Cosmetology schools teach students hair theory and the beauty basics. However, are cosmetology schools teaching students how to style and care for curly hair? No. Is this a sign of hidden discrimination or is it the perpetuation of the Western beauty standards? The beauty standards that praise light skin, light eyes and straight hair. You decide.

As twists, dreadlocks and braided hairstyles become more mainstream, naturalistas are spending more time on YouTube and less in the salon chair. From natural hair care to natural hair products more women are taking style notes from beauty bloggers. Still, there are things that should be left to the professionals. But are cosmetology schools teaching students natural hair techniques?

Each state has a governmental agency known as the board of cosmetology and barbering. AKA the state board, which sets the licensing standards and regulations for the industry. While the numbers vary from state to state, becoming a licensed cosmetologist requires at least 1500 hours of training. Training includes; learning the basics of beauty in class, practicing on mannequin heads and working with actual clients. But, to put it frankly, cosmetology schools do not teach students how to do hair. They teach students how to pass the state board test.

 More than half of Americans have curly or textured tresses. Yet cosmetology schools offer no hands-on training for curly hair. On the contrary, they teach students to blow dry and straighten curly hair before it’s cut, colored or styled. So, are cosmetology schools teaching students how to treat and care for straight hair? Yes. Are cosmetology schools teaching students how to handle and care for curly or ethnic hair? No. Stylists that want to cater to textured hair clients have to invest in continued education after cosmetology school for specialized training.