Embracing diversity: the power of inclusive education in textured hair styling

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Explore the importance of education and inclusivity in the professional hairdressing industry 

Hairstylists don’t just create stunning styles. They also empower individuals to embrace their unique sense of individuality and self. However, with only four percent of salons in the UK owned and operated by Black,Black British, Caribbean or African people, it shows that there is a lack of specialised salon services for clients with textured, coily, or curly hair. To explore the importance of education and inclusivity in the professional hairdressing industry, Avril Kealy from Phorest Salon Software spoke with a leading UK hair stylist and salon owner who has made it her mission to celebrate and cater to clients with textured, curly, and coily hair. 

Meet the Expert

Andrée is the visionary behind Maison Style Hair, a London-based hair salon dedicated to textured hairstyling. Inspired by the team’s passion for healthy hair and women’s empowerment, Maison Style Hair was born to “create a space where women felt more comfortable to achieve beautiful styles and also be educated,” explains Andrée.

Addressing Common Challenges:

One of the most common challenges faced by clients with textured hair, according to Andée, is the frustration of spending time and money on styles that don’t reflect their desires. Similarly, she says, many of these clients share the experience of visiting a salon with stylists who may not fully understand their unique needs. This lack of understanding leads to disappointment, resulting in clients who are unhappy with their hair, affecting overall self-esteem. In response to these challenges, Maison Style Hair takes a proactive approach, ensuring personalisation at every step of the client journey.

At Maison Style Hair, the team is trained to conduct thorough consultations with clients old and new. These consultations ensure that those visiting the salon have a clear understanding of what is and isn’t achievable, explains Andrée. Questions from clients are encouraged, with the team providing a safe space where visitors can voice their concerns and genuinely feel heard. This focus on personalisation also fosters a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere, something that can be difficult to find in hair salons for clients with textured, curly, and coily hair.

The Role of Salon Software in Offering a Five-Star Service

Maison Style Hair uses Phorest Salon Software to manage, market, and grow their salon. One of the ways that the software helps is that it allows the team to stay informed on clients’ style preferences in a quick and simple manner by using its client management features. “Phorest helps us keep on track with what our clients have previously had. The notes section is my favourite, as I write little notes to help me make my clients feel extra special,” explains Andée.

Reaping the Rewards with Personalised Experiences

When it comes to providing a personalised experience, the Maison Style Hair team extends their offering far beyond the salon chair. Recognising that clients want more value for their money, the team offers ‘how-to’ videos, personalised care recommendations, and at-home guides designed to empower clients to care for their hair at home in between salon visits.

The team also maintains a WhatsApp channel where clients are encouraged to send videos and receive guidance from a professional when needed. This dedication to clients’ well-being exemplifies the salon’s mission, and pays off in client satisfaction, too, with Andrée explaining; “We had a client send us doughnuts and send us a beautiful letter explaining how her experience at the salon really helped lift her up. It made us look to that as an example of how to keep treating our clients.”

Advice for Aspiring Stylists

As someone offering such an invaluable service to clients with diverse hair types, we asked Andée what advice she had for hairstylists who want to offer the same. “Educate yourself on the hair, practice with family and friends,” she says. “Go on courses and keep practicing. Work in a salon for some time so you can have experience with all types of afro hair.” From both Andée’s lived experience and the data shown in the NHBF Ethnicity Report, it’s clear that education forms the foundation of providing an inclusive, five-star service. In this day and age, investing in education for your team isn’t just a ‘nice-to-have’ it’s vital if you want your business to survive and thrive.

Providing a Service That Genuinely Makes a Difference

In the professional hairdressing industry, specialising in hair styling that caters for multiple hair textures is not just about creating beautiful styles; it’s about making clients feel seen, heard, and valued. Through inclusive education, continuous training, and personalised care, Andrée’s salon exemplifies the transformative power of the industry, one hairstyle at a time.