This October, Texture Mastery Pro, a two-day immersive textured hair education event, took place at the new L'Oréal Academy East in Hudson Yards, New York City. The annual event was brought to life by Texture of Change founder, Erica Robertson-Peters, in support of the 65% of people worldwide who have textured hair, but are unable to receive proper professional care for it. Since its inception, Texture of Change has partnered with industry professionals and advocated for legislation passed in 9 states so far.
Beauty Launchpad sat down with Robertson-Peters to discuss how Texture Mastery Pro aims to shape the future of textured hair education overall.
The Brands
Walking us through this year’s show, Robertson-Peters listed the 7 L’Oréal brands presenting education for the first time together at the show. The list included L’Oréal Professionnel, Redken, Color Wow, Matrix, Mizani, Kérastase and Biolage, “Part of the Texture of Change initiative, when we founded it years ago, was to bring all of our L’Oréal Professional Product Division brands really to the forefront and provide greater awareness to things they were already doing. When you think of color brands in our portfolio, like Redken, Matrix, L’Oreal Professionnel, before we launched Texture of Change, many of them had already been on a journey to provide more inclusive education in the industry.”
The lesser-known education from these brands was brought to life at the event, presenting techniques for professionals to use in service of textured hair clients. Education included preserving the integrity of curls and textured hair as well as back bar treatment solutions.
“We know that there's greater education needed even at the blow-drying phase when it comes to textured hair, how to properly section, how to detangle and properly blow dry hair,” Robertson-Peters says, “so in the selection of the brands that are participating, it was really about just trying to bring greater awareness to these offerings, the classes that [the brands] have.”
The Experience
Sharing and legitimizing textured hair education on a legislative level is only one component of the movement to create more accessibility to textured hair services. At the other end is the actual education, not just in care and service, but in business. Professional haircare is full of entrepreneurs, and it’s important that we’re uplifting stylists and salons already doing the work and help identify business opportunities for those expanding their services. Texture Hair Mastery Pro brings business resources and perspective to their attendees through curated panel discussions with professionals already making waves.
“A lot of thought goes into forming panel discussions. These are intended to be inspiring. We want people to walk away knowing what some best practices have been in the industry, how our panelists, various ones, have taken strides from the point of going to cosmetology school to elevating their careers to where they are today,” Robertson-Peters says, referring to speakers like Jawara Wachoupe, Nai’vasha Grace, Kayra Theodore, Tippi Shorter, Dhairius Thomas and Leysa Carrillo. “ If we think about the two panel discussions that we'll have, one is really centered on business. We talked about the importance of business development. This is extremely important to us, helping bring voices to the forefront who have achieved salon success and who have had various journeys throughout their careers in the industry.”
The event, emceed by award-winning celebrity hairstylist Nai’Vasha Grace, featured two powerful panels. Marc Mendez, Dhairius Thomas, and India Bertin joined moderator Olivia Hancock for the first panel, “Trust Is the Technique: Building Your Texture Business From the Chair Up,” to discuss how textured hair education drives salon business growth and helps stylists expand their skills, clientele, and career opportunities.
The conversation turned to the voices shaping beauty’s next chapter as Kayra Theodore, Davontae Washington, and Kate Oechsle joined moderator Asia Milia Ware for “Texture Is the Culture: The Moments Shaping Beauty’s Next Era.” Panelists explored how textured hair and the creators championing it are reshaping beauty narratives, standards and consumer expectations, and how the industry can move those conversations forward with authenticity.
“This is going to be a great opportunity for networking overall,” Robertson-Peters said leading up to the event. The event was hosted for a range of attendees from those very familiar with textured hair looking to refine or explore their skills and services to those less familiar, looking to responsibly expand their abilities and business. “ When it comes to representation from a cultural and identity standpoint, we hope to invite and have a very inclusive audience ranging in race, ethnicity, backgrounds and experiences who will also join and participate. I often say when we think about the need to elevate and upskill stylists in our industry. This work is important for all stylists, no matter how you identify.”
