Today we’d like to introduce you to Zoe Phan.
Hi Zoe, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
My name is Zoe, and I’ve been a makeup artist for nine years. Makeup has always been more than just beauty to me , it’s storytelling, confidence, and transformation. It’s how I connect with people.
Five years ago, I immigrated to the United States. When I arrived, I had no friends, no professional network, and no established reputation here. I had to start completely from zero. Everything I had built before , my clients, my connections, my comfort zone was left behind.
It was intimidating. I was an Asian woman in a new country, trying to rebuild my career in a competitive beauty industry. But what I did have was passion and skill. I believed that talent and consistency would eventually speak for themselves.
I began by reaching out to local models and photographers for collaborations. I offered my services for creative shoots, built relationships one by one, and slowly expanded my portfolio in the Dmv. Those early collaborations were crucial ,they allowed people to see my work and understand my style. From there, referrals started coming in. Friends recommended me to friends. Photographers tagged me. Models shared my name. Word of mouth became my strongest marketing tool.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
No, it hasn’t been a smooth road.
Starting over in a new country meant rebuilding everything from zero , no network, no clients, no reputation. In the beginning, I had to work other jobs just to support myself while continuing to pursue makeup. It was exhausting balancing survival and passion at the same time.
There were also moments of self-doubt, especially entering a competitive industry as an immigrant with no connections. But those struggles taught me resilience. I kept networking, collaborating, and saying yes to opportunities, even small ones.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m a professional makeup artist with nine years of experience, specializing in soft glam, bridal, and camera-ready looks. My focus is enhancing natural beauty , creating radiant, flawless skin that still feels like you.
I’m known for clean, detailed work that photographs beautifully. As an Asian makeup artist in this area, I bring a unique understanding of different facial structures and skin tones, and I customize every look to the individual rather than using one standard style.
How do you think about luck?
I believe luck plays a role but only when preparation meets opportunity.
At beginning ,I didn’t have connections or support, so I couldn’t rely on luck alone. I had to create opportunities for myself. When the right people noticed my work, some might call that “good luck,” but it happened because I was ready.
Of course, there were moments of bad luck too : slow seasons, last-minute cancellations, …but it pushed me to work harder
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