Textured hair isn’t a trend—it’s a legacy. And this Hispanic Heritage, top stylists and educators are shining a spotlight on the tools, products, and purpose behind texture success in the salon. Whether you’re sculpting coils, blowing out curls, or helping clients embrace their natural patterns, these pros agree: It starts with respect, knowledge, and the right gear.
At the recent Texture on Set event, conversations centered around inclusivity, education, and the kind of textured hair mastery that can transform not just looks, but lives. Inspired by that energy, we tapped a few standout pros from Hispanic, Latinx, and Afro-Caribbean backgrounds to share their favorite tools, product picks, and wisdom.
It’s not one-size-fits-all
“Textured hair varies significantly across curl patterns—ranging from loose waves to tight coils—and cultural backgrounds,” says Ona Diaz-Santin, owner of 5 Salon & Spa in Fort Lee, NJ. “Each curl type has distinct characteristics, like porosity, density, and shrinkage. That’s why product and tool choices must be customized.”
For Diaz-Santin, hydration and gentle handling are everything. “I always start with a great leave-in—Davines Oi All In One Milk is my favorite—for moisture and manageability. Curl creams or gels help me define curls and reduce frizz without creating stiffness. And I can’t live without my Unbrush. It detangles textured hair without breakage, and that’s key for maintaining integrity.” She also swears by a quality diffuser and silk wraps or bonnets like those from Hello Updo to protect the style overnight.
But the real magic, she says, is in the consultation. “Stylists often skip the conversation and jump into styling. But we have to ask the right questions to understand a client’s relationship with their hair and culture. That’s where true texture success begins.”
Start wet, stay smooth
Celebrity stylist and AROVE co-founder Michael Dueñas builds his texture approach around the foundational principle of hydration and starting with soaking wet hair. “Textured hair that has been rough-dried or isn’t fully saturated becomes too hard to control. That’s when frizz creeps in and stylists start piling on products that don’t address the real issue.”
He recommends working with the hair’s natural state rather than against it. “To get the best-looking curls with no frizz, I apply conditioner, like AROVE’s Aerious, on soaking wet curls. Then I start drying. It makes a huge difference. If I’m doing a blowout, I still start with soaking wet hair, a stiff boar bristle brush, and a flat iron in small sections to get a sleek finish.” (Find a selection of pro-approved boar bristle brushes for any style or texture here.)
Dueñas also warns stylists to steer clear of water-based products on finished hair. “Water is your enemy once the style is set. Instead, use a water-free oil like AROVE’s Illuminous for a frizz-free finish that locks in shine and definition.”
Education builds confidence
For Pati Rodriguez, a Matrix Bilingual Educator and Texture of Change Ambassador, caring for textured hair is about more than technique—it’s about connection. “Visibility of diversity in hair helps build confidence,” she says. “When clients see themselves represented in the salon, they feel seen. It creates a safe space, especially for those who may have felt like their hair wasn’t accepted growing up.”
Her favorite tools include a variety of detangling combs and brushes—“because one texture doesn’t fit all”—and the L'Oréal Air Light Pro dryer for gentle but effective styling. Product-wise, she swears by multi-functional formulas like Matrix’s Miracle Creator Multi-Tasking Treatment Spray and the Food For Soft Multi-Use Hair Oil Serum. What matters most to Rodriguez, however, is teaching clients how to use what she recommends.
“I put the product in their hands. I walk them through the application process. It helps them understand how to style their hair confidently at home. And that confidence builds long-term loyalty.”
Cultural nuance is essential to curl care
Activist and Miss Rizos founder Carolina Contreras emphasizes that understanding textured hair means recognizing its diversity across curl patterns, density, and even geography. “Not all textures have the same needs. Someone with less density and a looser curl pattern will need less product and maybe just a diffuser to dry, while someone with more density and tighter curls might need heavier products and the use of both a diffuser and a hooded dryer.” She also notes cultural preferences: “In the Dominican Republic, our clients prefer less volume because the weather is hot and humid, and the hair rises on its own. In the U.S., clients often want more volume.”
One of the biggest missteps she sees stylists make? Skipping proper sectioning. “The number one mistake is not using the right products, in the right order, with the right techniques,” Contreras says. “I love using crocodile clips to section hair and really work the products through. And some stylists use the diffuser in a way that promotes frizz instead of setting the curl.”
For Contreras, elevating textured hair during Hispanic Heritage Month is personal. “There’s still a huge lack of representation—especially for Afro-Latinas. This month allows us to celebrate our diversity and educate others on the fact that we exist. People from Latin America don’t all look the same, and that’s something beautiful and important to honor.”
Ready to upgrade your texture toolkit? Shop the go-to tools and products from Diaz-Santin, Dueñas, Rodriguez, and Contreras in the SalonCentric Texture Shop—and let this month be a celebration of every curl, coil, and wave
