"In the past, texture was very much distinguished by ethnicity or culture. Now, as our world geography is so mixed and always changing, it is almost impossible to refer to texture this way. Today, it is very much about all textures, all
curls, all ethnicities, and the best way to treat each texture individually.” —Kate Oechsle Truesdale, Mizani director of education | THE TAKEAWAY: One size doesn’t fit all. View each curly client who sits in your chair as a unique head of
hair with a particular curl type and styling preference. Listen to concerns—maybe eliminating bulk or controlling a cowlick—and don’t fall into the trap of grouping together all clients who have more than a gentle wave.
“Now that the industry is evolving and more stylists understand clients’ desires, it’s important professionals play a role in educating textured clients on the proper way to maintain natural hair to ensure clients value their relationship with their stylists.” —Deshonica Kerrie, Peter Coppola educator | THE TAKEAWAY: Know how to care for and style all types of texture. Be familiar with the common concerns of textured hair types, and be prepared to offer solutions in the salon and retail for at-home care. Seek out continuing education opportunities so you can demonstrate expertise and build trust.
“Textured hair tangles easily and tends to look dry even when it isn’t. Oils in gels and creams make hair more pliable and help the style to last longer. Whether creating smooth, straight styles or curly finished looks, oils are necessary for control, polish and shine.” —Detra Smith, Matrix artist | THE TAKEAWAY: Recommend products that include nourishing oils to clients looking for hydration and frizz control. Know the products in your salon and be prepared to make recommendations based on hair type and styling needs.
“Sexy ’70s floppy hair is dominating, and I quickly see that transitioning into ’90s styles—think Brandon and Dylan from 90210. Greasy textures will be making their way in with controlled frizz and hold—but with movement.” —Wesley O’Meara, AG Hair celebrity and editorial stylist | THE TAKEAWAY: Encourage male clients to try something different. Explain how you will cut or style the hair differently, let them know of any grow-out time that may be required and show—don’t tell—them what they need to do to style the look.
"We like to use high-lift color and avoid lightener as much as possible. When applying the color, the best method is to use a balayage technique, which gives stylists the versatility to detail each and every curl.” —Christo Curlisto, Curlisto global artistic director | THE TAKEAWAY: Recommend color painting to clients looking for dimension and definition in curls. Placement is key when highlighting textured hair, so using a balayage method is the best way to ensure emphasis on the curl pattern rather than create a muddy effect.
“Natural and organic ingredients are important in maintaining healthy, nourished hair much like eating clean, green, organic foods are for our bodies. They not only strengthen, stimulate, heal and protect, but also penetrate into the hair instead of just coating it.” —Melanie Nickels, founder of Raw Hair Organics | THE TAKEAWAY: Know the ingredients in products in addition to knowing what the products do. This information is often more valued by textured clients than others because hair health is a common curly concern.
“There is currently only one curl specialist for every 32,000 curly clients seeking expertise. Staying on top of curl education through continued and advanced education offerings will support salon business growth as stylists are able to keep pace with their curly clients’ needs.” —Shari Harbinger, VP academy education for DevaCurl, and Molly Owen, VP field education for DevaCurl | THE TAKEAWAY: Huge opportunities exist for stylists willing to seek out education and become texture experts. With so many more curly clients than curl specialists, having the knowledge to care for textured hair can mean significant career growth.
“I like to control men’s curls without making them stiff to give an undone, just-ran-their-fingers-through-their-hair kind of style. Women are following this trend as well, wearing their hair very loose and disheveled, not refined.” —Molly Woodru , Keratin Complex regional education manager, East | THE TAKEAWAY: Look to lightweight products to provide touchable texture, and apply products only where needed. Every client’s hair will need to be assessed to determine where that is, but textured hair often requires more product on the ends (where more moisture is needed).
