I had the absolute pleasure of diving into the world of hair and beauty learners at Salon International 2025, and I left feeling inspired by the passion, determination, and creativity of these amazing students. In this episode, I share my conversations with learners from across the UK, including Kali, Molly, Ruby, Sophie, Mia, Soda, Isabella, and Jess, as they candidly reflect on their journeys in hairdressing and beauty therapy.

Key Takeaways from This Episode: I learned that embracing challenges with a positive mindset can transform struggles into growth. I discovered that patience, persistence, and self-belief are essential in learning new skills, whether it’s perfecting foils, mastering pedicures, or finding your own signature style in treatments. I was reminded that building confidence, making meaningful connections, and celebrating small wins are just as important as technical skills. Most importantly, I saw that every learner’s journey is unique, and showing up authentically and staying passionate makes all the difference.

Throughout our conversations, learners shared their highest highs—from the thrill of mastering a new technique, excelling in competitions, and finally feeling confident in their craft—to their lowest lows, which often included initial anxiety, challenging techniques, or self-doubt. Each learner had valuable advice for newcomers: take it slow, enjoy the process, embrace your individuality, and don’t be afraid to ask for help. Mentorship came up repeatedly as a cornerstone of success, with shout-outs to teachers and industry professionals who encouraged, guided, and inspired them along the way.

From discussions about building confidence, pursuing further education, exploring creative treatments, and even dreaming about opening their own salons, this episode highlights that learning is a journey, not a destination. The energy, enthusiasm, and dedication these learners bring to their craft is infectious and a reminder that the hair and beauty industry thrives on curiosity, innovation, and resilience.

Tune in to hear these inspiring stories, learn actionable tips, and celebrate the voices shaping the future of hair and beauty. Your journey matters, your voice matters, and this episode proves that the next generation of hair and beauty professionals is ready to shine.

https://belindamindset.com/

Episode Title:

“Finding Your Creative Voice — with Makeup Artist Daniela Ramos”

The Learner’s Voice – Presented by Belinda Mindset in collaboration with Concept Hair Magazine

Sponsored by Pivot Point International

🎙️ Episode Summary

In this inspiring episode, host Belinda sits down with makeup artist and Harper College graduate Daniela Ramos, whose creative journey took her from painting with crayons as a child in Tenerife to working backstage on professional body-painting gigs and brand events across the UK.

Daniela shares how she found confidence through creativity, the power of resourcefulness, and why beauty is truly in the eyes of the beholder. From last-minute competition nerves to becoming a working artist with her own unique style, Daniela’s story is a powerful reminder that your voice — and your art — matter.

💡 Key Moments

04:12 — The crayon beginnings: Daniela’s first makeup experiments

08:45 — How nature and creativity shaped her path

12:30 — The WorldSkills competition journey

20:15 — “Beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder” — a lesson in confidence

25:40 — From Harper College to her first paid makeup gigs

33:10 — Landing creative work for major brands

36:20 — Daniela’s advice: Love yourself, trust yourself, and go for it.

🧠 In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

• How to overcome creative self-doubt
• The importance of resourcefulness as an artist
• Ways competitions can open unexpected doors
• How mentorship and support shape a learner’s journey
• Tips for turning passion into a professional path

💬 Guest Bio: Daniela Ramos

Daniela Ramos is a UK-based makeup artist known for her expressive, nature-inspired designs and fearless creativity. A graduate of Harper College, Daniela has gone from college competitions to professional artistry, including creative collaborations, body painting, and live events. Her work blends innovation, imagination, and artistry — proving that true beauty comes from self-expression.

📸 Instagram: @danielaramosmakeup

💛 About the Show

The Learner’s Voice celebrates the journeys, struggles, and successes of students and young professionals in the beauty and creative industries. Hosted by Belinda Mindset, each episode shares authentic conversations designed to inspire confidence, self-belief, and growth.

Learn more at belindamindset.com

Welcome to the Learners Voice Podcast! I’m your host, Belinda Hillman, and today I had the absolute pleasure of sitting down with Bobbie-Jo from Newcastle College. She’s a rising star in the hairdressing industry, and in our conversation, we explore her journey, her achievements, and the lessons she’s learning along the way.

Key Takeaways from this Episode:

• Pushing yourself outside your comfort zone can unlock new opportunities you never imagined.
• Confidence grows through practice, competitions, and the belief of supportive mentors.
• Finding balance between studies, work, and social life is key to thriving in college.
• Journaling and mindset tools can make a real difference in managing challenges and mental health.

From starting out as a Saturday girl in her boyfriend’s mum’s salon, Bobbie-Jo quickly fell in love with the transformation that hairdressing brings to clients—the joy of watching someone leave the chair smiling brighter than when they arrived. Her ambition first led her to consider careers as varied as tattoo artistry and crime scene investigation, but her heart settled firmly on hair.

Bobbie-Jo shares openly about why she chose the college route over an apprenticeship, how that decision gave her both structure and freedom, and how competitions—like World Skills and Concept Hair—helped her find confidence she never knew she had. She also talks about the pivotal role her lecturers, especially Jo and Amanda, played in nudging her to take risks and believe in herself.

We also touch on Bobbie-Jo incredible achievement of winning Student of the Year at Newcastle College, an award that she initially couldn’t believe described her. Her story is a powerful reminder of how others often see our potential long before we do ourselves.

What stood out most was Bobbie-Jo resilience, her willingness to keep trying even when things felt overwhelming, and her top tip for other learners: push yourself beyond your limits, not just to them.

I can’t wait for you to hear this inspiring conversation and celebrate Bobbie-Jo journey.

👉 Tune in now to the Learners Voice Podcast and be inspired to push beyond your comfort zone too!