Tight Textured Curls – Kinky, Coily, Afro.
Learning about curls and continuing to upskill is a passion that our Curl Specialist Educators Nathalie Darné and David Corry find themselves immersed in every day. For them, it’s become more than a hobby, it’s an addiction!
When it comes to curls, there can be a lot more to consider than meets the eye. As well as the many types of curls, there are also many ways you can look after them.
Their driving passion is to bring the best possible education and awareness to emerging Curl Specialists and Hairdressers so that they are in turn able to welcome clients of any hair type or texture to their salon with confidence and skill. It was through this passion for curls that the Clever Curl Tight Textured Curls Advanced Masterclass was born.
The Tight Textured Curls – Kinky, Coily, Afro Masterclass is an additional module to the original Clever Curl Approach Masterclass and is exclusively offered to Curl Specialists after completion of the 2-day Masterclass. This new module builds on the Hairdresser’s current curl knowledge and skills, offering the confidence to say YES to every client that walks through the door. The Tight Textured Curls module focuses on advanced dry cutting, hydration and styling skills that can be applied to those tighter curl types.
Nathalie Darne
David Corry
Eager to dig a little deeper into the minds of our brilliant Curl Educators, we sat down with Nathalie and David to hear about their experience with Tight Textured Curls.
The first thing we wanted to know was, what has inspired them to immerse themselves in learning about Tight Textured and Afro hair?
“At first it was the curl community and all the beautiful curly girls I was speaking with, it seemed that anyone I spoke to with textured hair needed help and guidance on how to fully embrace their locks. Once I’d completed several curl education programs of my own, I began to realise the dire need for Curl Specialists in Australia.” Nathalie replied.
We totally agree! And since Nathalie and the Ethical Brand Co Product Development Team created Clever Curl, we have watched Nathalie quickly grow to inspire many more hairdressers to become curl specialists.
For David, his inspiration sparked when he noticed many tight textured/afro clients seeking out his salon Marcia Gibsons in Brisbane QLD to buy Clever Curl products. He started an open conversation with them about why they were buying Clever Curl and the different ways they were using the products.
“I noticed that those customers who were coming to purchase Clever Curl from the salon were not regular clients of the salon. There was no representation for these tight textured hair customers to feel comfortable to take that salon experience further than just coming in to buy Clever Curl, which they had heard (usually through word of mouth) worked in their hair”.
“To me it would only make sense that salon spaces will thrive if they could include ALL texture, even the tightest of curls. That melting pot of cultures, all with the one desire to just have their hair done somewhere they feel welcome, comfortable, safe and confident that the Hairdresser understands their own unique hair texture.”
David explained his perception as an Australian Hairdresser has changed immensely in recent years.
“I connected with many amazing people of diverse cultural backgrounds through Sunday workshops at my salon and they were celebrating it, embracing it and were incredibly proud of that unique part of them which was their natural hair.”
David wanted to be part of that celebration, professionally and personally.
“I just wanted to say YES.
Yes – we sell a product that suits your hair.
Yes – you can make an appointment here, we can do your hair type.
Yes – you can come in and get your hair cut, washed and styled to celebrate its natural texture like every other client you see in these chairs.”
If you’ve had the opportunity to attend a Clever Curl Approach Masterclass, chances are you’ve experienced the energy that flows through Nathalie and David for curls of all types and textures.
“I connected with many amazing people of diverse cultural backgrounds through Sunday workshops at my salon and they were celebrating it, embracing it and were incredibly proud of that unique part of them which was their natural hair.”
We asked Nathalie and David what the main differences to note are when working with tight textured, kinky, coily or afro curls?
“Curly hair is prone to being naturally dry and dehydrated making this textured hair fragile and inclined to frizz. The main difference to note would be the amount of water and good quality moisturising products that the hair needs.” Nathalie shares.
“The main differences to note when working with tight textured afro hair is that you must work with it and not against it. Many techniques that work with other loose textures do not work with tight textured afro hair. In-fact these can be counterproductive and only cause it to be more tangled.” David explains.
As tight textured hair is the most water-resistant of all textures, a multi-layered process of hydrating and detangling is needed, starting right from the cleanser all the way through to last layer of leave-in product.”
David explains that tight textured hair is also very fragile and prone to breakage, requiring a gentle approach. The understanding of this process and using products that will allow you to utilise these techniques comfortably for the client is one of the biggest connections you can establish.
“The consultation process is everything. Tight textured hair has many subsets just like any other texture, so you must always have the conversation about how that client approaches their own hair care and what works for them.”
David also explains that a multi-faceted approach must be utilised when cutting tight textured hair and lives by the philosophy ‘cut it where it lives’.
“The main differences to note when working with tight textured afro hair is that you must work with it and not against it.”
“Tension and other traditional methods for cutting don’t work in this instance, and a free-hand approach is required.”
This is one of the important reasons the advanced Tight Texture Masterclass Module follows on from the 2-day Clever Curl Masterclass, where the basis of dry cutting techniques are covered.
“Keeping an open mind and heart to working with tight textured hair is integral. Tight curls require a wider outlook on the approach to dry cutting and product selection because this hair type has its own unique set of characteristics.”
We asked our Curl Educators about the most influential piece of information they’ve learned from their curly clientele –
“The overwhelming thing I have learnt from my tight textured clients is a fundamental understanding of tight textured afro hair. Thanks to them, I’ve learned and now offer the specialised techniques and services that say to them; “Yes, I understand your hair type and you can feel welcome and safe here.”
“The most common phrase I have heard from my clients is; “I don’t care where you came from, I just care that you can do my hair”” David reveals.
Nathalie offers a similar sentiment;
“The first thing that comes to mind is not necessarily a key piece of information but a statement. In my travels with the Clever Curl Masterclass, I’ve constantly heard clients and models thank their Hairdressers for learning how to cut their hair and for finally creating a safe space in the salon for them. Hearing those words over and over again never gets old. It takes me back every time and consistently makes me grateful that we have this opportunity to create a beautiful space for hairdressers and their curly clientele.” She shares.
Before we let Nathalie and David go, we asked them what the biggest takeaway has been for students of the Clever Curl Masterclass:
“Trust the process and trust in your own creative cutting and styling abilities.” Nathalie says. “The Masterclass is designed to provide students with key information and techniques on how to care for curly hair however the biggest take away is when the students begin to cut curls intuitively with all the right techniques in place.”
David is excited for the Clever Curl Approach Masterclass attendees to build the confidence to say YES!
“Trust the process and trust in your own creative cutting and styling abilities.”
“A key learning experience to take away from the advanced module is how to hydrate texture in its tightest form, and the unique process of using Clever Curl products to do this. Also, the ability to educate clients on how to do it themselves if they are starting a natural texture approach.”
Most importantly, David is passionate about encouraging more Australian hairdressers to be brave by stepping out of their comfort zone.
We think this is pretty great advice, what an amazing journey is has been for our Curl Specialist Educators. We cannot wait to see what is next to come from Nathalie and David as they travel Australia educating and empowering more Hairdressers to dive deep into cutting, hydration and styling techniques for all types of diverse, tight textured curls.
If you are a Clever Curl Official Stockist looking to further your knowledge and skills, the Clever Curl Approach Masterclass could be for you.
Contact our friendly team for more information on our upcoming 2023 Education Calendar.
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