Passion can open the doors of success for anyone as it is the fuel that makes hard work, determination and doggedness possible. Nataliya Stefani became passionate about beauty and makeup at a point in her life when she wanted to explore her creativity. She dived into the makeup world as a self-taught makeup artist and steadily built her brand, Nataliya Makeup, from the ground up into what it is today.
Nataliya Stefani’s pursuit of success was born out of sticking to her guns and leveraging every opportunity that came her way. When it was time for her to perfect her skills as a makeup artist, Nataliya was not found wanting. When she needed to complete formal education by obtaining degrees in law and business, Nataliya Stefani took the bull by the horns. She also gained corporate experience by working as a marketing manager after her college education, which has come in handy for her as she runs her brand and business full-time.
Like many other creators today, Nataliya’s presence in the beauty industry was launched through social media on Instagram. Starting out as a hobby, makeup brands began to reach out for promotions and collaborations. Then, shortly after, Australian makeup companies began to reach out for paid content, and that was where things took off for Nataliya. “It was very exciting for me because things were happening, and I did not even plan for them to happen that way. It was all organic, and I saw myself on the way to becoming an international brand,” Nataliya Stefani recalls.
Now, Nataliya, or known by her online brand Nataliya Makeup, has worked with numerous national and international makeup companies like Anastasia Beverly Hills, Morphe, Colourpop, Patrick Ta Beauty, Lilly Lashes, E.L.F. Cosmetics, Kaja Beauty, Moxie Lash, some Australian companies including Australis, BYS, Nikkia Joy Cosmetics, and Glamraider. Nataliya is the leading creative content creator for Australian makeup retailer, Glamraider, where she holds full creative control and directs the company’s makeup content. She also creates content for Colourpop and has partnered with them on collaborations including Disney, BTS, Barbie, Star Wars, Avatar: The Last Airbender, Sailor Moon, Winnie the Pooh, Frozen and Mulan.
Nataliya’s journey in the beauty industry has been both exciting and determined. Having tenacity and passion for her craft, Nataliya Stefani has helped her brand evolve with new trends and reinvent the wheel where and when necessary. “When it became difficult to stand out and get brand recognition on social media, I did not give up. I posted consistently and showcased my unique styles that weren’t really being done by other artists. I would create for hours to improve my makeup skills, as well as learning new techniques in photography, videography and editing, and used my marketing knowledge to spread the word about my brand on social media. All my efforts have paid off now as I get featured on mainstream media outlets and, most importantly, I have the pleasure of working with some of my favorite makeup brands.”
With her success over the years, Nataliya Stefani wants to encourage all digital creators and artists to keep building their brand and investing in themselves. In her words, “Always seek to upgrade your skills and knowledge. I used the money I earned from makeup jobs to upgrade my equipment and spent my spare time learning new makeup techniques, photography and editing skills. Also, don’t be afraid to reach out to brands – they are often looking for creators to add to their PR lists which can lead to possibly working with them in the future.”
Over the next few years, Nataliya plans to expand her experience and talents in the beauty and entertainment industry, and give young people the inspiration they need to pursue their passions relentlessly.
