Two days, seven brands and one very full room. Earlier this month, The Tease took a quick trip to NYC to see what was going down at Texture Mastery Pro, and if you missed it, we’ve got the full recap for you.
THE TEXTURE OF CHANGE, powered by L’Oréal Professional Products Division (PPD), brought stylists to L’Oréal Academy East, the company’s new 13,000-square-foot flagship education center in Hudson Yards. Hairstylists, educators, artists, creators and advocates came together for hands-on learning, big conversations and a whole lot of curl.
For the first time, seven PPD brands (L’Oréal Professionnel, Redken, Mizani, Kérastase, Matrix, Color WOW and Biolage) taught textured hair education under one roof. Panels, masterclasses and hands-in-hair workshops covered color, cutting, styling and personalized care.
“Leading this initiative has been deeply meaningful and we’re committed to closing the textured hair education gap,” Erica Roberson, Vice President of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion for L’Oréal PPD and founder of THE TEXTURE OF CHANGE shares. “And for me, Texture Mastery Pro is about so much more than education. It’s about creating a space where hairstylists, artists, and thought leaders can come together to create community, conversations, and artistry that will shift our industry forward for the next generation of stylists.”
Day 1: Conversations, Policy and Masterclass
Celebrity hairstylist Nai’Vasha Grace kicked off the first day, which opened with two panels. “Trust Is the Technique: Building Your Texture Business From the Chair Up” brought Marc Mendez, Dhairius Thomas and India Bertin together to discuss how textured hair education drives salon business growth and helps stylists expand opportunities.
Mendez made the case for sharing knowledge with emerging stylists, regardless of their background. “If we want to be represented correctly and we want to be in every single room, it’s important that everyone knows how to service us. I have a six-chair salon, and every stylist doesn’t look like me, and every stylist doesn’t have textured hair—but they know how to service every woman.”
“Texture Is the Culture: The Moments Shaping Beauty’s Next Era” followed, with Kayra Theodore, Davontae Washington and Kate Oechsle joining moderator Asia Milia Ware. The panel explored how textured hair and the creators championing it are reshaping beauty narratives, standards and consumer expectations.
“I believe us as a people, we found our voice over the course of time. So when we speak up, that allows the conversation to open up, and it allows people to take action to create that change,” Theodore shared.
Policy also took the stage. Ryan Bounsy, Assistant Vice President of Public Affairs for L’Oréal, introduced New York State Assembly member Michaelle Solages, a primary sponsor of the New York Texture Education Collective (TEC) legislation who played an instrumental role in getting the bill signed into law. “Use your voice behind the chair to talk with your clients about policy,” she encouraged attendees. “So many of us have been told our curly, coily hair isn’t professional. You shouldn’t have to change who you are to fit in. I look forward to continuing this conversation and pushing these laws forward, not just in New York, but across the country.”
The masterclasses rounded out the day:
- Jawara Wauchope, “Texture, Transformed: The Art of Editorial Hair” (L’Oréal Professionnel): the event’s only globally livestreamed class with viewers tuning in from at least 40 distinct locations across the U.S., France, Mexico, and South Africa. It showcases two editorial looks wrapped with a live Q&A on a the global reach of textured hair.
- Blue-Waverly Wahome, “Made for Iconic Expression”: The photojournalist and creative producer traced Black hair culture through the evolution of the salon, the hair book and the hair show, with a display of her photography. She also made the case for physical media. “If social media closes up shop today, what happens to your legacy? Having physical media is really important in order for the hair industry to move forward, and also for us to even look back at today once we get a few years down the road.” On that note — make sure to check out PRINTED by The Tease.
- Kendell Dorsey, “The Finish Factor” (Color WOW): Showed how innovative products and thoughtful applications expand the possibilities for textured hair. Color WOW is the newest addition to the L’Oréal PPD portfolio.
- Rachel Redd and Leysa Carrillo, “Frame the Curl: The Art of Haircolor Contouring” (Redken): The duo took the stage together for the first time ever, covering how to highlight curls through no-bleach highlighting.
Day 2: Hands-On Education
Day two put the inspiration into practice with brand-led education tailored to textured hair:
- Mizani: Artist Ashley Brown demonstrated the signature AirCut Method, followed by a hands-in wash-and-go styling session.
- L’Oréal Professionnel: National Color Artist Tippi Shorter led “French Highlights: The No-Bleach Curl Edit,” showing curl-conscious color placement and dimension on dark bases without traditional bleach.
- Kérastase: Artists Tim Wingate and Lysiane Henderson used K-SCAN scalp and hair analysis to demonstrate personalized care, connecting customized backbar treatments with take-home routines.
- Matrix: Global Artistic Director Michelle O’Connor closed the hands-on education with “Lived-In Lowkey Color: Curl Mapping & Dimension,” guiding attendees through color placement and styling that complement natural curl patterns.
Texture Mastery Pro put advocacy, artistry and cultural history in the same room and sent attendees home with ideas and techniques for their salons and classrooms. With seven brands teaching together for the first time, it marked the next step in The Texture of Change’s push for continued learning and professional community. Check out what you may have missed on @readthetease!
