Empowering Beauty: Elina's Inspiring Journey from Warsaw to Vancouver
- Diana Onichkina
- Feb 16
- 4 min read
At #HWCLB, connecting with our community members is one of our greatest joys.
At our core, we love celebrating the inspiring and creative women who make up our community. Every woman who attends our events and engages with our club carries a unique story—one that can spark motivation, offer wisdom, and remind us all that we’re not alone in our journeys. These stories are proof that resilience, passion, and the right support system can turn dreams into reality.
We know that personal fulfillment and success don’t happen in isolation. It takes the right mindset, meaningful connections, and a community of like-minded women to uplift and empower each other. That’s why we were so excited to sit down with Elina Kovchug—to hear her story of perseverance, creativity, and the pursuit of her dreams, and to share it with you.
"Starting over isn’t failure—it’s proof that you are brave enough to build again."
Q: Can you tell us a bit about yourself and how you became a permanent makeup artist?
A: In April 2024, I moved from Toronto to Vancouver. I am a permanent makeup artist and have been working in this field for five years. Before that, I worked as a brow specialist, but I decided to retrain thanks to my clients, who often requested long-lasting makeup services.
Q: How do you balance your personal life and work?
A: I’m not sure if I’ve truly figured out how to balance my personal life and work. My job is also my passion, so it’s always with me—in my head and in my thoughts. The only life hack that really works for me is turning off my phone at night until I wake up. This means I don’t scroll through social media, Reels, or TikToks before bed. This simple habit helps me fully recharge and rest, clearing my mind of the tasks waiting for me the next day. Honestly, I think all small business owners can relate to this struggle.
"When your passion is your profession, the lines blur. The real challenge isn’t finding balance—it’s protecting your energy."
Q: What has been your biggest challenge so far?
A: At the moment, my biggest challenge is constantly moving. Back in Warsaw, I had built recognition, and clients were coming to me through word of mouth. Then I moved to Toronto and started my life from scratch again. Within just under two years, I fully entered the Canadian market and immersed myself in continuous learning. Later, I fell in love and moved to Vancouver, starting over for the third time, and rebuilding my business from the ground up.
I still haven’t found my own place—my sanctuary, so to speak. I can’t say I dream of running a big salon, but I would love to open a cozy, heartfelt studio. That’s my dream, but for now, it feels out of reach due to life’s obstacles.
Q: What inspired you to enter the beauty industry?
A: Since childhood, I’ve always been connected to beauty and brows. Even at a young age, I would shape my grandfather’s eyebrows. Later, I started tinting brows for my friends at school, as well as for my mom and relatives. Everyone around me loved it—they were always so happy and grateful. I was deeply inspired by how I could lift someone’s mood and boost their confidence, which is why I decided to tie my profession to beauty, brows, and working with people.
Q: How do you approach setbacks and challenges?
A: Any setbacks are a push for growth, although sometimes it feels really painful. For example, my most recent failure happened after my trip to Turkey for the international championship. Just 17 hours before my performance, my model was canceled without any reason. Despite the long flight, barely getting any sleep, and scrambling to find a replacement, I managed to find a model just three hours before my category. And in the end, I placed 10th in the world.
Honestly, that was a setback that hit me hard, especially being in a foreign country, under immense stress, and trying to find a model in such a short time. I honestly thought I wouldn’t place at all. Mentally, it was very difficult, but it gave me incredible faith in myself. I grew my inner strength, started to respect myself even more as a professional, and it solidified my position among my colleagues. So, after every failure, there’s always a ray of sunshine. The key is to remember why you’re doing all of this.
Q: How do you feel about where you are in life right now?
A: I would say that, at this moment, I’m very happy because I’m living the life of my dreams. I’ve always dreamed of living by the ocean, in a city surrounded by mountains, while building both my career and personal life. Finding balance between these two huge aspects of life is something I’m truly grateful for.
"Happiness isn’t about waiting for the perfect life—it’s about creating the life you’ve always dreamed of."
Q: What is your philosophy in life?
A: I believe that everything comes back around. That’s why I approach every situation through the lens of, "What if someone treated me this way? How would I feel? How would I react?"
"What you put into the world—kindness, effort, energy—always finds its way back to you."
Elina’s journey is a true testament to perseverance, passion, and adaptability. From Warsaw to Toronto and now Vancouver, she has continuously rebuilt her life and career, proving that challenges are just stepping stones to something greater. Her ability to turn setbacks into growth opportunities is inspiring, and her unwavering dedication to her craft speaks volumes.
Hearing her story reminds us all that success doesn’t come without effort, but with resilience, passion, and a strong support system, anything is possible. As she continues her journey in Vancouver, one thing is clear: Elina is not just shaping brows—she’s shaping lives.
Connect with Elina:
Article by : HWCLB Diana Onichkina
Reach out to us: hello@hwclb.com
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