Welcome to 2025! This year is all about self-love, confidence, and owning your unique beauty.  Embracing natural textures fosters confidence and self-love, empowering individuals to live authentically without confirming to unrealistic norms.

In this episode I talk about the power of self-love and confidence and some societal pressures and standards of those with textured hair.  Some of those societal pressures are in our workplace and in the media.  I also share practical tips for building self-esteem.

If you are looking for education resources, check out:

Natural Hair Education Resources and Programs

"5 Principles to Understanding & Performing Natural Hair Care Services"

"What Beauty School DID NOT Teach You"

 "Texture on Texture" Styling Course

This episode was set to release over a year ago in a new Queedom Care Series I was preparing for.  However, it was released today.  This episode with Felicia Johnson McGhee is a two-part series wrapped up in one episode.  She touches on the importance of self-care and how it correlates with hair care.

I admire how poised and intentional Felicia is about the importance of self-care.  With the World we're living in and the daily stresses that many may face, stress can always be near, but with mindfulness we can slow down the stresses.

Here is Felicia Johnson McGhee bio:

As a proud alumnus of Creative Hair School of Cosmetology, Felicia cultivates textured hair with care & creativity.

Her stress-soothing, inclusive approach to all textures increases her client’s confidence to embrace and wear their distinct hair fabric with joy and pride.

Felicia’s greatest joy is to help her clients see the beauty, enjoy the flexibility, and radiate the glory of their crown.

Hey you!  Thank you for tuning in to the Natural Hair Education Podcast today.  This episode is special to me as I am celebrating my 42nd birthday today.  I am so grateful to be on this planet at this time doing what I love.

In this episode I share how my beauty career in cosmetology shifted into becoming a specialist in Natural Hair/Textured Hair.  I also go through different eras of time and how our hair has always played a significant role in our lives.

Please feel free to share your natural hair stories with me because I would love to hear them and share with my listeners.  You can email me your stories at [email protected].

If you are looking for education resources, check out:

Natural Hair Education Resources and Programs

"5 Principles to Understanding & Performing Natural Hair Care Services"

"What Beauty School DID NOT Teach You"

 "Texture on Texture" Styling Course

On today's episode I sit down with a good acquaintance and talk with her about herbs, tinctures, minerals and more.  

Tanisha aka Da neighborhood antidote, born and raised in Mount Morris (Beecher) certified herbalist (4years) certified Kemetic yoga instructor (10years) and Gardner.

She specializes in herbal tea blends , tinctures, capsules, sea moss, yoni steam herbal blends, and herbal smoke blends.  "Herbalism has always been part of me, it’s in my DNA. I chose to tap into herbalism to learn the natural and holistic ways of healing the mind body and soul as my ancestors did with what Mother Nature already provides us here on earth. I know my divine purpose is to learn, teach, and build with my people on healing ourselves with herbs that are healing for the nation". 

Follow her and support her business using the links below

Natural Hair Education Resources and Programs

"5 Principles to Understanding & Performing Natural Hair Care Services"

"What Beauty School DID NOT Teach You"

 "Texture on Texture" Styling Course

Today's episode is a repeat episode.  The new year is around the corner and now is the time to start planning and prioritizing for 2025.  

I wanted to have Brandi Taylor on because she is an accomplished beauty expert.  2020 brought us a lot of uncertainty, but Brandi was able to scale her business in creative ways that increased her exposure and income.

What better time to find ways to set ourselves up for success?

In this episode, Brandi share with us ways we can set goals, the importance of having a plan, and ultimately how being true to yourself is the best gift you can give yourself.

Brandi was so generous to give away materials that will help you set goals for this year and her Ebook that is full of positive affirmations. 

Brandi is not new to the beauty industry as she coaches and helps other beauty pros scale their business and increase their income. She also has a podcast that shares everything you need to know about the beauty industry and the business side of it.

Connect with Brandi and check out her podcast "Beauty Business Network Podcast" on all podcast platforms:

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.IAmBrandiTaylor.com

Website: www.BeautyBusinessNetwork.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iambranditaylor/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/businessbeautynetwork/

Don't forget to check out my FREE Resources:

"5 Principles to Understanding & Performing Natural Hair Care Services"

"What Beauty School DID NOT Teach You"

On today's episode I talk to Vecoya Banks who is the founder of "Love The Hair You Wear".  LTHYW was created to help black women embrace their natural hair, increase self-esteem, and support their self care journey.

