As education around textured hair has evolved in Aveda salons over the past few years, stylists have learned more about cutting, coloring and styling curls. And with the recent launch of Be Curly Advanced, guests have the tools to recreate these styles at home.

Photo Credits: Salon: Avalon Salon and Spa (Bend, Oregon) | Custom Texture on VoMor: Maria Evinger | Application: Donika Markova | Model: Maria Evinger

But one segment of the curly hair community still struggles: guests with thinning, fine textured hair. The right cut and products help, but some clients want more.

Enter VoMor Custom Texture Treatment. VoMor extensions were created exclusively for Aveda salons and provide endless possibilities for guests who want volume, length and even no-commitment color. Now, you can create custom texture on VoMor extensions with select Curl Cult backbar products.

“This isn’t a perm,” says Jason Snyder, Director of Sales and Education at Neill. “It’s a texture treatment that lasts three to four months, fading over time.”

Why Curl Cult?

VoMor handpicked select Curl Cult backbar products to enable stylists to create custom texture, on extensions and on natural hair. Plant-powered Curl Cult products use a non-damaging formula to create or reform curls or waves. Its vegan ingredients and pea protein-infused solution also use less steps than a traditional perm.

“We decided to partner with Curl Cult as a way to create and offer textured/curly hair extensions,” says Ada Polla Neill, executive director of VoMor.

She adds, “Perming is rough on the integrity of hair,  so we have not been able to offer curly extensions.”

Curl Cult was also an attractive partner because the treatment does not require the traditional rinse between steps one and two that permanent solutions need.

“It cuts 15 minutes off the service time, and you eliminate 15-18 gallons of water waste,” Snyder says.

Custom Consultations

With the spotlight on texture education, this custom texture treatment has provided stylists with even more options for the curly clients. The treatment creates natural-looking curls customized by how the hair is wrapped, softened and set. It also helps styles created with a flatiron or curling iron last longer.

“One of my favorite services with Curl Cult is to make my client’s hair more uniform when her curls aren’t consistent,” says Jennifer Stringer, VoMor educator and stylist at Salon Diversions in New Orleans. “A lot of people are leaning into their natural texture and this gives them more options.”

In the consultation, Stringer asks guests how much effort they want to put into their daily look and presents options.

“I ask them if I could find a curl pattern they like and could work with, would they be open to it,” she says. “I can soften or tighten curl patterns, which I explain in the consultation.”

For guests with fine hair, I tell them about VoMor.

“It’s also a myth that extensions are only for length and won’t work with textured hair. These statements are no longer true—Curl Cult has opened up a whole world of possibilities.”

Stringer says she asks a series of questions during the consultation and then listens for key words.

“I ask honest questions to get honest feedback, starting with what they don’t like about their texture,” Stringer says. “And often they say their hair is limp or they want the hair they had at a younger age.”

From there, Stringer starts debunking the myths.

“I let them know I can add volume and texture with a line they can trust,” she says. “And then I tell them they can maintain everything at their regular maintenance appointments.”

Texture, color, extensions: it’s a big financial and time commitment for guests.

“The financial aspect is always going to be a small roadblock,” says Stringer. “The way I propose it to guests is to break it down to a cost of $8-$10 per day, which changes their perspective on it.”

Stringer also reminds guests that the money they spend on their hair is an investment in themselves.

“It’s not food you consume that’s instantly gone or a shirt you’ll wear once or twice,” she says. “You will feel more confident in yourself daily.”

An even bigger hurdle than cost is time. Stringer tells her clients: “One afternoon with me is going to give you weeks or months of easy, low-maintenance hair. You can afford to give yourself this time to feel your best.

Expanding Your Services

The possibilities for services are endless with VoMor and Curl Cult—use them separately or together to give your guest a completely customized look.

“One popular service is called the ‘it wave,’” says Snyder. “You only use 11 sections of hair and get a lived-in, loose beachy wave result.”

There’s also the “texture top” trend pre-teen boys are jumping on, and Curl Cult can even be used to eliminate a cowlick.

“It can also help women who decide to wear their hair gray,” Stringer says. “Gray is a totally different texture—more unruly. Curl Cult can change that and help people acclimate to gray hair.”

When a guest adds VoMor to a Curl Cult treatment, the custom extension is created prior to the service and is ready to be attached.

“There’s always a bit of hesitation,” says Stringer. “People don’t want to look fake. But we want them to leave with beautiful hair, not beautiful extensions.”

Stringer adds that some guests see their natural hair integrity improve after using VoMor extensions.

“It’s because you do a lot less washing and heat styling when you have extensions— your hair needs less daily styling,” she says. “And the extensions take the brunt of styling, and even absorb excess oil.”

Sometimes, when the extensions are removed, guests are surprised how much their own hair has grown.

“If they are happy with their new length, you can encourage guests to use extensions in a new way with color or texture—it’s an evolution,” Stringer says.

At Salon Diversions, Stringer says VoMor makes up  at least a quarter of service sales and she sees an average of one extension guest per week.

“Curl Cult is still fairly new for us, but a lot of the guests who want texture also need volume, so it goes hand in hand with VoMor.”

Learn more about VoMor and Curl Cult to give your guests results tailored to their needs.