With a career that began in Ukraine’s highly competitive beauty industry and continued in the United States, Kateryna Cherkasenko has developed an approach rooted in precision, observation, and a deep respect for individuality. Her work focuses on enhancing what already exists, guided by an understanding of structure, emotion, and personal identity. In this interview, she reflects on how her early experiences shaped her perspective, how cultural environments inform her creative decisions, and why she sees makeup as a process of recognition. She also discusses the evolving role of makeup artists, the importance of psychological awareness in her work, and her definition of success at this stage of her career.
By Luc Durand
04.05.2026
1. You began your career in the beauty industry before relocating to the United States how did those early experiences shape your approach today?
I began my career in Ukraine, where the beauty industry is highly competitive and detail oriented. That environment shaped my discipline and trained me to see beyond surface-level aesthetics.
Working with clients in such a demanding market taught me to focus on precision, skin quality, and the emotional aspect of beauty. When I moved to the United States, I didn’t reinvent my approach — I refined it.
Today, my work combines that strong technical foundation with a deeper understanding of individuality and presence, allowing me to adapt across different cultures while maintaining a consistent artistic voice.
2. You often describe makeup as a form of recognition rather than transformation—how does this idea translate into your work with clients?
For me, makeup is not about changing someone — it’s about revealing them.
Every face already carries structure, emotion, and identity. My role is to read that and enhance what is already there, rather than impose something artificial.
When a client looks in the mirror and feels like themselves, but more defined, more present — that’s the result I aim for. That’s what I call recognition.
3. In your view, how has the role of makeup artists changed within contemporary culture over the past decade?
Over the past decade, makeup artists have moved far beyond technical execution. Today, we are part of visual storytelling.
We collaborate with photographers, stylists, and creative teams to shape an image, a mood, and sometimes even a narrative.
At the same time, there has been a shift toward authenticity. Clients are no longer looking for transformation — they are looking for refinement and individuality. That requires a much deeper level of awareness and sensitivity from the artist.
4. Working with public figures requires a particular level of sensitivity—how do you navigate the balance between personal identity and public image?
Public figures live at the intersection of personal identity and public perception. My role is to respect both.
I approach each client by understanding how they see themselves and how they want to be seen. The goal is not to create a different persona, but to align their inner identity with their external image.
That balance is built on trust, discretion, and a very precise understanding of nuance.
5. What psychological elements do you consider when creating a look for someone?
I always consider how a person feels in their own skin. Confidence, vulnerability, and energy all influence how makeup should be approached.
Sometimes the right look is not the most complex one, but the one that supports the person emotionally.
Makeup has the power to shift how someone carries themselves, so I focus on creating looks that feel natural, grounded, and aligned with their personality.
6. How do different cultural environments influence your understanding of beauty and your creative decisions?
Working across different cultural environments has expanded my understanding of beauty significantly.
In some cultures, beauty is about precision and structure. In others, it’s about ease and natural texture.
These differences taught me to stay flexible while keeping my core philosophy intact enhancing individuality rather than following trends.
7. The beauty industry is highly trend-driven—how do you maintain a consistent artistic perspective within such a fast-moving landscape?
Trends come and go, but structure, skin, and balance remain constant.
I stay aware of trends, but I don’t rely on them. My focus is on timeless elements — clean skin, refined texture, and intentional details.
That approach allows my work to remain relevant without being dependent on what’s trending at the moment.
8. Can you describe a moment in your career that significantly shifted your understanding of your role as an artist?
There was a moment early in my career when I realized that clients were not reacting to the makeup itself, but to how they felt wearing it.
That shifted my perspective completely. I understood that my work is not just visual — it’s emotional.
From that point on, I stopped focusing only on technique and started focusing on experience and perception.
9. How do you usually spend your time when you are not working, and what activities help you maintain balance?
Outside of work, I seek calm and depth. I spend most of my time with my children — those moments bring me back to simplicity and presence.
Nature plays an important role in my life. Whether it’s the ocean, mountains, or quiet natural spaces, I find a sense of reset there.
I believe that true balance comes from being able to disconnect, reflect, and reconnect with yourself.
10. What does success mean to you at this stage of your career?
Success, for me, is consistency — the ability to continue working at a high level while staying true to my vision.
It’s not only about recognition, but about building something lasting — a body of work, a reputation, and a point of view that people trust.
At this stage, success means growth without losing identity