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SEARCHIt's that time, again, when we pour through past coverage, and see which article resonated the most with our readers.
How do we select our Top Ten Articles each year? Well, usually, you pick them for us.
These are the articles that were most widely shared, celebrated, read, reviewed, and bookmarked, and they are a reflection of what mattered most to the industry and to you in 2025.
The MODERN SALON 100 is our annual list of gamechangers in the professional beauty and barbering space who are consistently doing amazing things in the salon and on social, while aligning with our overall mission of uplifting the beauty industry.
This was our list from 2025 of 100 beauty and barbering pros who are consistently demonstrating a deep love for their profession and community, and who are leveraging social platforms to show how they do so.
We are honored to recognize the talents and dedication of everyone from hairstylists, barbers and nail technicians to makeup artists and estheticians, as well as students and new professionals emerging in the industry.
This model image was the cover look for MODERN SALON's Fall 2025 issue.
Jessy J Photo
Beauty professionals are cultural tastemakers. This photo shoot, led by Justin Toves-Vincilione and Mat Wulff, for Ulta Beauty, emphasized their belief that the goal of each service is to provide the client with star treatment, while also remembering that the beauty professional is a star in their own light.
Jump into our digital edition to go behind-the-scenes and see the final images from this beautiful shoot.
Salon owners shared their love for the stylists and beauty professionals they work with everyday.
AI-generated
At MODERN SALON, we are fortunate to collaborate with our sister title, SALON TODAY. Both brands live in the professional beauty world and serve the same community from different angles.
As we prepared this year’s MODERN SALON 100, our annual recognition of standout artists, we invited salon owners to nominate rising stars on their teams. The response was tremendous, filled with heartfelt praise for talented professionals.
Lightening and "pinking" by Shonda Harvey-Gayle
@shondasharee_
Even though stylist and extension specialist Shonda Harvey-Gale (@shondasharee_) doesn’t identify as a colorist, she’s still got the chops for color, and she still likes to experiment with the best of the best color lines out there. It’s even better when her chosen brand offers world-class styling products as well.
This MODERN SALON 100 alum runs her own independent business from her salon suite, so she needs to be able to rely on the brands she uses to have everything she needs. See some of her results with Goldwell’s color and styling products below.
Moroccanoil's Kevin Hughes perfects a style.
Moroccanoil
The world of beauty has changed over the past few years, leaving many salon professionals feeling disconnected from their peers, their craft and their passion. This experiential piece designed in collaboration with Moroccanoil Professionals celebrates the essential soul of your profession: to craft, to create, and to connect.
The amazing platinum transformation by Kendall Johnson was made possible by Blonde Solutions.
Lynn Austin
Each year, we cue up the ultimate hair color showcase, what we call COLORFEST. This roundup is a dynamic lineup of hues, tones, and techniques from today’s leading brands and artists. This year’s setlist hit all the right notes: from soft-focus neutrals to vivid fashion shades, and from tried-and-true formulas to trend-forward innovations by brands new to the color scene.
Beto Sanchez onstage doing education.
Ulta Beauty
Beto Sanchez, also known as @BetoLovesHair, is the embodiment of an accomplished beauty professional. As a member of Ulta’s prestigious Design Team, he gets tapped to travel the country for special projects and to educate fellow stylists on the techniques, brands and products that have helped him get to where he is today.
Sanchez works with industry-leading brands like Wella and GHD to deliver top-tier education. Not only that, but he recently crushed his goal of $100,000 in salon services—for the fourth straight year. A master of beautiful blowouts and stunning color, his love for his clients and team is palpable.
Color continues to be the main driver in salon services.
AI-generated
Professional hair color services continue to evolve, shaped by changing client expectations, product innovations, and a desire for customized services. This article was drawn from a panel discussion with three educators and colorists—Megan Winfield, Adrienne Dara, and Marco Pelusi—in which they discuss some top-line color questions. From conducting valuable and instructive consultations to advanced gray coverage and client retention strategies, this Q&A offers up-to-date insights for salon pros fromsalon pros.
