
My First Time: A Razor Cut with Nick Arrojo
In an anniversary year for the Arrojo NYC brand, on an early Monday morning, Nick Arrojo used a razor on my hair. And I liked it.
Help us celebrate these 100 gamechangers in the beauty industry as we induct them into the MODERN SALON 100 Class of 2023!

Some members of the MODERN SALON 100 Class of 2023!

MODERN SALON 100 graphic
It's time once again to announce our annual list of beauty industry gamechangers, the MODERN SALON 100!
Every year, the team at MODERN SALON identifies and recognizes 100 beauty industry professionals with our MS100 list; they are primarily hair artists, but we also include nail artists and barbers, and also those focusing on creating content and providing coaching. What they all have in common is that they are doing fantastic things in the salon and on social media.
This list is our way of celebrating the strength, creativity, and excellence of the industry through congratulating these artists on their success. We believe these honorees align with our mission here at MODERN: to uplift the professional beauty community and inspire future beauty pros.
You will see each of these 100 artists featured in our upcoming fall issue of MODERN SALON magazine, as well as on our Instagram page @modernsalon in the coming days.
We will also be honoring our MS 100 artists in person at our second annual Indie Pro Awards and MODERN SALON 100 Honoree Celebration, taking place the evening before our fall edition of Independent Boot Camp. The celebratory event will be held at the Hilton Los Angeles Culver City on Sunday, October 8th.
Abby Roberts @abbyrobertshair
Abigail Resch @itsabigailresch
Adrienne Smith @beautybyadriennerenee
Adrienne Dara @adriennedara
Allison Moncheck @theunorthodoxstylist
Alyssa Cavazos @lyssandashy
Alyssa Mikayla @alyssamikaylaaa
Amber Young @amberkkay
Amy Spencer @amyspencerhair
Andrea Figuly @tousledbeauty
Andrew Li @andrewlovescolor
Angela Alberici @hairbyangelaalberici
Annazette Allen @upstatecurls
Antonia Ventimiglia @antoniathehairstylist
Brandy Chene @brandychenetheblondespecialist
Brenda Espinosa @brendacurlstylist
Bri Orozco @bri_oro
Brianna Palomino @_bri_thehairbender
Caitie Kennedy @caitie.colors
Chad Cook @chadcook
Ching Hoang @nothingobvious
Courtney "Beauty" Smith @thebeautysmith
Dakota James @dakotajameshair
Danielle D’Alessio @geeksgetglam
Denise Welsh @denisesuzanne_
Denise Mahoney @colourauthority
Derrick Clark @dereqc
Devyn Pennell @braggnbeauty
Drew Inge @domyhairdrew
Edwin Ramirez @hairbyedwin
Emily Grangaard @un.rooted
Erica Six @erica6style
Ethan King @slickback_buttahtoast
George Blanco @georgeeblancoo
Glory Aletheuo @glorified.hair
Haiya Rodríguez @gethaiya
Jaime Castaneda @jaimeecutzbarberstudio
Jaimy Wylie @jaimyw
Janet Flores @j.flowerz
Jen Guido @jenthehairmagician
Jenna Gianni @jennagiannihair
Jennifer Slim @thejenniferslim
Jeremy Stephens @jeremystephens_official
Jes Jewel @thejesjewel
Joe Francis @joefrancis_
Jonny Wright @jonnycosmo_
Jordan Pardo @jordangabeeee
Jordan Long @beauty_byjordyyy
Jordan Rutledge @blackwater_barber
Joshua Lucero @lucerohair_andwellness
Kara Williams @haircolorkilla
Kayla Boyer @kayla_boyer
Kaylee Smiley @kayleesmileyhair
Khiet Luu @khietluu
Kimberly Loomis @kimberlyloomis
Kimemily Pham @kimwasabi
Kourtnee Jinright @Thecolourchemist
Kristina Dunn @hairbykristinamarie
Kylie Bussing @kyliebussinghair
LaQuita Burnett @hairbylaquitaburnett
Latara Haye @tipsxtara
Laura Acerra @lift_lob_love
Lauren Hassinger @stylingpretty
Leece Vanover @looksbyleece
Leigha Petty-Pearson @hair_by_leigha_
Lexie Sciortino @lexiesciortino
Lindsey Holmes @land_of_ozz
Lisandra Antonio @prettypleaselisa
Mackenzie Russon @hairby_kenziek
Matt Razook @mattrazook
Matt Taddeo @beachblondeboss
Melissa Hernandez @melimel_citycurlstudio
Melody Larissa @ml_methods
Miguel Gato @migueldoeshair
Minnie Little @theblackshagger
Monica Thurman @hairbymonicacher
Monica Cottereau @idealbridalaz
Natalie Bolyn @thee_hair_gal
Nicole Bauman @thenickoeffect
Nicole Taft @cokothenatural
Nike Blount @nikeblount_
Niki Kalfamanolis @paintedbyniki
Nina Tulio @ninatulio
Noelle "Red" Denney @beautybyredd
Onur Secilmis @onurnyc
Paige Teixeira @polishedbypaigey
Reanna Ella @reannaella
Reva Haga @reva_danielle
Rochelle Maribojoc @locksbyrochelle
Ryan Sanger @hairlingeriethestudio.la
Shay Johnson @shayhairmuseum
Shelby Bettencourt @shelby.bettencourt
Sherette Parker @salontrendnewyork
Stephanie Walker @hairbylunabelle
Taylor Perrone @maneandtayl
Tina Zavala @popstar.nails
Valerie Nguyen @hairbyvalerien

