Lauren Smith and her seven-year-old daughter accused the company’s employees of violating state laws regarding hair texture and racial discrimination.
Ulta Beauty is brewing a shocking lawsuit after employees at a New York City Upper East Side store allegedly refused service to a black woman and her daughter and told them not to do “their preferred hairstyle.”
The lawsuit, filed by Lauren Smith and her 7-year-old daughter, alleges racial discrimination by employees at the Ulta Beauty store on East 86th Street in July 2025. According to Smith, employees rejected both her and her daughter’s hair “types” and “textures,” said they were generally inexperienced with “your kind of hair,” and they were disrespectful by not telling employees “what kind of hair” the two had in advance. According to Smith, no employees at the store looked at her or her daughter’s hair, and both had appointments to get their hair done.
Smith and her daughter are both professional models.
Part of the complaint reads: “This discriminatory treatment occurred in full view of other customers and caused severe humiliation to Ms. Smith and traumatic distress to her 7-year-old daughter. She left the store crying hysterically and asking, ‘What’s wrong with my hair?’ and ‘Why can’t I go there if there are brown girls?'” reads part of the complaint. [in ads] On the wall? “
Smith claimed that the stylist “Jessica C.” assigned to do her and her daughter’s hair was “uncomfortable” with the “type” or “texture” of their hair. The store’s manager, Mohammed Salam, supported the decision and accused Smith and her daughter of not recognizing their “hair texture” when booking appointments.
“It is therefore clear that the reasons stated are pretexts for racial discrimination,” the plaintiffs claim.
Ulta has long advocated for its role in promoting diversity, equity and inclusion and has previously defended itself when accused of discriminatory practices. In 2019, the company issued a statement after former employees accused the brand of encouraging employees to racially target customers.
“We stand for equality, inclusion and acceptance and strive to create a space where everyone is welcome,” Urta said in a statement at the time. “That’s why we engage our employees in ongoing diversity and inclusion training. It’s our responsibility, and we take it seriously.”
Smith’s lawsuit also claims that the salon’s refusal to serve her and her daughter violated New York State’s Human Rights Law, which prohibits discrimination based on race-related characteristics, namely hair texture. The lawsuit also accuses Ulta employees of violating New York state’s cosmetology licensing law, approved in May 2024, which requires stylists to be trained and competent to provide services to people of all hair types and textures.
Smith and her daughter are seeking financial damages in the lawsuit, as well as training for salon employees, among other demands.
More must-reads: