UES Salon Accused Of Refusing Service To Black Customers: Suit

UPPER EAST SIDE, NY — Employees at an Upper East Side beauty salon are accused of denying hair-styling services to a Black customer and her 7-year-old daughter, according to a racial discrimination lawsuit filed in federal court in Manhattan.

In the complaint, plaintiff Lauren Smith alleges that staff at the salon inside an Ulta Beauty store at 188 East 86th St. near Third Avenue told her on July 6 that they were "not comfortable" working with the pair’s "type" or "texture" of hair ahead of a scheduled professional photoshoot.

The lawsuit, filed March 11 in Manhattan federal court, alleges a store manager supported the decision to refuse service.

Smith and her daughter had confirmed 11 a.m. appointments prior to a 3 p.m. photoshoot the same day, according to the filing.

The complaint states that Smith — described as a professional model — offered to assist the stylist but was still denied service.

At the time of the interaction, both Smith and her daughter were wearing hats that fully covered their hair, and no employee asked to examine their hair texture or discuss specific styling needs, the lawsuit alleges.

"Plaintiffs were deeply humiliated in the presence of other customers, and the seven-year-old child left the premises in tears," the complaint states.

The suit claims the company violated federal civil rights law as well as New York State and New York City human rights laws that prohibit discrimination in places of public accommodation. It also references state licensing requirements that mandate cosmetologists be trained to work with all hair textures.

Smith and her daughter are seeking compensatory and punitive damages, along with court-ordered policy changes including anti-discrimination training and updated salon service policies, according to the filing.

A representative for Ulta Beauty did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

For questions, email Miranda.Levingston@Patch.com.