Casting all my doubts aside, I decided to try my hand and fill in the application for the fashion make-up course. To this day I am glad that I overcame those doubts, because I gained another profession I can work in.

The course gave me a foundation and widened my understanding of make-up as such:

• leading make-up artists taught me a range of techniques and how to match the make-up to the look;
• working backstage and in a team gave me the tricks for doing make-up quickly and well;
• I learned about the kinds of make-up, from classic to creative techniques, with all their nuances;
• as a bonus I came away with a portfolio that lets me keep developing in this field, and a basic set of professional cosmetics and brushes as a gift.

Just imagine: the atmosphere backstage, working with professionals, being part of a team, doing make-up for leading models — the charge you get from the course gives you the strength for self-realisation.

Back home I immediately bought a beauty table, made a page with photographs of my work and started working for myself. Four months later I found an accessible salon to work in. During the lockdown I took two more courses. What began as something for the soul has grown into an additional source of income.

Want the same? Apply before 9 August: https://forms.gle/P83KS5TRKaDnBVVR8.

The Fashion Inclusia project is implemented with the support of the Ukrainian Cultural Foundation and in partnership with Ukrainian Fashion Week.