The Salon at Ulta Beauty education keeps evolving to serve all stylists and guests. Ulta Beauty, Inc. (ulta.com) today announced it is partnering with Black Beauty Roster (BBR; blackbeautyroster.com) and its Through Beauty brand to launch the pilot of All Textures Certification (ATC). The new program is aimed at addressing gaps in education within the beauty industry and to raise the level of skills and guest satisfaction for all.
“ATC is designed to establish a clear, professional standard for hairstylists who work across all hair textures – from straight to coily,” says BBR Founder Maude Okrah Hunter. ATC is the latest innovation from BBR, a leading inclusion platform redefining impact in the beauty industry by creating pathways to opportunity, fostering education and cultivating community. BBR helps companies build more inclusive brands and teams.
“As soon as we heard BBR was launching this program, we wanted to take the lead in supporting it,” says Dani Darminin, Ulta Beauty Director of Category, Brand and Services Education.
“Ulta Academy has worked closely with the BBR in recent years. We were looking to partner with an organization that was brand agnostic and had clear connection to the needs of the guest and salon pro. Together we revamped our 3-day highly textured hair program called Textured Immersion. Now we’re excited to help our industry take this next step forward together.”
BBR’s Okrah Hunter explains that ATC is a comprehensive, first-of-its-kind certification program that includes:
• Part 1: Written Knowledge Test Online exam evaluates foundational understanding of hair textures, including product knowledge, tool usage and key styling principles. “Stylists must pass with a score of 80% or higher to move to the next phase,” Hunter says.
• Part 2: Practical Demonstration Hands-on assessment, conducted in-person (with a future option for remote evaluation), that requires stylists to complete 3–4 styles on mannequins representing a range of textures. Assessments are conducted by qualified educators and hairstylists. Select Ulta Beauty Services District Educators (SDEs) in the Northeast region will be the first in the industry to receive the new All Textures Certification training. With plans to expand in 2027, All Textures Certification will also be showcased at the BBR Beauty Show on July 27, 2026, in New York City.
Darmanin and Hunter both emphasize the importance of inclusive beauty education and the need for standardized training for all. Ultimately, ATC aims to be accessible to all stylists. The Salon at Ulta Beauty will help raise visibility and expand access.
“Our mission at Ulta Beauty is to continue to honor inclusive beauty services behind the chair,” Darmanin says. “We are looking for ways to improve always, and to upskill our service providers in relevant, impactful and meaningful education that welcomes all guests.”