Meet Angelica Keelen | Hair Colorist & Textured Hair Stylist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Angelica Keelen and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Angelica, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
When I initially pivoted from education to cosmetology, I had no intention of building my own brand or starting a business. My goal was to be a great hairstylist. For three months, while in cosmetology school, I shadowed a master loctician on the other side of my dreams. She really pushed me to think about how far I could go and ultimately helped me to dream bigger and do more for myself.

I’m still in the process of starting my own business, but I’ve started considering what clients I want to serve and what is missing in the Houston salon scene. My goal is to create a safe space for anyone to blossom with confidence and bloom into their best self—a place for the alt black community, textured hair folks, LGBTQIA+ community, vintage hair lovers, people who want to look like anime characters, and everyone in between. I want my salon to feel like a home for all, and I want to make hair dreams a reality.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
At the end of my high school career, I was offered a full ride scholarship to Texas A&M University. My dream has always been to be a hairstylist, but as a Black, first-generation college student, my mom encouraged me to earn a degree so that I could have something to fall back on. My bachelor’s degree turned into a master’s degree plus five years of kindergarten. I’ve always been passionate about giving children a voice while celebrating who they are, the world around them, and who they want to be. I felt conflicted teaching my kids that they could do anything while I wasn’t pursuing what I aspired to do.

As I transitioned out of education and into cosmetology, my passion for education went with me. In cosmetology school, my passion for hair education has grown because there are far fewer stylists who feel comfortable working with any texture of hair. I believe it’s unfair for cosmetology schools to focus solely on one texture. My goal as a future salon owner and educator is to create opportunities to teach styling for every hair texture, length, and color. I aim to bridge the gap in cosmetology education so that both schools and salons can prepare stylists to cater to anyone who walks through their doors.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Here are some places that I love: My favorite brunch spot is Local Foods for their bananas foster French toast (bring it back). We could enjoy the afternoon at a Big Blanket picnic or the Houston Arboretum for a short hike. My top options for nightlife are Physical Therapy, The Flat, or Discoteka at Grand Prize—all of these are awesome for dancing all night.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
A very special shoutout to my fiancé and my family, the Keelens and Gonzalezes, for supporting my dreams. Many people don’t get to quit their grown-up jobs to pursue their passion. They’ve helped me find a school, practice hairstyling, emotionally, financially, and honestly, in every way. I couldn’t ask for a better family to be a part of. My family has given so much advice, and my little sister was my first client, Mrs. Izzy Gonzalez, Karla, Tia Marie, Tia Lucy, Heaven , Anjanet, Cruz , David and every other model who has trusted me with their crown.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jelthebelle

Youtube: https://youtube.com/@jelthebelle

Image Credits
JoAnn Alvarez @mijitamedia