Kevin Kelly Salon, located in Keyport, NJ, has been in business for five years and has made an impact on the lives of women inside and outside of the salon. From hosting events at the building to throwing its annual fashion show, Kevin Kelly Salon does more than make women feel fabulous each and every day. It, of course, couldn’t be possible without the owner Kevin Kelly, who at the age of 25 years old is living his dream of owning a salon and giving back in a unique way. Read on to learn more about Kevin Kelly Salon in Keyport, NJ.
Photo Credit: Kevin Kelly Salon Facebook
Opening Shop
The 2017 opening of the salon was the culmination of owner Kevin Kelly’s childhood dream. “As a kid all I thought about was hair! How would I style/cut/color? When will I own a salon?” Kevin writes on the salon’s website. He spoke exclusively to The Asbury Girl about his passion for hair.
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The 25-year-old owner grew up in Union Beach and studied at Robert Fiance Beauty School. Kevin shared: “I actually thought I was going to be in fashion, so I wanted to go to fashion school. And then I actually started working at a hair salon when I was probably 18, and I just kind of fell into it…I just felt like I would work better [as my own boss]. I also wanted to build a team that I could trust because in this industry, unfortunately, we get people that move around, so I wanted people that were just willing to [stay for the long haul].”
Photo Credit: Courtesy of Kevin Kelly
The young entrepreneur initially opened Kevin Kelly in the same town where he spent his childhood. “We had a small place there. We had three or four [hair] stations there. And then we just kind of grew,” Kevin told The Asbury Girl. The salon moved locations three years after opening to where it is now: 362 Broadway, Keyport, NJ.
“I just felt like the kind of experience that I wanted to give people, I wasn’t getting it from other salons,” Kevin stated as the reason why he opened his own salon. “I wanted people to feel like they were at a luxury salon but not have to pay luxury prices. Everybody wants to feel like a celebrity.”
Photo Credit: Kevin Kelly Salon Facebook
The Kevin Kelly Experience
At Kevin Kelly Salon, the owner and the rest of the team are welcoming to anyone who walks in the front door. Kevin writes on his website: “I can guarantee when you come to our salon you will feel right at home! All of our stylists are passionate about their work and unique in their own special way. The difference between our salon and any other is our dedication to continually get educated to keep up with the latest styles and trends.”
He further added in his interview with The Asbury Girl: “Kevin Kelly Salon is all about making women feel beautiful. We do a lot of extensions and color. We’re just trying to make everyone feel beautiful on the outside.” Kevin noted that he even has his own extension line that is in the soft launch stage. The official launch will be in January 2024.
^ A young lady from 5 Under 40 modeling extensions
Photo Credit: Kevin Kelly Salon Facebook
Kevin Kelly Salon’s services range from haircuts and color services like single process, highlights, and balayage to Brazilian blowouts and updos. The team also does makeup for special occasions and bridal services, such as makeup and hair for the bride and/or the wedding party. The prices at the salon start with haircuts for women beginning at $45, a full head of highlights at $180, and a blowout for $45.
More Than A Salon
Without dropping names, Kevin has some private clients such as social media influencers and TikTok stars. He’s also worked with The Real Housewives of New Jersey’s Danielle Cabral, who hosted the salon’s third annual fashion show this year, and Jersey Shore’s Lauren Sorrentino, who featured looks from her Bijoux Boutique on the runway.
The fashion show took place on August 10th and part of it was featured on a recent episode of Jersey Shore: Family Vacation. “When I saw the salon’s fashion show, it was like, ‘Wow, it’s a big moment.’ Anything that’s a big moment to kind of see all of our work that all of us put in here to make Kevin Kelly a brand in the salon and being able to do what we do every day,” Kevin told The Asbury Girl.
^ Kevin Kelly + Danielle Cabral
Photo Credit: Kevin Kelly Salon Facebook
The annual benefit raises money for the nonprofit 5 Under 40 Foundation, helping women who had or have breast cancer under the age of 40. Kevin proudly shared: “The first year we raised about $5,000, and the second year we raised $7,000, but we actually divided it between Dress for Success and The Collier House. This year, we raised $10,000 and that went to 5 Under 40.” He’s hoping next year will be “bigger and better.”
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The Matawan resident said that Kevin Kelly Salon works with any organization that’s “empowering women.” “Around Christmas time we give back to the kids, but mostly all year round we work with different ones for helping women on beauty,” Kevin said, adding that the salon is in the process of creating its own charity to distribute money raised to different charities.
^ The Third Annual Kevin Kelly Salon Fashion Show
Photo Credit: Kevin Kelly Salon Facebook
The salon’s next event will be the annual holiday sip and shop with local businesses on November 10th from 4PM to 8PM. To stay up-to-date with Kevin Kelly Salon’s events — and of course for some hair inspo — be sure to follow on Instagram.
