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SEARCHVictor Fontanez is best known for his men's fades and transformation videos. See why we chose to make him part of our 2019 MODERN SALON 100.
Victor Fontanez @vicblends
Victor Fontanez @vicblends
MODERN met Victor Fontanez, @vicblends, the night he was named “Rookie of the Year” at the 2019 International Barber Grammy’s. Age 20, Fontanez has been barbering (professionally) for just one year and shares his clean and well executed shapes with more than 250K followers.
Victor Fontanez
Dibbs Hair Studio, Fayetteville, North Carolina
Specialty: Men’s fades, transformation videos and motivational speaking
Top-performing post: I have tons of posts that have gone viral, but there’s one specifically that I remember being circulated over the whole web with millions of views. I shaved a unibrow on a classmate in barber school. This post went viral because of the exaggeration and crazy look of the unibrow —it’s always satisfying to see a pet peeve being fixed.
Favorite apps: iMovie, Layout and PicsArt. iMovie is the app I use to put together my hair cut transformation videos. Layout allows me to create collages without any borders or watermarks. PicsArt is what I use to remove acne on my clients when cleaning my pictures. These are all very basic and user-friendly apps.
I follow: @staygold31, @los_cut_it, @robtheoriginal, @patty_cuts, @iamtyrikjackson
Victor Fontanez @vicblends
Victor Fontanez @vicblends
Pro tip: The most important and most overlooked is your background. The whole point of our posts is to catch the attention of our audience, so when posting a picture of a men’s haircut, a dark or messy background can blend in with your clients head/hair and make it hard for that post to stick out on the explore page. You need some sort of contrast between your client and the background, I highly recommend purchasing a white backdrop for photos.
Hidden talent: My hidden talent is probably my attention to detail. I’m able to catch a lot of things most barbers commonly overlook.
Fun fact: Skateboarding. When I was young, I used to want to be a professional skateboarder.
My audience follows me because: I feel like my audience loves me not only for my work but my personality, age, and that my motives are all positive, new to the industry, and genuine. I have a lot of true passion for what I do, and it shows in everything I post or create.
How social media changed my life: Social media has not only changed my life from a business and financial standpoint, but more personally and spiritually than anything. My number-one motive has been using my platform for the right reasons, to inspire, motivate and be an example to not only the younger generation, but for anybody on this earth looking for a positive role model. Social media allowed me to not only accomplish these things locally in my community, but I am now able to touch the lives of individuals on the other of the world.
My first @modernsalon feature: The first time I was featured on MODERN SALON was after the CT Barber Expo. It was a surreal moment to finally make my way to being featured. Thank you so much again!
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.
