An expat Vietnamese makeup specialist has breathed a breeze of passion and professionalism into the country’s fledgling makeup profession.

Lilian Tran, 38, considered a “sorceress”, is integral to the success of several Vietnamese horror films in recent years, including “Loi Nguyen Huyet Ngai” (His Blood Curse), “Qua Tim Mau” (Vengeful Heart) and “Bi Mat Tham Do” (Scandal) and its sequel “Hao Quang Tro Lai” (Scandal 2).

The films, most of which were made by Vietnamese American director Victor Vu, were box office successes and brought in new tastes to the local film industry.

She was also the main makeup artist in several local romance-comedy and action films, such as “Dong Mau Anh Hung” (The Rebel) and “Co Dau Dai Chien” (Battle of the Brides).

Tran earned a Master’s degree in cosmetics and special effects makeup from George Brown College in Toronto, Canada.

While she was in Canada, she joined the makeup teams in some international films such as “Love Letter from An Open Grave” and “Death Warrior,” as well as a few programs by Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC/ Radio-Canada.)

After 17 years settling in Canada, she and her husband moved back to Vietnam.

In 2012, shortly after she returned home, Tran phoned famed Vietnamese director Bui Thac Chuyen to ask for a makeup job for his new film, “Loi Nguyen Huyet Ngai.”

Impressed by one of Chuyen’s films, which had been screened in her college in Canada, she decided to try her hand at a Vietnamese film.

Her professionalism and innovative approaches instantly convinced the director.

One of the first things she did was giving Chuyen the makeup design of his characters on paper, so that he could better visualize them.

The approach, which isn’t new in the world, was unprecedented in Vietnam.

“Many people in Vietnam tend to dismiss makeup as merely applying powder and paint on actors’ faces. Absolutely this isn’t the case. Makeup styles and techniques vary considerably depending on the time, location of film shoots and the cameras used,” Tran shared.

She stressed that a talented makeup artist must know how to provide their characters the looks which are expressive of their intended personalities as well as their intricate psychological twists.

“This job is sometimes more challenging than giving them the scary, realistic looks to characters in horror movies,” she noted.

Tran also expressed her frustration that many Vietnamese directors have paid scanty attention to makeup.

They usually give her job offers at short notice, which she sometimes has to turn down due to insufficient time for preparation.

The woman added that her top priority has always been the quality of the cosmetics being used and the actors’ health.

She always makes sure the cosmetics she uses are imported from the U.S. and Germany and used in Hollywood movies.

“At first, most Vietnamese directors were shocked at my exorbitant cosmetic price quotations, but they later understood and really supported me. Many actors and actresses thanked me for applying quality cosmetics on them,” Tran said.

The specialist added that undue attention to makeup is partly responsible for Vietnamese historical films’ limited appeal.

Tran has opened her own training center in Vietnam and is happy that she now has at least some devoted, talented followers.

“Tran is always local directors’ first choice, particularly in special effect makeup. Her brilliant skills gave my character a convincing look which is expressive of his personality and psychological thread. The skilful makeup also has a noted impact on the actors,” remarked Thanh Loc, a veteran actor.