Tight Curl Pro (TCP) is a training program I created to help other professional stylists give tightly textured hair the treatment it deserves. Through my experiences as a client and a stylist, I recognized that hair similar to mine was underserved, even within Black salons. TCP provides the training, knowledge, and support I wish I had when I was new to styling Black hair. I believe I would have greatly benefited from a detailed training program like TCP when I was a junior stylist. Now that I’m an expert, I hope to be a valuable resource to any stylist who has gaps in their tight curl knowledge. My goal is to help fellow professionals better serve their current and potential curly clients.

Each trainee will learn what tight curls are, how they behave, and what’s needed to bring the best out in them. We also discuss how tight curls show up in the world and the nuance topic of their acceptance and history. Tight Curl Pro training provides vital building blocks for inclusive natural hair care.

Below, you’ll find the answers to common questions about Tight Curl Pro.

Why did you create it?

I created Tight Curl Pro because I knew that if I could have benefited from something similar, other stylists could as well. It was also my goal to create a support network that could help other professionals as they apply what they’ve learned. I want everyone with tight curls to have access to stylists who are capable of providing pain-free, stunning results with their natural hair. Teaching other stylists what I’ve learned over the years will create better access for naturals across the globe.

Have you always been a tight curl professional?

I haven’t always been a tight curl professional. My career started with altering Black women’s hair, believe it or not. The clients at the salons I used to work for didn’t wear loose natural hairstyles. Their priority, like many other Black women at the time, was to tuck their hair away with styles like braids and weaves. Straightening curls chemically with relaxers was also commonplace. Their hair was considered more presentable that way because of discrimination and the negative stigma surrounding tight curls. If they weren’t altering their hair due to those feelings, it was usually because “protective” style and relaxed hair were considered easier to manage.

I want to note that tight curls still face the same struggles they did decades ago. Our hair is still not widely accepted and is often expected to look a certain way to be acceptable. I hope to help my clients and curlfriends embrace their natural curl patterns and find beauty in the hair that grows from their heads. No matter the length, density, volume, or texture. My journey of embracing my hair had its ups and downs. I had to unpack a lot of difficult feelings while struggling to learn how to make my hair behave the way I so desperately wanted. As I began to learn and better understand it, I gravitated to the loose styles that I still love today. This made me decide to transition to natural hair services. I wanted everyone to feel the same love and appreciation for their curls as I do! My goal has been to remove the mystery and stigma of tight curly hair since 2014.

What does the training entail?

Tight Curl Pro begins with understanding the importance of a thorough consultation. Open communication with your client is a must. It’s best to understand their lifestyle, challenges, and goals with their hair. I’ll show you how to go about that conversation kindly, efficiently, and respectfully. Then we approach the hair. I will teach you how and why curly hair behaves the way it does. This is the foundation of being a tight curl pro.

I will then show you how to hydrate, cleanse, and give a moisture treatment on a live hair model. After that, we’ll move to the styling process. I’ll show you how to apply the right stylers so you can best bring out curls. We end our training with a curly cut. The cut is always based on the details outlined in the consultation.

Here is a brief breakdown of our Tight Curls in a Day training:

1. Ice Breaker. We get to know everyone in the class along with our hair models a little bit better. This is where I’ll show you how to conduct a professional tight curl consultation.

2. Cleansing Process. We will then begin to walk through the entire process of cleansing, moisturizing, and setting the hair.

3. Curly Cut. Once the hair is dry, I’ll show you how to best cut tight curls. It may be a trim or a flattering shaping cut.

Tight Curls in a Day is an express training that quickly gives you the tools and knowledge you need to start serving tight curls.

What are the Benefits of Hands-On Training and Online Training?

It is so important to be a forever student. The climate within the hair industry is forever changing. Hands-on training allows you to stay ahead of the curve and trends while diversifying your ability to serve all hair types. Even if you choose to focus on a targeted niche, understanding different hair types is essential. Especially if you plan to offer all of your clients thermal or chemical services.

Now if in-person training isn’t possible, the next best thing is online learning. This modern-day style of learning has proven to be the next best thing. I have personally invested in many online trainings and felt like I was given an incredible opportunity to advance my knowledge and skills. Our online training takes place in real time, allowing you to ask questions and get immediate feedback.

Can any stylist participate?

Yes! In fact, I encourage braiders, cosmetology students, and licensed professionals to invest in this training. You don’t need to have experience with tight curls in order to enroll.  People with tight curls often feel isolated from salons because they know they cannot service their hair. Or worse, their hair is serviced with no proper training so it ends up damaged. This training will give you the tools to make your curly clients happy.

What are common challenges or knowledge gaps your students often have before or during Tight Curls in a Day?

The biggest challenge is a lack of understanding of tight curls and their needs. My students, by no fault of their own, often don’t know the answers to these questions:

1. What do tight curls need?

2. Why do tight curls need these things?

3. When do they need they need them?

I place a lot of importance on understanding tightly textured hair because I have heard so many horror stories from clients who have had poor experiences at the hands of professionals. I’ve seen with my own eyes the extent of the damage that other professionals have caused. I also know that, without a doubt, the younger version of myself subjected her clients to irreparable damage. All of these situations have something something in common; the professionals that clients trusted didn’t have the knowledge to protect and serve tight curls.

What are the benefits that come with Tight Curl Pro training?

You will get continuous support and mentorship from me. I can’t begin to tell you how isolating it can feel to gain knowledge but have no additional support system. It’s lonely, and you often have questions that you won’t get answers to unless you find them yourself. I built mentorship into my training for this very reason. I value the comfort that comes with feeling more confident as a professional. One of the best ways to gain that comfort is knowing you have a reliable mentor there to answer any and all of your questions.

With Tight Curl Pro training, you will also be given access to our community of professionals and our Brown Skin Women consumer network. This will help you expand both your business and visibility.

Do you think Tight Curl Pro training is right for you?

If this program sounds like something you could benefit from, join our growing number of trained stylists here! I would be honored to teach and mentor you. I urge all stylists to take some form of natural hair training so they can give any client, regardless of their hair texture, a wonderful experience accompanied by beautiful results.