Issue link: https://www.ahpindiestylist.com/i/1547346
6 AHP Indie Stylist Volume 7 Issue 2 OLAPLEX °7 SHINE SERUM OIL MIST I've never used a hair serum with such a fi ne mist. It coats every strand and adds shine without weighing my hair down. olaplex.com I 've always been envious of my mother's natural curl pattern. Her curls have eff ortless bounce. While my hair doesn't look exactly like hers (mine is more 2C while hers is 3A or 3B), she did pass down some of her texture. Unfortunately for me, I was a product of the '90s and early 2000s, and society told me that straight hair was the ideal and curls were the enemy. I spent decades blowing out my hair and frying it with a straightening iron to achieve that sleek look—until this past summer. at's when I decided to lean into my natural wave pattern and give my hair what it wants: light diff usion, hydrating curl cream, oil through my dry ends. I'm fi nally at a place where my hair is healthy from roots to tips. I can wear it wavy some days and styled with a round brush on others, but it doesn't feel like it's forced either way. is embrace of my hair's natural texture and return to a healthier state is just one way I'm leaning into the "hair longevity" trend that's popping up everywhere. Between hair commercials featuring 20- inch extensions and product lines promising thicker, JEN ANDERSON editor@ahphair.com My Current Favorite stronger, healthier, and longer-lasting hair, this trend is inescapable. at's why we couldn't resist giving you all the information you need to know to weed through marketing jargon and give your clients proper hair longevity education. On page 40, you'll fi nd Cristina Montemayor's article breaking down the science of hair longevity. en, learn about how you can help textured hair clients recover from damage (page 48), and create a safe space for clients living with dementia (page 64). Your career longevity deserves attention too; Jalia Pettis breaks down her top fi ve tips on page 58. Finally, meet Laura Gunter on page 32, the creative genius who is this year's AHP Hair Pro of the Year and a key component of Ulta Beauty's Artist Collective, helping the industry through her passion for textured hair education. A er learning about Gunter's work on textured hair education and better understanding how you can help your clients reverse damage, I've decided I'm no longer ignoring my natural texture. I'm ready to embrace what my mama gave me. NOTE EDITOR'S ELLEN JASKOL PHOTOGRAPHY