Zing is a celebrated makeup artist who has worked in the beauty industry for 20 years. He has painted the faces of top stars such as Faye Wong, Sammi Cheng and Shu Qi. He talks to June Ng about his passion for cosmetics and his opinions on originality.

I’m from a traditional Singaporean family. My parents are both teachers. They never forced me to do anything that I didn’t like. They supported me even when I decided to become a makeup artist because they love me so much.

I originally wanted to go into set design, but I wanted to be a makeup artist, too. One day, someone told me that I had to choose one or I’d never be able to excel in either.

Moving to Hong Kong was never part of the plan. I came to visit, and then decided to leave everything in Singapore and come here. I love how hectic it is here. It suits my impatience!

I’m a stressed-filled person, but I don’t think stress is my motivation. It’s extremely unhealthy. Don’t act like me; I still get a stomachache every time I have to do makeup for concerts.

I’m a control freak. When I get close to people, I care about them and I just want them to improve.

It’s hard to find a balance. I think life is pretty much about achieving balance,
harmony and coordination—how nice you want to be, how arrogant you want to be... it’s all about finding the right point.

I’m a Libra, and that’s why I find it important to have balance in my life. But it’s not a good thing if you strive too hard for that. You just end up being indecisive.
Am I a happy person? A few years back I’d say, “Yes, I’m very happy” without any hesitation. Now I’d just say, “I’m OK."

Am I a happy person?  A few years back I'd say, "Yes, I'm very happy" without any hesitation.  Now I's just say, "I'm OK."

I’m 30-something now. As you get older, you have more responsibilities, but deep inside you don’t want to be a 100 percent grown-up.

I set up a makeup school because I want to lift the standing of makeup artists in Hong Kong. It’s not about random people putting random stuff on people’s faces. You need technique!

It’s getting harder for counterfeit makeup artists to survive. We’re in a high definition era, which requires flawlessness. So people had better learn! I don’t think anyone has the perfect face. I don’t agree with that concept of perfection.

I don’t see myself as an “artist” as such. It’s irritating when I’m negotiating serious business deals. People say, ”Oh, you’re such an artist!” They don’t take me seriously. 

What’s make-up for me? It’s visual pleasure, a visual aesthetic.

I only wear makeup when it’s absolutely necessary, like if I have to go on TV. I wipe it off as soon as I’m done. Makeup irks me when it’s on my face.

I hate people who keep talking about how original they are. That’s bullshit. Either they’re extremely pompous, or they live in a very small world. How can they be sure nobody has ever done what they’ve done?

The two most important things in a person are having good health and a sense of righteousness. I have the latter and I’m hoping that my health is fine.

I don’t believe that Hong Kong is a righteous society. But I love the place! I love how you can pay a taxi driver to go faster, for example. So if you can’t beat it, go with it and make the best of it.

I’m afraid of death. But I’m afraid of cockroaches too! I don’t worry about getting old.

How can we grow old gracefully? Try not to think about it.

Additional reporting by Laura Paterson.