We are spotlighting the winners of Beauty Launchpad’s 25 Under 50K competition, sponsored by Truss Professional.
Today, you will get to know Hannah Nash (@full.color.alchemist). She is a hair color specialist and studio owner of Full Color Alchemy in Saint Paul, MN.
Q&A:
Beauty Launchpad (BLP): What is a fun fact about you?
Hannah Nash (HN): I was a contortionist and trapeze artist in a circus for nine years. Another fun fact is that my salon (and my Instagram handle / stylist name) is named after a manga series and anime called “Fullmetal Alchemist (Brotherhood)” that my older brother and I used to watch at 1:00 a.m. when we were little kids. That's why I’m known as The Full Color Alchemist.
BLP: How did you get your start in the industry?
HN: I got my start in the industry by coloring hair backstage at punk shows in high school. I always loved being in the scene, hanging out at shows and the energy everyone brought. I played drums but never saw myself doing that professionally. Hair was my way into the scene and allowed me to do something I really loved. Now, I can't imagine doing anything else.
BLP: What is your proudest accomplishment?
HN: My proudest accomplishment so far actually happened this February, I opened my own salon studio after being afraid to make the jump for way too long. It's been the best decision I could have possibly made for myself.
BLP: What is your current favorite hairstyle trend?
HN: My favorite hair trend at the moment is high contrast color blocking. I love how shocking the colors look together. Plus, it shows so much of the stylists’ skill to be able to put two colors side by side that are on opposite sides of the color wheel and not have them bleed together.
BLP: What is a tip you have for your fellow stylists who are looking to grow their following on socials?
HN: A tip for a fellow stylist trying to build their social media following would be to show more of yourself and your personality online. Once I started doing that, that's when my following grew and brands started reaching out. People are invested in people. I grew my entire clientele online and because of that my clients got an insight into who I am as a person and were able to pick me as a stylist knowing they'd have a great time in my chair.
BLP: What is a piece of advice about styling/working with hair that you have for your fellow stylists?
HN: Know the rules before you break them. No matter what people tell you, eventually you'll have to break rules in order to get certain results. That being said, you HAVE to understand why the rule exists and its limits before breaking them. You have to understand the reaction of every decision you make. We are chemists and creatives at the end of the day. Balance is key.
BLP: What do you love about your work?
HN: I love everything about my work. I truly have the best clientele anyone could ever ask for. I get to come into work and laugh so hard that my ribs hurt and have crazy conversations with people I truly enjoy. Also, as someone who has OCD and ADHD, this industry is where my brain thrives. I get to work with chemistry and numbers all day, while also having creative freedom and working with my hands all day.
BLP: What inspires your work?
HN: What inspires my work the most is being told my whole life I was “too much” or that my ideas and dreams were “out of reach.” Once I realized, “What if I’m not too much, and they're just wanting too little?” that is when the fire started burning. I constantly strive to push the limits everyone set in front of me or tried to take credit for. You tell me I’ll move forward an inch, I’ll run ahead 10 miles.
BLP: What motivates you about the industry?
HN: What motivates me most about this industry are other stylists. The people who truly love this industry are filled with so much passion and creative energy that is infectious.
BLP: What is a career goal you have for yourself?
HN: I have so many career goals for myself, but opening a collective of like-minded creatives has been a big goal of mine. Further down the line, I’d love to get my hands into creating a color line or collabing with a brand and curating a color collection.
You can learn more about each of our winners in our September/October 2023 digital magazine.
