have other bags and kits for everything else.
What’s the one beauty item you can’t live without?
For me, eye cream!!! For business, dark brown eyeshadow.
What’s the last beauty item you purchased?
For me, a body moisturizer. For Business, 5 litres of brush cleaner.
If you wanted to make someone more youthful, what would you do?
Ask them to drink more water and depending on the individual, it's all about light and shade, so I would use dark colours to hide and light colours to lift and enhance.
Give us your best beauty tips.
Drink water, get enough sleep, eat fresh fruit & vegetables, apply sunscreen, exercise, cleanse & moisturise your skin, SMILE & LAUGH!
What’s the biggest make-up mistake women make?
Mistakes... no such thing. Each to her own, but in my opinion, less is more.
What’s next in your career?
At the moment, I’m focusing on my Beauty & Wellness Center Goals. However, whatever the universe throws at me I'll take it, as long as it will help inspire people through art and love!
What has been your most memorable assignment and why?
Hmmm… A short film I did with some 3rd year students and an amazing crew. Called LOLA the Magnificent. Why? I was head make-up artist & did the catering. Because we were so in synch, focused and joyful and loving and respectful, it was so fun and was effortless! No gossip, no dramas no "rage Babies"! It was so amazing. I would work with any of them in a heartbeat. Memorable indeed!
What do you think of the local industry relevant to your work at the moment and where do you see it in 5 years from now?
Local industry? (Brunei?) It’s growing & it’s exciting. People are getting more aware. This is only my experience and I have not had enough of it to have a judgment about it. 5 yrs from now, I hope the people in the industry will strive for excellence and to be noticed, will be more empowered and work towards synergy and congruence.
Any make-up artist who inspires you?
Kevin Aucoin & Dick Smith.
A website and/or blog you visit often?
Google, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube. I tend to just follow links and updates from my emails and subscriptions.
The last workshop or seminar you attended and why?
Ted Online and Creative Live are brilliant, brilliant seminars and workshops for free! It’s online and I watch them regularly. Last workshop I physically attended in body, mind and soul is ‘Money & You’ in Melbourne, Australia. It was a lifetime program which I was very passionate about and it is available all over the world.
Do you have any workshops on the horizon?
YES. I am always improving the existing workshops with the amazing feedback I get from participants. and also am always interested in training and facilitating any new proposals and inspirations :)
What organizations do you belong to?
I don't belong to any, anymore. However, I passionately support a few and will do my bit for the community I live in at each point in my life. I support Skin Cancer Research, Forest Conservation, White Wreath, Organic living, Hope Society, Wilderness Society, to name a few.
One way you market yourself?
Word of mouth. You like me, recommend me. :)
Do you advertise? If so where?
I only advertise my workshops - on online sites like Twitter, Facebook, other sites and by word of mouth. I should advertise and expose my work more, shouldn't I? Great addition to my ‘to do’ list. :)
How important is an awesome website for your business?
SO SO SO important. I miss my awesome website which is currently under construction to be better and that’s another ‘to finish’ thing on my list. Online presence is so important. One should have an easy-to-use website so people will want to stay on your site and find out who you are, what you do, where you are, latest updates etc. This is my opinion because those would be the things I want to see if I am the client.
When did your love for make-up begin?
I think I slowly fell in love with doing make-up and make-up itself. I definitely knew make-up was something that I wanted to do after watching Michael Jackson's "Thriller" and it’s behind scenes when I was about 6. I wanted to meet him, work with him and also I thought Zombie make-up was AWESOME!!!
What was your big break as a make-up artist?
I have yet to get my "Big Break". I still have not achieve what I think is a ‘break’ for me. I am still working to achieve my goals. However, things did get easier and money started to flow in after I started giving trainings and instructions on makeup and beauty in several beauty and makeup colleges.
What challenges have you faced in this field since you began?
Hmmm.... challenges...Everything is a challenge. I am still on that journey - getting work, getting inspiration, getting collaborations, getting practice, getting models and so on. I guess it’s the challenges that are appealing and overcoming them and learning from them are the rewards.
What’s a typical day like for you?
There is no typical day. As a freelance trainer and make-up artist, I am blessed that my day can be quite exciting. One day, I can wake up, enjoy the sun and do nothing but draw and have coffee with a friend while on another, I have to drag myself out of bed at 4am and drive to the studio or set location with my make-up kit.
Have you worked with any local or international celebrities?
What kind of celebrity? Yes, I have worked with a few people who are celebrities to me. :)
Name someone famous you always have a blast working with.
I have not worked with anyone tremendously famous more than once but I was lucky to work with some people once, for a shoot or on a set. Doing music videos are always fun and they are the most memorable ones.
If we peeked inside your make-up kit what would we find?
Just makeup! :) I have other bags and kits for everything else.
What’s the one beauty item you can’t live without?
For me, eye cream!!! For business, dark brown eyeshadow.
What’s the last beauty item you purchased?
For me, a body moisturizer. For Business, 5 litres of brush cleaner.
If you wanted to make someone more youthful, what would you do?
Ask them to drink more water and depending on the individual, it's all about light and shade, so I would use dark colours to hide and light colours to lift and enhance.
Give us your best beauty tips.
Drink water, get enough sleep, eat fresh fruit & vegetables, apply sunscreen, exercise, cleanse & moisturise your skin, SMILE & LAUGH!
What’s the biggest make-up mistake women make?
Mistakes... no such thing. Each to her own, but in my opinion, less is more.
