A True Black Hair Authority

If anyone knows naturally textured hair, it's Nadra Smiley. A proud "natural hair junkie," she entered the natural hair market in 1996. In 2013, Nadra and her husband, cosmetologist Jerry Martin, turned their passion for hair care into Evolving Textures.

Nadra founded Amazon Natural Look Academy in 2015, one of Illinois's first licensed natural hair braiding schools. As part of a natural hair care dynasty inspired by her mother, Amazon Smiley, the doyenne of natural hair care.

In 2017 Nadra became the patent owner of her award-winning invention "Alli Styles Assistant" an ergonomically designed, professional hair tool that creates efficiency and comfort for braid and hair extension services.

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About Us

Let me tell you the incredible story of how Evolving Textures came to be! It all started with my desire to find safe, natural hair products for textured hair. I was on a mission to find ingredients that provided moisture and protected the scalp and celebrated the unique beauty of curly, coily, and kinky hair textures and types.

As a Natural Stylist & Hair Braider, I was fortunate enough to consult with some of the biggest beauty brands in the industry. But during this time, I realized there was a lack of representation for the natural hair and braid community. The products available were all designed for chemically treated hair, causing breakage and scalp damage for those with natural hair. I knew there had to be a better way.

I delved into my research and discovered that many harsh ingredients in beauty products were only used to cut costs and increase profit margins for big-box brands. This led me to question whether curly and tightly coiled hair needed different ingredients. And thus, my passion for finding a solution was born.

Our team spent over 20 years sourcing oils and botanicals, experimenting with ingredients in our salon break room and at home. It was a long and challenging journey, but we finally found the solution. Our products are now beloved by clients who rave about the benefits they have seen for their hair and scalp.

I believe that it is my purpose to share my experiences, both positive and negative, in order to positively impact the lives of others. And that's why I want you to always remember to shine!