Q&A: Vancouver influencer Nina Huynh talks beauty, new Sephora campaign
Credit to Author: Aleesha Harris| Date: Tue, 03 Sep 2019 18:00:50 +0000
The wheels of change have been achingly slow to turn in the fashion and beauty industries. In the past, the face of beauty and fashion has looked, well, much the same (think: thin, white and youthful).
These days, though, things are finally beginning to shift.
As body-positivity activists push for size inclusivity, beauty fans are hollering for more diverse representation in both products and promotional materials, including ethnically diverse models, age-inclusive campaigns and a wider variety of shade offerings to suit the broad spectrum of skin tones. And retailers and brands appear to be listening.
Beauty retailer Sephora Canada recently kicked off the second phase of its We Belong to Something Beautiful campaign, which sees seven collaborators from across the country featured for their activism, strength and unique depictions of beauty aimed at promoting inclusivity in the industry at large.
Nina Huynh, a Vancouver-based influencer, is one such face fans will see in the mix. (Fellow campaign stars include Serain Fox, Lily Lange, Farrah Khan, Angela Mahoney, Imane B and Vanessa Pilon.) We caught up with Huynh after the campaign reveal to hear more about the collaboration, how she got involved and why she still can’t quite believe that this is actually ‘her life’:
Q: For those who aren’t familiar with your online platforms, how would you describe yourself?
A: I am an online content creator on YouTube and Instagram. I create fashion, travel, beauty and lifestyle content that prioritizes authenticity and quality without compromise.
Q: How did this collaboration with Sephora come about?
A: Vice and Sephora actually reached out to me, funnily enough. Sephora works with their agency and they wanted to fly me out to Toronto for this campaign and I was blown away.
Q: What does it mean to you to be part of this campaign?
A: Everything I do and every brand I choose to work with has some sort of personal connection to my childhood and teenage years. In a lot of ways, everything I do is for that little girl that never thought she’d amount to anything. Being part of this campaign with Sephora was momentous for me because I proved to myself that showing up for myself, using my voice and being exactly as I am is beautiful — I am beautiful.
Q: And why do you think it’s important for more brands to highlight diverse and unique stories and individuals in their campaigns?
A: Representation is important, even if it isn’t a profound, “OMG you look just like me and love all the same things I do,” etc. It is so important to see people not just that look like you, but are a part of your community. For me, it was important to see more Asian people in beauty and entertainment because there are still so few of us. And it’s important to have people that have a shared history and a sense of if they could do it, I could do it.
Q: The Sephora campaign reads, “Beauty for us is living our truth, embracing our differences and empowering each other.” What does this mean to you?
A: Beauty has, in a lot of ways, looked very much the same. The trends change over time, but it is never as inclusive as it should be. There is beauty in all of us and that beauty comes from our differences. I think in a world where everyone is trying to look the same, there is something to be said about embracing what makes you you and I want to help make sure people can see that in themselves.
Q: Did you ever imagine that your online influence would turn into being a campaign of this kind?
A: Never in my life. I still can’t believe that this is my job, my life. I always believed in myself, but I always have set the bar really low for myself and I think in many ways, it’s just because I didn’t think someone with my background and ethnicity would ever make it this far.
Q: What’s your all-time favourite beauty product?
A: It has to be the Kiehl’s Cactus Flower & “Tibetan Ginseng” Hydrating Mist — it is the best thing that’s ever happened to my skin.
Q: And, lastly, what’s next?
A: I have a couple other campaigns lined up into 2020, but it’s really only up from here. I am enjoying the ride and I have no idea what the destination is — but I don’t mind. As long as my bills are paid, my family is taken care of and I’m having a great time, I’m happy.