How to Create Texture Styling in Photoshop

Many of the styling techniques employed in a hair salon can be used to produce different textures. Textured styling is an exciting and creative way of adding volume, lift and body to clients’ locks; there are various techniques for accomplishing textured styling, from using specific products and tools to performing specific haircuts.

Everybody has different hair texture. This physical attribute defines the circumference of each individual strand, with various subcategories such as straight, wavy, curly and coarse being available to us all. Your individual texture may also change over time due to factors like heat damage, hormone changes or simply growing older.

A good stylist knows the unique characteristics of each texture, and can provide customized recommendations tailored specifically to meet their client’s needs. When searching for stylists to work with your client’s specific texture, experience is key as this ensures they possess both knowledge and skill in creating stunning styles which complement it naturally.

Photoshop can be an invaluable resource when it comes to working with textures. Combining the Brush tool and Layer Styles enables you to manipulate and create textures of your own, painting with texture effects for truly impressive effects. For optimal results use a brush shape with some variation like an angular or rounded tip brush which will conceal any brush strokes so you can focus solely on creating what you desire for a desired Texture effect.

Step one in identifying your client’s hair texture is to inspect its natural state. This step is especially important when dealing with textured hair as its thicker strands may look more defined than thin straight or wavy strands.

Taken the Hair Typing Quiz created by Andre Walker (Oprah Winfrey’s personal hair stylist), it can help your clients discover their hair texture more efficiently. The quiz categorizes hair into four types – straight hair (type 1), wavy (type 2), curly (3), coily (4); further subcategories are possible within each category such as tighter coiling or having a zigzag pattern of coils (for instance).

Maintaining a texture journal is an efficient and straightforward way to become acquainted with your clients’ textures. Simply set out three columns, writing down their material surface name in one, visual texture in two and tactile texture in three; add adjectives describing each texture for easier recall later. It is an ideal exercise for salon clients allowing stylists to provide them with tailored product recommendations and stylist-approved methods for reaching their dream hairstyle goals.