No More Shoulda, Woulda, Coulda...
Building the Afro Bridal Hair Academy unfiltered, sharing my ups, downs and accomplishments!
Hey there, Beautiful Hairstylist,
I hope that January treated you well.
As I am typing this, I just need to ask where the time has gone… how is it the 6th of February already? I did enjoy having a bit of downtime, and I was motivated to get back into the business side of things. But at the same time,
I put a level of internal pressure on myself as a business to hit all my goals ASAP.
I hated that a week or two into January, I felt like I was already behind.
Help me out, ladies. Why do we put ourselves through so much pressure to do all these amazing things in such a small space of time?
So after doing mental gymnastics of all the things I shoulda, woulda, coulda done, I finally gave myself some grace as I remembered that…
“I am a mama bear”
“I still have real daily chores”
“I still am trying to run my bridal hair and makeup business”
So with this in mind, I have moved forward with more positivity and grace.
And I want you to know that if you’re building something, a business, a new skill, a new version of yourself, and it feels messy right now, you’re not behind! You’re in the beautiful middle that we need to learn to also enjoy.
1. Let’s Get Our Minds Into The Right Gear
This week has been full of mind shifts for me.
Now, please no judgment. I know I have been talking about the Afro Bridal Academy for soooo long now, I am actually ashamed of the timescale. But instead of beating myself up, I have made peace and understand that everything happens in good time.
During this time, I have gained more hair education, and I personally feel so much more comfortable in my ability to teach. So NO more excuses and NO more self-doubt, just this quote living rent-free in my mind that will push me through.
What if I fall?’ Oh, but my darling, what if you fly?”
So, FLY the Academy will. I have been putting my all into it, and I am filming the last few tutorials for my “Afro Bridal Beginners Course”, but I need you guys help. Your opinion is important to me, so please let me know what tutorials I should film for the course. please do vote below
Ok, I know it is not all about me over here, but I would love to share with you all what I am working on each week to build my academy and courses. And of course, I would love to get your opinion as I go along.
In return, I will also share my Afro hair knowledge here with you all.
We will mix it up fortnightly from Afro hair tips, products of the month, a sprinkle of culture, advice, competitions and more - so stick around for the ride.
2. Afro Hair Knowledge
Not all curls & coils need the same approach, especially for bridal styling.
One of the biggest mistakes that I see is hairstylists treating Afro or curly hair as “one texture”. This is not the case because lots of clients have multiple curl patterns on their heads. I personally have about 3 different curl patterns, and this is very normal.
Don’t believe me, have a look at this example.
When styling a bride, always assess:
Where is the hair DENSEST?
Where is it FINEST?
Where does it SHIRINK the most?
Being aware of this will help you with:
Your product choice
Your tension
Your styling technique
Afro Bridal hairstyling doesn’t have to be complicated; it’s just about a little understanding and a sprinkle of patience. This takes time, but you are in the right place, as I will be guiding you on this journey.
3. Culture Corner
Get comfortable with being uncomfortable!
Now, this section is not to ram culture down your throat. I created the area to give you a bit of an insight and understanding into the nuances and intricacies of textured hair. I pinkie promise that it will make you even more of an AMAZING Bridal Hairstylist (yes, you are!!).
Salon Trauma Is Real
The hairdressers should be a place for relaxation, peace and sisterhood right?
But this has not always been the case for many textured-haired women. The first hairdresser’s experience that some ladies recall was a negative one. They were told their hair was “too thick,” “too much,” or “not manageable,” while they were sitting in “the chair”, where it should be a safe space. The service was uncomfortable and painful, whilst receiving negative criticism about their hair. No one should go through this.
Now, I do want to make this clear. These experiences happen with hairstylists of all backgrounds.
These moments were damaging, and they have lingered, and unfortunately, they shape how clients enter new spaces - often guarded, quiet, and observant. Trust is not automatic. It now takes a long time to build trust when letting a stylist work on their hair.
When you take the time to listen, explain, and reassure, you are doing more than providing a service for these textured hair beauties. Your chair can either reopen wounds or become a place of repair. Which vibe will you choose?
The reason I am sharing this in the cultural corner is so you do not take it personally if your client watches your every move and seem overly anxious until trust is built. There is a deeper reasoning behind it.
4. My 2 Pence For Bridal Hairstylists
Being a great bridal hairstylist is not just a technical skill.
It’s:
Staying calm when timelines shift
Making your client feel safe in your chair
Knowing when to adjust and when to stand firm
Respecting hair textures
Skills can be learned, but care, humility, and curiosity must be chosen.
5. Community Check-In
If you’re reading this as:
A stylist still figuring things out.
A student building confidence.
Someone who wants to work with Afro hair but feels scared to get it wrong.
I see you.
This Academy is being built with you in mind, not perfection or judgement, but real learning and growth.
You’re not late.. I’m not late.
We are all exactly where we need to be.
What I’m Working On Next
Right now, I am filing these last few videos for my course on:
Bridal prep for type 4 hair
How to detangle afro hair without damage
I’m sharing behind-the-scenes on my IG page @Aina.M.Academy, as it comes together with the good, the hard, and everything in between.
Until next time, keep learning, keep asking questions, stay focused!
With love,
Aina.M
Afro Bridal Hair Educator & Big Sis
