Kia Fay is the kind of educator you want in your corner when “curly hair” stops being a category and starts being a craft. Based in San Jose, California, she built The Curl Consultant for the people who’ve spent too long feeling unseen in the chair—and for the stylists who want to serve natural texture well, but were never properly taught how.

Her origin story has a little rebellion in it: when Kia committed to wearing her natural texture full-time, she couldn’t find a local specialist for her own hair—so she left her 9-to-5, got licensed, and decided to “change the game.” Then beauty school doubled down by largely ignoring her texture altogether, which sharpened her mission: all textures deserve love, especially tighter curls and coils.

Today, Kia creates natural texture–centered education for professional stylists and cosmetology students—teaching curly haircutting as an art (not a formula), how to balance and correct past cuts, and how to coach guests with empathy as they learn to embrace their real curl pattern. Her work is grounded in care practices, home education, and a philosophy that intentionally centers dismantling structural racism.

If you’re ready to expand your texture toolkit and your perspective, Kia’s an open door—step in, learn, and leave better.