What’s next in your career?
At the moment, I’m focusing on my Beauty & Wellness Center Goals. However, whatever the universe throws at me I'll take it, as long as it will help inspire people through art and love!
What has been your most memorable assignment and why?
Hmmm… A short film I did with some 3rd year students and an amazing crew. Called LOLA the Magnificent. Why? I was head make-up artist & did the catering. Because we were so in synch, focused and joyful and loving and respectful, it was so fun and was effortless! No gossip, no dramas no "rage Babies"! It was so amazing. I would work with any of them in a heartbeat. Memorable indeed!
What do you think of the local industry relevant to your work at the moment and where do you see it in 5 years from now?
Local industry? (Brunei?) It’s growing & it’s exciting. People are getting more aware. This is only my experience and I have not had enough of it to have a judgment about it. 5 yrs from now, I hope the people in the industry will strive for excellence and to be noticed, will be more empowered and work towards synergy and congruence.
Any make-up artist who inspires you?
Kevin Aucoin & Dick Smith.
A website and/or blog you visit often?
Google, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube. I tend to just follow links and updates from my emails and subscriptions.
The last workshop or seminar you attended and why?
Ted Online and Creative Live are brilliant, brilliant seminars and workshops for free! It’s online and I watch them regularly. Last workshop I physically attended in body, mind and soul is ‘Money & You’ in Melbourne, Australia. It was a lifetime program which I was very passionate about and it is available all over the world.
Do you have any workshops on the horizon?
YES. I am always improving the existing workshops with the amazing feedback I get from participants. and also am always interested in training and facilitating any new proposals and inspirations :)
What organizations do you belong to?
I don't belong to any, anymore. However, I passionately support a few and will do my bit for the community I live in at each point in my life. I support Skin Cancer Research, Forest Conservation, White Wreath, Organic living, Hope Society, Wilderness Society, to name a few.
One way you market yourself?
Word of mouth. You like me, recommend me. :)
Do you advertise? If so where?
I only advertise my workshops - on online sites like Twitter, Facebook, other sites and by word of mouth. I should advertise and expose my work more, shouldn't I? Great addition to my ‘to do’ list. :)
How important is an awesome website for your business?
SO SO SO important. I miss my awesome website which is currently under construction to be better and that’s another ‘to finish’ thing on my list. Online presence is so important. One should have an easy-to-use website so people will want to stay on your site and find out who you are, what you do, where you are, latest updates etc. This is my opinion because those would be the things I want to see if I am the client.
What advice do you have for somebody who wants to choose make-up artist as a profession?
Keep moving, keep correcting, have fun, be creative & in my opinion, there are NO RULES to make-up!
We know that each of us has someone or something, which inspires our life and work. Can you tell us the true basis of your inspiration?
LOVE for people, the significance of my role on the planet and that EVERYONE is talented. People have to go through their course in life and they should WAKE UP to that fact if they haven’t already.
Something you’re still learning?
EVERYTHING!!! I don't know anything completely. It is ever changing and evolving!
What or who is the greatest love of your life?
I love my family but the greatest love of my life at this point in time… I am not prepared to shout it out from the rooftop (might not be appropriate) :-)
What is your greatest fear?
REGRET.
Something you’re saving up for?
My wellness and well-being center.
What item do you wish you had designed?
Post-Its.
If you could have lunch with anyone who is famous who would it be?
Breakfast with Charlie Chaplin, because he is quiet and he can brighten up my day in the morning without noise. Lunch with Al Pacino, so we can both enjoy the sun and not pass our individual bedtimes. I LOVE HIM. Coffee with Peter Pan so I have my afternoon work-out learning to fly. Dinner with Andy Warhol so I can understand him better and analyse him. OK, in all honesty, I'd rather spend a weekend with Oprah and the Dalai Lama.
Your favourite film (movie) of all time?
This is such a difficult question. It depends, (sigh), I HAVE SO MANY!!! Amelie, Fifth Element, 300, Transformers, Pirates of the Caribbean, Chocolat... ack..can't..pick..just..one...
Finish this sentence. If I had one wish…
… I would wish for an endless supply of wishes.
What are your favourite three creations you have done recently? Can you describe them and also your thoughts when creating them?
I haven't done any that are considered my favourites recently (have been giving training and not been creating much in the past year) but attached are some photos that I love.
1- Photo by Truls Fossum on the Bullit short film set. My thoughts at that time: Mud, ash, charring, do not put too much blood.
2- Photo by Rich Wang on the ‘Goddess Hera’ shoot with Leilani. My thoughts: During the makeup I was probably just having fun.
However, during the shoot I got quite scared because we were in a virgin forest and on an extremely steep slope and cliff. So I was just mindful of my very dedicated and passionate photographer.
3- Photo by Shuk Chee on a fashion shoot with Ursula. My thoughts: Dramatic, complementary colours, and feeling lucky that I had such a gorgeous person to work with.
Besides working as a makeup artist, Vena is a Beauty Empowerment Coach, Consultant, Instructor, Facilitator and Trainer in the beauty and makeup field. To get to know Vena and her trade better, follow her on: www.venaosman.com
Facebook: Touch & Glow or Osvena Osman Makeup Artist
Twitter : Venaosman
Five tips on menswear by Jeremy Tok
BruneiONS had the chance to sit with Kuala Lumpur based men’s bespoke designer Jeremy Tok. Here he shares his five tips on how men can look and feel their best.
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