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SEARCHSavannah Laney is best known for her creative color. See why we made her part of our 2019 MODERN SALON 100.
Savannah Laney @hairbyduhsavannah
Savannah Laney @hairbyduhsavannah
Savannah Laney, @hairbyduhsavannah, is all about creative color – and creative use of whatever is handy (she used the wreath from her mother’s front door as a halo for one of her favorite shots.) Speaking of her mother and creativity, Laney shares that the two have a little side hustle - “Sugah Momma’s”- a gourmet cotton candy business.
Savannah Laney
Pink Salon, Inman, South Carolina
Specialty: Creative color
Top-performing post: This was really hard to narrow down because I utilize Facebook and Pinterest a lot too, but I believe it was my “Saint Autumn” look. It got me runner up in the Pulp Riot “fallintotheriot” contest and was reposted by almost every major outlet for hair. I think it was just a really interesting shot, but I loved it most of all because I literally used my mom’s fall wreath off her front door to make the “halo” look on my client!
Favorite apps: Adobe Lightroom to sharpen my pictures and correct any kind of weird toning my phone did to the hair. I’m a firm believer in understanding that sometimes how we see hair with the naked eye doesn’t always translate through the camera lens, so it’s great to have these tools to show our audience how it really looked in the moment. I also like Facetune to blur the background of my pictures.
I follow: @hairbymisskellyo, @caitlinfordhair, @kristinacheeseman, @_snegga_, @roxiejanehunt
Savannah Laney @hairbyduhsavannah
Savannah Laney @hairbyduhsavannah
Pro tip: Lighting is a must. I prefer outdoor indirect lighting for a crisp picture. A clean background is key. If there is anything too distracting behind the hair it will draw the eye away from your masterpiece. Polished styling, braiding isn’t my strong suit, so I make sure to do clean and textured curls or a sleek blowout to really capture the color in the picture.
Hidden talent: I can do a root retouch, trim and style in 45 minutes.
Fun fact: My mom and I run a gourmet cotton candy business on the side. It’s called Sugah Momma’s.
My audience follows me because: From what I’ve been told, it’s because I’m honest and real on my posts. Nothing fancy here—just your average hairstylist trying to make people pretty!
How social media changed my life: It completely transformed my career. I come from a generation of hairstylists where iPhones, Instagram and Pinterest didn’t even exist, so I was late to the game in understanding the benefits of social media. I went from being a small town stylist to traveling and educating with one of the most popular color companies in the world. I’ve met so many amazing people and learned so much all thanks to networking through social media.
My first @modernsalon feature: I think it was my “Saint Noel” look I did for Pulp Riot’s “Holiday Slay” contest. I took my icy blonde client and added green and red extensions to her hair. It was a pretty incredible thing to be reposted by such a huge and iconic publication!
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.
