Ulta Beauty, the national beauty retailer, is facing a racial discrimination lawsuit alleging that a Manhattan salon denied service to a Black woman and her seven-year-vintage daughter given that of their hair texture. The lawsuit, filed in New York State Supreme Court, claims employees at the East 86th Street location told Lauren Smith and her daughter, C.M., that they “don’t handle that kind of hair.” The incident, which occurred on July 6, 2025, has sparked outrage and renewed scrutiny of inclusivity within the beauty industry.
The complaint details a scenario where Smith and C.M. Had a scheduled appointment at the Ulta salon ahead of a professional photoshoot. Despite the confirmed booking, the assigned stylist, identified as “Jessica C.” in court documents, reportedly refused to service them, stating she was “not comfortable” with their hair “type” or “texture.” A store manager allegedly backed the stylist’s decision and criticized Smith for not disclosing her hair type in advance. This alleged refusal, the lawsuit argues, is a violation of the New York State Human Rights Law, which explicitly prohibits discrimination based on traits historically associated with race, including hair texture.
Lawsuit Alleges Pretext for Discrimination
According to the lawsuit, Smith and C.M.’s hair was “completely covered” during the exchange, meaning employees did not visually inspect it before denying service. The complaint asserts that the stated reasons for refusal were a pretext for unlawful racial discrimination. The plaintiffs contend that the salon’s actions caused significant emotional distress, particularly for C.M., who reportedly left the store crying and questioning why she couldn’t be served, despite seeing “brown girls [in ads] on the walls.”
Wendy Dolce, the attorney representing Smith and C.M., alleges this incident isn’t isolated. Dolce claims it’s part of a pattern of “systemic corporate indifference” by Ulta Beauty outlets, citing prior press reports and legal claims alleging similar conduct. While specific details of those prior claims weren’t immediately available, Dolce indicated they contribute to a broader concern about consistent treatment of customers with diverse hair textures.
Ulta Beauty’s Response and Prior Commitments to Diversity
As of July 11, 2025, Ulta Beauty has not issued a direct response to the lawsuit. Requests for comment sent to the company’s media relations department were not immediately returned. However, the timing of the allegations is particularly sensitive, coming shortly after Ulta Beauty issued a press release celebrating Black beauty and its commitment to inclusivity. The release stated, “Ulta Beauty recognizes the importance of magnifying, uplifting, supporting and empowering the influence that Black voices bring to the beauty industry.”
The company’s “Muse 100” program, highlighted in the press release, aims to honor Black voices in the beauty industry. This juxtaposition of the public commitment to diversity and the alleged discriminatory act has fueled criticism online and raised questions about the company’s internal practices.
The Legal Framework: New York State Human Rights Law
The New York State Human Rights Law, referenced in the lawsuit, is a comprehensive anti-discrimination statute. According to the New York State Division of Human Rights, the law prohibits discrimination in employment, housing, public accommodations and other areas based on a range of protected characteristics, including race, color, and “traits historically associated with race,” which includes hair texture and styles.
This legal framework has been increasingly utilized in recent years to challenge discriminatory practices targeting Black individuals, particularly concerning hair. The CROWN Act (Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair), which prohibits discrimination based on hair texture and protective hairstyles, has been adopted in several states and municipalities, though it is not currently law in New York State. However, the New York State Human Rights Law provides similar protections.
The lawsuit seeks unspecified damages for emotional distress, humiliation, and other harms suffered by Smith and C.M. It likewise requests injunctive relief, potentially requiring Ulta Beauty to implement training programs and revise its policies to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.
Ulta Beauty is being sued after a woman claims she and her daughter were denied service at a Manhattan salon because of their hair texture. https://t.co/q6q9q9q9q9
— WBLS 107.5 FM (@WBLS1075FM) July 11, 2025
The case is being closely watched by civil rights advocates and legal experts, as it could set a precedent for addressing discrimination in the beauty industry. The outcome will likely influence how businesses approach serving customers with diverse hair textures and styles, and whether existing anti-discrimination laws are sufficient to protect against such practices.
A hearing date has not yet been set in the case. The next scheduled action will be a response from Ulta Beauty’s legal team, expected within the coming weeks. This case highlights the ongoing challenges in achieving true inclusivity and equitable treatment for all customers, regardless of their race or hair texture.
If you or someone you know has experienced discrimination based on hair texture, resources are available. You can find more information and file a complaint with the New York State Division of Human Rights here.
This represents a developing story. Check back for updates as they become available.
