Stuck in a job she didn’t enjoy, Dundonian Nadia Ramage went back to college aged 33 to chase her dreams.
Working in recruitment, Nadia found jobs for others, but kept wishing there was a role for her that would make her happy.
Despite having a good, well-paid job, she gave it up in 2009 and retrained as a makeup artist at Dundee College.
Four years later, she started studying semi-permanent makeup and working with anti-aging products.
Her business Skin Queen Skin and Microblading was born in 2016.
She says: “I was really unhappy in the marketing and recruitment sector.
“After a good think about where my life was going I changed my direction and went to college.
“Now I have a business I’m passionate about, that I’ve built from nothing.”
Skin Queen treatments
In her Downfield salon, Nadia offers a wide range of skin treatments and microblading.
Skin treatments weren’t part of her original plan, but they quickly took off and she became a qualified beauty therapist.
Now clients travel from all over Scotland to see her.
“I recognised a niche in the market a few years ago,” she says.
“All the other clinics were focusing on injectable treatments, like Botox and fillers.
“I’m more about maintaining the skin, rather than changing its shape.
“I also like to identify trends before they come out. I was the first person who introduced dermaplaning to Dundee a few years ago.”
The beauty therapist regularly attends training courses and will start an aesthetics in the new year.
Big plans for next year
As well as studying, Nadia plans to launch her own training academy next year.
For three years she has taken on training for a salon in Liverpool and is already a qualified teacher.
Another idea is also in the works, her own range of products. She plans to release the line next year.
Nadia says: “The business keeps me busy and I plans to keep growing it.
“I often refer to it as my little baby, because that’s what it is.”
To expand her range of semi-permanent makeup, she hopes to soon add lip blush and eyeliner to her list of treatments.
The 47-year-old believes it’s her wide range of treatments that sets her apart from others.
Awards success for Skin Queen
Every year since Nadia opened Skin Queen on Strathmartine Road the business has picked up an award.
“Every year I sit in these ceremonies thinking ‘Nadia what are you doing’. Then your name gets called out and it feels unreal,” she says.
“I feel so lucky – but as my family and friends have pointed out to me – it’s not just luck, it’s me, my hard work and my dedication that makes this business.”
This year, she won best social media influencer at the Scottish Hair and Beauty Awards and previous accolades include local, Scottish and UK-wide awards.
At several ceremonies, she’s been the only Dundee-based business in the room, representing the city and its beauty therapists.
She says: “I’ve had a lot of support from my fellow Dundonians, everybody wants to get behind you.
“Dundee’s a different place from when I was growing up and it’s amazing to see that we’re getting recognition for talent in our little city.
“When I win these awards it’s not just for me, it’s for my clients and my hometown.
“A few years ago, I knew there was another career path for me and I used to wish for where I am now.
“I feel so lucky the salon’s mine, I need to pinch myself sometimes.”
Conversation