Sofia Lapsiuk’s Path in Makeup: Creating Bold Looks with a Cruelty-Free Approach

Sofia Lapsiuk is a Ukrainian makeup artist specializing in creative makeup who has chosen to avoid using any animal-based products in her work, creating all her looks without gelatin. Unfortunately, the exploitation of animals for the sake of art still goes unpunished in the fashion industry.

According to Sofia, she doesn’t like it when her work is called “creative,” as she considers her looks simple. With Halloween approaching, her next project will be a Frankenstein-inspired look — Sofia is drawn to eerie and macabre styles.

Sofia shared with Drive Music Media about the beginning of her journey, her refusal to use animal-based products in cosmetics, and her upcoming projects.

Interviewer: When and how did you decide to become a creative makeup artist, and what were your first steps in this field?

Sofia: I’ve always had access to makeup and no restrictions on using it because of my mom’s profession. I started doing makeup professionally in 2018, at the age of 12, when I became interested in creative photography for social media — where the main focus was on makeup. That’s when I was enrolled in my first makeup courses, and I’m very grateful to my instructor who believed in me, my skills, and my vision. Without her, I wouldn’t be as confident in my work today. Alongside makeup school, I began attending fashion shows and photo shoots, gaining experience for future projects. I also continued building my portfolio and developing my social media presence.

Interviewer:Tell us what inspires your looks — where do you draw inspiration for new ideas, and what is your creative process like?

Sofia: The creation of my looks is mostly inspired by the works of other artists — whether it’s cinema, photography, performance, painting, or even music. You never know which detail will stick in your mind and turn into an idea you can later bring to life on yourself or a model. Of course, I also get inspired by the work of other makeup artists and enthusiasts — I can spend hours looking at their creations. Lately, my projects have been a result of collaborations with photographers, directors, and models — we create looks together to reflect everyone’s shared vision and concept.

Interviewer: Tell us about creating the Rabbit look. How did the idea come about, what materials did you use, and what was the process like?

Sofia: The Rabbit makeup was created during a workshop at the Kyiv School of Makeup, Mystix. The theme was “Alice in Wonderland,” so each participant had to create their own character. By chance, I got the White Rabbit. The preparation took about two weeks — from concept development, sketching, selecting props and costumes, to making the mask and rabbit ears from scratch to complete the story. During the three-day workshop in Kyiv, we worked from morning till night — starting with sculpting and finishing with the final photo shoot. While working on this look, I used many new materials and tools, such as silicone molds, an airbrush, and a heat gun — and yes, all of them were used for the makeup.

Interviewer: Which of your looks has been the most memorable for you and why?

Sofia: The most memorable looks are probably the ones that took the most effort or were part of large-scale projects — those you can truly be proud to show in your portfolio, like the Rabbit, the Zombie, the Dragon, or the Mermaid. Also, working on films, music videos, or interviews, where you’re part of something bigger and more complex than just creating a look, leaves a lasting impression.

Interviewer: What projects are you currently working on?

Sofia: Since the Halloween season is approaching, I’m currently working on several spooky concepts — mostly involving special effects makeup and fake blood, which I absolutely love. Among my ideas are a scarred face, Frankenstein, and a realistic human brain sculpture. I also plan to start promoting and selling silicone prosthetics for makeup, as I want to popularize SFX makeup in Ukraine. In addition, I’m working with a production team on several upcoming projects, including music videos and photoshoots for well-known artists.

Interviewer: What kind of makeup would you never agree to do? Do you have any personal limits or taboos in your profession?

Sofia: I wouldn’t say I have strict taboos, but due to my personal values, I’m uncomfortable with the fact that some makeup artists use gelatin — an animal-based product — in their work. I’ve made a conscious choice to replace it with other materials. Sometimes, for budget reasons or in pursuit of realism, artists might even use real animal parts instead of props in their art. While this isn’t directly related to makeup, the exploitation of animals for artistic purposes feels deeply wrong to me.

Interviewer: What is the hardest and what is the easiest part of being a makeup artist, and why?

Sofia: I wouldn’t say this profession is particularly difficult — it really depends on the area you work in. Like in any field, practice, experience, and skill play a huge role. Sometimes you have to adapt quickly and even learn on the go. Instead of saying “I can’t,” we always say “I’ll learn.” Another important skill for a makeup artist is endurance — long hours, fast-paced work, and performing well under stress are part of the job. There are also downsides that stay behind the scenes — such as carrying heavy kits of makeup everywhere and maintaining strict hygiene standards to keep all tools clean at all times.

Interviewer: What mistakes do beginner makeup artists most often make, and what advice would you give them?

Sofia: In this profession, there are no strict rules or manuals on “how to be a makeup artist.” It’s a very intuitive and visual job — you create what you see and feel. In many countries, this profession doesn’t even have an official definition, let alone any formal regulations. But what I personally consider a mistake is staying in one place and not striving for more. That includes working with low-quality materials, a lack of knowledge, and repetitive projects. There’s always room to grow and something new to aim for.

Interviewer: What single word would you associate with the looks you create, and why that one?

Sofia: My works are often described as “creative,” but I don’t really like that word when it comes to myself, because I know artists whose creations represent it much better. I would actually describe my work as “simple,” because I know I’m capable of doing much more — and in a more interesting way.

Interviewer: What mission do you have as a creative makeup artist — and why this particular one?

Sofia: Above all, this profession gives me a way to express my ideas and vision. It’s a way to prove to myself that I can truly do something — that these years weren’t lived in vain. My name will stay in the credits, and my art will remain on screen. I want my work to be a contribution to something bigger than myself. Like any form of art, it’s an opportunity to tell a story — without words or music, sometimes with just one look.

Pictures were taken by Vitality Nykolushyn, Alex Shatokhin, Cinema Make Up School and Alin Basieva