The Twin Cities Hair and Beauty Expo returned to the metropolis this year as Minnesota’s professional hair care industry strives to be more inclusive of all cultural backgrounds.
A new law signed by Governor Walz in late May requires cosmetology students to learn how to create textured hair in order to obtain their license.
The lack of hair stylists specializing in natural hair is impacting black and brown people looking for hair care products. The goal is to make sure no one is left without options.
The Twin Cities Hair and Beauty Expo celebrates the creativity of Black hairdressers and barbers and the culture that begins with their crown.
“I want to make sure I take care of my crown,” said Tracy Smith, who moved to Minnesota. “It’s your crown. It was given to us.”
However, some say that finding a hairdresser in Minnesota who is qualified for their hair type is a stressful affair.
“That’s the hardest part,” Smith said. “My hair is everything to me. If I don’t get my hair done, it’s not good.”
A new state law is intended to make it easier for people with textured hair to find a hairdresser.
In Minnesota, cosmetology students must learn to work with all hair types and textures to obtain a license.
The goal is to make the professional hair industry more inclusive towards different cultures.
“It just seems kind of crazy that we’re actually talking about this now in 2024,” Wilson said.
Wilson explained that the black community is often forced to teach themselves how to care for their hair because there are limited opportunities for hairdressers.
“Hair is not just hair. It’s about our own being and our self-worth,” Wilson said.
Minnesota is the third state in the U.S. to pass laws for a more inclusive beauty industry.
