The Mane Cut Podcast

Understand more about afro and curly hair in 60 minutes 🪮💇🏾‍♀️

Interviews with the world's best textured hair stylists to help you understand more about your hair 🪮💇🏾‍♀️ themanecut.substack.com

  1. Ep 46: Cosmetology School vs. Apprenticeships: What Hairstylists Actually Need

    4D AGO

    Ep 46: Cosmetology School vs. Apprenticeships: What Hairstylists Actually Need

    This week, Jade and Cataanda are diving into one of the most controversial topics in the hair industry: the apprenticeship model. Should stylists still be learning by working under someone in a salon, or is formal cosmetology school the only proper path? Cataanda comes in hot with a strong opinion: apprenticeships need to go away. As an educator and licensed cosmetologist who's worked in product development and testing, she's passionate about formal education—not just for technical skills, but for the anatomy, chemistry, business fundamentals, and safety protocols that you simply can't learn from shadowing someone at a salon. Jade plays devil's advocate, exploring the financial barriers that push people toward apprenticeships and whether there's a middle ground that could work. They discuss what's being lost without proper training (like knowing how to recognize an allergic reaction vs. sensitivity, proper shampoo bowl positioning to prevent strokes, and why color formulas are strict math), the problems with learning someone's shortcuts instead of the proper method, and whether the current salon suite culture is making things worse. This conversation gets into the reality of user error with chemical treatments, why some states are trying to remove licensing requirements (and why that's terrifying), and what a better system might look like. Cataanda isn't holding back—and she knows some of her friends who came up through apprenticeships might not agree. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit themanecut.substack.com

    45 min
  2. Ep 45: From Student Stylist to Award Winner: Aminah on Hair as Fine Art

    JAN 28

    Ep 45: From Student Stylist to Award Winner: Aminah on Hair as Fine Art

    This week, Jade sits down with Aminah, the creative force behind Amor's Hair & Co and an award-winning hairstylist who's redefining what textured hair can be. Aminah's work lives at the intersection of beauty, music, and fine art. She's created hair art for the Amor's "Girls Will Be Girls" album, had her work featured in exhibitions, and in 2023 took home the Texture Style Awards Student Stylist of the Year—proving that her vision for hair as art is already making waves in the industry. But Aminah's journey hasn't been straightforward. She's navigating the industry as a young artist who dropped out of cosmetology school due to financial issues and still has 68 hours left to complete. Despite this, she's created opportunities by networking at music events and art galleries, working with artists and creatives on her level, and building a portfolio that speaks for itself. We talk about that first hair show that changed everything, the 14-hour media day creating five looks for Amor, how she convinced Miss Kenia to embrace colour for a Deeds Magazine editorial, and why she believes salon culture needs to make a comeback. Aminah also opens up about the challenges of pursuing a creative career without a license, how grief pushed her to put more passion into her projects, and why she's determined to finish school in 2026. This is a conversation about building your career on your own terms, finding your people, and refusing to let obstacles stop you from creating art. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit themanecut.substack.com

    39 min
  3. Ep 44: Hair Policing: When the Criticism Comes From Inside the Community

    JAN 22

    Ep 44: Hair Policing: When the Criticism Comes From Inside the Community

    In this episode of The Mane Cut, Jade Buffong and Cataanda James have a necessary conversation about hair policing within the Black community — the comments, assumptions, and judgments that often come from people who look like us. They unpack how hair policing shows up in everyday life: from length assumptions and “real hair” debates, to generational expectations around professionalism, loc stigma, and the ways social media has normalised public critique under the guise of education or humour. The episode explores how hair policing starts early, particularly for children, and how repeated messaging around texture, length, and appearance can shape self-esteem well into adulthood. Jade and Cataanda also discuss the difference between guidance rooted in protection versus commentary rooted in control — and why intention doesn’t always reduce harm. Through personal stories from salons, workplaces, schools, and family settings, this conversation highlights the emotional weight of unsolicited opinions and the importance of consent, context, and kindness when it comes to Black hair. This episode isn’t about telling people how to wear their hair. It’s about recognising when opinions become pressure — and choosing to put the hair police badge down. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit themanecut.substack.com

    58 min
  4. Ep 43: From Brooklyn to Backstage: Naeemah LaFond on Building Community and Breaking Down Industry Barriers

    12/17/2025

    Ep 43: From Brooklyn to Backstage: Naeemah LaFond on Building Community and Breaking Down Industry Barriers

