Episode 315

[Special Event Promo] Science Over Trends: Building Client Trust Through CURLtelligence™ | Stacey Solum Prescott | Curl Scientist, Educator, Author, CURLtelligence™ | Salon Owner, Beautifully You Salon + Hair Lab

Are trends helping or hurting curls? In this episode of the Hairdresser Strong Show, we spoke with Stacey Prescott, curl scientist, educator, master cosmetologist, salon owner, author, and creator of CURLtelligence™, about science Over trends.

Stacey breaks down why curl care cannot only be based on trends, product claims, or one-size-fits-all advice. Her work focuses on understanding how natural curls actually behave, then using that knowledge to create better results, stronger consultations, and more trust with clients.

🚨🎤 Stacey Prescott will be taking the stage at the TAPIstry Unveiled Hair Show & Art Expo on October 26th in Hagerstown, MD, where she’ll introduce the fundamental principles behind CURLtelligence™, an evidence-based framework that explains how natural curls actually behave and how beauty professionals can use that knowledge to create better results, stronger consultations, and more trust with clients.

🎟️ Tickets + event details: www.theartistspaletteinvolved.org/hair-show-2026

Key Takeaways:

🔅Learn the why behind the product - Do not stop at “this is for frizz” or “this is for curls.” Stacey talks about understanding what ingredients actually do, when to use them, and when to adjust based on the client’s hair, goals, and environment.

🔅Stop relying only on trend-based curl advice - Curl care cannot be built only on what is popular online. Stacey’s approach is about understanding how natural curls actually behave so stylists can make better choices behind the chair.

🔅Use science to personalize the client experience - Better curl care comes from looking at the actual person in front of you: their curl pattern, hair condition, product history, climate, lifestyle, and what their hair is truly needing.

🔅Client trust grows when you can explain what you are doing - When stylists can explain the reason behind a product, treatment, or technique, clients are more likely to understand the value and trust the recommendation.

🔅Deeper knowledge can change the result - Stacey talks about clients who had been trying everything and still were not getting the outcome they wanted. Sometimes the shift comes from knowing what is actually happening in the hair, not adding more random products.

🔅Mistakes are not failures - One of Stacey’s biggest mindset shifts was learning that mistakes reveal where you can grow. They do not mean you are not capable, and they do not define your worth as a professional.

🔅Never stop learning - The industry keeps evolving, and Stacey’s work is built on continuing to study, question, test, and translate deeper knowledge into real work behind the chair.

RELATED LINKS

📱Follow Stacey on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/byscurls/

🔑Learn more about Stacey & CURLtelligence™ - https://linktr.ee/staceysolumprescott

The Hairdresser Strong Show is all about Salon Owners, Rising Stylists, and Seasoned Stylists sharing their experiences, successes, failures, and advice to inform, educate, and empower their Fellow Hairdresser. We won’t stop until we are all: Hairdresser Strong.

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The views and opinions of our guests are theirs and important to hear. Each guest's views and opinions are their own and we aim to bring you diverse perspectives, career paths and thoughts about the craft and industry so you can become Hairdresser Strong! They do not necessarily reflect the positions of HairdresserStrong.com

About the Podcast

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About your host

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Robert Hughes

“I THINK HAIRSTYLISTS ARE THE COOLEST, NICEST, AND MOST FUN GROUP OF PEOPLE ON THE PLANET! I AM PASSIONATE ABOUT USHERING IN AN EMPOWERED-STYLIST FUTURE, AND I ABSOLUTELY LOVE GETTING STYLISTS FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE TOGETHER IN A NON-COMPETITIVE ENVIRONMENT WHERE WE CAN LEARN, LAUGH, AND GROW TOGETHER.”
-Said by ME!
Robert started his hair journey as a kid in rural America offering haircuts on the street to kids in the neighborhood, not realizing, one day, he would find himself working the front desk at a hair salon while in high school. From there, his experience from salon-to-salon has included the front of the house, back of the house, stylist, educator, and consultant. It was during this movement through various salons he developed a passion to empower stylists and educate owners on how to raise the industry standard of excellence, mutual respect, and professionalism amongst stylists, managers, owners, and clients. Robert currently is the General Manager and a Master Stylist at Violet Salon in Georgetown, DC.