Many of us Hair Stylists have a tough time determining the needs of curly and textured hair clients. You may even panic when a head of beautiful curls walks through your salon door. Not anymore!

Introducing our Hair Texture 101 Guide!

Now, you’ll be able to easily determine various curl types and patterns, while servicing these clients with poise and confidence. As with all successful hair appointment experiences, it all starts with a thoughtful and thorough consultation. Your approach and questions are the key to gaining a textured client’s trust.

But first, you must know to ask slightly different questions when consulting with your curly clientele. This is due to the various textures (which you’ll learn to identify in this article) and how they hold up to moisture, humidity and your client’s unique lifestyle.

Below are some sample topics and questions to ask during your  consultation:

1.  Ask them how long their has been free from chemicals.
2.  What do their daily/weekly activities consist of? This question will probe them to tell you lifestyle choices, like whether they exercise or not and what they do for a living. Which at this point should help you determine the importance of convenience to this client.
3.  Listen to your client to give them the best experience. If there is a service or technique you are not comfortable with, please let them know… they will most likely appreciate you being upfront about your limitations. You have now become a team in finding a style that you both will love and are capable of achieving.

How to Determine Different Curl and Textured Hair Types

Below, is a handy chart on how to identify different hair textures and curl patterns.

As trained hair stylists, we understand that you not only have to identify texture, but understand how certain hair types react to moisture/humidity and heat. This is the knowledge that the consumer is missing, which has unfortunately, led them down a road to becoming product junkies. Spending hundreds, sometimes thousands of dollars on products they don’t use.

This is where you come in with your new found textured hair knowledge and styling product suggestions.

Images courtesy of Naturally Curly.com

Types of Textured Hair Styling

Straightening/Silk Press:

Wet Setting/Wrapping:

Protective Styling:

About The Author

Jennea Dorsey-Gordley

As a Simply Organic Educator, she brings to us years of experience working with textured hair, and more importantly, how to achieve desired results with non-toxic, organic hair products. If you’re interested in bringing Jennea into your salon for an in-depth texture class, please contact us at 888-213-4744