“Clients are more interested in smoothing services than ever because of the customization ability. This gives them the flexibility to enjoy their beautiful hair without the frizz and they aren’t pigeonholed into only a pin-straight result.” —Alfredo Lewis, Brazilian Professionals global director of education | THE TAKEAWAY: Ensure clients know smoothing does not only mean getting pin-straight hair. Recommend a smoothing service to a client looking to loosen curls or make them more manageable. This is a great option for both men and women.
“The key to maintaining color on curly hair is hydration. For added moisture between services, I highly recommend a refresher spray, which can also be great to use on second-day styles to increase style longevity and reduce the number of shampoos between your color services.” —Nina Holmes, Kenra regional education manager | THE TAKEAWAY: Make sure you address specific color-maintenance needs for curly clients—specifically, hydration. Recommend products that will ensure she can enjoy her vibrant color for as long as possible with less damage to sensitive curls.
“When children with curly hair visit the salon, involve parents in the product-prescription regimen. It’s really important to help parents understand styling options for their children and the process involved in helping their hair look its best.” —Jane Carter, founder of Jane Carter Solution | THE TAKEAWAY: Curls are oftentimes the first talking point kids hear about when meeting a stranger. “Oh, her curls are so cute!” “Look at those ringlets!” Use your position to show curly kids how to feel confident with their texture. Always have a thorough consultation with young clients. Ask them about how they care for their hair, and offer tips on how they can address challenges.
“There are various techniques to educate clients on the best way to soften, loosen and elongate their curl patterns without chemical reformation, relaxers or smoothing agents. For example, a great way to soften and smooth curls naturally is a low pony stretch. After cleansing and conditioning curls, apply a product that will prime the hair, like a setting cream. Using a large detangling comb, comb hair into a low pony, stretching the wave and securing with a hair tie or bungie. Once the hair is completely dry, let the curls loose from the pony and use a smoothing serum or pomade to really define the sleekness at the root stretch. Curls will appear softer, yet bouncy, and there will be high definition and shine at the root area.” —Melanie Fa
Photo courtesy of
Ouidad
"In the past, texture was very much distinguished by ethnicity or culture. Now, as our world geography is so mixed and always changing, it is almost impossible to refer to texture this way. Today, it is very much about all textures, all
curls, all ethnicities, and the best way to treat each texture individually.” —Kate Oechsle Truesdale, Mizani director of education | THE TAKEAWAY: One size doesn’t fit all. View each curly client who sits in your chair as a unique head of
hair with a particular curl type and styling preference. Listen to concerns—maybe eliminating bulk or controlling a cowlick—and don’t fall into the trap of grouping together all clients who have more than a gentle wave.
“Now that the industry is evolving and more stylists understand clients’ desires, it’s important professionals play a role in educating textured clients on the proper way to maintain natural hair to ensure clients value their relationship with their stylists.” —Deshonica Kerrie, Peter Coppola educator | THE TAKEAWAY: Know how to care for and style all types of texture. Be familiar with the common concerns of textured hair types, and be prepared to offer solutions in the salon and retail for at-home care. Seek out continuing education opportunities so you can demonstrate expertise and build trust.
“Textured hair tangles easily and tends to look dry even when it isn’t. Oils in gels and creams make hair more pliable and help the style to last longer. Whether creating smooth, straight styles or curly finished looks, oils are necessary for control, polish and shine.” —Detra Smith, Matrix artist | THE TAKEAWAY: Recommend products that include nourishing oils to clients looking for hydration and frizz control. Know the products in your salon and be prepared to make recommendations based on hair type and styling needs.
“Sexy ’70s floppy hair is dominating, and I quickly see that transitioning into ’90s styles—think Brandon and Dylan from 90210. Greasy textures will be making their way in with controlled frizz and hold—but with movement.” —Wesley O’Meara, AG Hair celebrity and editorial stylist | THE TAKEAWAY: Encourage male clients to try something different. Explain how you will cut or style the hair differently, let them know of any grow-out time that may be required and show—don’t tell—them what they need to do to style the look.
