We are going Behind The Brand with the multi-faceted Makeup Artist and Owner of THE KEY LOOK, Keziah Jones, to chat about everything from starting her business, bridal glam inspiration, and more!
Keziah Jones is a multi-talented beauty mogul and owner of THE KEY LOOK, one of the largest Black-owned hair and makeup teams on the East Coast. However, looking back on her childhood in Newark, New Jersey, she never imagined she would have a career in the beauty industry.
“We grew up always getting our hair done,” Keziah shares, “and having your hair done is an important thing for Black women in our community. But makeup was never something we did growing up or even something I saw my mom or family members own. Makeup was unheard-of.”
Fate has a way of guiding us in ways we least expect, and through a string of serendipitous jobs, Keziah found herself in the beauty industry.
Today, she has cultivated an entire business around hair and makeup! Her company, THE KEY LOOK, is dedicated to making sure clients’ hair and makeup are always on point, because “When you look good, you feel good,” she says, “and that’s the culture we’ve created.”
In addition to looking good and feeling good, providing services for a wide range of clients with diverse styles, wants, and needs is incredibly important to her.
We are inclusive to everyone. I’ve learned that everyone is just different. What’s natural to me isn’t natural to someone else and what’s glam to me isn’t glam to everyone else.
– Keziah Jones of THE KEY LOOK
Keziah’s passion, along with her ability to adapt and create unique looks for so many clients, are just a few of the many reasons her company is growing and thriving! We can’t wait to see what the future has in store for THE KEY LOOK!
Keep reading below to learn more about Keziah’s journey into the beauty industry and her brand: THE KEY LOOK.
- Brand: THE KEY LOOK
- Owner: Keziah Jones
- Blog: Behind The Brand
Tell us a bit about your background and journey into the hair and makeup industry. When did you first realize you were passionate about hair and makeup?
I grew up in Newark, NJ where the struggle is real. I graduated from Science Park High School Class of 2012.
When I graduated high school, I had no idea what I wanted to do or even what I could do. I graduated at the bottom of my class and my grades were not good enough for college. Realizing I had to do something, I just started trying any and every job you can think of.
I was introduced to the modeling world in 2013 where I found my love for beauty.
I got my makeup done for the first time and fell completely in love. So in love that I went back to the same makeup artist every day for two weeks! The feeling I felt in that chair was magical to say the least. I decided I’d learn how to do my own makeup and took a trip to MAC where I learned some makeup basics. I purchased a concealer, foundation, and a red lipstick.
In 2014, I found my love for beauty, but I was still in a place of struggle and survival.
I wasn’t making much money. There was so much I was starting to discover about myself during this time as well. I started cosmetology school in 2014 and had no idea what route I wanted to take in the industry.
I wasn’t sure about makeup because I was never artistic. At first, I had my eyes on barber and lash tech, but the Sephora managers visited our school and were offering career opportunities. After speaking with them, I applied and got hired by Sephora Menlo Park. I was hired as a cashier and quickly worked my way to being a makeup artist in as little as one year.
During my first year working at Sephora, I found my passion for doing makeup.
I learned so much that year and I was surrounded by so many extremely talented women. After deciding to leave Sephora, I freelanced and worked for bridal teams and started to create a name for myself over the next 3 years.
I resigned from my last 9-5 on July 11th, 2019, and haven’t looked back since. At the time, I was freelancing and doing well on my own, but clients were asking me for more than I could do by myself. I needed help.
In February 2020, I started THE KEY LOOK and it’s been nothing but bliss since!
What was the first item of makeup you ever owned?
I owned foundation, concealer, and red lipstick from MAC.
When did you start your company, The Key Look, and what makes your brand unique?
THE KEY LOOK was founded February 2020.
Our team is like no other. We are the only Black-owned hair and makeup team on the East Coast, and we have 15 stylists a part of our team across the East Coast. We provide services to all brides no matter the skin tone or hair type. Brides who are interested in weave and wig installs, locs, braids, natural curly hairstyling, and straight and wavy hairstyling are all part of our services.
We also service brides who are looking for natural or glam looks. Our goal is to make sure our clients feel and look beautiful no matter what. We bring flavor and skill to start all our client’s special days.
Describe your brand’s beauty style.
We don’t have a particular style; we just do what needs to get done. We are inclusive to everyone. I’ve learned that everyone is just different. What’s natural to me isn’t natural to someone else and what’s glam to me isn’t glam to everyone else.
We always choose to get directions directly from the client so we can take their look where it needs to go. A professional makeup artist always once told me, “Start with a little so you can always add more if needed. If you put too much, it’s harder to take away.” As a team, we live by that.
What is your favorite kind of look to do for your clients?
My favorite bridal look is a bronze soft glam with nude glossy lips and a side part frontal wig install with loose curls.
Who is your dream client?
I don’t necessarily have a dream client. I love working with everyday working women who are just like me! Women who thought they could never find love or almost gave up; women who deserve the happiness they have; women who choose love! Those women will forever be my ideal clients.
Tell us about your experience at our Muna Love Affair Brooklyn Event. Why should other makeup artists and hair stylists attend or exhibit at a future MLA event?
Our hairstylist Jenever was the hairstylist that helped with hair for the Mun Love Affair. I wasn’t feeling my best and started not to attend. My body was shutting down on me, but I pulled myself out of bed to make sure I was there. I knew it would be great for THE KEY LOOK.
The Muna Love Affair was beautiful. I connected with so many potential brides and wedding vendors. We got the chance to get our name out there. A company like THE KEY LOOK in the wedding industry is unheard of so everyone was very excited. Everyone was so supportive of each other. We really enjoyed ourselves.
I’ve been connecting with so many vendors since. This is a perfect way to get connected with other wedding vendors and potential brides, so I say to anyone: ATTEND THE MUNA LOVE AFFAIR! It worked out so well for us and it’s so much fun being around other professionals who have the same passion and goals as you.
Advice for other beauty moguls trying to make a name for themselves in the industry?
For any makeup or hairstylist looking to make a name for yourself, it’s so important to be yourself unapologetically. Don’t be anyone else but you. Don’t try to fit in. You will find your lane and when you do, build off that.
Don’t let anyone project their fears and insecurities onto you in this business because anything is possible. Making a name for yourself in this business comes with hard work and consistency. Stay the course.
You may think no one is watching but the truth is, you never know who is watching. Keep learning because learning is never ending in this industry.
– Keziah Jones of THE KEY LOOK
Share any exciting updates or announcements we can look out for from The Key Look.
THE KEY LOOK will be expanding into the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia this year as well as starting our own cosmetic line. We will be launching lashes and hair extensions this winter. You will be able to purchase everything via our website www.thekeylook.com. We can’t wait to bring you more!
Looking for more expert interviews like this one with THE KEY LOOK?
Click here.
Vendors:
- Featured Company: THE KEY LOOK
- Photographer (Bride #1): VJBurgos Photography
- Photographer (Bride #2): Timothy Anderson Jr. Photography
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