Finding the right kind of advice on styling and hair care is a major part of curly maintenance. Of course, if you’ve just taken the plunge into textured natural hair, your main goal may be to simply master the basics—detangling, twist-outs, maybe a wash-and-go—but even longtime naturals will need guidance and tips from seasoned professionals at some point to achieve the best results.
And while the amount of questionable information on the internet knows no bounds, there are talented and masterful stylists who use their social media feeds to set the record straight and share their knowledge freely with their followers. Showing behind-the-scenes clips of celebrity styling before the red carpet, weighing in on hotly-debated topics on hair and scalp health, and providing daily inspiration to fuel your creativity, these professional hair gurus are well-worth a tap of that blue button.
Ahead you’ll find 10 Black hair stylists that use their platform to bring people top-tier curly education and pro tips.
1. “Kee” Taylor
Also known as “Deeper Than Hair TV” on YouTube, CEO and salon owner Kee Taylor has tutorials galore, and there’s one for just about every type of style you can imagine. Bantu knots, braids, blow-outs, extensions, you name it, which makes her social media the perfect place to start for the basics. And because she’s all about healthy hair journeys, there are also plenty of super satisfying big-chop transformations thrown in the mix.
2. Linwood Darkis
Having 20 years in the bag as a hairstylist and 11 years as a hair educator, you learn a thing or two about, well—pretty much everything. Linwood’s Instagram and YouTube channel features himself and his wife (both of whom are licensed cosmetologists”> discussing hot button topics on hair and answering commonly asked questions, as well as giving step-by-step tutorials for simple natural styles for adults and kids (featuring their two daughters”>. Watch for educational hair advice, and stay for the beautiful Black family content. And if you’re ever in need of curly wig recommendations, comb through their detailed wig reviews.
3. Niani B.
During the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, Niani decided to put an idea for an in-person class to even better use. Knowing that there are plenty of mothers that may not have the know-how to take care of their own hair or their children’s hair, the stylist and entrepreneur created a digital space for Black women to learn how to braid, free of judgment. A Safe Space for Black Girls That Never Learned How to Braid is an affordable braiding class focused on helping beginners. And with Niani being a braiding specialist herself, her feed is full of protective styling tips and inspo.
4. Ursula Stephen
A star-studded client list is a testimony to the quality of a person’s work. In-between updating her social media with cool sneak peeks into how incredible celebrity hairstyles are born, master stylist Ursula Stephens regularly drops gems on styling and even a few tutorials. Of course, her work will also be an aesthetic boost for your feed, for sure.
5. & 6. Aisha Strickland and Aeleise Jana
In 2015, these tight curl educators and licensed hair stylists created a brand that is dedicated to bringing people the blunt and honest truth about natural hair care. They present the pure facts, no chaser. Black Girl Curls is a hub for educating naturals based on the science behind taking care of textured hair, and the idea that caring for tight curls is way easier than it’s been portrayed to be.
7. Lacy Redway
Jamaican-born beauty creative Lacy Redway is in-demand in Hollywood, and for good reason. Chances are if you haven’t heard her name, then you know her work—it’s everywhere, from Vogue covers, to red carpets and beyond. In addition to providing practical tips for haircare and styling, Lacy is very open about her efforts to pave the way for other Black stylists in Hollywood by giving them tips on how to make their way into the industry. She even sat on the selection committee of TRESemmé’s 2021 Future Stylist Fund scholarship program for Black women, providing the winners with the expert advice needed to make it in the field.
8. Kari Williams
Ever heard of goddess locs? Thanks to Dr. Kari Williams, the natural-looking, wavy loc extensions that she originally created for actress Meagan Good are a protective styling option for us today. She’s also the stylist behind Chloe Bailey’s blond loc extensions. As both a stylist and a trichologist, Dr. Williams offers advice on all things protective styling, professional hair care courses, as well as a podcast dedicated to helping stylists sort out the issues that arise with running your own business.
9. Monae Everett
A hairstylist and makeup artist for 20 years, Monae shares her extensive knowledge of styling techniques and insider knowledge on how to attract celebrity clients for other stylists. If you’re a stylist who wants to be hired for Fashion Week, follow her “Monae’s Monday Morning Question” series.
10. Vernon François
The man behind Lupita Nyong’o’s stunning textured styles, celeb stylist, educator, and global consultant Vernon François is incredibly active on social media and consistently shares any recent interviews with hair advice for his audience. On a larger scale, Vernon is working with luxury brand Kéraste as an inclusivity advisor to bring curly and coily hair texture to the forefront of global stylist education.
How much of your curly and textured hair knowledge comes from your social media feed? Do you follow any other stylists that give great advice? Tell us about it in the comments below!
