Meet Marina Glazounova | Makeup Artist & Visual Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Marina Glazounova and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Marina, can you tell us more about your background and the role it’s played in shaping who you are today?
I’m originally from Russia, where I lived until I graduated high school at 18 and moved to the U.S. Growing up, art was an important part of life — it is deeply valued in Russian society. My mom always said that kids rarely know what they truly like, so it’s a parent’s job to push them to try different things; otherwise, they’ll have too much free time and waste it — and honestly, she had a point.
So, like many kids, I started with music — I played the violin for five years. While it wasn’t my passion, it gave me discipline and a deep appreciation for music, especially when I see someone playing on the street — I always stop and support because I truly understand the skill and dedication it takes.
Eventually, it was art that truly captured me. I went to art school for four years, where I studied drawing and painting — that’s where I discovered my passion for creating. Over time, that passion naturally led me to makeup and beauty — another form of art, just with people as my canvas. I still paint to this day, but makeup became the medium that allows me to blend creativity and connection.
The first thing I did after moving to the U.S. was pursue my degree — because, as we joke in Russia, ‘the first earned degree is just to figure out what you don’t like’. Still, education is highly respected where I’m from, and earning my degree in Accounting and Finance from the University of Washington gave me a solid foundation that’s useful in life and business. It definitely didn’t hurt — and helped shape my professional mindset.
Moving alone to a new country at 18 was challenging, but it made me stronger. Honestly, I always thought — if I survived in Russia, there was no way I wouldn’t survive here. Looking back, every step — from music lessons to art school to moving across the world — shaped the way I see beauty and people today. It taught me that creativity isn’t just talent; it’s resilience, discipline, and the courage to start over.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
For me, art — whether it’s makeup or painting — has always been about connection and emotion.

In my makeup work, what sets me apart is that I don’t just see it as a beauty service — I feel like I’m breathing life into the person sitting in my chair. I love seeing their energy shift, their confidence grow, and their mood lift as they see themselves through my eyes. In a way, it feels like I’m part artist, part doctor — helping people heal a little, feel better, and walk away lighter.

In art school, I learned that creating is not just about drawing or painting whatever comes to mind — it’s about structure, proportions, understanding shapes, light, and shadows. That knowledge gave me a deep understanding of facial features — how every face is uniquely structured, yet beautifully balanced. And that’s what I bring into my makeup work. It’s never just about applying products — it’s about seeing the face as a canvas, respecting its natural harmony, and enhancing it.

It’s the same with painting — I create to make people feel something. Whether it’s beauty, nostalgia, or even a new perspective, I love when my art evokes emotion or sparks a thought. That’s the real power of art — it stays with you.

I’m proud that I’m not afraid to take risks — whether it was moving to a new country completely on my own at 18 or switching industries from accounting and finance to makeup. When I believe in something, I go all in. I trust that hard work and believing in yourself always lead to a good outcome, and I truly believe I’m capable of creating that for myself.

Of course, the journey hasn’t been easy. One of my biggest challenges is being a perfectionist — constantly feeling like what I create isn’t good enough. It takes a lot of discipline to pull myself out of that mindset and remind myself why I started. The biggest lesson I’ve learned is that no one is harder on us than we are on ourselves. But at the end of the day, creating — whether it’s a painting or a makeup look — is what keeps me grounded, inspired, and connected to people.

Looking ahead, I’d love to keep growing — not just as an artist, but eventually as a teacher. I’ve always believed that knowledge and creativity are meant to be shared, and one day, I hope to inspire others the way my mentors inspired me. That’s the heart of my story and my brand — creating with intention, connecting with people, and leaving something beautiful behind.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
We’d start by soaking in what I love most — the ocean. One of my favorite things is simply spending time at the beach. There’s something about the light, the movement of the waves, the warmth — it resets you.

One day, we’d definitely go horseback riding along the beach. I absolutely love horses, and riding on the sand with the ocean breeze in your face is such a magical experience. There are places near Key Biscayne that offer that, and I think it’s such a unique way to enjoy Miami’s nature.

We’d also spend some time in Wynwood — I love the artsy vibe there. It’s one of those neighborhoods that’s always alive with color, music, and creativity. Whether it’s checking out murals, popping into galleries, or stumbling upon live music, there’s always something happening.

I also believe Wynwood has some of the best food options in the city. And one amazing thing Miami introduced me to is Peruvian cuisine — I’ve completely fallen in love with it. So we’d definitely find a good local spot for ceviche or lomo saltado — simple, authentic, and full of flavor.

The rest of the trip would be more go-with-the-flow — that’s what I love about this city. There’s always something going on, whether it’s an art event, a rooftop show, or a quiet sunset bike ride along the coast. I’d want the week to feel natural and full of beauty — not a packed schedule, but a series of special moments that reflect what makes Miami so vibrant.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I definitely owe a lot to my mom. She was the one constantly pushing me to try new things — music, art, education — even when I didn’t fully understand why. Looking back, I realize she shaped my discipline and work ethic, and most importantly, she helped me discover my creative side. Her belief that ‘kids don’t always know what they like’ pushed me to explore, and I’m so grateful for that.

I also want to give credit to my art teacher back in art school — she was truly an angel and incredibly talented. She had a rare gift for teaching, and you could feel how deeply she loved art and sharing it with others. To this day, she inspires me — and I hope that one day, I’ll pass on what I’ve learned with the same grace and passion she carried.

Website: https://www.mbeautystudio.co

Instagram: marinamakemeup

Image Credits
Photographer: Alexandra McQueen
Photographer: Gabrielle Resnick
Photographer: Lena Plotnikova