Why Texture Education Matters

Hair is a deeply personal thing & so strongly attached to our identity. Weddings are a deeply emotional event. The convergence amplifies the desire to not only look great but feel great and when that falls short it somehow stings even more. Imagine it stings nearly every time your hair is serviced at special events even though the stylist swears they can do it. I know to some this may sound like an exaggeration but trust us … from the amount of hair horror stories we hear - it’s real.

Ashley Peters working on naturally curly 4c hair

Let’s walk through what I mean. Imagine you have curly hair with a decently coily curl pattern or perhaps even zigzag pattern. You’ve have your go-to stylist for your regular maintenance but it’s your friends wedding and that regular stylist won’t be there. You want to take part in the hair services like everyone else but no one else has curls like you. One person has a slight wave and while yes she is a “curly girl”; but most anyone can manage her hair. You worry the stylist won’t be able to work with your curls or know how to celebrate them naturally. Everyone insists it will be fine. So you decide to go with it. On the wedding day you show the stylist the Inspo image . It’s not complicated and they swear they can do it. They’re working hard and putting in their best effort but then it comes to the moment of the big reveal. As they had you the mirror you try to control your reaction because it’s disappointingly, wildly mediocre. Your curls are frizzy, the shape looks like a bulbous mass, there’s no details or finesse. No definition, heavy weighted and frizzy edges. It’s evident while they tried they didn’t know what they were doing. As everyone, (who doesn’t know curls), is loving it you decide instead of requesting changes you say “it’s great” and hand back the mirror. Fingers crossed you slip away to attempt to improve the look yourself but once again are relenquishing the idea that you may actually receive services and love them.

Creating a high updo on natural curly hair.

This is not a dramatic. This is something I’ve witnessed with a team (not ours) and while I wasn't in that individuals head I can only imagine her inner monologue went something like this. So can you see why it’s so important?

We do! It’s why we invest in our curl education. It’s why our founder is not only certified with Ouidad but also received 1 on 1 mentorship with Lindsey Marie Olsen. It’s why we advocate for every state to pass The Crown Act or something similar so that curl education is mandatory in cosmetology schools across the country ( it’s currently not). Whether you have 1a or 4c we can ensure you’re actually in good hands.

Before & after.

Every person with every hair type deserves to be celebrated and not only look but feel thier best. No one should walk away feeling less than stellar. No one should plan for failure and diy fixes. No one should have to opt out of services out of precaution. If you need curl education I HIGHLY recommend you go get it because if not, you are doing a disservice to over 60% of the population. There’s really no excuses - the resources are out there. Not sure where to start ? Don’t hesitate to reach out & we’re happy to help you start your journey.

Model: Olivera Flower

Mentor : Lindsey Marie Olsen

Salon : Thrive Hair Collective

Videographer: Thomasz Niemiec