Meet Mary Spezia

Today we’d like to introduce you to Mary Spezia.  

Hi Mary, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I started acting/modeling when I was 2 weeks old. Throughout my childhood and teen years, I sang in church and school choirs, performed in school plays, and helped as a crew member building sets, hair and makeup, and wardrobe. 

By the end of high school, I was in 3 choirs, president of the top women’s choir, and doing hair and makeup on most of my friends for prom. 

After high school. I worked a few waitress and retail jobs until I met my friend, Tiffany Spooner. She was a professional makeup artist, and I was modeling and doubling as a hairstylist on several photoshoots. 

In 2008, I decided to make it official and get my cosmetology license. 

A few years later, I decided to change things up a bit and began taking some general education classes to start working towards a nursing degree. I obtained my C.N.A. license in 2012. I then became an E.M.T. in 2015. I wanted on-the-job training while I worked my way through nursing school. 

As much as I loved working in the medical field, I had to make the decision to leave due to the grueling schedule not letting me have time with my son, and it wasn’t enough money to survive on. 

During this time span, I never stopped working as a stylist. It was still what I loved to do, and I just knew it was going to lead me to bigger and better opportunities 

In January of 2022, my college psychology professor reached out to me (12 years after having taken his “psychology 101 and psychology in the media classes”) and asked if I was interested in doing hair and makeup for a short film. I said, “OF COURSE!!!” and I’ve been steadily building in the filming industry ever since! 

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
This road has been far from smooth (haha). 

I thought I was just going to get my cosmetology license and spend the next 20 years becoming an actress/stylist to the stars. 

Life ALWAYS has other plans. 3 months before I graduated, I became pregnant with my son. So? My plans took a detour of sorts. 

I worked in a few chain salons, working my way to management in a few of them. During which, I was going to school, opting for something in the medical field. 

A lot of the last 15 years has been about self-discovery and figuring out how to reach for my dreams while keeping a balance with home life. 

This is an extremely competitive industry and there is very little grace given for being human. 

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Hairstylists can be quite overlooked and under-appreciated for what we do. Most people can be pretty condescending about our skills. 

We are part chemist, part accountant, part business manager, part secretary, part mediator, part educator, part student, part mind reader, and part psychologist. There are things my clients tell me that they wouldn’t even tell their dogs! 

This isn’t cut out for everyone (no pun intended. 

I suppose what sets me apart from others in my field is that I don’t want to have to tell someone I can’t perform a certain service. There are some stylists who refuse to do color, or cuts, or blow-drys, etc… I don’t have a specialty. I do it all. 

I have a constant thirst for knowledge and am always willing to learn new things. 

I’m most proud of the fact that I never thought I would be strong enough to become an entrepreneur. And here I am. I own my own business, my dream of working in the film industry is finally happening, and I’m a successful mother. I fight for what I want and don’t back down. I make it happen unless I feel it’s not the right move for me. 

How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
I just recently acquired my LLC. 

Everyone would be welcome to go to my professional Facebook page and give me a follow! 

Hairanormal Studios LLC. 

I’m based in St. Louis, mo. However, I have been traveling for films as a hairstylist, makeup artist, and special effects artist. I’d love to collaborate with fellow filmmakers! 

Also, if you’re ever in St. Louis, come see me for some pampering! 

Contact Info:

• Website: https://maryspezia.glossgenius.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/speziamary?igshid=ZDdkNTZiNTM=
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mspezia2008stylist?mibextid=ZbWKwL
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@mistressmary86

Image Credits
Michael Beran
Jenna Heckethorn
Jennifer Duff
Janis Shetley
Studio 858