What happens when the rules of beauty school start to change? Across the country, states are slashing required education hours for cosmetologists - and it's stirring up quite the debate. Is deregulation a step toward freedom and opportunity....or a shortcut that puts clients and professionals at risk?

In this epside of Booked till June, we dig into the real impact behind those disappearing training hours. From the promise of faster careers to the fear of lowered standards, we're asking the big questions: Who really benefits from deregulation - and who might get left behind?

Grab your shears and your curiosity - because this one's about more than just beauty licences. It's about the future of an industry built on skill, safety, and style.

Before there was a salon on every corner, there was one woman who started it all. Martha Matilda Harper, a servant turned entrepreneur, opened the very first public hair salon in 1888 and built a beauty empire that empowered women worldwide. Discover how her inventions, her vision, and her unshakable belief in others transformed beauty into a business.

This episode also marks the debut of our brand-new Booked till June segment: The Beauty Backstory - a special feature where we dive deep into the people, moments, and untold stories that shaped the beauty industry as we know it today.

It won't appear every episode, but when it does, expect inspiration, innovation, and a fresh look at the icons who changed the way we see beauty - from the inside out.

Tune in, get inspired, and meet the woman who built the blueprint for beauty - long before the industry knew her name.

Have you ever sat in a salon chair and realized the stylist had no idea how to handle your curls- or your coils? For many people, that moment isn't just awkward - it's a reminder of a bigger issue hiding in plain sight across the beauty industry.

Washington State just made a major move to change that. House Bill 1874, better known as the Textured Hair Bill, is setting a new standard for inclusivity in beauty education. Starting March 1st, 2026, every cosmetology, barbering, esthetician, and hair design program in Washington will be required to teach comprehensive textured hair care- covering everything from cutting and styling to product knowledge, scalp health, and cultural competancy.

This isn't just about hair. It's about representation, respect and equity - about ensuring that every texture is understood, celebrated and cared for with skill and intention. Because when it comes to beauty, equality should never be an afterthought - it should be part of the curriculum.