Anissa Salazar moves between #setlife hairstyling and business building with ease — and serious intention. As a celebrity groomer and hairstylist, and a hair head of department on major productions (Everything Everywhere All at Once, Afraid, The Santa Clauses and more) her work lives on red carpets, magazine covers and the screen. But her artistry goes way beyond aesthetics. With Tecuane, Salazar has created a brand that celebrates hair texture, heritage, and bold individuality—on her own terms.
In this conversation, she talks about building a career in the entertainment industry and a hair brand at the same time. From navigating high-pressure sets to shaping a more inclusive hair future, Salazar drops gems for pros and aspiring entrepreneurs alike.
The Tease: What inspired you to start Tecuane, and what did the early days look like?
Anissa Salazar: “Tecuane was inspired by herbal remedies I inherited from my grandmother Esperanza. I wanted to create a luxurious clean hair brand, honoring Mexican culture, gender fluidity, and aloe beauty. Making an effort to bring awareness and insight to mindful hair for all generations and all hair types.
In the early days, behind the scenes making my tonic looked chaotic, in the kitchen and trailers on set. I started with mixing oils to help my clients who struggled with scalp concerns. Working in film and television, I work with various hair textures and I’m always striving to protect the integrity of my clients’ hair. Making a tonic that was used for all hair types, could be used on set to hydrate and nourish the scalp, and tonic being non oily were the goals in mind.”
Tecuane means “jaguar” in Nahuatl — how does that symbolism show up in your brand and your journey?
Anissa Salazar: “Tecuane can also translate to “wild beast” or “strong beast” — and that symbolism deeply resonates with both my brand and my personal journey. As I mentioned, Tecuane is heavily inspired by my grandmother, Esperanza. She was a woman who faced hardship her entire life, yet remained incredibly resilient. Being raised by her for most of my life, I was always in awe of her strength, her quiet power.
Tecuane felt like the perfect fit—it honors her spirit and everything she taught me. The jaguar is a symbol of power, intuition, and survival. That’s the intention I bring into the brand: strength through struggle, beauty in resilience, and a fierce commitment to honoring where we come from.”
Was there a turning point where you felt like “this is really happening”?
Anissa Salazar: “Absolutely! The community feedback especially in the Latino realm was pure love. Starting this business took a lot of patience, and personal finance sacrifices/risks. Reading reviews and receiving photos of how my Esperanza Scalp Tonic was helping people feel better about their hair journey and self esteem was such an honor! Not even a full year into the clean beauty space, I was being approached and accepted into mentorship programs with Credo Beauty and Sephora’s Tower 28. It was a thrill!”
What’s something about running your own brand that people don’t see on Instagram?
Anissa Salazar: “It takes a village and I am a village of one! I work full time in the film business, behind the chair designing hair styles and jumping project to project. Those hours are lengthy and have taken up 60+hours a week of my time for the last 10 years back- to-back. Adding a small indie brand onto that schedule is not for the weak. The intention always with Tecuane was to honor slow beauty, and create that one hero product that is luxurious, actually works, and speaks for itself. This foundation has helped me multi-task both my personal ongoing career, and keep a mindful brand alive. Only putting out information that is actually needed and not feel like a sales pitch 24/7.”
How do you make decisions about what’s next for the brand? Is it gut instinct, data, community feedback — or all of the above?
Anissa Salazar: “As a hairstylist; my decisions start with my experience behind the chair. What I actually use in my kit, what products would help my clients, and what derives a place in our daily routines and environments. Community feedback is always welcomed and valued, and I wish I had more financial backing to bring those ideas to life. At the moment, I’m focused on creating mindful products that deserve purpose and not just launching something to meet a deadline, but because it’s needed.”
And how do you balance the brand and your other work as an AWARD-WINNING hair department head and celebrity groomer?! Do you balance?
Anissa Salazar: “Haha! I love having goals and am very ambitious apparently! Not going to lie, it is a challenge to run both the personal career and a small brand. Luckily my community is gracious and supportive of my lifestyle. I try to pre-plan launches, social media ahead of time. But like I mentioned, only putting out valuable information and not overwhelming my audience is key.”
How do you protect your creative vision as the brand grows?
Anissa Salazar: “I’m inspired everyday by people, places, and things. It helps me stay creative, and write down ideas for the future of Tecuane. I try to protect my creative vision by staying as authentic and true to myself as I can. Originality translates tastefully to an audience.”
What has been the most rewarding — and the most difficult — part of being a founder?
Anissa Salazar: “The most rewarding part of being a founder is the feedback of how a simple self-care act is helping people look good and feel good. The most difficult part is always funding!”
How do you balance the creative side of the business with the operational side?
Anissa Salazar: “Balancing the creative and operational sides comes down to staying organized. I keep a tight schedule, which helps me juggle it all. Embracing a slow and intentional approach to clean beauty definitely sets the tone too. Never rushing and on my own flow.”
What kind of leader are you, and how has that evolved since launching Tecuane?
Anissa Salazar: “I would consider myself a direct and compassionate leader. Even when I am on a film or television series, I am aware of what my teams need from me and always have empathy along the way. Since Tecuane has launched, I feel I am using that same approach to my vendors and freelancers. I don’t pressure them for deadlines, I am open to innovative ideas, and always lead with my heart.”
What does success look like for you right now — and has that definition changed over time?
Anissa Salazar: “Currently, I travel the world with my clients, I just won an Emmy last month, and I am embracing my new pregnancy! My definition of ‘success/ has most definitely evolved in the past few months. I feel successful in the sense that I have a huge support of chosen family who appreciate and value me and my work ethic. That feeling is just so rewarding and powerful. Now with baby on the way, I feel the term ‘success’ is about to change everything in a positive light.”
What’s something you wish you had known before becoming an entrepreneur?
Anissa Salazar: “I wish I would’ve known that I would be told ‘NO’ a lot before I became an entrepreneur. Rejection is challenging to handle when you are so passionate about your craft. Tecuane is not going to be for everyone, especially the big-hitter retail and department stores in such a competitive market. I am thankful to be seen by major companies and considered.
It keeps me motivated to stay on their radar, and stay true to the brand. If it works out one day, amazing! If it doesn’t and I only cater to my community, local boutiques, and salons, even better!
What’s next for you and Tecuane? Any exciting drops, collabs, or big goals on the horizon?
Anissa Salazar: “We have some fun new luxurious and chic set of XL creaseless clips! Designed with on-set styling in mind, these clips effortlessly hold hair in place without creasing. They’re perfect for makeup prep, styling, no fuss, and just hassle-free styling.
Long term goals with Tecuane would be to keep extending the line with hero products that are essential for daily haircare, are multi use, eco friendly, and practical. For now we are enjoying the fun of ‘less is more’ and embracing the power of high quality ingredients!”
