Concluding his Maestro of Beauty 2025 journey with the Third Runner Up title, Thien Huong Duong (Duong Dinh Hieu) affirmed a professional style marked by perseverance and deep reflection. To him, the art of makeup is a convergence of technique, kindness, and a strong aspiration to preserve original cultural values.
The pit stop to recover the personal voice
Before coming to Maestro of Beauty, Thien Huong Duong had tested himself in many different professional competitions. However, most of those previous contests placed heavy emphasis on technical frameworks, creating certain limitations on creativity. As a result, he did not have sufficient space to fully express his artistic thinking and inherent personal depth. It was only upon stepping into the “arena” of Maestro of Beauty, a platform that values identity and professional storytelling, that Thien Huong Duong truly found a stage worthy of showcasing his craftsmanship and inner voice.
For Duong Dinh Hieu, this competition was never merely a race for titles. He viewed it as a necessary “pause” after many years devoted to the craft. It became a precious opportunity for self dialogue, allowing him to revisit fundamental questions about the values he has long pursued. The kindness he continues to uphold, along with the personal identity he has steadily built, became the pillars that enabled him to stand firm on a grand stage filled with pressure and rigorous standards.
The courage to overcome inner fights
The journey at Maestro of Beauty was a continuous series of challenges demanding intense focus. Alongside the heavy workload and time pressure, Thien Huong Duong also had to confront prolonged, silent inner struggles. At certain moments, he openly admitted that he fell into states of exhaustion and self doubt.
However, it was precisely these moments of being forced to face himself with honesty that allowed him to gain deeper self understanding. He gradually became more grounded and mature, both in his profession and in his approach to everyday life. “Maestro of Beauty is like a large mirror, where I have to face myself directly,” he shared. That clarity of self awareness shaped a resilient Third Runner Up who remains steadfast in the values he believes in.
The soul of Kinh Bac shining on a modern stage
At the grand finale held on January 26, 2026 at Binh Minh Studio, Thien Huong Duong created a distinctive resonance by choosing Bac Ninh Quan ho folk songs as his source of creative inspiration. This is a cultural heritage that grows deeper the more it is explored, and becomes more moving the more it is felt. Through his hands, the image of a Kinh Bac woman emerged with gentleness and grace, yet carried an enduring inner strength.
For Thien Huong Duong, traditional beauty is always about continuity and renewal rather than mere nostalgia. He chose a restrained makeup approach, placing emphasis on emotion and aura instead of showcasing overly elaborate techniques. Every detail was oriented toward harmony between tradition and modernity. This approach transformed Quan ho into a living emotion, touching the hearts of contemporary audiences. It stands as clear proof of a humanistic aesthetic mindset that consistently honors the original soul of the nation’s cultural heritage.
The fruits of perseverance and kindness
The Third Runner Up title at Maestro of Beauty 2025 is a well deserved recognition of Thien Huong Duong’s serious and deeply reflective professional journey. Beyond rankings and titles, the most valuable reward he gained from the competition is a firm belief in the path he has chosen.
In the future, Thien Huong Duong is expected to deliver even more breakthrough works, contributing to the celebration of the beauty of the Vietnamese soul. His journey affirms a simple truth: when one practices their craft with wholehearted dedication and kindness, glory will always be present in the most respectful and meaningful way.
