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Have you caught the texture wave? Today, stylists at every level of expertise are elevating their texture skills and improving their understanding of all hair types. And thanks to a groundbreaking new series of hands-on texture classes launched at an exclusive Texture Rally earlier this year, thousands of Ulta Beauty stylists are at the leading edge of learning and growing this texture transformation.
Ulta Beauty’s exclusive Texture Excellence classes debuted at a major four-day Texture Rally for more than 120 educators, hosted earlier this year in Naperville, IL. Attendees experienced a deep dive into the texture education experience, with sessions led and supported by Ulta Beauty Pro Team members Michelle O’Connor and David Lopez, as well as Design Team stylists Bianca Donahue, Laura Gunter, Stacey-Ann Houston and Takeyra Shipps.
Bianca Donahue
“I have always felt like a boy, like a guy. Luckily, I was supported."
Bianca taught: Wig knowledge (application and styling); texture sets (Bantu knots, three-strand twist, two-strand flat twist) and relaxers (application, knowledge and do’s and don’ts).
BE REENERGIZED
A CHECKLIST
11 tips for any beauty pro who wants to level up or try on a new skill.
Start within the four walls of your own salon. Reach out and find a partner, a colleague who wants to practice and grow. Be vulnerable and ask for guidance from someone who has the skills you want to develop.
Learn More About Joining The Ulta beauty Team
Be practical
on the hair you really love doing and that you want to see in your chair every day. Get models and do techniques that represent the guests or business you want to develop. And don't forget to post!
Be focused
Identify someone who is already successful in an area you want to improve, reach out and ask if they will help you on your journey. Offer to give back or exchange skills. Mentorships can be a two-way street—learn from each other!
Be proactive—find a mentor
Consider hiring a personal business or skills coach, even for a limited time. Or find a salon that offers the equivalent support in education and business.
Be willing to invest in yourself
Pay attention to content to artists who are at the top of their game as well as working stylists you relate to, who are only a step or two ahead of your current skill level. Following individual Ulta Beauty Design Team and Pro Team members is a great place to start!
Be a (smart) follower
Events and experiences are back. Be safe and follow your urge to reconnect and get close to hands-in-hair education.
Be out there
While live, hands-on classes deliver unmatched experiences, virtual education is here to stay—at Ulta Beauty and beyond. Digital classes can be accessible, affordable and provide a one-on-one coaching feeling, even working with stylists all over the country.
Be plugged in
Practice, practice, practice. Start with your favorite color or cut, then branch out. Share. Ask for input. Repeat.
Be friends with your mannequin
Film your technical practice and stream it. Don't be afraid to share your knowledge. You might discover you're really good at it
Be brave
Pick one expertise, category or service and brand yourself. There is so much in this beautiful industry we all love to do. Reach for the stars can mean narrowing your focus.
Be a specialist
Don't be afraid to show your personality on social media. Success is not about copying someone else. Speak and share in your authentic voice. BeU!
Be bold
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HEARD
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“You know when they ask what you want to be when you grow up? I just wanted to be a woman.”
Stacey-Ann taught: Wrap press and curl on short hair and finger waves on short hair. “When I was teaching my press and curl segment, I told everyone to curl the top area of the head into a C-shape curl because that will help create a lot of movement in the hair. Many people were amazed, but it's always the smallest details that can help make a difference when it comes to finishing a look.”
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"We had more than 120 educators in the room learning about all things texture at our Texture Rally kickoff, but we also specialize in color, and cutting, and in extension training as well as financial education.”
—Anna Manukyan @amanukyan, Ulta Beauty Sr. Director of Education and Creative
Video and behind-the-scenes images by ISP Creative (@ispcreative)
Stacey-
Laura
Takeyra Shipps
U
Ulta Beauty’s four-class “Texture Excellence” series covers:
Braiding and Protective Styles
In the months since the train-the-texture trainers’ immersion, Ulta Beauty has made sure stylists across the country could get hands-on and hands-into textured hair, adding 1,500 in-person texture classes to its regularly scheduled curriculum for 2022.
Today, Ulta Beauty stylists nationwide can sign up to attend the paid (always!) classes in any order, at their own pace.
“We pride ourselves on industry leading education here at Ulta Beauty, not only through our Pro Team and Design Team, but through our network of full-time educators.” says Sr. Director of Education and Creative Anna Manukyan. “We had more than 120 educators in the room learning about all things texture at our Texture Rally kickoff, but we also specialize in color, and cutting, and in extension training as well as financial education.”
Texture education—and more—for everyone
BEFORE & AFTER: TEXTURE TIPS
Everyone who was part of launching the Texture Rally as well as those facilitating the Texture Excellence classes for stylists have praised the experience, citing the ongoing learning and important dialogue that Ulta Beauty has supported.
Design Team stylists Bianca Donahue, Laura Gunter, Stacey-Ann Houston and Takeyra Shipps helped host the Texture Rally for educators. Here, they share a snapshot of what they taught and learned, both on platform and once they had returned behind the chair at their Ulta Beauty salons.
I’m most excited about: “Inclusivity! I've been honored to be a part of this team in highlighting the history of texture and hair, and understanding texture benefits every stylist. This huge step in the beauty industry has changed so many lives already, and we've only just begun.”
