PRIDE & JOI:
JOICO MASTER ARTIST, BRANDY SHELTON
“There’s no better feeling in the world than giving someone a haircut that delivers the power to be themselves,” says Joico Master Artist, Brandy Shelton, who’s celebrating Pride this month with a heartfelt reveal about love — and life. Come hear what she has to say on the subject of LGBTQ+ acceptance in our industry these days…
Meet Brandy…
For over two decades, Joico Master Artist, Brandy Shelton, hasn’t just created an endless array of gorgeous looks in her Dayton, OH studio – she’s lived and breathed imaginative color, thanks to a passion for art that she brings to life through hair design. This love of all things vivid has translated beautifully to the world of education, where Brandy delivers that same inspiration in all her Joico classes. But inspiration takes many forms; and as a proud member of the LGBTQ+ community, Brandy’s dedication to self-expression and authenticity is clear….
We sat down for a chat with her today…
Joico:
Tell us more about your LGBTQ+ connection and your work as a hair artist…
Brandy:
“Being a hair artist truly helped me accept myself as a member of the LGBTQ+ community! Growing up in a part of the country -- and around a community of people who were not very tolerant -- I greatly struggled to love myself for who I was. Right out of high school, I began my wonderful career in this industry, and was quickly embraced and supported. It was then that I realized how important this career could be to the community: For a lot of people, coming out involves a major hair change as part of their look. There’s absolutely no better feeling in the world than giving someone a haircut that delivers the power to be themselves.”
Joico:
Do you specifically work to give back to the community? And if so, how?
Brandy:
“I absolutely work to give back to the community any chance that I get. However, I have a long-standing rule that I don’t share details of my charity work, because I’m also a very proud member of the sobriety community. And part of my continued 12-step work is not discussing charity. I do, however, encourage people to help anyone they can, whatever they can. We’re all in this together!”
Joico:
Has being a member of the LGBTQ+ community shaped your career?
Brandy:
“Absolutely! One of the best parts of this community is experiencing people’s self-expression and visual cues. We are a community that knows anything is possible with good hair! I mean, have you ever seen some of those gravity-defying drag queen wigs?! In fact, part of my own coming-out story involved cutting off my hair.”
Joico:
What kinds of changes have you seen in the industry in terms of acceptance or activism?
Brandy:
“The acceptance in this industry has grown so much in my 20+ years of doing hair. When I first started in 2000, gay men were embraced with open arms; but not the lesbian community. I remember that at the first salon I worked in, there were female colleagues who would not even share the bathroom with me. Sound familiar? They actually went to management with complaints! The treatment of the trans community was even worse. We have come a long way, but have so far to go!”
Joico:
How will you be celebrating Pride Month?
Brandy:
“This year I will celebrate Pride month as I have the last few years…accidentally overbooking myself on Saturdays and missing all of the festivities, LOL! I have to do better next year!”
Brandy’s parting thoughts…
“We have come so far, but there is still so much work to do! I am incredibly proud to be part of such an amazing company that embraces us for who we are. Pride for me is not a one-month celebration, but a matter of how I carry myself every day; and how I support those around me. I am grateful to be part of the LGBTQ+ community and to be surrounded by some amazing allies! Thank you Joico!”
