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NYC salon sued after allegedly telling Black patrons it doesn’t do their ‘kind of hair’
By
Arun Venugopal
Published Mar 17, 2026
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By
Arun Venugopal
Published Mar 17, 2026
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Employees of an Upper East Side beauty salon allegedly refused service to a Black customer and her young daughter, telling the pair they don’t do their “kind of hair,” according to a racial discrimination lawsuit filed in federal court in Manhattan.
Workers at national chain Ulta Beauty's East 86th Street store denied service to the mother and daughter, citing their hair “type” and “texture,” inexperience with “YOUR kind of hair,” and after admonishing them for not stating in advance “what kind of hair you have,” according to the complaint.
The lawsuit, filed by Manhattan residents Lauren Smith and her 7-year-old daughter, identified only as C.M., alleges their locks were “completely covered” during the exchange with the workers, and no employee ever actually inspected their hair. The complaint called the stated refusals a pretext for unlawful racial discrimination.
“This discriminatory treatment occurred in full view of other customers, causing severe humiliation to Ms. Smith and traumatic distress to her 7-year-old daughter who left the store crying hysterically and asking, ‘What is wrong with my hair?’ and ‘Why can’t I go there if there are brown girls [in ads] on the walls?’” according to the complaint.
An employee at the Upper East Side location referred questions about the encounter and lawsuit to Ulta's corporate office in Illinois, which did not respond to requests for comment.
On its website, the company describes itself as the nation’s largest specialty beauty retailer, operating approximately 1,500 locations, and says it's committed to “creating a more inclusive world.”
“Ulta Beauty recognizes the importance of magnifying, uplifting, supporting and empowering the influence that Black voices bring to the beauty industry,” the website states.
The lawsuit contends the salon’s stated reasons for denying service violate the New York State Human Rights Law, which prohibits discrimination based on traits historically associated with race, including hair texture. It also alleges violations of New York’s cosmetology licensing laws, which, as of May 2024, require licensed hair stylists to be trained and competent to provide services to people of all hair types.
A legislative memo for the law states 65% of the world’s population has textured hair, “yet many clients with textured hair report not having equitable access to professionally trained, licensed stylists with the skill set and experience to provide services on their hair type.”
The New York City Commission on Human Rights classifies discrimination based on hair “as a form of race discrimination and/or religious discrimination.”
“Discriminatory policies related to hair exacerbate social, economic, and educational inequality by reducing access to employment, educational, and other opportunities based on a person’s race or religion,” the commission stated in a 2022 leaflet.
The complaint contends the alleged conduct also amounts to a violation of federal civil rights law barring discrimination based on race. It asks the court to award money damages and order training for the salon, along with other relief.
The encounter in question occurred on July 6, 2025, according to the lawsuit. The plaintiffs say they are both professional models and appeared for their scheduled hair styling appointments at the 188 East 86th St. location prior to a photoshoot.
Despite having confirmed appointments, according to the claim, they were told their assigned stylist, identified in the complaint as “Jessica C.,” was “not comfortable” doing their “type” or “texture” of hair.
The store manager, identified in court papers as Mohammed Salam, endorsed the refusal and chided both plaintiffs for not making their hair type explicitly clear during scheduling, the lawsuit claims. “It therefore became immediately apparent that the stated reason was a pretext for race-based discrimination,” the plaintiffs allege.
The complaint, filed by attorney Wendy Dolce, further alleges the incident was part of a pattern of “systemic corporate indifference” by Ulta Beauty outlets, citing press reports and legal claims alleging similar conduct.
The past conduct includes allegations from Ulta employees in 2019 that the company engaged in racial profiling of customers. The company released a statement at the time disavowing the wrongful conduct and stating it was “disappointed to hear that anything like this could have happened in our stores.”
“We stand for equality, inclusivity and acceptance,” read the statement, which was reported at the time by TODAY.com, “and strive to create a space that is welcoming to all.”
Tagged
Race And Justice Unit
discrimination
economy
manhattan
Arun Venugopal
Arun Venugopal is a senior reporter for the WNYC and Gothamist Race & Justice Unit who focuses on issues of race and bias in our region. His reporting also tackles the topics of immigration, faith, and inequality. Arun serves as the regular fill-in host of the station's "U.S. of Anxiety" program. Arun was the creator and host of Micropolis, a series about race and identity. He is a contributor to NPR's Morning Edition and All Things Considered. He has appeared on PBS Newshour, On the Media and Studio 360, and has been published in The Guardian, The Wall Street Journal and Salon. He also frequently serves as an emcee and moderator of panel discussions on race, religion, and identity issues and has been a guest host of NPR's "Fresh Air." He lives with his family in Queens.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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