After 5 reality TV episodes with challenges in makeup, makeup and creativity, Bao Phuc (born in 2000, from Dong Thap) excellently won the championship at the "The M.U. A - Talented Makeup Artist 2026" contest held in Ho Chi Minh City.
In the first challenge, the contestants had 240 minutes to create works according to 5 themes: Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, Earth. Accordingly, 4 contestants entered the final round including Cee Duong, Vokxy, Bao Phuc, Truc Chi and Diem Le. Founder Ho Khanh used a special choice to bring Jack Do Do to the next round.
Top 6 continued to compete when they had 20 minutes to create layouts based on fashion designs by designer Chung Thanh Phong. Contestants drew costumes and built makeup styles suitable for the spirit of each design.
In the deciding round, each contestant had 2 minutes to answer questions about the makeup - makeup profession. Bao Phuc (Ngoc Hien's team) was asked about the values that artists need to maintain in the context of AI being increasingly widely used, especially in image editing, as well as how to develop themselves to adapt to technology.
Bao Phuc frankly said that the emergence of AI is inevitable as society develops. Technology can help people find ideas and access information faster, but according to him, artists still have their own values that are not easy to replace.
For a makeup artist, I believe that with a hot heart and artistic hands, the artist will be the one to paint the works. And no one can replace it" - Bao Phuc emphasized.
He also added that if he becomes the Champion of "The M.U.A 2026", he will continue to learn to spread the ethical values of the profession, develop himself and not let technology obscure the inherent talent of an artist.
The answers helped Bao Phuc express his views on the balance between technology and human factors in the makeup profession. After the competitions, he was voted by the judges (makeup artist Ho Thien Tuan - Head of the Judging Panel, designer Chung Thanh Phong, singer Nhat Kim Anh, body painting artist Hoa Nguyen...) and became the Champion of the "The M.U. A - Talented Makeup Artist 2026" competition.
Becoming the Champion of "The M.U.A 2026" also marks a new milestone for the male contestant in the process of pursuing the makeup profession.
Besides, contestant Cee Duong (Thanh Liem team) won 1st runner-up, Vokxy (Tran Minh Nhut team) and Jack Do Do (Hai Van team) both received 2nd runner-up.
The program awarded a number of additional prizes to contestants Ngoc Quynh and Tran Thuy - Inspirational Makeup Artist award; Phuong Phuong - Impressive Makeup Artist award; Thu Ngan and Nam Nguyen - Promising Makeup Artist award; Tran Hong was voted the Most Favorite Makeup Artist.
The "The M.U. A - Talented Makeup Artist 2026" contest co-founded by artists Ho Khanh and Ho Thien Tuan, aims to find faces with expertise and personality in the field of makeup. The contest also creates opportunities for contestants to show their skills, aesthetic thinking and personal imprint through practical challenges.
