Licensed Cosmetologist

Meet Monita Lawing

After leaving beauty school twice, I decided the third time would be different. Married and raising a family of seven, I pressed through, earned my license, and hit the ground running.

My work has taken me from house calls and community braid classes to weddings, runway styling, training at Haircolor Xperts, and becoming a published stylist in ELEGANT Magazine.

But my relationship with hair started long before my professional career—and it hasn’t always been an easy one.

Becoming the Featherweight Champion of the Curl

I’ve been braiding since elementary school and styling my own hair, along with family and friends, since middle school. Yet even with years of practice, I still had so much to learn about textured hair.

As a child, I struggled to love my natural hair. I was tender-headed, frustrated with my texture, and asking for a relaxer before kindergarten. At twenty, I shaved my head—and I had never felt more like myself.

Learning to care for my natural texture took time. There were returns to relaxers, transitions, braids, wigs, twist sets, and blowouts. There were also bald spots, disappointing salon experiences, failed twist-outs, long wash days, and far too many products.

Eventually, I began taking classes, asking better questions, and experimenting with what worked for my hair. That’s how I became the Featherweight Champion of the Curl.

I know how personal this journey can be. I’ve lived the frustration, the uncertainty, and the joy of finally understanding your own hair.

A passion for care from the inside out

That desire to understand hair grew into a passion for scalp care. I pursued specialized certification to deepen my knowledge and help people navigating hair loss and scalp concerns.

My approach considers the connections between hair, scalp health, and overall well-being. Through The Curl Exchange, I bring professional styling, personalized care, and practical education together, helping you understand your hair and feel more confident in your next steps.

You don’t have to figure it all out alone. Let’s get to know your hair.

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