Lawsuit Filed After Mother and Daughter Denied Salon Service Due to Hair Texture

Ulta Beauty salon employee refused to style Black customer's hair, leading to discrimination claims.

Apr. 4, 2026 at 7:08am

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A high-contrast, silkscreen-style image of a hair dryer repeated in a grid pattern, using bold neon colors and heavy black outlines to create a modern pop art aesthetic that conceptually represents the lack of inclusivity in the beauty industry.A vibrant pop art interpretation of a common salon tool, highlighting the industry's need to better serve all hair types and textures.Brooklyn Today

A Black mother and her 7-year-old daughter were denied service at an Ulta Beauty salon in Manhattan last summer after an employee said the assigned stylist was 'not comfortable' working with their hair texture. The mother, Lauren Smith, is now suing Ulta, claiming the incident was humiliating and a violation of civil rights law. The lawsuit seeks industrywide anti-discrimination training and enforcement of The Crown Act, which prohibits discrimination based on hair texture and protective hairstyles.

Why it matters

This case highlights the ongoing challenges many people with textured or coily hair face when trying to find salons and stylists equipped to properly care for their hair. While New York law requires cosmetologists to be trained across all hair types, the reality is that many salons and stylists still lack the experience or confidence to work with certain hair textures, leading to discriminatory denials of service.

The details

When Lauren Smith and her daughter arrived at the Ulta salon, an employee told them the assigned stylist was 'not comfortable' working with their 'type' or 'texture' of hair. Smith offered to walk the stylist through the process, but the employee refused. The stylist eventually came out and accused Smith of 'getting an attitude,' leaving the daughter in tears. They left without receiving the scheduled blowouts.

  • Last summer, Lauren Smith and her daughter visited the Ulta salon in Manhattan.

The players

Lauren Smith

A Black mother who is suing Ulta Beauty after she and her daughter were denied service at one of the company's salons due to their hair texture.

Ulta Beauty

A national beauty retailer that operates a chain of salons, facing a lawsuit over an incident of alleged racial discrimination at one of its Manhattan locations.

Wendy Dolce

The lawyer representing Lauren Smith in the lawsuit against Ulta Beauty.

Nick Arrojo

The owner and founder of Arrojo NYC, a cosmetology school, who commented on the importance of salons being able to properly serve clients with all hair types.

Michaelle Solages

The New York State Assemblywoman who co-authored a bill that led to new requirements for cosmetology education programs to include more training on diverse hair types.

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What they’re saying

“If you don't have the experience or confidence to do the work well, it's better to acknowledge that than to deliver a compromised result.”

— Nick Arrojo, Owner and Founder, Arrojo NYC

“As far as training people, everyone should have the basic knowledge of hair types. It's a sensitive point for people and nobody should feel like their hair isn't good enough. We have a responsibility to make everyone feel welcome.”

— Michaella Blissett Williams, Founder, [salon]718

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide whether to allow the lawsuit against Ulta Beauty to proceed.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the persistent lack of inclusivity and proper training in the beauty industry when it comes to serving clients with textured or coily hair. It underscores the need for comprehensive cosmetology education and salon policies that ensure all customers, regardless of their hair type, are treated with dignity and provided quality service.