HARTFORD, Conn. — Connecticut lawmakers are trying to make hair stylist training more inclusive.
“It really just feels like we are seen and recognized, and that the beauty industry as a whole, who is asking for this change, is truly valued,” said Myra Reddy with the Texture Education Collective.
Wednesday, the state Senate nearly unanimously passed a new bill to require the curriculum for barbers and hairdressers in Connecticut include more experience with textured hair.
“Stylists have said I've completed my program, I've completed my training and I'm nervous, I would not feel comfortable working on a person's hair that was, in their view, heavily textured or very curly,” Reddy said. “They wouldn't know what to do. They didn't have the training; they didn't have the time with hands-on.”
According to the Texture Education Collective, 75% of stylists want more training in how to style textured hair, and 66% of BIPOC models have experienced a stylist who was unable to cater to their hair texture.
“I've had many people reach out to me with textured hair, or super curly hair that they find very difficult to find somebody who knows how to care for that type of hair or cut that hair or style the hair,” said state Sen. Heather Somers, (R-Mystic).
She says it can be difficult enough to find a salon or stylist you trust, even if you have straight hair.
“It's not something that I had really known that we have this large void, and I think it's something that can be easily corrected,” added Somers.
This bill would add training for working with hair with various curl, coils and wave patterns, hair strand thickness, and volumes of hair.
“It's important that hairdressers, our salons are interculturally competent, that people have the tools, knowledge, skills and abilities and resources to ensure that they are offering a wide menu of services to people,” state Sen. Herron Gaston, (D-Bridgeport) said.
This bill is seen as a continuation of the state’s 2021 Crown Act, which prohibits discrimination against people based on their hair.
“This is about inclusivity, diversity, recognizing those with different hairstyles and hair types and recognizing that training is needed,” said Reddy.
“It's certainly going to encourage individuals to ensure that they have that education or at least that education at their disposal. Whether they choose to use it or not, they still be armed with it,” Gaston continued. “I think that's important because again, you never know who's going to show up in your salon chair.”
This bill now heads to the House floor for a vote where Somers and Gaston say they’re confident it will get as much bipartisan support as it did in the Senate.
Emma Wulfhorst is a political reporter for FOX61 News. She can be reached at ewulfhorst@fox61.com. Follow her on Facebook, X and Instagram.
----
Do you have a story idea or something on your mind you want to share? We want to hear from you! Email us at newstips@fox61.com.
----
HERE ARE MORE WAYS TO GET FOX61 NEWS
Download the FOX61 News APP
iTunes: Click here to download
Google Play: Click here to download
Stream Live on ROKU: Add the channel from the ROKU store or by searching FOX61.
Steam Live on FIRE TV: Search ‘FOX61’ and click ‘Get’ to download.