Meet Judy, a JEWELHONEY who has gone from standing out to becoming outstanding. Looking and feeling different from her surroundings, she shares her story to overcoming her distinctions and embracing her authentic self.
JEWELHONEY catches up with Judy to discuss the wisdom to her resilience and brilliance. So from the lips of one great woman to another...
TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOURSELF AND SOME OF YOUR FAVOURITE THINGS?
Who am I? That was fascinating to me when I was younger. Born in Dublin in 1981, my father from Hong Kong and a Vietnamese mother who fled here after the war, I was always confused by telling anyone who asked that I am "Irish". With the only thing allowing me this right was being born in this city. The strange thing is still to this day, telling anyone that I am Irish still boggles a lot of people's minds. I know that I now just see myself as a world citizen.
I studied art and design education in the National College of art and design, one of Ireland's prestigious art colleges. I wasn't an academic student ever, finding numbers and words a bit more of a challenge. Creating and changing something from nothing to beautiful was a natural passion of mine. I wanted to become a primary school teacher, but I wasn't good at understanding the Irish language and learning it so my art teacher suggested I become an art teacher too. Now I am a qualified art teacher.
Along with my teaching, I am a trainer/educator training in beauty academies around Ireland for the last 15 years. I've worked with all the luxury brands in the business - MAC, YSL, TOM FORD, CHANEL, LAURA MERCIER, GEORGIO ARMANI and so many more. I am a humanitarian makeup artist loving my experiences with people more so than using my artistry. I recognize that my skills bring out a smile and joy to all genders and races I've worked with over my career and it is a privilege to be a part of that unique experience.
Some of my favorite things to do are dress up, be around music, festivals, or live gigs and dancing. I love hot yoga and exercises that encourage mindfulness with your body. I am a Reiki practitioner. I love all things to help the human spirit (including my own) to become closely connected to themselves. Lastly, I love traveling and seeing diverse cultures, eating their foods and being immersed in their world of heritage, senses, and visual experience, eye candy!
WHAT EXPERIENCE HAS SHAPED YOU THE MOST INTO WHO YOU ARE TODAY?
Being bullied and ignored when I was a child in junior infants and senior infants had such a huge impact on my behavior as a child and as a growing person. I was a soft, shy, and a sensitive soul. Not being accepted and not being able to play with the other kids really upset me, but I know it wasn't anyone's fault. The kids who didn't play with me were not used to my culture or looks and even though I was born in Dublin I didn't look Irish. I was also bullied in an international company and my mental health was not right. I was severely exhausted by the treatment and not feeling accepted in a company that is global was hard. I learned a lot about being an outcast and how to be an accepting person. Growing into an adult meant I tried my best to not make anyone feel like they don't matter, or to leave them out. I live by the motto of 'Treat people how you would like to be treated.'
WHAT KNOWLEDGE AND WISDOM CAN YOU SHARE FROM THIS EXPERIENCE AND OTHER EXPERIENCES?
I think my take away from the bullying experience is the old saying of "what doesn't kill you makes you stronger". Bullying has hurt me and my mental wellness but I've learned to forgive. Bullies tend to project their fears on to you and they do this because they are not happy positive people. I've learned that it is so important to stand up for what you feel is right. Good always triumphs.
WHO ARE THE WOMEN IN YOUR LIFE THAT INSPIRE YOU? WHO ARE YOUR JEWELHONEY's?
My mother is a real JEWELHONEY. She had me in a cocoon inside her for 9 months and gave birth to me. That's just an unbelievable experience. She is just such a good soul, my mom. I love my godmother Mary, an Irish woman from the Liberties in Dublin. A real character and straight up, no messing around with her. She tells you the truth. And Oprah Winfrey just because she always had an amazing effect with humanity and she is so giving and wise and I want to be wise like her. Being real, genuine, and learning to be an authentic human being are key things for me to have in my life. It took me a long time to find the woman who I admired in others within myself, but when you get there it is all worth it!
TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT JUDY CHECK OUT THE LINKS BELOW
INSTAGRAM - judibells
FACEBOOK - Judywongmakeupartist