June 8, 2026
✳︎
10am - 6:30pm
✳︎
At Oasis Curl Salon (Rockville, MD)
✳︎
June 8, 2026 ✳︎ 10am - 6:30pm ✳︎ At Oasis Curl Salon (Rockville, MD) ✳︎
Great haircuts do not start with scissors. They start with understanding.
This full-day hands-on class brings together two educators with different specialties to help stylists strengthen both technical decision-making and haircut execution across different hair types.
In the morning, Robert Hughes, Master Stylist & Educator, will guide stylists through his Decipher the Photo, Build the Cut system, teaching stylists how to analyze haircut photos, identify underlying structure, and build a clear cutting plan before scissors ever touch the hair.
In the second half of the day, Wafaya Abdallah, Founder of Oasis Curl Salon & Curly/Texture-Focused Educator, will guide the room through her texture-focused approach to curly haircutting, assessing natural growth patterns, designing balanced shapes, and cutting in ways that work with the hair rather than against it.
Together, the class provides stylists with practical insight into both structured haircut design and curly hair cutting techniques, gaining tools they can apply immediately behind the chair.
🚨Eligibility- This class is open to licensed cosmetologists and barbers.
What You'll Learn
Decipher the Photo, Build the Cut
Educator - Robert Hughes
Pictures are how clients communicate, but most of us weren’t taught how to decode a photo to see the underlying shape, and make intentional decisions BEFORE picking up the shears. Learn to read, diagram, and recreate haircut photos with precision in this hands-on session.
Watch a live demonstration as Robert walks through how to analyze haircut photos, see underlying shapes, spot graduation, layering, and direction of movement, and understand what's styling versus structure. Each photo becomes a working diagram, then the diagram comes to life in the finished cut. From there, it’s your turn to complete a haircut on a mannequin head (included with ticket) while working through this process step by step.
In this portion of the class, you’ll learn how to:
Break down inspiration photos into actionable cutting decisions
Identify underlying shapes, graduation, layering, and direction of movement
Create a clear plan before cutting begins
Execute a controlled haircut using foundational techniques
Understand the “why” behind cutting decisions rather than relying on guesswork
Materials you need to bring: Shears, combs, clips, blow dryer, diffuser, directional nozzle, paddle brush, small and medium size round brushes, tripod stand for mannequin (not wobbly, but sturdy enough for blow-drying).
Curly Haircut Design
Educator - Wafaya Abdallah
In the afternoon session, Wafaya will demonstrate a texture-focused haircut designed to honor the natural behavior of the hair. The demonstration will cover consultation, sectioning, shape building, styling, and finishing techniques that enhance movement, balance, and long-term wearability.
Following the demonstration, students will apply the techniques themselves by cutting on live models with guided support and feedback throughout the process. This hands-on portion allows stylists to immediately translate theory into practice and build confidence working with natural texture. Live models will be provided for the hands-on portion of the class.
In this portion of the class, you’ll learn how to:
Analyze natural hair patterns before cutting
Design a balanced haircut that supports natural movement
Understand sectioning strategies for textured hair
Apply cutting techniques that maintain integrity and shape
Refine the haircut through intentional detailing
Apply a little Energy Medicine for the neck and head, Cleanse, Style, and diffuse the hair to reveal the final shape
Materials you need to bring: Professional cutting shears, sectioning clips, and a blow dryer with a diffuser attachment.
Schedule
09:45 AM - 10:00 AM - Early Arrival & Mingling/Networking
Grab a bagel, fruit, and coffee, and meet other stylists and check out Oasis Curl Salon before class begins.
10:00 AM - 10:30 AM - Welcome & Overview.
Introductions, what the day looks like, and download the Mighty Networks App and log in to your included free membership to the HdS Cutting Academy Space inside of our community app.
10:30 AM - 1:30 PM - Decipher the Photo, Build the Cut with Robert
Learn how to analyze inspiration images, identify shapes, layering, graduation, and styling influence. Intro to foundational theory, detailing, and dry-cutting principles.
1:30 PM - 2:00 PM - Lunch Break
Take a break in Rockville, full of lunch spots.
2:00 PM - 6:00 PM - Curly Haircut Design with Wafaya
Curly haircut demonstration and hands-on work focused on shape, curl behavior, and practical techniques for cutting textured hair.
6:00 PM - 6:30 PM - Wrap-up, Certificates, and Photos
Pre-Sale (March 6 – April 3) – $617.23 (💰 save $141.34)
Early Bird (April 4 – April 25) – $678.97 (💰 save $79.60)
Full Price (April 26 – Until Sold Out) – $758.57
⚠️ Class limited to 10 stylists
The Investment:
A full day of hands-on education with two educators: Robert Hughes and Wafaya Abdallah
Small class size (limited to 10 stylists) for focused instruction and feedback
1 Premium Mannequin Heads for Robert’s portion of the class
Live models provided for Wafaya’s curly haircut session
Printed Certificate of Completion
Private Online Community Access — slides, headsheets, Q&A with instructor & peers
Professional Content Capture — photos & videos of you in action for your portfolio & social media
Light breakfast (bagels, coffee, juice, fruit)
Included in your registration:
Logistics
Date: June 8, 2026
Time: 10am - 6:30pm (arrival 9:45am)
Location:
825-C Rockville Pike
Wintergreen Plaza
Rockville, MD 20852
Free Parking on site
Safe Space & Community Standards Notice: We've worked hard to create an environment where every stylist feels respected and welcome. To keep it that way, we ask that every attendee come with an open mind, treat the salon and fellow students with respect, bring their own supplies, and maintain cleanliness throughout the day. Discriminatory behavior of any kind is not welcome here and may result in immediate dismissal without a refund.
Your Educators
Wafaya Abdallah
Founder, Oasis Salon | Curly/Texture-Focused Educator
Wafaya Abdallah is the Founder of Oasis Curl Salon and a leading educator in curly/texture-focused haircutting, having taught with Deva Curl, Curly Hair Artistry and Curlyworld, both nationally and internationally. With decades of experience behind the chair, she specializes in techniques that honor natural hair movement.
Through her classes, stylists learn to approach curly haircutting with greater understanding, intention, and respect for the natural architecture of the curl.
Wafaya is passionate about elevating the industry through education, mentorship, and a commitment to excellence in textured hair artistry.
Master Stylist, Violet Salon | Co-Founder & Educator, Hairdresser Strong
Robert Hughes
Robert Hughes is a behind-the-chair stylist and educator known for his structured approach to haircutting education. He has taught hundreds of hairdressers throughout the DC-MD-VA region, many of whom have gone on to become senior stylists in top salons, independent suite owners, and successful salon owners.
Robert previously served as an instructor at Graham Webb Academy, widely respected for its cutting program, worked as an educator & course creator for PR at Partners, and has trained apprentices and stylists in salons across the DC metro area and New York City.
Driven by a passion for teaching and a commitment to mastery, Robert helps stylists move beyond memorizing haircuts to understanding the structure and reasoning behind great cutting.