Meet Polina Pyshkina | Makeup artist

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

Hi Polina, every day, we about how much execution matters, but we think ideas matter as well. How did you come up with the idea for your business?
When my family and I came to the USA back in 2014 I was trying to find a job according to my degree as well as experience. I’ve been working as a purchasing manager back in my home country for about 8 years. But unfortunately no one wanted to hire me since I didn’t have any experience in this profession in the USA. But how can I get any if no one wanted to hire me? So I was really upset and didn’t know what to do. But I was into all things beauty for all my life, especially makeup and I thought I would try a career of a makeup artist and my husband supported the idea. This is how a frustration became the beginning of my business.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I remember when I was pretty young (maybe 10 years old) that I was looking through my first beauty magazine and there was a model with a very natural makeup look and I was looking at it(makeup) and couldn’t understand how she has all these shades on her eyes, like how is it possible? How is it possible to place these shades so seamlessly and how are they so flattering? At that point I didn’t know makeup brushes existed (lol). I was looking at this image for a while. And I remember that this was the point when I started being interested in makeup. My mom never wore any makeup, maybe on special occasion but not very often. So I couldn’t play with makeup or had any since we lived in a post Soviet country with shortages of all kind. Any makeup was such a luxury that even a Louis Vuitton bag nowadays can not compare (laugh). But year after year makeup started to appear in the stores and it was like a candy shop for me. I would go and look at it and imagine how I would play with it. I saved lunch money and then spent it on makeup. Needless to say that this passion was inside of me even when I was obtaining my bachelor’s degree in economics and then worked as a purchasing manager for several years. So when the right moment came I didn’t think twice and jumped into career of a makeup artist. It was extremely hard in the beginning lacking knowledge in different eye and face shapes and complexions. I didn’t have any images showing my work to get more clientele. So it was very slow in the beginning. But client after client I got more confidence in myself as well as great reviews of my work, and with the help of word of mouth I had every weekend full of weddings and clients in about 2 years. Bridal makeup artistry was my niche and I was pretty happy with it. But I was always creative in everything I did and I was dreaming to be published in a magazine one day though I didn’t know where to start. Another challenge in my career was the moment we moved from Baltimore, MD to Tampa, FL. So I had to start all over again! I tried to find connections and advertise myself but then COVID hit the world and everything was put on a long hold. No weddings no clients … But all the ideas I had in my mind I just needed to express on others. Very slowly I started to collaborate with other creatives and after one year since the lockdown I have 13 (more pending) published works, I’ve worked with many talented people and build connections. More clients are looking for my services as I was highly recommended which I am so thankful for! The lesson that I’ve learnt from my career is that you can never give up! Every challenge is a new beginning!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
People come to Florida because of the ocean, so 100% first stop will be the beach. I love Saint Petersburg beach as you have many things in one when you go there. You can start your day with chilling on the beach, slowly flowing into the delicious restaurant (I didn’t have any bad experience with restaurants in there, they are all outstanding and always packed!) for a lunch, then you have some amusements to visit or simply to walk around this beautiful area.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My husband has always been my support in everything that I do or plan to do, so of course I would not be where I am right now without him. He has always been on and by my side and I am very thankful for it!

Website: www.makeupbypolina.com

Instagram: MakeupByPolinaP

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/polina.pyshkina.50

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_xckfk-zRElegAV-SjgQhg

Other: pyshkinap@gmail.com

Image Credits
Vasili Loparnos, Vivi Prince, Leonard Selmani, Addison Saieg, James Freeman, Daria Dereza, Sophie Lin Berard, Sarah Berard, Alfred Beks, Kaytie Odom, Jordan Lobik