"We like to use high-lift color and avoid lightener as much as possible. When applying the color, the best method is to use a balayage technique, which gives stylists the versatility to detail each and every curl.” —Christo Curlisto, Curlisto global artistic director | THE TAKEAWAY: Recommend color painting to clients looking for dimension and definition in curls. Placement is key when highlighting textured hair, so using a balayage method is the best way to ensure emphasis on the curl pattern rather than create a muddy effect.
“Natural and organic ingredients are important in maintaining healthy, nourished hair much like eating clean, green, organic foods are for our bodies. They not only strengthen, stimulate, heal and protect, but also penetrate into the hair instead of just coating it.” —Melanie Nickels, founder of Raw Hair Organics | THE TAKEAWAY: Know the ingredients in products in addition to knowing what the products do. This information is often more valued by textured clients than others because hair health is a common curly concern.
“There is currently only one curl specialist for every 32,000 curly clients seeking expertise. Staying on top of curl education through continued and advanced education offerings will support salon business growth as stylists are able to keep pace with their curly clients’ needs.” —Shari Harbinger, VP academy education for DevaCurl, and Molly Owen, VP field education for DevaCurl | THE TAKEAWAY: Huge opportunities exist for stylists willing to seek out education and become texture experts. With so many more curly clients than curl specialists, having the knowledge to care for textured hair can mean significant career growth.
“I like to control men’s curls without making them stiff to give an undone, just-ran-their-fingers-through-their-hair kind of style. Women are following this trend as well, wearing their hair very loose and disheveled, not refined.” —Molly Woodru , Keratin Complex regional education manager, East | THE TAKEAWAY: Look to lightweight products to provide touchable texture, and apply products only where needed. Every client’s hair will need to be assessed to determine where that is, but textured hair often requires more product on the ends (where more moisture is needed).
“Clients are more interested in smoothing services than ever because of the customization ability. This gives them the flexibility to enjoy their beautiful hair without the frizz and they aren’t pigeonholed into only a pin-straight result.” —Alfredo Lewis, Brazilian Professionals global director of education | THE TAKEAWAY: Ensure clients know smoothing does not only mean getting pin-straight hair. Recommend a smoothing service to a client looking to loosen curls or make them more manageable. This is a great option for both men and women.
“The key to maintaining color on curly hair is hydration. For added moisture between services, I highly recommend a refresher spray, which can also be great to use on second-day styles to increase style longevity and reduce the number of shampoos between your color services.” —Nina Holmes, Kenra regional education manager | THE TAKEAWAY: Make sure you address specific color-maintenance needs for curly clients—specifically, hydration. Recommend products that will ensure she can enjoy her vibrant color for as long as possible with less damage to sensitive curls.
“When children with curly hair visit the salon, involve parents in the product-prescription regimen. It’s really important to help parents understand styling options for their children and the process involved in helping their hair look its best.” —Jane Carter, founder of Jane Carter Solution | THE TAKEAWAY: Curls are oftentimes the first talking point kids hear about when meeting a stranger. “Oh, her curls are so cute!” “Look at those ringlets!” Use your position to show curly kids how to feel confident with their texture. Always have a thorough consultation with young clients. Ask them about how they care for their hair, and offer tips on how they can address challenges.
“There are various techniques to educate clients on the best way to soften, loosen and elongate their curl patterns without chemical reformation, relaxers or smoothing agents. For example, a great way to soften and smooth curls naturally is a low pony stretch. After cleansing and conditioning curls, apply a product that will prime the hair, like a setting cream. Using a large detangling comb, comb hair into a low pony, stretching the wave and securing with a hair tie or bungie. Once the hair is completely dry, let the curls loose from the pony and use a smoothing serum or pomade to really define the sleekness at the root stretch. Curls will appear softer, yet bouncy, and there will be high definition and shine at the root area.” —Melanie Fa
Photo courtesy of
Ouidad
media brand