In a groundbreaking move toward inclusivity and cultural competence, New York recently made headlines by passing a bill aimed at diversifying cosmetology school education. This legislative milestone, marked by Bill S6528A, signifies a necessary shift in the beauty industry's approach to training future professionals.
By prioritizing education that equips all students, regardless of race, with the necessary skills to work across every hair texture, New York is one of the most recent states setting an example for the rest of the nation to follow. Click here for more information on Bill S6528A and read on to learn how Vagaro aims to support this new initiative.
To dive deeper into this pivotal bit of legislation, we conducted a poll within the Vagaro community, aiming to gauge opinions and assess the current state of diversity in hair & skincare education. But, before we look at our findings, let's briefly discuss the need for this new bill and how it will help break down barriers in the beauty industry.
Understanding the Need for Diversity in Cosmetology Education
For far too long, traditional cosmetology education has been rooted in a Eurocentric standard of beauty, often neglecting the diverse array of hair textures and skin tones that exist within society. This narrow focus has not only perpetuated systemic inequalities within the beauty industry but has also left many aspiring cosmetologists ill-equipped to serve clients from diverse backgrounds. Bill S6528A seeks to address this disparity head-on by mandating a more comprehensive curriculum that embraces the richness of cultural diversity.
Breaking Down Barriers
The passage of this bill represents more than just a legislative victory; it is a triumph for inclusivity and representation. By requiring cosmetology schools to incorporate training on a wide range of hair textures and skin tones, New York is empowering future professionals to better meet the needs of an increasingly diverse audience. This not only enhances the quality of services provided but also fosters a more inclusive and welcoming environment within the beauty industry.
Championing Equal Opportunity
At its core, Bill S6528A embodies the principle of equal opportunity, ensuring that all individuals have access to the same level of education and training, regardless of their racial or ethnic background. By dismantling barriers to entry and providing a level playing field for aspiring cosmetologists, New York, along with other states are leading the way for a more equitable and just beauty industry. Because of this, clients will have more options for their beauty needs, thus making access to quality, knowledgeable self-care a more equitable experience for all.
Poll Findings
To gain insights into the current state of diversity in beauty education, we conducted a poll within our Vagaro community. The results were fascinating, highlighting both areas of progress and areas in need of improvement. Among the key findings were:
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51% of respondents answered that their training included education on textured hair in those categories.
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77% of respondents answered yes when asked if they were trained to care for a range of skin tones & types.
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97% of respondents think diverse education will become a nationwide requirement.
How Vagaro Stylists Can Get Involved
For stylists on Vagaro who are trained or experienced in providing care for natural textured hair, the platform offers several opportunities where they can optimize their profile to ensure their services are easily discovered and accessible to their target clientele.
Here are a few options:
If you’re a Black-owned business or a salon that specializes in natural, textured hairstyles, indicate that in your completely customizable business biography. This is visible to consumers searching for such services on the Vagaro marketplace, as well as on the business’ MySite.
Additionally, when building a business site, ensure that you’re using SEO optimized terms and phrases to identify yourself as a provider of these services in order to rank higher and get found and booked faster from consumers browsing on general search engines like Google.
Don’t forget to also optimize your staff biographies to highlight their expertise in caring for natural, textured hair. Describe their experience in doing so and if they have specific specialties, this can be a great section to call them out.
When creating your service menu, Vagaro makes it simple to select from a list of preset natural hair services; or you can custom create your own service titles and descriptions to best fit the natural hair services your specific business offers. Here is an ideal place for you to also include an image of said service.
Thinking of running a discount or special offer for your natural hair clients? Vagaro’s “general tags” feature makes it easy for something like this. Simply create and assign the tag to your respective clients, then run an email or text campaign to the target audience communicating your special offer.
Finally, as social media has solidified itself as the new digital portfolio for beauty professionals, make sure your professional account presence reflects the nature of your textured haircare services. Displaying your work, expertise, and any specialties to your online community, combined with relevant hashtags and linking your Vagaro “Book Now” button to your page is another great way to showcase and optimize your natural haircare business’ digital presence.
Read More: Check out these articles on Black Representation and Professional Realities in the Arts and how your business can support Black History Month.
Moving Forward Together
As we reflect on the significance of New York's progressive leap in hair & cosmetology education, it is essential to recognize that the journey toward true diversity and inclusion is ongoing. While legislative measures like Bill S6528A are crucial milestones, real change requires collective action and unwavering commitment from all stakeholders. By working together to embrace diversity, challenge stereotypes, and foster a culture of inclusivity & accurate representation, we can build a beauty industry that celebrates every individual, regardless of race, ethnicity, or background. Together, let us pave the way for a brighter, more inclusive future in the beauty & wellness industries.
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