We Spoke To:
Huy Victor, Artist & Trainer from Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam
Huy Victor is a passionate PMU master & trainer. He’s been in the beauty industry for 8 years. He’s trained 300+ students. He specializes in lips & brows, offering treatments that stand out. He’s developed the Mastery Magnum technique for ombre lips & Mastery Strokes for soft hair strokes. He lives and works in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, where he balances his time between treatments & teaching.
The ombre effect has been around for a while in the beauty world. Its debut was the 2016 Instagram brow makeup that was perhaps the first-ever viral beauty trend, and it soon seeped into the PMU world, first with brows, and eventually migrating to lips. But ombre lip blush with a saturated center and soft, no-border edges is not something we see so often nowadays simply because it’s a tricky technique and there aren’t that many artists who can do it right.
But today, PMUHub’s Editor-in-Chief Emily is speaking to an artist who absolutely can. Huy Victor’s profile is full of amazingly natural, soft, and delicate lips that redefine the you-lips-but-better look. Here’s how he does it.
Perfecting the Ombre Lip
Huy Victor does a seriously natural lip. His technique is “a signature shading method using magnum needles without anesthetics, providing clients with natural, beautiful results without swelling or discomfort. Clients want to look effortlessly beautiful, and this preference for natural aesthetics continues to dominate the PMU industry.”
And when we say natural, here’s what we mean:
This look is very universal, but the technique is something deeply personal to Huy. “In Vietnam, as well as internationally, it’s all about enhancing natural features so subtly that it feels as if nothing has been done. Ombre lips are deeply inspired by Asian beauty preferences, where people love the look of a gradient lip — darker on the inside and lighter toward the edges. This soft, blurred effect creates a youthful and delicate appearance without sharply defined lip lines, giving the lips a natural, effortless charm.”
It’s in sharp contrast with the current makeup trend of brown lip liner blended into a lighter lipstick, which just shows that trends belong to the world of topical makeup; PMU is where natural is king.
“The special thing about my ombre lip technique is that it enhances the lips so naturally that it looks like nothing has been done. The results are so subtle and seamless that no one can tell the client just had their lips done — it’s all about effortless beauty. This technique is particularly popular among young Asian clients, who favor a natural look over heavy or dramatic results.”
Effortless is exactly what most people want in their beauty routine, but how does Huy achieve this?
It’s All About Color Placement…
“To achieve the natural gradient effect, I control the amount of pigment deposited, ensuring darker tones are concentrated on the inner lips and gradually fading outward.”
This makes the lips look fuller without looking artificial, as the gradient gives the effect of plumpness. The edges are gives some definition, but without harshness, so they don’t look colored in, but rather naturally rosy.
“Creating the perfect ombre effect — a seamless gradient from darker tones inside to lighter tones outside — was a challenge,” Huy admits. “It required careful control over pigment placement and a deep understanding of color theory to ensure the transitions were smooth and natural-looking.”
Aaaand there it is – color theory. A major aspect of every successful lip blush. “Choosing the right pigment is also crucial,” he adds. “I always consider the client’s natural lip color and skin tone to select the perfect balance of light and dark hues that enhance their features while maintaining harmony. This makes the results look fresh, natural, and suited to the individual.”
… And a Soft Approach
But all that fails if the final execution of the look isn’t perfect. Getting the final implementation right is what makes or breaks the result. And while it’s impossible to accurately understand an artist’s technique without experiencing it live, Huy shares some of his secrets:
“My signature technique enhances the ombre effect using magnum needles. This method allows me to achieve a seamless transition of colors without swelling or discomfort, staying true to the soft and natural aesthetic that clients love.”
@huyvictorpmu Đôi môi được sử dụng hoàn toàn bằng kim Magnum kể cả lòng và khử thâm viền, không tê, ko sưng ạ 🫦. Mọi người đăng kí khoá học inbox Huy nhé #masterymagnum #pmu #HuyVictor #huyvictorpmu #pmulips #lipblush ♬ original sound - Huy Huy
Magnum needles used to be completely overlooked in the PMU world. Huy understands why: “Working with magnum needles presents its own difficulties. Magnum needles are efficient for coverage, but achieving a soft, natural effect without oversaturating or creating a heavy, unnatural look requires practice and experimentation. It took me two years to research, develop, and perfect this look to suit a variety of clients.”
But judging from the stunning results Huy gives their clients, it was worth it.
“Magnum needles are ideal for lips because they allow me to deposit pigment evenly and efficiently, creating a smooth gradient effect without overworking the skin. The wide configuration of magnum needles helps achieve a soft and natural blend of color, which is essential for the ombre lip style. In addition, the magnum needle can minimize damage to the lips, so the client will feel more comfortable. After the procedure, the lips feel light.”
Lips are a sensitive part of the face. The tissue is thin and contains many nerve endings. So when I heard that Huy does not use any anesthetics, I needed to know how he manages to keep his clients comfortable:
“The decision not to use numbing cream required me to refine my technique to ensure clients could remain comfortable throughout the process. The key to minimizing pain, discomfort, and swelling is that I focus on maintaining a steady and even hand, ensuring that the force applied to the lip surface is consistent throughout the procedure.”
Challenges of the Past and for the Future
When a technique takes 2 years to develop, you can be sure it overcame any obstacles and predicted potential complications. We asked Huy about the areas where he encountered difficulties and what his students struggle with:
“One mistake was underestimating the importance of skin analysis. Not every technique works the same on every client’s skin type, and failing to adapt can lead to uneven results. I always remind my students to take the time to understand the client’s skin condition and to adjust their technique accordingly.
One common mistake that beginner artists often make is working too quickly. I learned the hard way that overworking the skin can lead to trauma and poor healing. Beginners often try to perfect every detail during the procedure, but I teach my students to trust the process and remember that less is often more.
These lessons have shaped my teaching approach, ensuring that my students avoid these pitfalls and start their careers with confidence and skill.”
But just because Huy already invested so much time and effort into his techniques, doesn’t mean he’s ready to stop. We were curious about what’s next for him:
“These techniques have been carefully crafted to meet the needs of my clients and students, and I believe there’s always room to elevate them further.
At the moment, I don’t have plans to introduce any new techniques. My focus is on perfecting and further refining the techniques I’ve already developed. I believe 2025 will be another breakthrough year for natural beauty trends. Ombre lips and hairstroke brows will remain at the forefront.”
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PMUHub is an independent editorial platform for the permanent makeup industry. Our articles are written by our editorial team or by PMU professionals and industry experts, and — where the subject involves health or safety — reviewed by a qualified professional before publication.
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