Meet Vladislava Lebedeva

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

Hi Vladislava, thank you so much for opening up with us about some important, but sometimes personal topics. One that really matters to us is overcoming Imposter Syndrome because we’ve seen how so many people are held back in life because of this and so we’d really appreciate hearing about how you overcame Imposter Syndrome.

To be honest, my journey with imposter syndrome started the moment I asked myself one simple question.
When thoughts like “I just got lucky” or “I don’t deserve this” come up, I pause for a second and ask:

“Do I actually have real proof that I’m not good enough? Or is this just fear talking?”
Having that quick inner conversation usually brings everything back into perspective.

About once a year, I naturally reevaluate who I feel emotionally close to.
If I notice that a certain connection constantly triggers self-doubt or makes me feel small — if someone keeps downplaying my growth, pointing out my flaws, or making me feel less than — I allow myself to take a step back.
Not out of resentment, but out of self-respect.
And on the flip side, I try to stay close to people who genuinely love, support, and uplift me. With them, even the hardest days feel easier.

I also stopped comparing myself to others.
Now I only compare myself to who I was yesterday — and that shift gives me a sense of clarity and progress.

One more thing I’ve embraced as a rule:
Mistakes aren’t failure — they’re experience. Even the most successful people mess up sometimes, and that doesn’t make them any less of a professional. That mindset gives me strength and lights a fire in me.

At this point, I’d say my imposter syndrome is asleep.
Sure, it still wakes up now and then — but I’ve learned the tools, and I know how to send it right back to bed.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

I’ve been doing hair extensions for many years.
For me, it’s not just a job — it’s a way to give women back their confidence, their sense of beauty, and inner strength.

In my work, I use only natural Slavic and baby hair, carefully selecting each strand to match the color, texture, and structure of the client’s natural hair.

I handcraft every capsule myself — and that’s exactly what my clients value most. They are invisible, safe, and exceptionally gentle. Hair extensions should never feel noticeable. They should look like your own hair — seamless, soft, and natural. That’s the standard I work by.

One of the key features of my approach is that you can grow your own hair underneath the extensions.
Thanks to precise strand placement, lightweight wear, and a deep respect for your natural hair, my method allows you to enjoy length and volume without compromising hair health.

You’ll feel completely at ease in my chair — with full attention to every detail.
And until the end of August, I offer a small bonus for new clients: a scalp peeling treatment as a gift during your first appointment — a relaxing and beneficial self-care ritual.

I choose aesthetics.
I choose natural beauty.
I choose results that transform not only appearance — but the way you feel inside.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Looking back, I’d say three things shaped my journey the most: empathy, aesthetics, and discipline.

First — the ability to truly listen and connect with people.
It’s not just about understanding what a client wants — it’s about being fully present, sensing their state, and sometimes giving more than just a service. Often, behind the desire for long or full hair is the need to feel confident, seen, and supported. I always try to hold space for that.

Second — aesthetic intuition and attention to detail.
I genuinely love beauty — the right texture, the natural blend, the softness of color. My goal is always for the extensions to look and feel like your own hair.
You don’t learn that overnight, but you can train your eye through practice, taste, and observation.

And third — discipline.
This profession requires consistency. There will be days full of inspiration, and others where it’s just you and your commitment to the work. Quality can’t depend on your mood — it comes from your standards. Staying organized, grounded, and focused is what keeps you moving forward.

For anyone just starting their journey, my advice is: don’t chase quick results.
Take your time to build your taste, learn to read people, and always respect yourself and your craft. The rest will follow.

Who is your ideal client or what sort of characteristics would make someone an ideal client for you?

My ideal client is a woman who’s looking not just for a service, but for an approach.

She doesn’t want to “just get extensions” — she wants the experience to be thoughtful, aesthetic, and gentle.
She sees beauty in the details. Quality, texture, and natural results truly matter to her.

She’s not interested in “quick and cheap.” She wants it done beautifully, comfortably, and with full respect for her natural hair.

And the most important thing — she trusts. Because where there’s trust, that’s where real results are born.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://vladahairmakeup.com
• Instagram: @vladahairextensions