Today we’d like to introduce you to Blair Ashley.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I’m the proud owner of beautybyblair, which offers Mobile & InSpa Professional Make-Up & Airbrush Tanning! Growing up in Indiana as a young teenager, I’ve always wanted to live in LALA Land! I used to watch “Saved by the Bell & 90210” and wished I lived on the west coast, with the warm weather and culture unlike the Midwest. I have always felt like something bigger was waiting for me in California, and boy was I right. I have always been somewhat of an entrepreneur since I was young. I begged my parents to buy candy from Costco so that I could sell it out of our garage window and have my own “candy store”. Straight out of High School I came to visit the “City of Angels” and I moved a few months later to pursue my dreams. I never knew I would have my own beauty business but I’m glad I never gave up!
It took three separate moves to Los Angeles over the course of 5 years until I became a permanent resident and a successful business owner in Los Angeles. But I have no regrets because I learned a lot each time I left and returned. Which inevitably made me a stronger and more resilient person. You have to be a tough cookie to last in LA for more than five years! A few of the reasons that kept bringing me back to Los Angeles was the weather, culture and food! I also really wanted to be apart of the entertainment industry, just not in front of the camera. Which is the primary reason why I decided to get certified as a Professional Make-Up Artist. Since then, I’ve been lucky to work with celebrities and various talent on many of the networks such as Paramount, CBS & Smashbox studios amoung countless others.
It has been almost 11 years since I started my beauty company and completed my professional Make-Up Artist course at MUD (Make-Up Designory) in Burbank, CA! I love what I do, and making my client’s feel beautiful is an extra bonus! I provide self confidence and happiness without the harmful damage of the suns rays. Although a full body custom tan takes less than 10 minutes, it’s more than just your average beauty treatment! It’s an experience everyone should enjoy no matter their race, nor gender. The bronzer in the tan instantly makes you feel thinner, healthier and exudes glowing confidence after each session! Each private session is tailored to each client’s specific needs. There is definitely an art to airbrush tanning, no one person has the same body type or shape. I really feel blessed to have this career because I love meeting new people and traveling for my job! It doesn’t feel like work to me! Like I say often “Have tan, will travel” lol!
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
This journey certainly hasn’t always been easy.. In 7th grade, I was in gym class when I got the life-changing news of possibly having a crooked back. Which would be better know as “scoliosis or curvature of the spine”. So I immediately went to see a Dr. who referred me to an orthopedic back specialist to get a second opinion and confirm the scoliosis test results. Sure enough, I had a massive curve of 56° degrees in my back, which looks like a S-shaped spine. I was terrified that I had to have surgery and quit my sports activities. Which I did have to stop playing basketball and cheerleading! My life was over as a 7th grader as I had to wear a back brace for almost three years to see if that would stop the curve, but it didn’t stop the curve. My back continued to get progressively worse to the point that surgery was the only hope for me to live a normal, pain-free life. I had my first back surgery in 10th grade and was home schooled for half a semester, which I loved! I was supposed to wear a temporary back brace for the 1st year after the surgery to ensure that my back was stable enough and my bones could start fusing to the titanium rod. Almost 8 months go by and I’m on the way to dinner with my family. I start to get out of the car and my titanium rod breaks! I thought titanium was the strongest material on earth and I’m pretty sure I got a faulty rod but I’ll never know.
Over the next ten years, I continue to work many jobs until I start my career in the beauty industry. My back pain is manageable but I’m still in pain most days. 7 years after I start my beauty company, one of my clients notices that I’m wearing a back brace and ask me what’s wrong. Little did I realize, she worked for The Doctors TV show and wanted to help me fix my back. Next thing I know she asked me to come interview for the show because they were intrigued with my story. A few weeks later, I received a call that my story was going to be featured on the show. I couldn’t believe that I was getting FREE back surgery. I honestly have the best clients and I couldn’t ask for a better career. Not only did I overcome back surgery twice in my life but the second time around, I had more than 1500 clients waiting on me to recover and heal so I could get back to work. The stress of both was very overwhelming to say the least. I have been through trials and tribulations but it makes me appreciate how far I’ve come.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with BeautybyBlair – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of and what sets you apart from others.
beautybyblair offers luxury beauty services such as custom Airbrush Tanning and professional Make-Up. Located within L & R Salon/Spa right in the heart of Studio City/Sherman Oaks! We always use natural DHA solutions infused with Aloe Vera, Green Tea, Vitamins A, E, & C. FDA certified Vegan, Gluten Free, Paraffin Free, & NO animal testing. No orange color or funky smell. We are the original “mobile tan” and have been rated as one of the best in the business by Byrdie Beauty. We are not just you’re average spray tan. beautybyblair gives her clientele a more finished touch with custom techniques that are tailored to each client. Our clients can come to the beautiful Spa or if they want to be a little more pampered, we also offer Mobile services which is crucial to the busy individual! I love being in the beauty industry in one of the busiest cities in the country!
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
I would love to have my own self tanning beauty kits and professional tanning solution to offer everyone online all over the world. The benefits reapt the reward when I can help make someone feel better by giving them a natural glow!
Pricing:
- Mobile Airbrush Tan $100+
- InSpa Airbrush Tan $49-69+
- Mobile Professional Make-Up $225+
- InSpa Professional Make-Up $120+
Contact Info:
- Address: L& R Salon (inside)
13542 Ventura Blvd #9 Sherman Oaks, CA 91423 - Website: www.beautybyblair.me
- Phone: 833- SPRYTAN | 833- 777- 9826
- Email: beautybyblair.spa@gmail.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/beautybyblair.me
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/beautybyblair.me/
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/Spraytansla
- Yelp: https://yelp.to/qTKq/QgjF2qycD6
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