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SEARCHSean Michael is best known for his balayage and blonding. See why we chose him to be part of our 2019 MODERN SALON 100.
Few stylists bring such rays of positivity quite like Sean Michael. The Boston-based colorist not only lightens up the world through his gorgeous blonding but also through his personality. Michael is a pleasure to work with, and he is eager to share his education and tips for success with the hair world.
Sean Michael
Andover, Masachusetts
Salon Beau, Andover, MA
Specialty: Balayage and blonding
Top-performing post: My process breakdown post. It was a side-by-side photo of the before and after of a seven-month process resulting in a $1,485 investment. It was from previously colored dark brown to an icy blonde balayage.
Favorite apps: UNUM to store all of my content and move them around to look good on my feed. Unfold to keep content on my Instastories on brand. Facetune 2 because I like my Instagram to be cohesive and all the backgrounds the same.
I follow: @iamginabianca, @hairbychrissydanielle, @brittseva, @garyvee, @jc_hairologist, and @domdomhair
Pro tip: I It’s a little bit of everything, honestly. One of my go to products that makes the hair photograph 10 times better is Kevin.Murphy Shimmer.Shine. I try to use as much natural lighting as possible with the help of a ring light on an angle. (That’s my secret, sh!)
Hidden talent: I never do one technique. Always adding in babylights around the face or teasylights through the crown - it gives it the Sean Michael touch.
Fun fact: I coach high school cheerleading on the side for fun! I can do back flips!
My audience follows me because: I think my Instagram really started getting more traction when I stopped posting hair pictures with some type of food-incorporated caption. I started showing more of my actual face, which started getting myself more likes. I started doing more educating, which started to get people to save my photos. I started more videos, which got my profile more views. I started being real and telling stories, which started a conversation! So I think with the combination of all of these create an exciting and educational yet real experience.
How social media changed my life: This is an understatement, honestly. When I opened Salon Beau five years ago, I took my portfolio online. I realized that my demographic and target market was all on Instagram. Since then we’ve built up many assistants to successful stylists in an oversaturated market in our area. Now we have monthly meetings with Instagram trainings, whether it’s about hashtags, tagging, angles, timing—I want my team to know it all. Social has changed my life by allowing me to do what I love, post about it and attract people from all over to travel to get their hair done by me. How amazing is that? (Oh! And also it has given me this opportunity as well.)
My first @modernsalon feature: it went a little like: ‘HOLY $H!T! MODERN SALON just reposted my work!’ The most recent time was for my process breakdown photo. My photo was getting a lot of attention on my Instagram, and then MODERN SALON noticed it. From there the photo went viral!
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.
