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SEARCHAlaina Walker is best known for her creative colors and blondes. See why we chose her to be part of our 2019 MODERN SALON 100.
When not coloring hair, Alaina Walker, @ssscoundrel, can be found playing roller derby – her hidden talent that she does not keep secret. “I could post about my hair content, then post about my derby activities. Either way, with whatever I am posting, every bit has a lot of passion behind it!”
Alaina Walker
@ssscoundrel
Headlines Hair Design, Denton, Texas
Specialty: Creative color and blondes
Top-performing post: My most engaged post was what I called “majestic purple.” It was a metallic violet with pieces of pastel blue, light mauve and lilac ribboned throughout. It was a post that received 920 likes, reached close to 15,000 people and had 288 saves. It was quite the post for me, numbers wise! It still has me scratching my head, but I think it had so much engagement due to the symmetry of the photo, which can be eye catching and had my clean white back drop as well.
Favorite apps: Facetune, VSCO and Quik. I have used VSCO for years, even before I began the path to an online hair portfolio. I love it because it’s a great tool to use for just the basic editing, such as lighting and contrast for my photos. Facetune is also a fantastic editing tool. I like to use it for finer detailing for my photos, such as smoothing out the flyaways or cleaning up my white/black backdrop. Quik is an app I like using for my video content. It’s my favorite because there isn’t much thinking to it. Simply select the videos you would like to put together, and it compiles all of it to make one video of some of the transformations and creations from start to finish. You also have the option of even more editing and fine tuning, but for something super quick, it’s a perfect app!
I follow: @sydneyannlopezhair, @theplatinumgiraffe, @uggoff, @_p_i_g_m_e_n_t_, @caitlinfordhair
Pro tip: My tips on getting the best results on a post would be to post early in the morning (before people get up because then you’re the first thing they see in their feed.) I tag all the hair pages that I would love to be seen by and use all 30 of my hashtags. The most obvious hashtags relating to my post are in my caption, such as #rainbowhair, #joicocolorintensity, #modernsalon, etc. Now as far as my content/photos go, for best results, I make sure to have the white or black backdrop (lately the white is my favorite to use.) For lighting, good indirect natural light is best. Direct sunlight can cause some photos to be too bright/harsh and will not do my hair color any justice.
Hidden talent: A hidden talent of mine that not a lot of people know about is being very knowledgeable and skilled in the art of men’s haircuts!
Fun fact: Skating and playing roller derby. I can definitely skate better backward than forward!
My audience follows me because: I’d like to think the reason my audience likes to follow me is because of my versatility, authenticity and passion. I can have a super edgy pixie that may have a splash of color as one post but then may post something that is a long and more natural with softer curls. Or I could post about my hair content, then post about my derby activities. Either way, with whatever I am posting, every bit has a lot of passion behind it!
How social media changed my life: Oh man, where do I start? Social media has made a huge impact on my life. It has gotten me a lot more clients and the color clientele I’ve been looking for. I have received numerous free products from different lines to try out. Also its’ great to connect with other great stylists.
My first @modernsalon feature: I remember this like it was yesterday, and it’s been close to a year since my first feature. I remember it was a Sunday, my day off, and I remember checking my Instagram, and the first thing that popped up was a tag. I went to check it and saw that MODERN SALON had posted one of my fashion balayage creations. I sat in shock, because I couldn’t believe that I was actually featured on Modern’s Insta. I actually refreshed the page to make sure I wasn’t dreaming, and it was still there. My work! I remember sitting and staring at it in disbelief for about two or three minutes. My salon owner, Sydney, tagged me in the comments cheering me on! Shortly after that, still sitting in shock, she texted me a screenshot telling me I got my first feature. The hair that got me my first feature was a vivid balayage that was mainly navy blue with some rainbow panels. The palette we had going was very tropical and beach inspired. Still one of my favorites to this day.
Click here to the see the full list of this year's MODERN SALON 100.
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.
Transformation artist Melissa Dawn has spent more than two decades building a career that's equal parts creativity and business strategy. Dawn is known for dramatic transformations, creative color and a philosophy that encourages beauty professionals to keep learning, set healthy boundaries and define success on their own terms.
In an industry with so many options and opportunities, we asked artists what made them niche down and select a specialty. Amelia Fugitt (@ameliahairmakeup) says choosing to focus on transformations has transformed her career.
In this content series, we're focusing on artists who found a niche that really speaks to them and work for their career. Henry "Tribes" Amoloja (@theweightedcape), is based in Dallas, TX, and practices sensory-friendly barbering.
In an industry with so many options and opportunities, we asked artists what made them niche down and choose a specialty. Texas-based artist Kimberly Michelle has always loved focusing on healthy hair and scalp, and headspa rituals was a natural evolution.
In an industry with so many options and opportunities, we asked these artists what made them niche down and choose a specialty. See Caidy Brasure's perspective on specializing in editorial and special occasion styling.
In an industry with so many options and opportunities, we asked these artists what made them niche down and choose a specialty. See Shonda Harvey-Gayle's perspective on specializing in extensions.
