What is basic natural or naturally textured hair care?
Is it really that different from straight hair care? Or is it simply more time-consuming?
Is it actually more difficult, or is it considered difficult because fewer professionals are trained and experienced in doing it?
Is a curly haircut an advanced technique, or is it only considered advanced because fewer stylists offer it?
And here's the bigger question: Is naturally textured hair care a trend, or do Washington beauty schools genuinely need legislation like HB 1874?
Let's Talk About the Basics
What would YOU categorize as basic textured hair care and styling?
What are the simplest things you expect every licensed hairstylist to know how to do, regardless of where they attended beauty school?
Think about your everyday hair care needs. Not a wedding, photoshoot, or special occasion. Just the things you need to maintain healthy hair and look presentable in your everyday life.
If you visited a beauty school to have your hair done, keeping in mind that these are students who are still learning, what would you consider a successful experience at the BARE MINIMUM?
What should a student be able to accomplish before graduating?
Basic vs. Advanced Styling
This is where I really want your opinions.
What does a basic, finished hairstyle look like on naturally textured hair?
Does a finished hairstyle have to be smooth? Does it have to be stretched, straightened, or otherwise manipulated to look intentional?
What about a wash-and-go? A twist set? A simple curly haircut?
Are those basic services or advanced techniques?
Now compare those everyday styles to something you might request for a wedding, formal event, or special occasion.
Where should beauty schools draw the line between basic styling and advanced styling?
And how do we make sure students understand that a finished hairstyle doesn't have to mean straight hair?
Let's Talk About Washington's Textured Hair Education Law
Senator T'wana Nobles recently visited our school, and we're now having conversations about curriculum changes and Washington's textured hair education law, HB 1874.
This is a big deal, and I want to hear from the people this legislation is intended to serve.
The law requires textured hair education to be included in Washington's cosmetology curriculum. But what should that actually look like in the classroom?
Here are some of the questions worth discussing:
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Should cosmetology students receive more than one textured hair mannequin to practice on?
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Students are still learning chemical relaxers. Should schools dedicate comparable time and resources to maintaining and styling hair in its naturally textured state?
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If properly educating students requires more supplies and increases the cost of their kits, should schools consider that an optional expense? Or should we simply acknowledge that these are the supplies necessary to provide a complete education?
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Should students practice the same foundational services on different textures? For example, learning to shampoo, condition, detangle, cut, and style both wavy or loosely curled hair and tightly curled or coiled hair?
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How much practice should students have before they're considered prepared to serve the public?
I'm not suggesting students need to learn every specialty technique before graduation. That's what continuing education and advanced training are for.
But what should every student know before they receive a license?
What Does a Successful Salon Visit Look Like to You?
This conversation goes beyond mannequins, techniques, and curriculum requirements.
It comes down to the person sitting in the salon chair.
How do YOU want to leave the salon?
What styles work for your lifestyle, look intentional, and support the health and moisture needs of your hair?
What have you struggled to find professional help with?
Have you ever been told that your hair was too difficult, that a service wasn't available for your texture, or that your only option was to straighten it first?
And if you could tell a new stylist exactly what you wish they'd learned in beauty school, what would you say?
Your Experiences Matter
We're having an important, ongoing conversation about what basic textured hair education should look like in Washington.
I don't expect everyone to agree. In fact, I think the differences in our expectations and experiences are exactly what we need to explore.
We need to hear from clients, students, licensed professionals, and educators.
The goal isn't to turn every graduating cosmetologist into a textured hair specialist. It's to establish a reasonable foundation so that students are prepared to work with the variety of hair textures they'll encounter throughout their careers.
What should that foundation include?
Read Washington's textured hair education law, HB 1874.
Please follow The CurlSpa on BAND and tell me what you think. You don't have to answer every question. Start with the one that matters most to you.
Your experiences can help shape the conversation about what future beauty professionals need to learn.