Q. What is one thing you wish curly + coily clients knew and practiced at home?

Using a less is more approach. Having a good cleanse and conditioning routine on a weekly basis with salon-quality products will actually make their hair more hydrated! Lathering heavy butters and oils will make hair lifeless and have the opposite hydrating effect. I like to think of styling products as tools for more control, volume, or feel. I suggest if your clients are new to the journey, eliminate heavy products, aim for lighter water-based ones, and make sure they get to know their hair without coated lubricants. 

Q. What is the most important maintenance tip you give your clients?

Maintenance trims or cuts every 2-4 months (depending on texture and diameter of the curl) allows for length retention. Most of my fine coily clients come in a little sooner, around 8-10 weeks, whereas my curly girls can typically go 3-4 months. Having my clients use the K18 molecular repair hair mask in-between salon visits will repair and restore all hair types from damage like color, and helps to keep the hair resilient and in great shape.

Q: What are your top 3 dos for curls + coils?

1. Ask your clients what they like about their curly/coily hair instead of making someone else their hair goals. This is the first step in having them commit to the journey and creating a self-love mindset. 

2. Learn more about curls and coils from a curly/coily specialist.

3. Remind your clients to be patient and handle their hair with care.

Q: How about your top 3 don’ts?

1. Don't let clients compare their hair to anyone else's!

2. Don't use heavy oils or butters, they block proper hydration.

3. Don't use food on hair! Unless you’re a cosmetic chemist, eat the eggs and sweet potatoes, don't create a mask with them.

Q.  How does a person know when their curls need some TLC?

A tell-tale sign that someone needs some TLC is when the hair is misbehaving. It may feel brittle, limp or dry. It can mean several things; metal + mineral buildup, product buildup, lack of hydration, or it’s time for a cut. If it's been a while since my client's last visit, let's say 6 or more months, I always use K18's PRO service to bring hair back to life.

The pro chelating hair complex helps reduce any hard water minerals or metals for a clean canvas. I then follow up with the K18 PRO mist for more resilient hair, and the PRO mask to reverse damage on the molecular level in just 4 minutes.

Q. What is your favorite way to make curls + coils pop?

Here's my secret to curls and coils that pop: clean hair. Hair product absorbs better on a clean canvas so starting off with K18's detox or DAMAGE SHIELD pH protective shampoo helps to create that clean foundation. After K18’s repair treatment, you can choose to condition. I style on really wet hair to get maximum definition and always diffuse or have my clients sit under the dryer for a sleek look, never air dry.  

Clean, healthy hair is Lautrice’s secret to keeping clients of all hair textures happy in the salon. 

x Alifia, Curly-Coily Expert + K18 Educator

Check back for more curly-coily chats, we’re going all the way.