Kia Fay is the kind of educator you want in your corner when natural 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 patterns well, but were never properly taught how.

Her origin story has a little rebellion in it: when Kia committed to wearing her natural hair full-time, she couldn’t find a local specialist for her own pattern—so she left her 9-to-5, got licensed, and decided to change the game. Then beauty school largely ignored the needs of clients with curlier and coilier patterns, which sharpened her mission: all pattern variations deserve care, respect, and skilled support.

Today, Kia creates natural pattern–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 understand and embrace their natural 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 both your technical skill set and your perspective, Kia’s an open door—step in, learn, and leave better.