<span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;"><strong>Christopher Smith</strong> (@c</span><span class="sidebolds">hristopheraaronstudio) owns his own studio in the suburbs of Chicago. This colorist and stylist is an educator with L'anza.</span>
Christopher Smith (@christopheraaronstudio) owns his own studio in the suburbs of Chicago. This colorist and stylist is an educator with L'anza.
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<span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;"><strong>Christopher Smith</strong> (@c</span><span class="sidebolds">hristopheraaronstudio) owns his own studio in the suburbs of Chicago. This colorist and stylist is an educator with L'anza.</span>
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Christopher Smith (@christopheraaronstudio) owns his own studio in the suburbs of Chicago. This colorist and stylist is an educator with L'anza.
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Christopher Smith (@christopheraaronstudio) owns his own studio in the suburbs of Chicago. This colorist and stylist is an educator with L'anza. MODERN's Senior Editor Jamie Newman met Smith at L'anza's annual B.I.G. Event in 2016 on a whim, discovering they went to the same high school in the Chicago suburbs, and that Smith actually graduated with MODERN's Editor in Chief Alison Alhamed! Since then, Smith has become a close friend of MODERN, joining them in New York for this past June's Artist Session: Influencer Series (and Newman gives him full credit for her balayage highlights). Here, Smith dishes his hidden talents, favorite people to follow and more.

Salon: Christopher Aaron Styling, Deer Park, IL

Specialty: Balayage and color

Followers: 18.4K

Most viral posts: A fun balayage with so many dimensions of color. I had not posted anything like it before; it was different and the right picture. Plus, MODERN SALON shared it, which helped.

Favorite apps: Facetune, Pic Play Post

Favorite hashtags: #christopheraaronstudio #hairblogger #lovewhatyoudo

I follow: @leahfreeman1 @ammoncarver @matt.swinney @hai.stylist @chinadukes

Pro tips: Post whatever you love. Make it your own, be different. Make sure your color stands out with the right lighting. Create a story that people want to read.

Hidden beauty talent: I am able to do a full balayage in 30-40 minutes.

Hidden talent: I live to dance and cook.

How social media changed my life: Social media made me a stronger artist because the camera does not lie! It makes me think even more about color placement and blending.

The first time I was featured on MODERN’s Insta: I freaked out! I was in shock; I never thought the day would come. I got a little teary-eyed because when people love your words, it makes you feel amazing.

See the full 2018 MODERN SALON 100 here!

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