    This week, Jade sits down with internationally acclaimed hairstylist and educator Naeemah LaFond—the 2024 North American Hairstylists Awards Editorial Stylist of the Year and the visionary founder behind Texture On Set and Black On Set. Naeemah has trained professionals in over 15 countries, styled some of the most iconic runway looks and global campaigns, and made history as the first Black woman to serve as Global Artistic Director at a major beauty brand outside the textured hair space. But what makes this conversation so powerful isn't just her impressive resume—it's her unflinching honesty about what it really takes to break barriers and build inclusive spaces in an industry that wasn't designed for us. We talk about growing up in Brooklyn where hair culture was everywhere, the moment in a salon that changed her trajectory, and the parallel struggles she witnessed between herself not getting hired and Black models receiving inadequate care on set. Those experiences became the fuel for Texture On Set—an event that's amassed over 5 million impressions and created a space where hairstylists of all levels feel included, celebrated, and seen. Naeemah opens up about being "the first and the only" in rooms that weren't built for her, navigating corporate spaces without losing herself, and why she's walked away from big checks that didn't align with her values. She breaks down the harsh realities of editorial pay (spoiler: that magazine cover might only pay $150-$300), why production companies still aren't vetting hairstylists properly, and how she's teaching silk presses in blowout classes as a form of quiet activism. But this conversation isn't just about the problems—it's about solutions. Naeemah shares what it takes to succeed (grit, focus, and integrity), how to be a strategic mentor without burning out, and why the Black On Set sisterhood has become her most fulfilling achievement. She also reveals how she worked with Pinterest to develop their hair pattern search tool, proving that inclusivity needs to happen not just backstage but in tech too. This is a masterclass in building a legacy while bringing everyone up with you. Whether you're an aspiring editorial stylist, a seasoned pro, or someone trying to figure out how to create change in spaces that resist it—this episode is for you. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit themanecut.substack.com

    1h 7m
  5. Ep 42: From Bratz Dolls to Young Thug's Pink Locs: Morgan Mills on Building a Celebrity Hair Empire

    12/10/2025

    Ep 42: From Bratz Dolls to Young Thug's Pink Locs: Morgan Mills on Building a Celebrity Hair Empire

    This week, Jade sits down with Morgan Mills—a boundary-pushing hairstylist, creative director, and multidisciplinary artist who's styled everyone from Winnie Harlow to Young Thug to SZA. Morgan's work has graced campaigns for Meta and Converse, been featured in Vogue and The Cut, and showcased at New York Fashion Week. But her impact goes beyond celebrity styling—she's building an empire that includes a luxury extensions line and salon rental suites in the DMV designed to support the next generation. We talk about how Brooklyn salon culture shaped her vision, playing with Bratz dolls until ninth grade, and the wild story of how one Fashion Week phone call led to eight years as Young Thug's hairstylist—including those iconic pink locs. Morgan gets real about why she started her own extensions brand (hint: clients bringing in Amazon hair that ruins expensive tools), the importance of clarifying shampoos and regular treatments, and why her salon suite model brings back the community feel she fell in love with as a kid. From perfecting products to manifesting film work and a Winnie Harlow collab, Morgan is proof you can honor where you came from while building the business model that works for today. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit themanecut.substack.com

    47 min
  6. Ep 41: When Hair Loss Feels Like Losing Yourself: Understanding Hair Grief

    12/04/2025

    Ep 41: When Hair Loss Feels Like Losing Yourself: Understanding Hair Grief

    In this deeply personal episode, Jade and Cataanda tackle a topic that doesn't get discussed enough: hair grief. Whether it's unexpected heat damage, a stylist who chemically straightened your hair without permission, stress-induced hair loss, or hormonal changes during perimenopause, the emotional impact of major hair setbacks is real and valid. Topics Covered: Understanding Hair Grief What hair grief looks like when you experience unexpected changes to your hair, why it feels like losing part of your identity, and how the loss of choice makes the grief even more profound. Common Causes of Hair Trauma Heat damage from improper silk presses, the "deep conditioner" that's actually a relaxer, keratin treatments that are chemical straighteners in disguise, and how stylist persuasion can work against you. The Role of Communication Why clients and stylists speak different languages, the importance of thorough consultations, and how miscommunication leads to devastating outcomes. Life Stage Hair Loss Cataanda shares her personal experience with perimenopause hair loss, why "it's just hair, it grows back" isn't always true, and the reality of watching your hair thin significantly. Supporting Clients Through Hair Trauma How stylists can emotionally support clients experiencing hair grief, when to listen more than speak, and when to step in with professional advice as a certified hair loss practitioner. The Grief Process Why grief doesn't follow a linear path, how triggers can restart the grieving process, and the difference between situations you can control versus those you can't. Moving to Acceptance Understanding that looking different doesn't mean looking worse, why we need to separate our self-worth from our hair, and how to give yourself grace through the healing process. Starting with the Next Generation Why teaching children to embrace their natural hair early matters, the impact of constantly adding extensions to young girls' hair, and breaking the cycle for future generations. Key Moments: Cataanda going undercover to a salon to see if they'd try the "relaxer in the deep conditioner" trick on her The celebrity styling disaster that made Cataanda think her career was over Why you should never get heat damage on your first silk press How Black women's hair carries so much of the Black girl magic Resources Mentioned: Care in the Chair - domestic violence and trafficking awareness trainingPsychoHairapy courses for hairstylists This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit themanecut.substack.com

