The new standard for textured hair education.
Coming September 2026
Set the standard for textured hair education with a curriculum built for today’s natural hair industry. Prepare students with comprehensive, exam-aligned content that blends foundational theory with hands-on, step-by-step techniques—so they can serve clients confidently on day one.
Milady Natural Hair Care & Braiding
2nd Edition
Equip your students to confidently serve all textured hair clients with a curriculum built for real‑world services, state board alignment, and modern natural hair practices. From foundational textured hair theory to braids, extensions, wigs, loc care, and professional draping, this program brings essential textured and natural hair knowledge and hands-on techniques students demand today.
Looking for the previous, 1st edition?
Access it here »
Discover the Benefits of Natural Hair Care & Braiding, 2nd Edition
Give your learners a refreshed, modern natural hair curriculum that reflects today’s textured hair standards and professional expectations. This edition delivers the depth, relevance, and cultural competence schools need to elevate their programs and prepare confident future stylists.
Digital-first, engaging learning experience.
Keep students motivated with interactive activities, videos, and CIMA ExamReady™ test prep—all in CIMA, giving students access to learning materials anywhere. Print materials are available for programs that need them.
Significantly expanded, modernized curriculum.
Now featuring 11 chapters, this curriculum delivers industry‑aligned instruction across braiding, locs, wigs, extensions, scalp care, and textured hair services—reflecting how natural hair professionals work today.
Robust hands-on learning for licensure success.
Includes 34 new or updated step-by-step technical procedures, many paired with instructional video content that demonstrates in-demand natural hair techniques to prepare students for exams and beyond.
Instructor‑ready resources, all in one place.
A comprehensive Course Management Guide brings together teaching support and integrated instructional videos, giving educators a centralized, consistent way to plan lessons and deliver high‑quality natural hair instruction with confidence.
A clear commitment to textured hair education and compliance.
Fully revised by seven Subject Matter Experts, aligned with NIC Licensing Exam’s Candidate Information Bulletin (CIB) standards, and designed to meet growing demand for textured hair training and state licensing requirements.
Contents & Procedures
Contents
- History and Career Opportunities
- Infection Control
- Principles of Success
- The Professional Consultation
- Hair and Scalp Properties
- Hair and Scalp Disorders and Diseases
- General Anatomy, Physiology, and Nutrition
- Hair Service Preparation
- Styling Textured Hair
- Braids, Extensions, and Wigs
- Building a Natural Hair Business
Procedures
- Proper Hand Washing
- Cleaning and Disinfecting Tools, Equipment, and Surfaces
- Blood Exposure Protocol
- Pre-Service Procedure
- Post-Service Procedure
- Draping
- Hair Brushing and Detangling
- Professional Braid Removal
- Shampooing and Conditioning
- Preparing Textured Hair for Styling
- Blowing Textured Hair Prior to Thermal Setting
- Blowing Short, Textured Hair in Its Natural Wave Pattern
- Diffusing Textured Hair in Its Natural Wave Pattern
- Enhancing Natural Curls (Curly and Coily Methods)
- Flat Twists Updo
- Spiral Rod Set
- Flexi-Rod Set
- Coils
- Two-Strand Twist
- Starting Locs—Coil Comb Technique
- Cultivating and Grooming Locs
- Silk Press
- Preparing Textured Hair for Braiding
- Knotless Braids and Box Braids
- Basic Cornrows
- Sculpted Cornrows with Extensions
- Stitch Braids
- Flat Twists with Extensions
- Two-Strand Twist with Extensions
- Yarn Braids
- Extensions: Sew-in Method
- Crochet Braids
- Wig Block Preparation
- Making and Installing Wigs
Clear and upfront pricing with no hidden fees, contracts, or commitments.
For the Student
CIMA Digital Course
- Easy, intuitive navigation for distance or in-person learning.
- Access to robust, built-in instructor resources.
- Powerful self-service analytics, time tracking, and reports.
- Comprehensive device and browser compatibility.
- 2-year access.
Printed Access Code (PAC)
ISBN: 9798214502731 • List: $145.95 USD
Student Seat
ISBN: 9798214502717 • List: $145.95 USD
CIMA ExamReady™
- Targeted exam prep tool with topics and competencies aligned to the national theory Natural Hair Stylist exam developed by NIC, guiding students toward the areas that matter most. Learn more about ExamReady.
- 2-year access.
Printed Access Code (PAC)
ISBN: 9798214612874 • List: $49.95 USD
Student Seat
ISBN: 9798214612867 • List: $49.95 USD
eBook
Digital version of Natural Hair Care & Braiding textbook. No other activities or videos.
Printed Access Code (PAC)
ISBN: 9798214612294 • List: $99.95 USD
Student Seat
ISBN: 9798214502748 • List: $99.95 USD
Combined Textbook + Workbook
Includes all textbook content plus integrated workbook activities and chapter glossaries in one comprehensive resource.
ISBN: 9798214502632 • List: $99.95 USD
CIMA + Textbook Package
Printed Access Code (PAC) + Textbook Package
ISBN: 9798214614052 • List: $199.95 USD
Student Seat + Textbook Package
ISBN: 9798214614038 • List: $199.95 USD
For the Instructor
Course Management Guide
Includes instructor resources for the CIMA Natural Hair & Braiding course, including lesson plans, instructor support slides, answer keys, test banks, rubrics, and procedural videos.
- Procedural videos from multiple points-of-view for maximum student comprehension.
- Successfully capture visual and auditory learners.
Online Access
ISBN: 9798214502656 • List: $524.95 USD
