Menu
The knowledge
As well as being Francesco Group’s Advanced Academy Creative Director, Michelle Thompson is an award-winning Afro hairdresser, as well as current Northern Stylist of the Year at the Black Beauty Sensationnel awards. But aside from her expertise and awards, Midlands-based Michelle is one of the most inspirational hairdressers working in the UK today – on any hair type. Just take a look at her work over on Instagram, @michellethompsonhair, and you’ll see what we’re talking about!In this, the first of two guest blogs with Michelle, she talks about the need for more salons to cater to clients with afro and/or extremely curly hair.
Why working on afro hair can only be a bonus for your salon profits
It’s a material that we as hairdressers work with – no matter what the texture is. You cannot forecast who your next client is going to be, which means that you need to be prepared for any client to walk through that door. I believe that in 20 years we are not going to see any one texture or type; it’s all going to be mixed up, as more and more cultures are blending. If you’re not open to understanding all hair types now, you will suffer in the future. It’s happening already! Think about it; when you go to the doctor, you don’t go to a doctor specific to your race, do you?
So why aren’t salons/hairdressers catering to all hair types?
It’s a fear – it’s the not knowing. I teach a lot of courses, cutting for Mizani working with hair types 3 and 4, and when you ask the majority of the attendees if they’ve ever worked with Afro hair, they’ll say ‘no’. So I’ll ask them, what makes you not want to work with it? Most of them say; ‘I don’t know how to; I’ve never been shown.’ For me, it goes back to the colleges. When I went to college, I was fortunate enough to go to one that included afro hair as part of the NVQ, but now it’s an optional module. But many of today’s stylists just see a mass of hair and they feel intimidated. It’s simply because they haven’t had that education from day one.
When I talk to hairdressers who already have many years of experience, but have never worked with afro hair, I always take them back to the basics. I ask them; if you have a frizzy client, what type of products would you use? I’ll ask them how they blowdry hair and they’ll answer me and I’ll tell them: it’s no different with Afro hair! By the end of the day the attendees are so happy and amazed at how much they’ve enjoyed it, and how much they can do. There just aren’t enough places in the UK delivering the education.
Find out more about Michelle and Francesco Group.
All imagery via @michellethompsonhair/Instagram
Freelance Focus
Freelance Focus, is a one stop resource for anyone working as a freelancer or thinking of going freelance in the hair & beauty industry, which includes a FREE downloadable guide filled with advice, useful insights, experiences and tips (from experienced freelancers) to help you understand the steps needed to make the right choices for you.
Top trending
Delivery
Collection
Please login to your account to check stock in your local store.
Delivery
Collection
Please login to your account to check stock in your local store.
OFFER
Delivery
Collection
Please login to your account to check stock in your local store.
SAVE £2
MORE OPTIONS
Delivery
Collection
Please login to your account to check stock in your local store.
Delivery
Collection
Please login to your account to check stock in your local store.
OFFER
VEGAN
Delivery
Collection
Please login to your account to check stock in your local store.
MULTI BUY
Back to Posts
Tags
- 2024
- acne
- allergies
- apps
- autumn
- awards
- balayage
- blonde
- braids
- bridal
- brows
- business
- capital & me
- care
- career
- celebrities
- christmas
- chrome
- clean
- collection
- color wow
- colour
- colours
- conditioner
- covid-19
- crazy color
- curls
- facial
- fanola
- fashion
- festival
- finance
- floral
- freelance
- gel
- gellux
- get the look
- halloween
- indola
- interview
- k18
- lashes
- lob
- loreal
- loyalty
- make up
- manicure
- marketing
- mens
- mental health
- microblading
- milk_shake
- nail art
- nailart
- nails
- new years
- nioxin
- nxt
- olaplex
- opi
- party
- pedicure
- ponytail
- pulp riot
- redken
- retail
- revlon
- salon revamp
- salon system
- schwarzkopf
- self-employed
- shampoo
- skincare
- smoothing
- social media
- split-ends
- spring
- step by step
- summer
- sustainability
- tanning
- the manicure company
- the met gala
- tigi
- tiktok
- toner
- toning
- top knot
- trends
- tutorial
- updo
- valentines
- veganuary
- wahl
- waxing
- wella
- wellbeing
- winter
Latest Posts
- Why We’re Falling for Pumpkin Spice Hair Color
- London Fashion Week SS25 Show Report
- Nail the Magic: OPI X Wicked
- Beetlejuice Nails
- milk_shake: icy blond & silver shine
- milk_shake: make my day
- milk_shake: deep detox shampoo
- milk_shake: Flower Power!
- Indola Returns to London Fashion Week
- Introducing NEW Matrix Super Sync
Related Posts
Why We’re Falling for Pumpkin Spice Hair Color
Fall for autumn’s hottest trend: punchy pumpkin spice hair color. Wella Professionals tells you how to find the perfect shade with these expert tips…
London Fashion Week SS25 Show Report
Come backstage with us for London Fashion Week SS25 and find out what’s next when it comes to the hair trends your clients will be booking in for.
Nail the Magic: OPI X Wicked
Cast with spellbinding shades and glow-in-the-dark effects, it’s the most wicked-ly beautiful nail polish collection of the season.
Beetlejuice Nails
Need some Halloween nail inspo? Create a bold Beetlejuice vibe with this step by step guide from nail artist Emma @secondhand.nailart
milk_shake: icy blond & silver shine
If your clients are seeking a radiant blonde free of stubborn warm tones, it’s time to implement a personalised maintenance routine. The milk_shake silver shine and milk_shake icy blond are the toner ranges designed to revive your desired blonde shade and amplify your hair's natural shine.
milk_shake: make my day
Start Your Day the Right Way! With make my day, your client’s hair care routine becomes more than just another habit, it’s a moment of indulgence. Make their hair care routine a treat with milk_shake make my day!
milk_shake: deep detox shampoo
Introducing milk_shake deep detox shampoo – the ultimate defence against harmful metal build-up and daily pollutants.
milk_shake: Flower Power!
Looking for high-performance haircare that's vegan-friendly? Meet milk_shake Flower Power, the first 100% vegan range from milk_shake! Designed with plant-based ingredients, this collection delivers luxurious care while keeping colour-treated hair vibrant, nourished, and protected. Plus, it has an irresistible floral scent that your clients will love!