Ray liu

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Originally from Taiwan, I was born and raised in a hairdressing environment. My parents run three exclusive salons in Taiwan and many other family members are stylists. You could say hairdressing is in my genes. 

Growing up in salons I fell in love with hairdressing. As soon as I was old enough, at fifteen, I was inspired to start my own hairdressing creative journey. 

With a strong desire to pursue my dreams and learn from the best, I chose to step out of my comfort zone in Taiwan and travel internationally to work in several high-end salons.

In order to succeed my first challenge was to overcome the language barrier by learning English. Next, I had to complete further professional training to upskill and master the diversity of different hair types. 

Hairdressing is my life. I love what I do, never having had a moment of doubt and I always strive to excel and improve. 

I’m grateful to have found Claire, my wife and life partner. We share the same dreams and love to explore what we can create with our combined skills of hair stylist and makeup artistry. We promised ourselves to continue our family legacy, always moving forward with our goals and dreams. Our latest dream has come to fruition, the new GAO MI salon.

Without my families original GaoMi salon, I wouldn’t be who I am today…... 

When I’m not working or learning something new online, you will find me at the gym or enjoying all that Cairns nature has to offer with Claire and my son Nash.

Born in Taiwan, I lived and was educated in Australia and NZ. I have worked in several sectors of the media industry, having been a makeup and styling artist in movies, television and magazines. I have also done makeup for commercial ads, music videos and designer fashion shows. 

After travelling the world, and engaging in various exciting and rewarding career opportunities, my family and I have happily chosen to settle in the beautiful and tropical paradise of Cairns.

Ever since I was a little girl, I have always had an awareness of beauty and a strong sense of aesthetically pleasing places, people and objects. As I grew older, I not only enjoyed observing but also creating. After many years in the industry, I have learnt that beauty is more than skin deep. It is how you feel in your heart about yourself and others and how you value your self-worth and identity. Personal appearance isn’t just about pleasing others. It’s more about representing who you are and how you feel at different stages in your life. My role is to bring out the uniqueness in each individual and I’m honoured to be able to help people enhance their natural beauty and present the very best of themselves.

In my spare time, I love practicing the ancient traditions of yoga and meditation, which helps keep my body fit, mind clear, and promotes a daily sense of gratefulness, or i'll be deep in an audiobook on various topics from personal wellbeing, psychology to business. I also to enjoying time with the people I love.

Hailing from the southern reaches of Taiwan, with a climate reminiscent of Cairns, I took a leap of courage in mid-2022, packed my bags for a long awaited working holiday adventure. Embracing new challenges and experiences the captivating allure of Cairns has a magnetic charm that makes me contemplate extending my stay.

My journey into the world of beauty began during my student years, leading me to enrol in a beauty and hairdressing school. Interning at some high-end salons solidified my passion. Despite a temporary career shift for family reasons, I am thrilled to be back on the path pushing forward in an industry that holds profound meaning for me.

Beauty, in my view, is an unfolding masterpiece, showcasing unique facets shaped by different times and places. Each person possesses a distinct beauty, and I derive great satisfaction from seeing individuals radiate confidence and joy in their chosen styles. Crafting hairstyles that please people is a source of deep fulfilment.

Beyond contemporary trends, my heart beats for retro aesthetics, indulging in passions like vintage cars and the timeless allure of vinyl records. Queensland's beaches are my haven, where I soak in the sunshine during moments of leisure. Aromatherapy with essential oils adds a touch of tranquility, allowing me to unwind and savour life in the midst of a beautiful environment.