What’s in it for every stylist? “Becoming diverse in your skill set helps you see things differently and be more creative. You’d be surprised at how many of your current guests are either textured themselves or have family or friends who have textured hair. Wanting all people to feel beautiful and most confident in their hair is always a rewarding goal.”
Ann
I’m most excited about: “The fact that all the stylists who work for Ulta Beauty will get trained on knowing how to take care of and style textured hair, so everyone who has curly hair can be happy walking into our salons and know that any stylist behind the chair can do their hair.”
What’s in it for every stylist? “This ongoing texture training will add on more business because learning a new skill will unlock new clientele.”
Pro tip: “Find out how your guest primarily wears their hair. This will influence what type of cut you do. If they only wear their hair curly you can do a curly cut, but if they straighten their hair a curly cut won't be the best fit.”
I’m most excited about: “Making sure every stylist in every Ulta Beauty salon is equipped to do every service on our menu.”
What’s in it for every stylist? “Having the confidence to service all hair textures gives stylists an opportunity to offer more tailored suggestions to their existing salon guests. Adding services like keratin treatments, relaxers, curly haircuts, and silk presses will help stylists increase their revenue behind the chair and earn a better income.”
Takeyra taught: All things braiding. “The mechanics, from what some may consider beginner level to more technical techniques, like how to feed in hair. Once you develop the mechanics and find your rhythm, with proper prep and hair distribution, there’s never any guessing. What we’re doing when braiding is a natural movement. But it only becomes natural through repetition and practice.”
I’m most excited about: “The level of care that everyone, including our Services District Educators, took in receiving the texture information shared at the Texture Rally. Seeing our educators so passionate about learning and wanting to take what they’ve learned to give the best education experience to our stylists is so inspiring!”
What’s in it for every stylist? “There’s so much more to learn. I’m so grateful I was able to share my story and skills to help all stylists feel like they could truly have all-inclusive businesses. Not having to turn away any guests truly allows stylists to grow, and our industry as well.”
Be inspired! Immerse yourself in texture tips and services, including braiding, protective styling, cutting, coloring, working with thermal tools correctly, and more. The possibilities in texture—and every service—are always beautiful with Ulta Beauty education.
Are you ready to grow your texture services potential?
haircuttinG
haircolor
Texture management
"There’s so much energy and excitement around the genre of textured hair."
—Michelle O’Connor @michelleoconnorbeauty, Ulta Beauty Pro Team member, award winning stylist and expert voice on the role of culture in taking care all hair types and guests.
"We brought our entire team together to focus on hands-on texture education."
—Sarah Dahl, Director Services Education
"When we say all things beauty all in one place, that includes everyone, and that includes all hair types and all hair textures.”
—David Lopez @davidlopezzz, Ulta Beauty Pro Team member, award winning stylist and inclusive beauty expert.
@biancad.beauty
@stacceyann
@lauragunterhair
@hair_bytakeyra
Pro tip: “Become as knowledgeable as you can about porosity. Once you can pinpoint the porosity of the hair you are working on, almost anything can be achieved. Porosity plays a big part in product choice and style longevity.
Since the Texture Rally: “Educators and other stylists have told me that the Three-Strand Twist tutorial was so valuable and a lot easier to do in the salon than they thought it would be.”
Pro tip: “Become as knowledgeable as you can about porosity. Once you can pinpoint the porosity of the hair you are working on, almost anything can be achieved. Porosity plays a big part in product choice and style longevity.
Since the Texture Rally: “Educators and other stylists have told me that the Three-Strand Twist tutorial was so valuable and a lot easier to do in the salon than they thought it would be.”
Houston
Pro tip: For anyone transitioning back to their natural texture, use flexi rods on the ends of the hair when doing a textured set to help create a natural curl pattern until the transition period is complete. For example, if you’re doing a two-strand twist out and the end of your hair is straight, you can use rods to create a curl pattern.”
Pro tip: For anyone transitioning back to their natural texture, use flexi rods on the ends of the hair when doing a textured set to help create a natural curl pattern until the transition period is complete. For example, if you’re doing a two-strand twist out and the end of your hair is straight, you can use rods to create a curl pattern.”
Gunter
Gunter
Laura taught: Haircutting textured hair. “Cutting with tension on curly hair will create maximum texture, cutting with no tension will create a hard line. This was a huge lightbulb moment for the audience. We are taught the opposite to be true with straight hair.”
Laura taught: Haircutting textured hair. “Cutting with tension on curly hair will create maximum texture, cutting with no tension will create a hard line. This was a huge lightbulb moment for the audience. We are taught the opposite to be true with straight hair.”
Pro tip: When braiding on the scalp (cornrows, feed in braids), always pay attention to where hair lives and to where it’s going. Sometimes we tend to get ahead of ourselves and over-direct hair up into the braid. This causes braids to not properly sit where you want them to. Take your time, take sections that live in that area, and you will produce very clean beautiful on scalp braids.”
Pro tip: When braiding on the scalp (cornrows, feed in braids), always pay attention to where hair lives and to where it’s going. Sometimes we tend to get ahead of ourselves and over-direct hair up into the braid. This causes braids to not properly sit where you want them to. Take your time, take sections that live in that area, and you will produce very clean beautiful on scalp braids.”
