A woman has gone viral on TikTok after revealing how she transformed an old ambulance into a stunning beauty parlour-on-wheels.
Kirsty Martin bought the out-of-use van from Facebook Marketplace for £2,300 after deciding she needed a space to practice her beauty treatments.
The 36-year-old, from Faversham, Kent, has over 10 years’ experience in the beauty industry and wanted a mobile site to offer brow and lash treatments, as well as make-up appointments.
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She paid to have the former ambulance sprayed pink and adorned with graphics, and then set to work remodelling the inside.
The result? A mobile salon dubbed a ‘Glambulance’ which has gone viral on TikTok with 746,000 views.
“Lots of people stop and take pictures of it outside wherever I am,” Kirsty told AbsolutelyBusiness.com.
“When I was looking for my own place to work, I knew I wanted a vehicle so I could travel, but that was also big enough for me to stand up in.
“I wasn’t particularly looking for an ambulance, but when I viewed it, I absolutely loved it and loved the space it had.”
She bought the ambulance for £2,300, and then forked out £2,000 on having it painted pink, and £400 on graphics.
Then she set her sights on the main challenge – the interior.
She said: “Me and my family stripped it all, done the electrics and cladding.
“Then I had a professional come in and do some plumbing and the seating area.
“I don’t feel like it’s spooky at all.
“I love it and I’ve even taken it camping, never felt any spooky spirits in there.”
Kirsty spent an estimated total of £10,000 on the van and the entire remodel.
She said: “It was hard work renovating it – some things didn’t go to plan, and electrics were really tricky.
“But once it was finished, I felt so relieved and relaxed.
“I was slightly worried about if people were going to like it, as it’s so different.
“But customers absolutely love it.
“The dream is to have a whole fleet of them.”
From the comfort of her ‘Glambulance’, Kirsty offers lash and brow treatments and airbrush make-up and hosts events for glitter, face painting, hair braiding and body art.
She said: “I have lots of bookings for kids pamper parties and weddings.
“I also have a Barbie-themed hen do coming up and even a few music festivals.”
In the clip of the van shared on TikTok, Kirsty shows before and after pictures of the vehicle.
In the beginning, the van looks like any other ambulance, painted yellow with green stripes, and with old cabinets inside.
By the end, it is all renovated, completely pink and with glitter and feathers.
The post garnered 51,000 likes – but viewers were a little put out by the previous use of the vehicle.
Lucy said: “Idk if I’m too into haunted things but it would weird me out knowing that it’s almost 100% certain people have died in there!”
Arlo commented: “This is a cool concept but after being rushed to hospital in an ambulance so many times I’d have PTSD flashbacks.”
Annabelle wrote: “Imagine someone needing an ambulance and this comes past.”
Matt added: “So pleased you ripped out the floor as trust me you don’t want to know what goes on those floors.”
Someone else said: “Bet that’s well haunted.”
But other viewers were sold on the idea.
Katie added: “Glambulance is the best name for a business I’ve ever heard!”
Jasmine wrote: “As a paramedic, I approve.”
Dolly commented: “I think this is an amazing idea.”
Lo said: “Glambulance is genius.”
Kirsty said of the response: “I did have a few people comment to me that it was too strange as people have died in the ambulance, but the majority of people love it.”
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