From Curly Girl to Curl Expert: Meet Stylist Missy Secore

Celebrating Stylists Who Help Us Love Our Hair

In honor of National Stylist Appreciation Day, we’re spotlighting the artists, educators, and hair heroes behind the chair. The ones who lift us up, listen, and leave us feeling like our best selves – one haircut, blowout, or color transformation at a time.

Meet Missy Secore, founder of MisfitCurls. A fellow curly girl turned stylist, Missy created a space where education meets empowerment—where curls are not just styled, but truly understood, honored, and celebrated.

As a curly girl who became a stylist, what inspired you to take the leap into the industry and open MisfitCurls?

During my own curly journey, I struggled significantly. There were so many times I said to myself “Why isn't there someplace I can go, that can explain all of this?” I needed help understanding my texture, my curl pattern, what ingredients work for my hair type and my environment, what techniques I should use, etc. After I finally started to comprehend the science behind curly hair, I was like, “Seriously, why aren't there stylists explaining this?!”

So I became a stylist to do just that! I am so dedicated to helping curlies, that I don't even service straight haired clients.

How does it feel to play such a key role in helping people feel more confident and knowledgeable about their curls?

It is one of the greatest feelings in the world! I find it incredibly fulfilling to provide clients with straightforward, scientifically backed answers to their long awaited questions. It is so rewarding to be able to give them their A-HA moment, where it finally clicks, and they can grasp why they have struggled and what they need to make life simple.

So many curly folks have gone their whole lives feeling unheard and misunderstood. It is so heartwarming to be able to validate their feelings and mirror their past frustrations with my own history to assure them that they aren't alone.

Similar to the question above, but is there a moment in your stylist career that stands out as particularly meaningful or rewarding—something that reaffirmed why you chose this path?

There are so many, it's so hard to choose. I'm told at least once a day by clients that I've changed their lives… not just their hair, but their LIFE. Curly hair PTSD is a thing!
I have worked with so many clients who have struggled with salon anxiety, self loathing, fought their texture, experienced chemical burns, felt excluded, never felt beautiful and many other struggles. So many appointments start out with clients in tears recalling past traumas and then end with laughter and tears of joy and hugs! It really is the most rewarding thing to get to help heal those wounds. I get to change someone's whole perspective on themselves, just by listening and showing them how to provide the simple self care that curls need.

With so many different curl types and unique needs, are there a few universal tips you love sharing with your clients to help them embrace and love their natural curls?

While different hair types need different things, the one thing I preach universally is that clean, water soluble hair products will make your routine so much easier and your hair healthier. Finding the right products for your balance will keep your life simple.

 Is there one myth about curly hair that you’d love to debunk?

Actually there are 3 big ones!

1.  “Curly hair needs lots of products!” If you have to use a gazillion different products, you are probably using the wrong ones.
   
   
2.  “Your curl pattern determines the kind of products you need”. I've found in my experience, your texture is usually more important when determining what kind of products you will need.
   
   
3.  There is no “holy grail” product that works for everyone! There are too many variables for one product to meet all those needs (texture, environment, water quality, porosity, humidity, hair history, etc.)

You’re also passionate about coloring—are there any spring or summer trends you’re excited to try or see your clients embrace this season?

Most curlies march to the beat of their own drum and so I actually rarely have people coming in asking for trends. Many times, trending or popular color placement looks so different on natural curls! So at MisfitCurls, instead of following trends or the latest “gimmicks”, I focus on giving clients custom looks. They get the best colors for their skin tones, the healthiest version of their dream hair, while keeping placements very specific to their curls and unique features, all while making sure to stay in line with their maintenance expectations.

When you’re not behind the chair or furthering your curly education, how do you like to unwind and recharge?

My husband is a musician so we are constantly attending live music. In addition to traveling for his shows, we love to go see other local and national acts.We enjoy travel in general and sometimes you can find us hiking a mountain or waterfall with our two large breed dogs, or even chilling in another country. If we are just staying local you may find us in a yoga class, getting into proper alignment at the chiropractor, or even just relaxing in the pool with the pups!

Do you have a favorite EVOLVh product that you love using on yourself or your clients? What do you enjoy about it?

One of my favorites is the leave in sprays! In Florida, we have very hard water. The pH balancing on the leave-ins bring the pH right back to where it should be and provides slip and hydration to the curls without weighing them down. I will also use the spray during a refresh to provide just a bit of moisture between washdays. They are always my go to for a beach bag or pool bag to help get curls detangle after swimming. I just love a product that can be multipurpose!