    57 min
  7. Ep 40: From Dorm Room to Fashion Week: Ariana Greene on Building a Natural Hair Business with Intention

    11/20/2025

    Ep 40: From Dorm Room to Fashion Week: Ariana Greene on Building a Natural Hair Business with Intention

    Meet Ariana Ariana is a licensed cosmetologist, editorial stylist, and the creative force behind Ariana’s Canvas. Her work centres around natural hair, wellness, and artistry - bringing her artistic touch from sketchbook to editorial shoots, runways, and short films. Where to find Ariana: Instagram | Website The interview Here are all the questions we asked Ariana, so you can fast-forward to the best parts. [03:08] How did you go from braiding Barbies to styling on Fashion Week runways? [07:59] What’s the unglamorous reality of building a hair career? [08:44] Why do you centre wellness in protective styling? [14:19] How did your personal hair loss experience shape your approach to clients? [18:47] What does your client experience look like from intake to appointment? [26:10] How do you balance editorial work, clients, and travel? [33:04] What are your future aspirations in the industry? [38:00] Why should beauty brands hire hairstylists on their marketing teams? Who has Ariana styled? Sets and styles Ariana has styled. Thanks for reading The Mane Cut! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support our work. Ariana’s top tip for stylists Ariana's top tip: Don’t wait for balance - earn it. Everyone sees the Instagram highlights, but nobody shows you the 3am drives or the unopened award boxes. You have to work hard before you can work smart. Building a sustainable career means being honest about what it really takes. Some takeaways For stylists 💇🏾‍♀️ Protective styles aren’t protecting anything without moisture - If there’s no leave-in conditioner, no steam treatment, no hydration before installation, you’re not protecting hair. Braiding dry hair and calling it protective is missing the entire point. The client experience starts before they walk in - Ariana’s intake form includes everything from hair density to inspo photos to one crucial question: “Will you come with good vibes?” Setting intention from the start changes everything. Education is power, not competition - Share your knowledge with clients. Tell them what products you’re using, how to care for their hair at home, and why certain techniques work. AI won’t replace service-based jobs, so stop gatekeeping. The reality behind the scenes isn’t glamorous - This week alone: shoots in New York Thursday and Friday, clients in Maryland on Saturday, a wedding in New Jersey on Sunday, another shoot Monday. The hustle is real, and balance has to be earned. Beauty brands need hairstylists, not just influencers - Having a marketing degree AND hands-on hair expertise makes you invaluable. Brands that only use influencers miss the mark on education, proper product use, and avoiding major mistakes that could’ve been caught by a professional. You’re still learning, even years in - Ariana calls herself a “baby stylist” at 25. There’s no shame in being early in your journey. The goal is to always be a student to the craft and keep community first. Resources Mentioned: Tressemé Future Stylists Fund Beauty Changes Lives scholarship program Beauty Launchpad 30 for 30 The Bottom Line: Building a career in beauty requires working hard before you work smart. It means 3am drives, sacrificing school enrolment for opportunities, and figuring out balance along the way. But when you centre wellness, education, and intentionality in your work, you create something sustainable. What resonated most with you from this episode? Hit reply and let me know. Listen now on Apple, Spotify, Overcast, and YouTube. 🔍 Where to find Jade: Instagram | LinkedIn 🪮 Where to find Mane Hook-Up: Website | Instagram 🗣️ Become or recommend a guest See you in the next episode! From, The Mane Cut Team This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit themanecut.substack.com

    48 min
  8. Ep 39: 5 Hair Care Myths Debunked: What Your Grandmother Told You vs. The Truth

    11/05/2025

    Ep 39: 5 Hair Care Myths Debunked: What Your Grandmother Told You vs. The Truth

    In this episode, Jade and Cataanda are back after a 6-week break to debunk five of the biggest myths in textured hair care - from washing frequency to protective styles. Topics Covered: Myth #1: Only wash your hair once a month Why dirty scalps block follicles and prevent growth. The 7-14 day washing rule explained. Myth #2: Cutting makes hair grow faster Understanding length retention vs actual growth, and why genetics matter most. Myth #3: Greasing your scalp promotes growth Why grease blocks oxygen and what your scalp actually needs. Myth #4: All alcohols and silicones are bad The difference between good and bad ingredients, plus why natural products spoil quickly. Myth #5: Protective styles need no maintenance How to properly care for your hair and scalp under braids, weaves, and other protective styles. Products Mentioned: Lush natural hair products Vita Hair Growth line Micellar water This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit themanecut.substack.com

    1h 9m
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About

Interviews with the world's best textured hair stylists to help you understand more about your hair 🪮💇🏾‍♀️ themanecut.substack.com

Information

  • Creator
    Understand more about afro and curly hair in 60 minutes 🪮💇🏾‍♀️
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    47
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Mane Hook-Up
  • Show Website
    The Mane Cut Podcast