Here’s food for thought: Did you know there is arguably an unofficial hair texture tax? This comes to light following a study: Does it cost more to have Afro hair in the UK? by Ripe Hair & Beauty Insurance, which shows that on average, people with Afro hair types pay 43% more for salon services. World Afro Day is this Friday and we thought we’d explore the inequalities often faced by people with Afro hair types. These include having to pay more, travel longer and wait longer for salon appointments on top of facing a higher level of discrimination compared with straight hair types.
A study reveals an unofficial hair texture tax
So, what exactly did the study consist of? Ripe Hair & Beauty Insurance surveyed an ethnically diverse group of 2,113 UK residents on their salon experience. The study unveiled this: Consumers with Type 4 (Afro) hair pay 43% more than consumers with Type 1 (straight) hair for the same service. In terms of actual money, a service which includes cutting, styling, colouring and professional treatment costs, on average, £156.94 for someone with Type 1 hair and £225.13 for someone with Type 4 hair. The difference (£68.19) is significant and reveals an unofficial hair texture tax.
As well as revealing a price difference, the study shows that consumers with Afro hair types tend to travel twice the distance as those with straight hair types for a salon visit. On average, people with Afro hair types travel 17.4 miles compared with 8.9 miles for those with straight hair types.
The study also showed that one-fifth of consumers with coily hair texture reported experiencing discrimination in the salon, while just 4% of consumers with straight hair reported the same. Also, people with Afro hair types are likelier to be let down by a salon service (58% vs. 44%). The main reason given for disappointment comes from the stylist not knowing how to care for textured hair properly. What is highly concerning about this statistic is that most consumers reported that the salon had advertised specialising in their hair type, when they clearly did not.
The texture tax in real life
Vicky Agbozo, owner of Diversa in Newton-le-Willows, comments on the unofficial hair texture tax. Vicky opened her salon, which specialises in Afro-European hair, in July 2023 after years of travelling some distance for a cut and style catered to her hair texture.
Vicky says: “Previously, I’d be so desperate for a certain product or service that I’d get three buses to Liverpool or Manchester to get hold of them. It’s not right that people with my hair type have to travel so far. Even though you might see many hair shops and hairdressers in a town, they all offer the same thing. If that’s not what you need, you’re being overlooked.
“It is important to embrace different hair types within the community. It’s great when people say: ‘Finally – this is what I’ve been waiting for!’ That’s exactly the reaction we wanted.” Vicky Agbozo
World Afro Day
World Afro Day aims to highlight the inequalities faced by those with natural Afro or textured hair. Hopefully, the report by Ripe Hair & Beauty Insurance helps raise awareness of this ongoing issue.
Want to read more?
Recently, on Respect For Hair, we had Jacqui McIntosh, European education director for Avlon, address the unique needs and challenges that people with Afro hair may face when preventing hair loss. Click here if you want to learn more about this.
On the Respectfully podcast in June we had Lisa Farrall, owner of Wig London and Casey Dale, freelancer and educator. Both stylists are acclaimed for working with all hair types but specifically enjoy working with Afro and Black hair. With host Nicky Pope, Lisa and Casey discuss the need for more inclusivity in haircare education, including the need to elevate skills and knowledge around caring for Afro hair types. Click here to listen.
For the full report and study conducted by Ripe Hair & Beauty Insurance click here.
If you want to learn more about World Afro Day, click here
For more of the latest industry news, click HERE.
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