For Tina Knowles, hair care has never been just about appearances. It is a deeply personal practice rooted in memory, discipline, and a lifelong commitment to healthy strands. Long before she became vice chairwoman of Cécred in 2024, Knowles was earning her stripes in Houston as the founder of Headliners, a salon that became a beloved fixture in the community and a place where healthy hair transformation was the standard. It was within those walls that she passed her passion down to her daughters, Beyoncé and Solange, laying the foundation for what would eventually become a full-circle moment in her career.
Now, through her work at Cécred alongside Beyoncé and a team of hair experts, Knowles is helping bring that same vision to a wider audience. At Ulta Beauty World 2026, following a masterclass appearance, she sat down to reflect on her journey and the lessons she has accumulated over decades in the industry. What follows are five key takeaways from one of hair care’s most seasoned voices.
Her hair journey started with early kitchen remedies
Knowles grew up at a time when specialized hair products were not readily available in her household. Her mother, who had arthritis, relied on homemade treatments to manage her hair, mixing ingredients like hot olive oil and egg whites right in the kitchen. That resourcefulness left a lasting impression, and while Knowles now has access to some of the best products in the industry, she credits those early experiences with giving her a genuine appreciation for what goes into a proper hair care formula.
Deep conditioning is the one step she refuses to skip
Plenty of people move through their wash day routine quickly, but Knowles is not one of them. Even when time is limited, she makes deep conditioning a non-negotiable part of every session. Her method involves wrapping plastic wrap around her head to lock in heat and help the treatment penetrate the hair shaft more effectively. It is a simple technique, but one she considers foundational to maintaining strong, healthy hair.
Neglecting your ends is her biggest hair pet peeve
Split ends, in Knowles view, are a problem that only gets worse when ignored. Once the hair becomes frayed at the tips, the damage travels upward along the strand, making regular trims essential rather than optional. It is a straightforward piece of advice, but one that many people overlook until the damage has already spread.
Her hero product took years of careful development
Among everything in the Cécred lineup, Knowles points to the Reconstructing Treatment Mask as the product she is most proud of. The team spent considerable time perfecting the formula, and she considers it the cornerstone of the brand’s approach to hair health.
Beyoncé’s standards pushed the flexible hold hairspray to its limits
Perhaps the most revealing detail from her conversation was just how rigorous the development process was for Cécred’s Flexible Hold Hairspray. Beyoncé reportedly rejected the formula close to 10 times before approving it, insisting on a product that offered hold without heavy alcohol content or damaging ingredients, and one that could be combed out and restyled without losing its shine or softness. For Knowles, who typically avoided hairspray altogether because it required immediate shampooing, the finished product was a genuine breakthrough.
Her hair icons reflect a love of boldness and movement
When it comes to inspiration, Knowles looks to women who wore their hair with unmistakable conviction. Diana Ross, Nancy Sinatra, and Tina Turner each represented a different kind of hair confidence, and for Knowles, that spirit of making a statement with every strand remains the highest aspiration.
Cécred products are available at Ulta Beauty.
