Brushing Away Barriers In Georgia’s Beauty Industry

In Georgia, the beauty industry is rife with opportunity—and red tape. Until recently, beauty professionals had to complete 1,140 hours of cosmetology school, at an average cost of more than $16,000, just to legally perform a blowout. Makeup artists had to fulfill 1,000 hours. These are safe services performed by Georgians every day. But the state’s barriers, among the highest in the nation, forced many to work under the table or kept them from working altogether. 

That’s why Angela Mackey and Diamond Cherry, two Atlanta-area beauty professionals, teamed up with IJ last year. These local entrepreneurs played a key role in expanding opportunity in Georgia’s beauty industry—culminating in new legislation that eliminates burdensome licensure requirements for makeup application and blow-dry hairstyling. 

After multiple visits to the state Capitol to share their stories with policymakers, Angela and Diamond’s tireless work led to the passage of SB 354. When Gov. Brian Kemp signed the bill on May 2, Georgia became the 14th state to exempt makeup application and the seventh to exempt blow-dry hairstyling from licensure. 

Angela, a master cosmetologist and owner of Anjel Hair and Beauty Studios, sees the need for change firsthand. Consider one of her employees, Jalynn. A single mother and skilled blow-dry stylist, Jalynn can’t afford to attend cosmetology school—but under SB 354, she would be able to earn a living using her skills in Angela’s salon. 

And though retail workers can apply makeup without a license, the successful freelance business Diamond runs as a self-taught makeup artist technically violates Georgia law. She dreams of finally being able to operate legally and in the open, saying, “This bill would free me up to do the art I love to do. I know that a license doesn’t make a professional—skills and experience do.” 

SB 354 represents a significant step forward for the beauty industry, showcasing a path that other states can follow to create opportunities for beauty professionals. But above all, this reform means that Georgia’s talented, hardworking stylists, most of whom are women, can finally support their families and earn an honest living doing what they love. 

Learn more about IJ’s campaign to break down barriers in the beauty industry at BeautyNotBarriers.com.

Rachel Gonzalez is an IJ activism associate and Laura Kelly is an IJ activism assistant.