LTHYW is a uniquely curated experience that connects attendees with brands and techniques that empower them. This is especially important in today's political climate. Black women need a safe space to be themselves and discuss the issues that are important to them. Hair is the vehicle for LTHYW but the message is much deeper.

She most recently held a "Love The Hair You Wear "event, which took place in mid-September at North Carolina A&T State University.  Over 400 students attended, and the day was filled with meaningful discussions, networking, and celebration of natural beauty and identity. 

Natural Hair Education Resources and Programs

"5 Principles to Understanding & Performing Natural Hair Care Services"

"What Beauty School DID NOT Teach You"

 "Texture on Texture" Styling Course

In this weeks episode, I share a brief story of a previous clients that reached out for a consultation due to his scalp concerns.

I talk about the consultation, my recommendations and the importance of Salon sanitation and infection control practices.  I also breakdown the differences between Seborrhea Dermatitis and Eczema.  

This episode is recommended to the client and stylist.  As a salon professional we can always be open to listening to our clients and their concerns, as we have a responsibility to ourselves and clients to keep our work areas and tools clean and sanitized to prevent the spread of bacteria and viruses.

As clients, I ask that you communicate with your stylist, ask questions.

Natural Hair Education Resources and Programs

"5 Principles to Understanding & Performing Natural Hair Care Services"

"What Beauty School DID NOT Teach You"

 "Texture on Texture" Styling Course

Since we have been talking about healthy hair and scalp, I wanted to replay this episode with Dermatologist Dr. Sharleen St. Turin-Lord.

Dr. Sharleen St. Surin-Lord, is a leading board-certified Dermatologist that specializes in Hair Health.   Dr. St. Surin-Lord founded Visage Dermatology in the D.C. Metropolitan area where she helps individuals be their best selves by helping with skin and hair concerns.

She is also on the cutting edge of research and is a professor at Howard University.  Today she talks with us about internal and external health, hair loss, product ingredients, nutrition, and simply how to love yourself.

I love that Dr. Sharleen shared so many principles to help guide us on have a healthy body.  When she sees her patients, she looks at their medical history as well as their lifestyle (meditation practices for relieving stress, exercise habits, sleep patterns, and one psyche), to help in finding a remedy for their condition.  She is also very well intuned with product ingredients that are harmful to our bodies.

This episode is packed with good tips!

To stay connect with Dr. Sharleen St. Surin-Lord you can visit her website (https://www.visagederm.com) or on Instagram at (https://www.instagram.com/dermhairdoc/

If you are looking for a dermatologist in your area, make sure to check out www.AAD.org 

If you enjoyed this episode be sure to comment with your thoughts and share this episode with a friend!

Thank you 

Natural Hair Education Resources and Programs

"5 Principles to Understanding & Performing Natural Hair Care Services"

"What Beauty School DID NOT Teach You"

 "Texture on Texture" Styling Course

I wanted to spend some time discussing the role of diet and health in hair care.   I believe we know that there is a correlation between the diet and health and hair care, but I wanted to really do in depth to share the overall benefits of optimum health and nurtrition.

In the episode I start with understanding the hair structor as this will allow you to understand how diet, hydration and overall health impact hair health.  I talk about the 3 layers of a single hair strand, the role of protein and keratin and foods that are rich in proteins.  I also share essential nutrients  such as the most impactful vitamins and minerals needed for healthy hair follicles and hair.

Below are a list of proteins, vitamins and minerals I talked about in the episode.

Protein:

1. Lean Meats: Chicken, turkey, and lean cuts of beef are excellent sources of high-quality protein. They provide the essential amino acids needed for keratin production and overall hair health.

Vitamins:

• Vitamin A: Promotes scalp health by encouraging sebum production. Foods: Sweet potatoes, carrots, spinach.

Minerals:

• Iron: Prevents hair loss by aiding in red blood cell production. Foods: Red meat, lentils, and spinach.

Be sure to share your thoughts, leave a review and/or follow the podcast for other topics around Textured Hair.

Natural Hair Education Resources and Programs

"5 Principles to Understanding & Performing Natural Hair Care Services"

"What Beauty School DID NOT Teach You"

 "Texture on Texture" Styling Course

I am really excited about this episode because we are discussing the science of hair growth.  I would like to think that many of us desire healthy hair and many of those also desire long hair.  Well, how does that work? What are the factors that contribute to hair growth and even hair loss.  In this episode I will share with you the stages of hair growth, factors that influence hair health and hair growth and I will debunk some myths around hair growth.

Stages of Hair Growth

• Anagen (Growth Phase)

Be sure to check out my programs at https://www.naturalhairedu.com/programs