New York Mandates Curly Hair Training in Salon Schools to Combat

New York's cosmetology and hair-styling schools are now required to teach students how to deal with kinky and curly hair as part of their curriculum. This move is designed to curb racial discrimination in the beauty industry, where many salons have been accused of not catering to customers with textured hair. **State Assemblywoman Michaelle Solages** and **state Sen. Jamaal Bailey** co-authored the bill in 2023, which was recently implemented by the New York Department of State. The new rules will be in place by September, and schools that fail to comply will not be able to license students. This development is a significant step towards promoting diversity and inclusion in the beauty industry, and it has been welcomed by many who have experienced discrimination due to their hair type. For example, [[hair-discrimination|hair discrimination]] is a common issue faced by people with textured hair, and this new law aims to address this problem. Additionally, [[beauty-standards|beauty standards]] have long been criticized for being biased towards straight hair, and this move is a step towards challenging these standards.

• New York's cosmetology and hair-styling schools are now required to teach students how to deal with kinky and curly hair
• The new law was co-authored by state Assemblywoman Michaelle Solages and state Sen. Jamaal Bailey in 2023
• The new rules will be in place by September, and schools that fail to comply will not be able to license students
• The law has the potential to promote diversity and inclusion in the beauty industry, and to address the issue of hair discrimination
• The law may have unintended consequences, such as increased costs for small businesses and independent salons

The new law is a response to the lack of representation and understanding of textured hair in the beauty industry. While it is a step in the right direction, it remains to be seen how effective it will be in addressing the issue of hair discrimination. Some have argued that the law does not go far enough, and that more needs to be done to promote diversity and inclusion in the beauty industry. Others have raised concerns about the potential impact on small businesses and independent salons. For instance, [[small-business-owners|small business owners]] may struggle to implement the new requirements, and this could lead to unintended consequences. However, the law is a significant step towards promoting diversity and inclusion, and it has the potential to make a positive impact on the beauty industry.

The new law is a significant step towards promoting diversity and inclusion in the beauty industry. By requiring schools to teach students how to deal with textured hair, the law will help to address the lack of representation and understanding of curly and kinky hair. This will lead to a more inclusive and diverse beauty industry, where people with all types of hair can feel confident and beautiful. **State Assemblywoman Michaelle Solages** has been a strong advocate for this issue, and her efforts have paid off. The new law is a testament to the power of advocacy and activism, and it shows that change is possible when people come together to fight for a common cause. For example, [[natural-hair-movement|natural hair movement]] has been gaining momentum in recent years, and this new law is a significant step towards promoting the acceptance and celebration of natural hair.

The new law may not be enough to address the deep-seated issues of racial discrimination in the beauty industry. While it requires schools to teach students how to deal with textured hair, it does not address the underlying biases and prejudices that exist in the industry. Some have argued that the law is a tokenistic gesture, and that it does not go far enough in promoting diversity and inclusion. For example, [[beauty-standards|beauty standards]] are still largely biased towards straight hair, and this can make it difficult for people with textured hair to feel confident and beautiful. Additionally, the law may have unintended consequences, such as increased costs for small businesses and independent salons. This could lead to a lack of accessibility and affordability for people with textured hair, which would undermine the purpose of the law.

Originally reported by New York Post