What To Look For In a Curly Hair Stylist For Kids?

Finding the best hairstylist for curly hair begins with knowledge of what your curls require. Since curly hair needs special maintenance and products to stay healthy and retain its shape, you want a stylist who is well-versed in how to deal with it. 

There are salons that specialize in caring for curly wavy hair, however, they are not easy to find. These businesses are going to be more well-versed in the care of curly hair, whether that is how to tame frizz or get definition. They are also often part of a community that specializes in curls (Certified Stylists, for example). These communities usually also offer training in curly hair care; this means their members would have mastered everything there is to know about new products and curling techniques.

Ask to see some of the hairstylist's certifications so that you can understand whether they’ve gotten specialized training. Organizations like Behindthechair.com serves salon professionals and stylists by offering virtual programs in their BTC University. Members can receive virtual training on various hair care specialties, curly, wavy, or other textured hair types.

Feel free to ask them questions before scheduling an appointment! Test their knowledge by asking them more specific questions related to curly hair, including which products they use and why. An informed decision is one of the key elements in how to make those gorgeous looking waves and curls still perfectly shiny.

Using Online Reviews and Referrals

If you have naturally wavy or curly hair and are looking for a stylist, reading reviews online, as well as asking your fellow wavies who they recommend is very helpful. The bottom line is that there is so much information available on the internet today thanks to platforms like Yelp, Google Reviews, Instagram, Tik Tok, and Facebook. Check out the stylist's page and see if they have 5-star reviews that state they specialize in wavy/curly hair.   

Also, look into whether the salon/stylist has professional images of previous work. Many stylists exhibit their work on Instagram or individual internet sites. Have a look at their before and after transformations as well as read some of the client comments; This will give additional insights about skills & if it suits your hair.

Just using both online reviews and word of mouth can quickly cut the pool down to only a few stylists. Pairing these together is a sure way to find someone who knows how wavy and curly hair operates, but also wants you to look your best.

Lastly, it’s not hard to find a “mommy group” either through the local school, parent groups, or online. Talking to actual moms from your community can be more reassuring than anonymous strangers commenting online. And you may be surprised at how certain hair types like curly/wavy foster a strong sense of support and connection as these moms all share the same struggles and understand.

Want a Consultation: Questions to ask for your Potential Hairstylist

Meeting a possible new stylist for curly hair can be so nerve-wracking and confusing. It’s a good idea to have the right questions in mind beforehand. Here are a few important questions to begin with;

-Curly hair is definitely a whole world in itself: Ask all stylists how long they have been cutting curls/waves. The better way to put it is — “How many years of experience do you have working with naturally curly hair specifically and what percentage of your current clients would fall into this group?”

-Specialty Training or Certification: You want your Hair Care Professional to have some level of specific training and/or certification to cutting and styling curly hair. Certifications are a good way to cut through the hype and find someone who cares enough to invest their time into their craft. You can ask — “Do you have any special training or certifications in cutting or styling curly hair?”

-Specialized Cutting Techniques: They must understand “the language” of cutting curly hair.  There are specific techniques, such as a “Mona” or “Diametrix” style of cut. Determining whether the stylist is even aware of this can indicate how experienced they are. You can phrase this question as — “Are you experienced with different cutting styles that are specifically used on curly hair?”

-Kids Curl-friendly products: Stylists who regularly use sulfate-free shampoos, conditioners and gels have more experience with the type of care curly hair needs. Ask what products they use on their own hair (or children’s hair). Can they talk about the different curly hair product lines, and do they understand why they are different.  In other words, you can ask—"What products do you typically use on curly haired kids, and are they different from what you use on clients with other hair types?”

-At Fairy Tales Hair Care, we have specially curated an entire line specifically for wavy and curly haired kids. Our natural formulations are gentle enough for kids’ curly hair to provide the necessary moisture and bounce without weighing the curls down. Click to shop our best-selling Curly-Q line for kids curly hair.

-Previous Clients: Ask to see some of the work they have done on clients with a similar hair type. Are they comfortable allowing you to see their skills in action?  This is a strong indicator of an experienced professional.  

-Style Maintenance: You want to keep those curls healthy in between visits so be sure to ask your hairstylist for kids’ curly maintenance tips so you can keep those curls healthy all year round. You can ask them for a routine and products they think would work better for your hair type.

-Consultation Fee: Note that some stylists may charge for a consultation. Make this clear early on to prevent surprises. 

A consultation is as much about meeting the stylist to see how well you click with them, as it is to gauge their knowledge. A good stylist will be open to your questions and concerns and provide thoughtful and detailed answers so that you feel safe and comfortable with them.

Things Your Hairstylist Does That Should Raise Red Flags

If you are on the hunt for a new stylist and looking to find one that is great working with wavy or curly hair kids, there might be some red flag signs you can pick up along your search. Here are a few red flags to look out for:

-Curly Hair Inexperience: Not everyone knows what to do with curly or wavy hair. If they are unsure or inexperienced with natural hair, this is a red flag that the stylist might not be able to take care of your curls in the best way.

-Non-Specialized Products: Using the same hair care products they use for non-curly hair. This is a big red flag. Any good stylist is going to understand the benefit of using curly hair conditioning and styling products. They should also ask about any other chemical services or treatments that were done previously to your hair to avoid unwanted reactions.  

-No Consultation: A truly skilled curly stylist will always have a consultation to discuss your hair's texture and go over what you like and don't want in a style. This is a step they should never skip, as it shows their lack of thoroughness or interest in giving you the best cut.

-Would Rather Cut Hair Wet: Although wet cutting can be a matter of preference, it is generally ideal to cut curls dry so the stylist can see exactly how your hair naturally falls. That said, if a stylist wants to cut your hair wet for little reason at all… you might want to walk out.

-Ignores Your Input: A good stylist is going to listen to what you want and your concerns. If they are not taking your needs or how you want to look and feel into consideration, then it might be a sign to look elsewhere.

-Unprofessional Image: Look at how clean and organized the salon is. The mess you see in messy or chaotic surroundings may also reflect in the workmanship of the service that should be performed.

Consider these red flags if you are looking for curly and wavy hair stylist for kids who knows their stuff!  

Finding Stylists Who Work with Curly-Friendly Products

Finding a stylist who specializes in this hair type and uses products specifically made for curly hair is important. Curly hair is often fragile and needs moisture-based, natural products that are free of sulfates to help keep its shape in check. When looking for a stylist, ask them about the products they use and why they recommend it. Not only does this show the skill of the stylist, but it also lets you know that they are committed to taking care of your hair. Need an expert opinion? Check out tips from the Jonas Brother’s and Bradley Cooper’s celebrity stylist, Amy Komorowski, as she shares how she styles and manages both celebrity and her own child’s wavy hair. 

And don’t be afraid to ask for a demonstration of the products that might be used during your initial consultation. There is no better way to have trust in a stylist's techniques than when you can see what/how the product actually works. And who knows? You may even get introduced to a product you’ve been dreaming about but never knew existed!

Fairy Tales Hair Care is Here To Help You!

For over 20 years Fairy Tales has specialized in children’s hair care, which is why we developed our premium specialty line of Curly-Q just for curly wavy hair.

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