
Rodrick Samuels on The Silent Work, Modern Beauty Education and Why Empathy Wins
MODERN SALON sat down with Samuels to discuss the book, beauty education, mentorship and the habits that help beauty professionals thrive.
OK, fine. I’ll admit it. I’m slightly tanorexic. But, I found a healthy solution to avoid tanning beds or expensive airbrushing: Fake Bake.

VIDEO: I chat with Katherine Frazier of Fake Bake for tips on spraying, biggest spray tan mistakes and how to get the best results.
OK, fine. I’ll admit it. I’m slightly tanorexic.
It all started about three years ago. I was getting ready to set sail on a cruise to Mexico with the boyfriend. I didn’t want to be that pale, touristy-looking girl who gets a sunburn on her first day, so I thought I’d hit the tanning salon a few times before the cruise.
I only planned on tanning a few times, to get a base tan,but something went horribly, horribly wrong.
I fell in love.
Tanning is so incredibly fantastically relaxing… and you leave the bed looking a million times better than when you went in… perfect, right?
Wrong. It doesn’t take a genius to figure out the damaging effects of tanning. If you take a look at the skin care market and anti-aging products, nearly every lotion and potion is trying to help reverse the signs of aging due to sun damage.
I LOVE the way my skin looks when it’s tan, but obviously I had to stop tanning to avoid looking ten years older than I actually am.
So, I’ve began looking for a solution. I started getting airbrush tans, and though I love the results, to cost could be a bit hefty for maintaining a daily bronze vs. just for special occasions.
Then, I discovered Fake Bake Self-Tan Airbrush Spray… basically a tan in a can.
I’m terrified of looking streaky, so for my first time I decided to just use it on my legs (I still have about a month before the weather’s just right for skirts). Ohmahgosh. This stuff works.
It’s basically an aerosol bronzer that rinses off with a shower. The spray smells great, my legs look awesome (no orange or streaks), and it completely eliminates the need for tanning.
Now that I'm used to keeping my skin a healthy distance from the nozzle, I started using it on my face as a base for my make-up. My skin looks tan, and I know I'm not damaging or againg my face.
Fake Bake (fakebake.com, $26.95, comes with an SPF-30) is a great solution for slightly tanorexic people, and I strongly recommend the spray for anyone looking to ramp up their salon's retail area with a few summer-friendly items.
***However, that being said, I feel it is my duty to warn you: The bottle suggests using it in the shower to avoid an annoying clean up, which I did (see, I listen). But my shower curtain is now sporting a healthy glow...
If you’re going to use the product at home, or offer it to clients in your retail area, maybe suggest they use it in the garage. Or in a non-white-porcelain-everywhere area.
Happy Spraying!
--Alison

MODERN SALON sat down with Samuels to discuss the book, beauty education, mentorship and the habits that help beauty professionals thrive.

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Ulta Beauty is always innovating to meet professionals where they are. Amazing transformations happened at The Salon at Ulta Beauty in 2025, and Ulta Beauty artistry and education will be everywhere you want to go in the year ahead. Come see all The Salon at Ulta Beauty has planned for you in 2026!
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