Iryna Bublyk, a leading Ukrainian makeup artist, spoke about her career and how her profession helps women believe in themselves.
1. Tell us about your career as a makeup artist (when and how did you start? Did anyone help you? Who did you study with?).
I am an economist by education. I worked in my specialty for 5 years, after which I decided to change my life dramatically and plunged into the world of beauty and bright colors. In 2016, I graduated from the most powerful makeup school in Ukraine, Natalia Naida, where my formation as a makeup artist began. I started my career, probably like all my colleagues, with a lot of creative shoots with models. Thanks to the content, the first clients and orders began to appear. It was not an easy period with many challenges and a desire to give up, but thanks to the support of my family, I stayed afloat and continued to work. I met new people, had interesting collaborations, and was involved in various projects with colleagues. Gradually, I reached a level where I realized that I could no longer live without it.
2. What inspires you the most in your work?
People are very inspiring! Colleagues and everyone who deals with beauty. I am also inspired by nature and the visual content of professional platforms. The most powerful charge to keep moving is provided by the shining eyes of my satisfied clients.
3. What courses or trainings do you plan to take to improve your skills (perhaps you teach students yourself? Tell us more about this)?
After the basic course, I have been improving my skills every year. I have studied at Tomina studio, Roshar, Danessa Myricks, Felix Shtein and many others. In 2018, I started teaching the art of makeup myself – first for clients, and later for future colleagues who wanted to join this field. This, of course, involved my continuous parallel development as a master. The list included courses other than makeup: hairstyles, beauty photography for social media, marketing for beauty professionals, and business management. Now I learn about most trends or new products in the beauty market from social media and fashion market influencers.
4. Who do you do makeup for most often?
Before moving to America, I worked mainly on set, participated in projects for famous brands, and worked with politicians. When I moved to the United States, I found myself in a place that is the 2nd most popular place for weddings (after Las Vegas). Therefore, 90% of my clients are brides from all over America. It’s not only incredible to meet people, but also to work with so many types, nationalities, and different requests.
5.Tell us about your unique makeup style, what techniques you use and what inspires you?
I have two styles. One is very natural, natural makeup, with which I emphasize all the best in the client’s appearance, soft glam, as Americans say. The other is graphics and drama for fashion looks on set. Here I go all out with bright colors, trendy techniques and various textures.
6. How do you motivate yourself when you feel tired or burned out?
As soon as I feel apathetic about my professional fulfillment, I give myself time to rest and recharge. I spend a lot of time in nature and with my family.
During such periods, it gives me a lot of strength to move forward to communicate with colleagues who also face similar issues from time to time. We share experiences, encourage each other, and support each other. It also helps me to reconsider my path, evaluate what I have already achieved in my profession and re-read the feedback from grateful clients.
7.What advice would you give to newcomers to the field of makeup to achieve success?
It is crucial to believe in yourself and be patient. It’s a slow process, just like any other field. You have to work hard for quality, not quantity. And most importantly, develop your communication skills! This will 100% help you succeed wherever you are and whatever you do.
8.How do social networks help you promote yourself as a makeup artist?
Today, social networks are number 1 for me in promoting myself as a master. 90% of my clients find me on Instagram, and 10% – on the recommendations of friends and acquaintances. That’s why I spend so much time designing the page’s visuals and creating useful content for my followers. It really works!
BIO:
⁃ Makeup artist, hair stylist.
10 years of experience.
⁃ Author of an online makeup course and a Beauty Guide on the choice of cosmetics.
⁃ Owner of a beauty studio in Kyiv.
⁃ Organizer of the project “Photo bachelorette party in Europe” (Spain, Italy).
⁃ Winner of the International Makeup Championship.
⁃ Collaboration with top companies in the world (Playboy, Loreal Paris, Davines, Makeup Atelier, Bronx, etc.).
⁃ Participation in the show “Supermodel Ukrainian-2” on STB and the talk show “Ukraine Speaks” on the New Channel.
⁃ Publication in Ukrainian and American professional journals.
⁃ Licensed makeup artist of America.
⁃ Judge of international beauty industry championships.
