Today we’d like to introduce you to Hanna Marie Gambrell.
Hi Hanna Marie, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Throughout my childhood and into my teens, I was always pushing the creative envelope. I took any opportunity I could to wear makeup, sometimes my makeup was modest, at times it was outlandish. This was in the 90s and early 2000s. Back then, makeup trends weren’t as accepting as they are now. My classmates deemed me to be weird and eccentric, those traits combined with my big, hazel eyes led to being badly bullied.
That didn’t stop me from marching to the beat of my own drum and doing what made me happy. I practiced makeup in the mirror for hours, teaching myself ways to make my eyes appear prettier or less large. What was first an attempt to shut the bullies up had grown into a newfound love for costume makeup. Before I knew it, friends and family were coming to me for their Halloween makeup, and I was doing special effects makeup for Easter plays at local churches.
It was through these experiences that I learned my calling was to remind my peers of the value of individuality, and the brilliance of makeup artistry as a form of self expression. I knew I wanted to be a light, making a difference in my community and those around me by helping them and others feel beautiful and seen.
In my 20s, I pursued a career as a Legal Assistant in Florida. At the time, I thought my passion for makeup would be a hobby, I moved back to South Carolina at the beginning of 2020. I was approached by Ali Waller, who saw tremendous potential in me, and took me under her wing to be my mentor. Through her, I became certified in airbrush spray tans. About one month later the world shut down. I grew a wild hair and started my first traveling spray tan business. Graduating beauty school in 2023.
Now, with 15+ years experience playing in makeup, and 4+ years experience as a luxury spray tan artist, I run a successful body bar, known as Roses & Ravens.
I have also recently become a part of AfterGlow Tan Co., a successful spray tan company in Wisconsin that has franchised to the Greenville area!
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Getting to where I want to be hasn’t always been easy, and I’m still not to my final destination.
There have been the spirit crushing adversities of bullying. I’ve been told a few times that I’m wasting my time chasing dreams. Funding myself as a growing business has been the lightest weight at times. I have seen plenty of closed doors, but I’ve seen twice as many open.
I’ve learned life will knock you around a little bit but to keep a good attitude and keep going. Everything always works out when you’re walking in your purpose.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I have had the pleasure of providing my makeup services for New York Fashion Week, Greenville Fashion Week, Spartanburg Fashion Week, Supermodels Unlimited Magazine, Beyond The Moon Magazine, GESS Magazine, and author icon Paul Martinelli
My work has been published on the cover of Supermodels Unlimited Magazine, GESS Magazine, STAR Magazibe, Squad Magazine, HiLife Magazine Inc., and on billboards in Miami, Chicago, LA Hollywood, New York Time Square, and Iceland.
I have also had the great opportunities to provide makeup and special effects services for the 48 Hour Film Festival, the trailer for Back In Beirut (film), A Season To Forget (film), Snogoons (music video for Benny Holiday), Rosenbridge (music video for Black River Revels), B.A.M (tour makeup) among other incredible experiences in the industry!
What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
Honestly it seems like makeup trends that have been dated always end up recirculating, but with slightly modernized twists, like the no makeup makeup trend.
I think we may see more integrated trend mashups. What was once a makeup trend for one specific genre is seen mixed with other genres, like gothic graphic liner in soft pallets, women wearing drag, brides wanting bolder looks, guyliner. Makeup artistry is becoming more widely accepted as art, not just a female cosmetic.
Pricing:
- Luxury Spray Tan is $60, traveling options for an additional $10
- Costume Makeup begins at $85, additional costs for prosthetic installment
- Event Makeup $100
- Photoshoot Makeup $150, includes touchups
- Bridal Packages, Glow Party Packages also available. Pricing tbd. Groupons and discounts apply to parties of 3 or more.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.afterglowtansc.com
- Instagram: @rosesandravensbodybar
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100088662667455&mibextid=ZbWKwL