Natalie Fernandez is the founder and owner of Volt Salon and specializes in grey blending.
Natalie Fernandez is the founder and owner of Volt Salon, located in Scottsdale, Arizona. As a master stylist and salon owner, Nathalie has built a strong reputation for her work in customized color, blonding, and client-focused salon experiences. She is known for blending high-end technique with a welcoming, down-to-earth vibe that resonates with both clients and professionals. And her grey blending game is especially strong.
At our MODERN SALON Boot Camp in Scottsdale, I had a short conversation with Fernandez that prompted this longer discussion around one of her specialties, gray blending.
The Pantone "Color of the Year" caused some controversy.
Pantone
At the end of 2025, Pantone revealed its pick for the 2026 Color of the Year: 11-4201 Cloud Dancer, "a billowy white imbued with a feeling of serenity" that "serves as a symbol of calming influence in a frenetic society rediscovering the value of measured consideration and quiet reflection."
Cloud Dancer has been a little controversial, and elicited plenty of chatter online. But what we want to know...who did her hair?
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Haircare brand The Doux has launched “My Salon Empire,” a free-to-play salon management game on Roblox, helping the next generation celebrate the diversity of textured hair and explore salon entrepreneurship.
The show reported 30% attendance growth. It felt that way. This event for the southwest professional beauty community had heart, spice, and something for everyone.
Wella artists presented the Monochromatic trend movement, introduced new Pure Perfection color and Sebastian styling innovations, while the Wella team created interactive fun throughout Wella Studio in Los Angeles.
Dominique LyVar, an influential educator and artist, is remembered by those who loved him for his significant impact on the industry and contributions to the community.
Known for his buttery blondes and a technique for highlighting hair with more precision that he called chunking, Brad Johns died on August 27. His friend and fellow colorist, David Stanko, shares thoughts on his talented colleague and close friend.
As technology evolves at an accelerated rate, you want to make sure you have the best in your business toolkit to help you grow sales, motivate your team, communicate with your current and future clientele, and streamline your managerial tasks. The 2026 SALON TODAY Technology Solutions Guide is designed to help you navigate today's growing landscape of salon and spa technology. In this guide, you'll find a curated look at more than 50 of the latest software platforms, digital solutions, and innovative features to help you compare options and identify the best fit for your business.
The Davines Edit reflects the brand’s passion for people and planet.
RÜTE Wash introduces a shower cap designed specifically for crown washing, helping clients with hair extensions cleanse the scalp while protecting the lengths from water.
Premiere San Antonio Presented by SalonCentric returns for its fourth edition August 30-31 at the Henry B. González Convention Center, delivering its biggest and boldest event to date.
One-Day Personal and Professional Development Education Event for Beauty Professionals Set for October 25, 2026, at the Hilton Philadelphia City Avenue.
According to the report, people are moving away from copy-paste trends and toward community, using real experiences to develop a sense of taste and beauty that reflects who they are.
Hairstylists and barbers can showcase their creative and technical vision in two global categories with cash prizes and a chance to represent in Portugal.
The BBR Beauty Show featured a prominent speaker lineup including Lacy Redway, Karrueche Tran, Danessa Myricks, Chelley B., Sabrina Elba, Jessica Harris-Dupart, and more.
The Professional Beauty Association and Pivot Point team up to develop an ongoing study that measures the confidence of salon owners, stylists, school owners, and students.
This shared recognition celebrates the strength of industry collaboration in advancing professional mobility.
In Dubai, a salon visit isn’t an appointment. It’s a weekly routine, and clients can spend $800 to $1,400 a month on it, according to Gaurav Tripathi of MADI International. On October 6-8, 2026, the market behind those numbers opens its doors as Beautyworld Dubai marks its 30th edition at the Dubai World Trade Centre, bringing together distributors, brands, stylists and salon owners from all over the world.
Sponsored by BeautyWorld Dubai
The Good Patch is a leading wearable wellness patch brand, offering wellness and skincare patches that support everyday needs including energy, sleep, relaxation and more.
