Meet Anna Novikova

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Anna Novikova a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Anna, really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?

How I Found My Calling

Since childhood, I’ve been passionate about art, I studied at an art school, spent hours drawing, and learned about proportions, light, and shadows. Later, I enrolled in an architecture program, where I continued developing my creative skills. But after graduating and working at the city’s architecture department, I quickly realized that this career wasn’t for me.

Everything changed by chance. My husband was a photographer at the time, and we were always brainstorming creative photoshoots. I used to make accessories and decorations myself, but we constantly struggled to find a makeup artist. One day, he suggested that I try doing the makeup myself. I had already been experimenting on myself and my friends, but I was terrified of working on models without professional training. So, I signed up for a makeup course, not because I planned to pursue it professionally, but simply to help him with shoots.

But I got hooked. I started following makeup artists, attending masterclasses, and taking on clients. At first, it was just a side hustle, after work, during lunch breaks, and on weekends. But eventually, I realized that juggling two professions was no longer an option.

The turning point came when I discovered the NYX Face Awards competition. The challenge was to create an artistic makeup look on myself, film the process, and use only NYX products. I spent hours painting these looks, stayed up all night, cried from exhaustion, but every time, I proved to myself that I could do it. And And I won! I became the first winner in Ukraine and got the opportunity to attend the finals of the main competition in Los Angeles. It was my first trip abroad, and it changed my life.

After that, I was invited to exhibitions and masterclasses, won new competitions, worked with clients, and continued to learn and grow. And somehow, this is how I found my true calling. I’ve now been in the makeup industry for a full 10 years.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

I’m a makeup artist with a deep passion for creativity and artistic expression. My journey started with a love for art and evolved into a career where I bring imaginative concepts to life through makeup. What excites me most is the ability to transform faces into works of art, whether for fashion, editorial shoots, or creative projects. I love pushing boundaries, experimenting with bold colors, textures, and innovative techniques to create something truly unique.

Beyond makeup, I create video content showcasing unique looks and techniques, inspiring others to see beauty as a limitless form of self-expression. A slightly updated format is coming soon, stay tuned for fresh and exciting content

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Looking back, the three biggest factors in my journey have been creativity, persistence, and passion. Creativity helps me experiment, think outside the box, and develop my unique style. Persistence has been key, especially when competing in contests, it pushed me to improve, step out of my comfort zone, and keep going despite challenges. And above all, passion keeps me motivated, it makes learning and growing feel natural. My advice to beginners is to stay curious, take on challenges, and truly enjoy the process.

Before we go, any advice you can share with people who are feeling overwhelmed?

When I feel overwhelmed, I allow myself to take a break and completely step away from anything related to makeup. I focus more on everyday things, like home tasks, spending time outside, or just doing something simple that doesn’t require creativity. This helps me reset and clear my mind. Once I start feeling refreshed, I slowly get back into it, exploring ideas, looking at inspiring works, and letting my creativity flow naturally. I’ve learned that forcing inspiration rarely works, but giving myself space to breathe always brings it back.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://novikovamakeup.com/
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/novikova.annie

Image Credits

@olesia_stoliar, @kristinamenissov, @angelinapirts, @katepylypchenko, @isaattolini @sashazarphoto, @annalirra