In an anniversary year for the Arrojo NYC brand, on an early Monday morning, Nick Arrojo used a razor on my hair. And I liked it.

Join us in congratulating this year's list of hardworking, game-changing individuals.

With more than four decades in the industry, hairdresser and MODE Education founder Stan Newton has built a career around the art and discipline of cutting hair, learning the rules so he can break them.

Ashley Leoncini believes success in beauty is built through genuine connection, resourcefulness and the willingness to evolve. A bridal specialist with 17 years in the industry, Leoncini has created a career by making clients feel valued, investing in hands-on education and redefining success to include a healthier work-life balance.

Able to create a shag with gorgeous texture on anyone, Stephanie Carrillo has found her calling within the beauty industry. Now she teaches shag cutting techniques herself, inspiring countless other stylists to fall in love with creating the popular look.

When you think of Stephanie Geib, think bold color. Think beautiful dimension. Think...your hairstylist best friend. As a 2017 Honoree of the MODERN SALON 100, Geib is the perfect example of being a positive force in the beauty industry, advising that being kind to others and sharing your knowledge is the real success.

Hannah Mejia believes lasting success comes from mastering your craft, embracing lifelong education and trusting that the career you dream about is within reach. A stylist, educator and content creator, Mejia has spent 15 years building a business rooted in creativity, communication and continuous growth.

Katy Samuels has spent 14 years proving that creativity thrives when you stop searching for the "right" way and start trusting your own instincts. Known for her creative color work and signature Headband Prism technique, Samuels encourages beauty professionals to embrace mistakes, refine their craft and develop a style that's uniquely their own.

Erin Munoz has spent 17 years building a thriving business behind the chair while proving that success doesn't have to come at the expense of life outside the salon. A color specialist, content creator and salon owner, Munoz believes beauty professionals should treat their careers like businesses, embrace change and make room for both financial growth and personal fulfillment.

North Carolina-based hairstylist Tyler Plemmons wants you to know one thing: Positivity and perseverance will get you everywhere. This MODERN SALON Artist Connective Member and 2018 MODERN SALON 100 Honoree is known for beautiful balayage, gorgeous vivids, and soft pastel hair color.

For Angelica Tanta, success has always come down to one thing: practice. Originally from Romania, Tanta credits an online mentor from Ukraine—despite never meeting in person and communicating through Google Translate—with inspiring her to perfect her bridal artistry through relentless repetition.

Angela Orozco believes long-term success in the beauty industry is built on trust, consistency and genuine human connection. A stylist at The Nest Salon in Brea, California, Orozco has spent 14 years cultivating a reputation for dimensional brunettes, precision haircutting and authentic relationships that have fueled her career.

Erin Mills believes beauty professionals deserve more than a successful career. A hairstylist turned multi-salon owner, Mills has spent 17 years growing her business while helping her team create lasting impact.

For Mish Jolie (@meltedbymish), success isn't measured by how busy you are, it's measured by how fulfilled you feel. The Connecticut-based stylist, educator and MODERN SALON 100 honoree has built a career around balayage, lived-in brunettes and razor cutting.

Amanda Harsche has built her career on two simple beliefs: never stop learning and never stop connecting.

Whether it's social media, fashion, film, art, or culture, Chaz Dean advises stylists to stay aware of what's inspiring people. Take the elements that make sense for you in these five lessons learned through a life in beauty.

For Jessica Domoney, building a successful career isn't about saying yes to every opportunity, it's about protecting your time, investing in yourself and creating an experience clients won't forget.