Toasted Coconut: How One Instagram Post Changed an Artist's Life

In September of 2018, Kayluh Stewart shared a photo of her work that would change her life as a colorist. Since then, Stewart has joined the MODERN Artist Connective, has worked in partnerships with brands and has traveled the world. When she originally posted the toasted coconut shot, it immediately blew up. Editors around the world were reaching out asking for her permission to publish and share her work. When MODERN reposted it on August 16, it received more than 6,100 likes and 110 comments. The post was featured in other publications, too: Vogue, Allure, Glamour, Cosmopolitan, Marie Claire, Elle and several other websites.

"What I thought would just be a beautiful picture showcasing a super-high-contrast melt, changed it all for me and my life hasn't been the same since," she says. "Companies have reached out to me to work for them, and brands I never even dreamed would ever notice me are offering me publicity and the chance to join their teams. I've been totally blown away by all the love and support i've received. Joining the Artist Connective was one of the biggest things that came from that post. MODERN has connected me and provided me with countless opportunities in this industry."

The post has also shaped Stewart's success in her own salon, which she had opened less than a year before her first viral post. 

"Clients are now finding me on social media and my clientele has grown to be full of amazing people living for beautiful blonde hair," she says. "My dream clientele quickly became my reality. I am forever grateful for the success of that post."

Toasted Coconut Meets 2019: 

Recreate the look:

"I painted with Oligo blacklight clay + cool toned and toned with glossy 10v + 9gi. My client loved her dark and the contrast it gave to her blonde. We wanted something that would grow out pretty and we be super easy to maintain with her natural tones."