Textured Hair Research

It’s estimated that 65% of the world’s consumer population have textured hair, making it increasingly important that the salon industry can best accommodate these customers.

• It’s about respect and fairness: Everyone deserves a stylist or barber who gets their hair, no matter its curl pattern or thickness.
• It opens doors to new clients: Mastering textured hair opens doors to a larger market, attracting clients who might otherwise feel unwelcome or underserved. This can lead to increased business growth and revenue opportunities.
• It’s about happier clients: Textured hair has unique cut, color and styling needs. By embracing textured hair, stylists help clients love their natural beauty and challenge negative stereotypes.
• It’s about more loyal clients: Professionals who understand and appreciate textured hair can craft personalized styles that suit clients’ preferences and hair types. This builds trust and long-term client relationships.
• And it’s about creating a welcoming and empowering space for everyone.

As texture gets (deservedly) more attention in the professional beauty space, Pivot Point shares some key insights from our research – identifying the challenges – and the opportunities – related to texture education.

PIVOT POINT TEXTURE RESEARCH FINDING #1

Understanding Texture is Critical for Future Professionals – Salons are Turning Down Services

• Salons are seeing growing demand for texture services
• However, many stylists have had limited school exposure or professional expertise. They lack the confidence to accept texture customers – and salons and stylists are losing customers + revenue
• Stylists who are uncomfortable with their skills may leave the industry
• This has also become a legislative issue – starting with the CROWN Act and certain states (e.g., NY) requiring cosmetology schools to include texture training in their curriculum

PIVOT POINT TEXTURE RESEARCH FINDING #2

Schools and Instructors Struggle to Teach Texture

• They don’t always understand the relationship between texture and DEI-B, which students expect them to understand
• They aren’t always sure how and where to add texture content to their current curriculum
• They don’t always have access to, or additional funds to purchase, appropriate texture teaching tools

PIVOT POINT TEXTURE RESEARCH FINDING #3

Brands are increasingly offering texture education to accommodate their professional customers

• Virtually all professional brands are expanding their texture education
• Training techniques are now being taught for multiple textures

PIVOT POINT TEXTURE RESEARCH FINDING #4

Texture is Not Discussed Consistently

• There are no standard terms, references or charts across beauty schools, salons or brands
• Different terms across communities lead to confusion and bad customer outcomes

“The language of texture can help stylists communicate with their clients, and it can serve as a guide to select the right products and services. But what may be wavy to one person might differ from stylist to stylist. It is a huge benefit to the entire texture ecosystem to have consistency when defining different textures.”

Michelle Breyer – Founder, NaturallyCurly.com

PIVOT POINT TEXTURE RESEARCH FINDING #5

There is Confusion About the Larger Texture and Diversity Conversation

• There are different names for related topics
  • DEI-B (diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging)
  • ESG (environmental, social, governance)
  • CSR (corporate social responsibility)
• Depending on who you talk to, the scope of the conversation varies – these can include many different things, including gender, ethnicity, age, orientation, etc.
• There is confusion about DEI-B and the law – for example, understanding The Crown Act (Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair)

PIVOT POINT TEXTURE SOLUTIONS

Pivot Point provides comprehensive education, specialized mannequins, tools, and resources that build confidence and competence in textured hair care.

Our commitment goes beyond our products and includes our active involvement in industry diversity initiatives (BEAUTY+), research, and textured hair recognition program with Intercoiffure as examples of our mission to help the industry best understand and embrace texture.

Join us in building an inclusive industry where everyone feels confident and celebrated for their unique hair.

• Pivot Point texture education provides a language and reference tools that enable effective texture conversations in virtually all situations
• Texture content is integrated into the curriculum, making it easy for schools to offer a strong texture offering
• We offer a wealth of supporting materials, including detailed video tutorials and Product guides, providing the right tools and products for every texture
• Pivot Point provides real-world educational content through our collaborations with industry leaders to reflect the latest trends and techniques
• The highest quality, most realistic mannequins: A collection of mannequins (from straight to wavy to coily) that mirror the complete range of curl patterns.
• Specialty mannequins – our revolutionary Texture Quad mannequin provides a cost-effective way to train students and professionals on textured hair
• Our DEI-B Industry Reference and our DEI-B Glossary of Terms clearly explain texture and other DEI-B related topics that provide the cultural sensitivity training to  understand and accommodate the unique needs and preferences of diverse clients
• Learn more >>