HER MOTHER’S DAUGHTER
Jenny Lam of Vestiaire Collective, the online platform for pre-loved luxury goods, gets candid about the impact her mother, Nina, has had on her life—from the power of a perfectly shaded eyebrow to the importance of self-confidence
Tell us about your mother, Nina. She is full of energy. She is a problem-solver and devotes a lot of her time to helping others. She is also an unbelievably good cook. We have a love-hate relationship. Most of the time we’re all about loving one another, but there are also moments when she proves me wrong. One of her favourite phrases is, “Know that your mother is always right.”
What do you admire most about her? She is very skilled at multitasking and it amazes me how she is able to fully commit to every aspect of her life, whether that be spending quality time with family, investing in numerous philanthropic endeavours or investing in self-care.
How were you introduced to make-up? My first memory of make-up dates back to my very first ballet performance. I must have been about four years old.
Did your mother teach you about skincare? She taught me the importance of removing make-up and washing my face before going to bed. And also why you should keep your hands off your face. It’s tempting to mindlessly touch your face during the day, but oil and bacteria from your hands will lead to breakouts.
What did she teach you about wellness? She’s an advocate for clean eating and has always discouraged me from experimenting with any extreme diets. She’s also always telling me that water is my best friend.
What is her best make-up tip? She introduced me to eyebrow gel, and I’m still learning from her how best to shape my brows. To date she’s the only person I’ve allowed to pluck them.
How do your make-up preferences differ? My mother always looks camera-ready. She has perfect brows, sports winged eyeliner and is rarely seen without her red lipstick. I’m the total opposite. I prefer the no-make-up look and stick to a modest beauty routine. In what ways has your mother influenced you? When I think of my mother, I think of the Chinese idiom “The appearance is born of the heart.” She has always taught me to do good in life. I try to be kind and help others when I can because I hope to follow her example.
It sounds clichéd to say that beauty comes from within, but this is something my mother has always instilled in me. Looking presentable gives other people a good first impression, which is important, but there is so much more to life and a person than having flawless skin and make-up.
“It sounds clichéd to say that beauty comes from within, but this is something my mother has always instilled in me”