For decades, sleek and silky styles ruled the hair extension industry, with pin-straight bundles setting the standard for what many considered a “polished” look. But as beauty ideals continue to evolve in the United States, so do the preferences of the modern salon client. In 2025, we’re witnessing a transformative shift—one where curls, coils, and waves are no longer niche styles but major drivers of market demand. From red carpet trends to TikTok transformations, textured weft extensions are reshaping how beauty is defined, celebrated, and purchased. Here’s a deep dive into why curly is taking center stage, how it’s influencing what customers ask for in salons, and how brands are racing to meet the moment.
Curly Is King: The Popularity of Kinks and Coils Soars
In an era increasingly shaped by personal identity and natural beauty appreciation, consumers are favoring textures that reflect their roots—literally and culturally. One standout trend leading this movement is the sharp rise in demand for Kinky Curly Human Hair Bundles, prized for their bounce, volume, and authenticity. These extensions offer wearers the ability to enhance their own coil pattern or create dramatic volume without compromising on a natural look.
Stylists across New York, Atlanta, and Los Angeles report a noticeable uptick in clients requesting curly textures over bone-straight options. This shift isn’t just aesthetic—it’s deeply emotional and cultural. Many women, especially women of color, are reclaiming their natural texture and celebrating it unapologetically. As a result, textured bundles aren’t just fashion statements; they’re forms of empowerment, allowing wearers to embrace their mane in its fullest expression.
What Salon Clients Want in 2025: Texture, Versatility, and Low-Maintenance
Ask any U.S. stylist about current booking trends, and you’ll likely hear a recurring theme: more clients are asking for layered cuts, curly installations, and blendable Curly Hair Weft Extensions. The preference isn’t only for style—it’s also about wearability.
Textured wefts are being favored for their ability to hold shape longer, mimic natural growth patterns, and reduce the styling time many clients previously spent flattening or curling straighter options. More clients now prioritize low-maintenance solutions that still allow for styling versatility—from pineapple updos to fluffy twist-outs.
In addition, textured extensions offer better humidity resistance compared to straighter styles. This matters especially for clients in warmer, moisture-rich climates like Florida, Georgia, or Texas, where frizz and heat styling battles are frequent concerns.
This new wave of preferences signals a broader lifestyle shift where people want extensions that can work with their routine—not against it. Curl-centric beauty is no longer considered “alternative” but rather mainstream and aspirational.
Behind the Brand Curtain: How Manufacturers Are Meeting the Curl Demand
The surge in textured extension popularity has sent ripples through the manufacturing sector. Brands that once focused heavily on straight and loosely waved styles are now expanding product lines to accommodate tighter coils, corkscrews, and afro-inspired textures.
Wefts are being designed in a broader range of curl patterns to match everything from 3A ringlets to 4C coils. Many companies have also begun sourcing more ethically to ensure the curl pattern remains intact from donor to consumer. That means using more careful processing methods and preserving the cuticle alignment to maintain the durability and realism of the finished product.
There’s also a renewed focus on education. Brands are now providing stylists with better texture-matching guides, care instructions, and heat-free styling tips to ensure longevity for clients. This transparency helps foster trust in textured products and drives consumer loyalty.
Furthermore, Black-owned and texture-first beauty brands are leading innovation in this space. With deep understanding of their audience, they’re setting new standards in product development, community engagement, and marketing representation.
From Trend to Norm: Media Influence and Cultural Movements Fuel the Change
From red carpets to Instagram reels, curly tresses are showing up everywhere. Influencers and celebrities like Tracee Ellis Ross, Yara Shahidi, and Lupita Nyong’o have long celebrated natural textures, but the broader industry is finally catching up.
Major fashion houses and beauty campaigns are now casting models with textured manes front and center—not just as token representation, but as the default. This media representation reinforces the message that curls are just as glamorous, chic, and powerful as any straight style.
Cultural shifts have also played a huge role. Movements like the Crown Act—which protects against hair-based discrimination—have created an environment where people feel safer and more confident wearing their natural textures. That confidence is spilling into consumer behavior, as shoppers increasingly prioritize authenticity and identity over fitting into traditional beauty norms.
The Road Ahead: What to Expect from the Curl Movement
The growing love for textured extensions is not a passing phase—it’s a permanent evolution in beauty standards. With increasing demand, salon professionals are upskilling in curly installations, and manufacturers are investing in more inclusive product lines.
Curly extensions will likely continue gaining ground, especially as younger consumers—who are digital natives and diversity champions—become the dominant market force. Additionally, the fusion of wellness and beauty will keep pushing protective, natural-looking styles to the forefront, making textured wefts a smart choice both aesthetically and practically.
As the industry adjusts, one thing is clear: curls are here to stay, and they’re reshaping the beauty landscape one ringlet at a time.
