2019 MODERN SALON 100: Jamie Sea @prettylittleombre

Hair colorist, educator and salon owner Jamie Sea has earned her reputation as an incredible color educator because she not only showcases the best techniques in lightening the hair, she also shares where to avoid lightening the hair. These "pretty little placement" tips (she has a massive following on her @prettylittleombre Instagram page), will help give your balayage and lightened clients natural-looking impact, dimension and customized effects that will keep them coming back.

Jamie Sea

@prettylittleombre

Bristol, Connecticut

Salt Hair, Chesire Connecticut

Specialty: Balayage and stylist empowerment

Top-performing post: My most engaged post was a post I did about “Stop saying yes to sh*t you hate!” I went in depth on research on the destructive mentality of a people pleaser.

Favorite apps: Mojo for animated videos that evoke emotion well on my stories. Afterlight: I love the filter options for creating a cohesive branding vision on my grid. Storyluxe: A great way to make your photos snazzy.

I follow: @krissycela @maryscupoftea @lightworkerslounge

Pro tip: Educate on the why. Be real. Be authentic. Speak your truth. Don’t try to be something you’re not because you think you will get more engagement or followers because of it. If you’re taking photos of a model, natural light is my favorite and always evoke an emotion with her expressions. You want viewers to feel something when they visit your page.

Hidden talent: I can blow dry with no clips, I actually prefer no clips. I also love consultations.

Fun fact: I give really good hugs. I also did hip-hop dance for 10 years.

My audience follows me because: I educate a lot—and not just on hair—on the soul of a hairstylist. We have one of the most taxing jobs, mentally, physically and spiritually.

How social media changed my life: It’s given me a platform to give other stylists a voice, a place to feel safe and be heard. I love hairstylists: they are me, they have lived what I have and I empathize with their struggles and celebrate their triumphs.

My first @modernsalon feature: I remember one of my hair photos being featured on MODERN SALON and it was one of the first times I can remember the first massive influx of positivity regarding my work. I was able to connect with every artist who commented below, it was a love fest.

Click here to the see the full list of this year's MODERN SALON 100.