Meet Yuliya Morska | Makeup artist

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

Hi Yuliya, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
Ever since I was a little girl growing up in Ukraine, I felt a deep connection to beauty, color, and transformation. I didn’t have a traditional path laid out for me — I carved my own. Makeup became my language, my way to express not only creativity but care, strength, and emotion. I didn’t just want to paint a face — I wanted to empower the woman behind it.

Over time, this passion grew into a profession. I worked in television, beauty pageants, trained future artists, judged competitions, and built a respected studio in Kharkiv. But when war changed everything, I had to start over in the U.S. That leap — both terrifying and full of hope — proved to me that true artistry isn’t about brushes or products. It’s about resilience, reinvention, and the courage to keep creating no matter the circumstances.

Pursuing a creative career wasn’t a choice — it was a calling. And I’m still answering it every day, whether I’m working backstage at fashion week, helping a bride feel like her most radiant self, or teaching someone how to believe in their own talent.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My art is about transformation — not just on the outside, but from within. I believe makeup is not a mask; it’s a mirror. It reflects who a woman is, or who she dares to become. What sets me apart is my approach: I don’t just apply makeup — I connect with my clients, understand their energy, and create a look that enhances their personality, not hides it.

I’ve been in the industry since 2008, with a journey that began in Ukraine and has taken me from TV studios and beauty contests to international fashion weeks and celebrity clients. I’ve trained hundreds of students and judged competitions, but what I’m most proud of is the trust I’ve built with women over the years — from brides to models to mothers rediscovering their beauty.

Was it easy? Not at all. Leaving everything behind during the war and starting over in the U.S. with no support system was the biggest challenge of my life. But I refused to let fear stop me. I learned how to adapt, how to network in a new culture, how to rebuild my brand from scratch. Every booking, every recommendation, every compliment reminded me that I’m still on the right path.

The most important lesson I’ve learned? Never lose your identity. Trends change, cities change, but your style — your truth — is what makes your art valuable.

I want the world to know that I’m more than a makeup artist. I’m a storyteller. I help women own their beauty, feel seen, and walk with confidence. And I’m here to keep building a community where every artist, no matter where they come from, knows they have a place.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If my best friend came to visit, I’d make sure she had the most unforgettable, glamorous and soulful week in Miami. Here’s how I’d plan it:

Day 1: Ocean Drive + Sunset Welcome
We’d start with a walk along Ocean Drive — a classic intro to Miami’s Art Deco vibes. Dinner at Gianni’s at the former Versace Mansion — elegant, iconic, unforgettable. Then cocktails at The Broken Shaker — chic and relaxed.

Day 2: Wynwood + Art + Vibes
A full day in Wynwood — exploring murals, art galleries, and trendy boutiques. We’d grab lunch at Coyo Taco and finish the day at Wynwood Walls. In the evening: dinner and music at Mayami Wynwood, for full-on Miami energy.

Day 3: Self-Care + Sunset Yacht
A slow morning with massages or facials at Lapis Spa at the Fontainebleau. Then we’d dress up and take a sunset yacht cruise from Miami Beach Marina — champagne, music, wind in the hair.

Day 4: Little Havana + Latin Soul
We’d dive into culture with a visit to Little Havana — strong cafecito, Cuban art, and music. Dinner at Ball & Chain, with live salsa, and maybe a little dancing if the night calls for it.

Day 5: Fashion + Shopping + Style
A shopping day at Miami Design District — fashion, art, and luxury. Lunch at Swan (very “see and be seen”). Later, rooftop drinks at Sugar in Brickell, overlooking the skyline.

Day 6: Beach Day + Brunch Vibes
A relaxed beach day at South Pointe Beach, followed by a fabulous brunch at Nikki Beach. Perfect to unwind, dance barefoot in the sand, and soak up that tropical energy.

Day 7: Local Life + Creative Heart
I’d bring her to one of my favorite makeup studios or events — show her the behind-the-scenes of my creative world. We’d finish with a quiet dinner in Coconut Grove, maybe at Glass & Vine, under the banyan trees — just us, good wine, and deep conversation.

Miami is more than beaches — it’s art, culture, rhythm, and energy. And I’d make sure she felt it all.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Moving to the United States was one of the most challenging and life-changing decisions I’ve ever made. Starting from zero in a new country — with a new language, culture, and no connections — was terrifying. But the people I met along the way made all the difference.

I want to give my deepest thanks to Olga Godina and her incredible team, who welcomed me backstage at New York Fashion Week and Miami Men’s Fashion Week. Their trust in my talent gave me the confidence to believe that I belong here.

I also want to recognize my amazing clients — especially the women from the Florida Panthers’ hockey families — who supported my work, referred me to others, and treated me not just as a makeup artist, but as a part of their world.

To every friend and colleague in the Miami beauty industry who shared opportunities, lifted me up, and reminded me that there’s room for all of us to grow — thank you. Your warmth made me feel at home when everything around me was unfamiliar.

And of course, I carry in my heart the strength and artistry I gained in Ukraine — it shaped me. But it’s the people here in America who gave me space to rise again.

Website: https://juliamorska.com

Instagram: @juliimore

Linkedin: Check out Yuliya Morska’s profile on LinkedIn

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1CVAyK3DdW/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Image Credits
Yuliya Morska