Brenda Amaral didn’t set out with a traditional roadmap into the beauty industry, but she knew early on that hair was where she belonged.
“I’ve known I wanted to be in this industry since middle school,” she says, reflecting on a path that began long before she ever held a license. College came first, along with what she jokingly calls her “beer and book money,” earned while she was experimenting in ways she admits she wasn’t technically supposed to.
“I was giving haircuts I had no business doing because I didn’t have a license,” Amaral says with a laugh. “But the industry always called to me.” She eventually did become licensed, and over two decades, her career unfolded across nearly every corner of the field — receptionist, assistant, stylist, booth renter, manager, and, ultimately, salon owner.
She also spent time in manufacturing in New England, gaining hands-on experience in product development and formulation. “I’ve done a little bit of everything.”
Her interest in training and professional development came unexpectedly, sparked by a color class that shifted everything.
At first, hair color felt overwhelming. Then one class clicked, and she found herself chasing every opportunity to learn more. The more Amaral studied, the more she realized how often instruction was tied to brand-specific language.
“I would understand parts of it, but when they started talking about their own line, I’d get a little lost if I wasn’t using it,” she says. “Then I went back to that first company where I had the class, and the lightbulb went off: I wanted to be able to do this for other people.”
That turning point led her deeper into advanced study, including work with the Board of Certified Haircolorists, where she focused on the science behind formulation and chemical structure.
From there, Amaral expanded her experience in manufacturing, working in a lab that developed both in-house and third-party professional lines. The role gave her a rare understanding of how color and care products are created.
“I got real hands-on experience in a lab environment — how to make products, how to make color — and I built a course around that,” she says. “I’ve been teaching some version of that for two decades.”
Today, Amaral is the co-founder of True Hair Education, a platform built on a philosophy that sets her apart in a crowded space: it is completely unbranded.
Unlike many educators tied to product companies, her classes are not designed around a specific line. Instead, the focus is on chemistry, formulation, and understanding how color systems function at their core.
Her approach also extends into teaching stylists how to read and interpret what they are already using, from shampoo to styling products.
As she prepares for upcoming classes at the Be+Well Show in Las Vegas, Amaral remains focused on creating learning experiences that translate directly. While the technical knowledge is essential, she notes that what matters most is what stylists walk away with: confidence, clarity, and practical tools they can immediately apply in real time.
“I just love all aspects of this industry,” she says. “Whether I’m in my salon or teaching on the road, helping hairdressers in any way — that’s what gets me up in the morning.”
Brenda Amaral is teaching "Confident Color Correction" and "Gain Color Confidence: Formulation Without Fear" at the Be+Well | Beauty and Wellness Show – Las Vegas (formerly International Beauty Show), taking place June 27-29. Registration is here; use promo code EDSALON20 for 20% off education.