Advanced African Hairstyles Syllabus

Course Notes | Course Outline

Instructor: Niki Lasher (Kthulah)
Email:web-request@universalclass.com
Availability: Usually Daily
Instructor's Time Zone: Jerusalem (usually GMT+2)

Educational Requirements: Students are expected to have at least a high school reading level, reasonable manual dexterity, and the ability to follow instructions carefully.

Goals: To provide aspiring professional Natural Hairstylists and African Hair Culturists with the necessary knowledge to practice safely and gain a mastery of their art.

Reading Materials: All supplementary texts are included in the package or available for free on the internet.

Supplies: Please see the course requirements for the recommended supplies. You do not have to purchase them all now, but you will need them as you go along the course. Photo assignments are required, so you must have a digital camera, a webcam, or a conventional camera and a scanner.

Grading Policy: Certificates available for academic performance, attendance, active participation in the student community, and completion of the course. Students are expected to read the lessons thoroughly, and complete the assignments thoughtfully.

Additional Notes: This course goes further into the art and science of African and natural hairstyling. The natural hairstyling sections are written in accordance with the (United States) National Interstate Council of Cosmetology Boards (NIC) standards for natural hairstyling education. Although the struggle is still on for official recognition, this course is more than adequate preparation for both the written and practical exams. More importantly, whether your state or country regulates natural hairstyling or not, this course will prepare you to work as a professional.

There is a thorough review of braiding techniques, so students who didn't take the previous casual learning course can still "walk in" and take this one. However, if you are an amateur braider with no intention of braiding outside your immediate family, the previous course may be better for you. This one is a great deal more academic, and is designed to enable students to either pass their state or national exam or practice as professionals.

Those who have already taken the casual learning course receive a $20 discount off the price of this course, so it will cost you nothing to start with the casual course. People who are already licensed cosmetologists who are only interested in braiding techniques or review should probably also take the casual course. Click here to go to the casual learner course.

Disclaimer: This course is provided by Niki Lasher, a legally practicing Natural Hairstylist in Haifa, Israel and is not a replacement for any state or national cosmetology course or exam. Students living in regulated states are not authorized to claim the title Natural Hairstylist or African Hair Culturist unless they have gained official credentials. Students in unregulated states and countries are permitted to use the credential after receiving adequate training, but are still held liable for any damages, just as any other business owner.

Course Requirements: Students must have at least a high school reading level in order to successfully take this course. The needed supplies are:

• a digital camera or conventional camera and scanner
  pens or markers in red, black, and blue, or an image editor and pointing device for drawing (Windows Paint will do)
  at least one standard bag of Kanekalon or Yaki type bulk hair for braiding
  at least one weft of hair for weaving, and a hair weaving needle or latch hook tool, and heavy duty thread
  a model or practice head
  brushes, combs, and hair care supplies according to your model(s) or practice head(s)
  a trash container specifically for hazardous waste materials
  appropriate disinfectant and cleaning materials
  3 or more white towels

It is recommended that you also have:

• a consistent work space or area where you generally do your braiding
  smocks or easily cleanable large t-shirts for work clothing
  a cap or hair net

Other suggestions:

• Keep your nails short, trimmed, and filed so that the tips extend no more than 2 or 3 mm. from the tips of your fingers.
  Be prepared to work seriously in this course.

Advanced African Hairstyles Course Outline

Please read below to see all that this course covers.

1 Natural Hairstyling and Beauty Terminology and Laws

• Glossary Terms
• The Status of Natural Hairstyling Law and Education
• The Question of Civil Disobedience

2 Conditions and Diseases of the Hair and Scalp

• Pediculosis
• Tinea Capitis
• Traction Alopecia
• Psoriasis
• Staph Infection
• Dandruff

3 Communicable Diseases

• Colds and Flu
• HPV (Warts)
• HIV/AIDS

4 Sanitation

• Methods of Sanitizing
• Disinfecting of Tools
• Proper Laundering
• Your Work Area
• Shampoo Bowls and Sinks
• Floors and Walls
• Waste Disposal
• Product Use

5 Basic Anatomy

• The Head and Neck
• The Anatomy of Hair
• The Hair's Structure
• Under the Skin
• The Growth Cycle of Hair
• pH and Hair
• Structural Damage
• Hair Textures

6 Caring for African Hair

• The Method
• Washing Cornrows
• Cold Weather and Non Thermal Hair Drying
• Dealing with Knots
• The Afro
• Safe Styles for Kids
• Dealing with Chemically Treated Hair
• Special allergy, lifestyle, and religious concerns

7 Braiding Review and Maybe Something New

• Braids and Twists You Need to Know
• Track Braids
• Cornrows
• Ornamentation
• French Braids
• Twist Rows aka Cornrolls
• Herringbone Tracks
• Individual Braids
• Four Strand Flat Braid
• Box Braids
• Bread Braid

8 Dreadlocks

• Washing
• Herbal Wash
• Health and Locs
• Locs Oil
• Creating Dreadlocks
• Super-springy Hair
• Medium Curly Hair
• Straight Hair
• Ornamentation
• Additional Tips
• Wrapping
• Crochet Wrapping
• Rat Tail Wrapping

9 Extensions, Weaving, and Bonding

• Extensions
• Braiding in Bulk Hair
• Braiding in a weft
• Adding hair near the ends
• Latch Hook
• Loc and Twist Extensions
• Hair Weaving
• Latch Hook Weaving
• Maintenance
• Bonding

10 Ergonomics and Your Practice

• Salon Conditions
• Hand Positions
• Problems and Solutions

11 Patterns

• Making Patterns
• Pattern Codes
• Sample Pattern
• Hairweave and Extension Patterns

12 The Takedown

• Braids and Cornrows
• Weaves
• Locs

13 Term Project, and Exam Preparation

• Term Project Choices
• Exam Preparation

14 Bonus Patterns and Tips and Final Notes and Blessings