We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Diana Batista a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Diana , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

In 2017 I was building a name for myself doing luxurious onsite beauty services for brides. During that year, I was servicing 2-4 brides in one day running all over our city. I had about 2-3 artists who would help me out and style bridesmaids while I catered to the bride. Throughout that 2017 year, I started to dream of what it would be like to have a company where multiple brides could be serviced in one day without having to compromise timelines or location to fit my availability. I am proud to say 2 of those artists from 2017 are full time artists with my company now.

Diana , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

My love for beauty started early. When I was old enough my mom curled my hair for picture day with a curling iron. I had never felt so beautiful and I remember asking her to do it everyday. She was exhausted and had my two older siblings and was pregnant so she handed me the curling iron and I remember curling my hair almost every day before 6th grade. My mom was very much “next time you’ll learn” type of parent and I know that was crucial in my upbringing. My school was strict about wearing makeup and I wanted to so desperately, I remember my mom would take me to all her friends Mary Kay parties and it is where I started to learn the importance of skincare and makeup application. I began my beauty school career in 2009 right after I graduated high school. I attended and received my license from Paul Mitchell the School, Colorado Springs at the age of 19, knowing exactly what I wanted for my life. I spent majority of my early career in salons doing cuts and colors for clientele for almost 14 years before retiring last year to pursue bridal styling full time. My communication/consultation skills are what set me apart from others. I attribute the sharpening of those skills to the people who sat in my chair every week. At the salon, you quickly learn that your communication controls the outcome of the appointment. In 2012 I was introduced by fate to my mentor in New York City. She opened up the world of editorial styling and most importantly, bridal styling. She took me coast to coast at least once a year to assist her on her jobs…and sometimes working her project! I was published in magazines for our collaborative work and it opened up a whole new portal of styling hair for me. To see your work in a photo that would last forever, is what drew me in even tighter to the industry of editorial. For the past eight years, I’ve balanced a busy salon schedule during the week with weddings on weekends. Last year, I decided to focus on one specality to dedicate my time and energy to honing my skills. In 2020, the brand Something Ginger was born—a beauty collective that has grown to 9-12 seasoned artists specializing in bridal hair and makeup, who travel internationally to meet couples’ beauty needs. I firmly believe that one of our most invaluable strengths as a team remains our communication. From inquiry to aisle, we are there every step of the way to collaborate, support, and ensure your glam morning feels memorable, rather than chaotic. We take immense pride in our professionalism at every step, from arrival and prep to the final touches as you walk out the door. In the past four years, we’ve styled over 400 brides across the Southwest. We’re proud of this milestone and carry each of those couples with us into our next wedding to continue building out our practices.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

The hardest lesson I’ve learned in my career is to trust your intuition and avoid seeking validation elsewhere. As creatives, we often find ourselves forging new paths, closing gaps, and taking risks that few have taken before. What drives us is the pursuit of the unfamiliar to create something truly valuable. Our unique strength lies in our ability to envision the final product before we even pick up the brush!
Those journeys ignite BIG feelings and it can be challenging to navigate. Naturally, it leads us to seek outside validation — I urge you to NOT. Our introspection is what sets us apart, and seeking outside validation pulls you from the core of what your vision was and can suddenly become someone else’s.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

The most rewarding part of being an artist is knowing that someone chooses to work with you based on a skill you’ve developed. I never take for granted that, as creatives, we hold something unique that can never be duplicated. When we go, it goes with us. My favorite quote is, ‘You can give them the recipe, but the sauce won’t taste the same.’ To me, this means recognizing that we each hold something uniquely special. Sharing what you know doesn’t diminish that—it’s actually an opportunity for growth. By giving away the ‘recipe,’ you create space to expand, inviting new ingredients and techniques that help your skills flourish!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.somethingginger.com
• Instagram: @dianarosehair
• Other: IG for my company @something_ginger
  TikTok @dianarosehair

Image Credits

Photo 1 – Hazel and Lace Photography
Photo 2 – Adrift a Dream Photography
Photo 3 – Desert Soul Photo
Photo 4 – Jac Dodge Photography
Photo 5 – Desert Soul Photo
Photo 6 – Cam Storie Photography
Photo 7 – Molly Morgan Photography
Photo 8- Alicia Lucia Photography