For most of us, this year has felt different. We’re not going to sugarcoat it: 2020 has been hard. The coronavirus pandemic forced salons to close and kept stylists from their chairs and guests (it still is in some states at the time this is going to press). It’s amazing artists were able to get their hands in hair, let alone post it on their Instagram feed.
In an industry of artists, there isn’t a lack of creativity. Stylists dusted off their mannequins, logged onto virtual education, kept their skills polished on relatives they were quarantining with, and even repurposed old photos to keep their Instagram feeds looking fresh. Passion for their craft kept these artists motivated during these tough times.
“Making people feel good is a luxury I didn't realize I had until COVID-19 took it away,” says Toni Jennings (@toniiii_j_hair). “I love watching people’s face light up as they see the final result. It’s a journey and privilege to be able to create art with and on a human canvas!”
“I love that I get to create beauty every single day,” says Carlos Rojas (@carlosrojas911). “It became really apparent when I couldn’t do hair during the quarantine. It was tough for me because I couldn’t create. Silver lining: I realized that I was in the perfect career and doing exactly what I should be doing.”
Because this year has been different, when compiling the MODERN SALON 100, we looked at it through a lens that we hadn’t yet examined it through before: how is this person impacting our industry for the better? Yes, we still focused on who is producing beautiful content on their Instagram feed, but we also considered who is defining what it is to be a game-changer: Who has been an early adopter to TikTok in the pro-beauty realm? Who has been using their platform to make a social impact? Who really represents the #StylistsSupportingStylists movement?
We surveyed artists why they believe their audience follows them, and the most common answer was authenticity. Especially during a time when stylists couldn’t be with their guests face to face, being “human” through posts, stories and messages was impactful.
“It starts with being authentic,” says Cameron Kepford (@cameronkepford). “From the moment my guest is in my chair we establish a connection. I create the energy of our experience and navigate what their comfortable with.”
Speaking of connection, when asked why our MODERN SALON 100 class of 2020 loves being a hairstylist, the number-one answer was the human connections made between other industry professionals and their guests.
“What I love most about being a stylist is being blessed with a talent that can change someone’s complete disposition,” says Hullema Reddick (@the_covered_colorist, @hstylze). “The human connection and ability to create a vibe for someone who’s day may not have started out so great.”
“I love being a hairstylist because of the hair community and relationships it has helped me form,” says Natalie Ruzgis (@natalieruzgis). “I love making people feel good about their hair. I love teaching about hair. I love learning about hair. All of those things connect us and it’s the people and connections that keep me going.”
Our favorite piece of advice to gaining more exposure is to be active in the community. Comment on posts you love—don’t just “like.” Social media doesn’t just give you a voice and the ability to inspire; it also validates other voices and keeps the inspiration flowing. Start to follow these artists, engage with them and be inspired by them.
2020 MODERN SALON 100 HONOREES
Adina Pignatare, adina_pignatare
Aleisbel Vázquez, curlpop
Alex Brown, alexbrownhair
Alexandra Pelerossi, alex_haircraft
Alicia Iannone, liciebaby
Aly Davis, alydavishair
Amanda Fiorita, hairbyamanda.f
Amy Malarchik, askforamy
Andrew Collett, buzzedandfaded
Ariel Brewer, arielbrewerhair
Ashley Brace, charlestoncolorist
Ashley Leoncini, phillyhair
Ashlie Marmo, ashytones
Beto Sanchez, betoloveshair
Britny Bassett, hairbybritny
Caidy Brasure, caidycreate
Cameron Kepford, cameronkepford
Carlos Rojas, carlosrojas911
Carly Zanoni, the.blonde.chronicles
Cassie Siskovic, cassiskovic
Chanel Spaulding, chanelstylez
Chloe Jones, createdbychloej
Christina Crook, tina_doeshair
Claudia Janel Molinar, hairbyclaudiaj
Colby Smith, itscolbs
Cristina Morales, hairbycm
Daisy Henson, curlyhairdaze
Danielle Carrington, deecarrington
Darcee Rogers, dayswithdarcee
Dominique DiBenedetto, hairbydom22
Elaine Cavada, elainecavadahair
Elanda Dunn, elandadunn_stylist
Erin Bonney-Hassell, erin.boha
Evan Joseph, evanjosephcurls
Fiorella Castro, fiorellacastrohair
Freddy Razo, razothebarber
Gilad Goldstein, myguiltycrown
Hailey Mahone, haileymahonehair
Hakoum Herro, herrohair
Heather Ferg, allhailthehair
Hullema Reddick, hstylze, the_covered_colorist
Jade Federico, colour.jade
Jamal Edmonds, lamajbackwards
Jamie Brice, thestylist.jamie
Jasmine Ashley Braud, livjazzashley
Jay Minier, bluejayhair
Jayme Williams, wavesofhairbyjayme
Jeannetta Walker-Ridgers, watchmyhairbounce
Joel Torres, joeltorresstyle
Jonathan Wright, iam_jonathan_
Jordan McLeod, prettyispricey
Jordan Zimlich, jordanaveryz
Juan Torres, juahnn
Julie Smith, thathairmagic
Justine Marjan, justinemarjan
Kat Collett, katkolors
Kate Eissinger, kateloveshair
Katelyn Baker, bridalhairbykatelyn
Keelan Baker, keelanshaircouture
Kelley Brandon, kelleyscanvas
Kelli Mason, _kellimason_
Kelly Martin, kellyawesomesauce
Keya Neal, keyaartistically
Kiyah Wright, kiyahwright1
Kristi Day, kristidaybeauty
Kylie Bussing, kyliebussinghair
Leo Valencia, leo.valencia
Madison Carbrey, hairbymadisoncarbrey
Maguy Rosen, themaneartistry
Marie Simone, mariesimonehair
Marisa Mitchell, marisacuts
Marwa Bashir, marwabashirhair
Megan Grimm, megan.e.grimm
Monae Everett, monaeartistry
Morgan Brack, themorganbrackhair
Najah Aziz, najahliketheriversalon
Natalie Ruzgis, natalieruzgis
Nicole Loyola, nicoleloyolahair
Nikki La, hair_bynikki85
Nina Muresan, hair.and.nina
Oluchi Zelda Opara, oluchizelda
Rachel Williams, rachelwstylist
Ricardo Jara, ricardojarahair
Ronesia Barrs, ronesiabarrshair
Sabrina K Banks, xocurls_s.b
Sabrina Yamani Yamga, sabrinathehairwitch
Sage Kinney, sagekinney
Sally Lemmo, clevelandhairboss
Sara Pestella, saramay_level10
Shannen Deloatch, shand_hair
Sheena Dickerson, queenstylista
Sila Reilly, silastylist
Sonna Brado, sonnabrado
Taylor Leven, bytaylorleven
Taylor Murphy, madeandtaylored
Toni Jennings, toniiii_j_hair
Veronica Nunez, veronica_nunez
Whitney Burkhart, wb_upstyles
Whitney Hawkins, whitneynhawkins
Zaid Bakeer, himnhair
Read more about each honoree in the digital edition of MODERN SALON.
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