Jessica Brewster demonstrates a blowout on Robin Tolle’s hair during a Community Class at Cha Cha’s in Lexington, Kentucky, on Monday, Feb. 9, 2026. This is the first time the event has been held at their location. Sydney Novack/The Watchdog

Taught by four stylists, Cha Cha’s hair salon hosted its first community class, giving licensed and aspiring hair stylists a chance to connect as they develop their skillset.

The class, free of cost, covered a variety of different techniques, including open blade razor and layered haircuts on Monday, Feb. 9.

Throughout the lessons, attendees asked questions as the instructors worked, allowing the stylists to clarify the process step-by-step from which products to use to how to section out clients’ hair.

Opportunities for hair stylists to expand their capabilities can be inaccessible between the expense and travel many classes require, according to Cha Cha’s Educational Director, Keely Williams.

“We really just wanted to let everybody come in here, as many people as we could, and just learn some basic stuff, like some refreshers,” Williams said. “Maybe, you know, they’ll have some ‘aha’ moments that they didn’t know about.”

Along with expanded education for hair stylists, Williams said guidance in working with textured hair is limited, as she herself was never taught how to cut or style curly hair in cosmetology school.

“It’s not fair that they’re just not getting that education, especially when textured hair is more common than not textured hair,” Williams said.

Keely Williams records while Paige Spurlock demonstrates a haircut at Cha Cha’s in Lexington, Kentucky, on Monday, Feb. 9, 2026. Sydney Novack/The Watchdog

This gap in knowledge led Cha Cha’s to emphasize working with textured hair in their community class, according to Williams, with all four workshop models having wavy to curly hair types.

Cosmetology student Gabrielle Proffitt took notice of the lack of educational resources for hair stylists in Lexington, saying Cha Cha’s community class was the first she’s seen offered in the area that caters to students.

Since many students struggle financially while continuing their education, Proffitt said she felt grateful the community class was free to attend.

Even if a student is working while in school, Proffitt said many struggle financially while continuing their education, 

It was not just the learning opportunities that enticed Proffitt though, as she said being able to see licensed professionals work, surrounded by others who share her same passion was empowering.

“You’re already super passionate in something, and seeing someone who is so skilled at it do their magic,” Proffitt said. “Because it’s like watching magic happen because they’re just so fluid with it, it’s incredible, it really is.”

Jamie Stumbo has her hair played with at Cha Cha’s in Lexington, Kentucky, on Monday, Feb. 9, 2026. Sydney Novack/The Watchdog

For Cha Cha’s senior stylist Jessica Brewster, the validation community classes can provide is important, especially in an industry where, she said, people are prone to imposter syndrome. 

“It’s cool to learn something, but also to be like, ‘Okay, I know what I’m doing,’you know? Like, I think that’s a huge, huge thing too,” Brewster said.

One of the class instructors, Brewster said she noticed how people were observing and listening to her presentation, reminding her of the lessons she’s learned and stuck to throughout her career.

“It just feels good that you might be a part of somebody’s routine and a service that they’re providing, and it’s something that you kind of gave them to do,” Brewster said. “There’s still things that I do now that I’m like, ‘I learned this from somebody three years ago.’”

The community aspect classes provide can prove more significant than just the educational benefits, according to Brewster, who enjoys being able to sit with people, hang out and talk about hair.

“That’s a good feeling,” Brewster said. “I think you need it to, like, survive this, honestly.”