
My First Time: A Razor Cut with Nick Arrojo
In an anniversary year for the Arrojo NYC brand, on an early Monday morning, Nick Arrojo used a razor on my hair. And I liked it.
You can catch Laura Chihaia (@lalasupdos) teaching updo classes at salons and on stages around the country. After moving to the U.S. from Romania in 2006, Chihaia made a name for herself when she started her Instagram account in 2014.

Laura Chihaia (@lalasupdos)
You can catch Laura Chihaia (@lalasupdos) teaching updo classes at salons and on stages around the country. After moving to the U.S. from Romania in 2006, Chihaia made a name for herself when she started her Instagram account in 2014.
Her following ballooned when she demonstrated her meticulous upstyle techniques on mannequin heads initially, then eventually on live models. We first meet Chihaia at a styling class at Goldplaited in Chicago in 2015, and we've been cheerleaders for the humble, funny, kind stylist ever since!
BEAUTY BIO
Name: Laura Chihaia
Handle: @lalasupdos
Salon: Lala's Updos Bridal Studio, Scramento, CA
Best known for: Bridal hair
Followers: 392k
Age: 40

Favorite apps: Facetune, iWatermark
I follow: A lot of people whom I met down the road and inspired me through their talent and journey.
Pro tip: I always post early in the a.m. or late in the night when people are resting and take the time to check their social-media accounts. Be consistent on your number of post and the content. Keep it clean, take time to answer the comments on your post, include some of the answers as far as product and tools in your caption, be original and innovative.
Favorite products:Sexy Hair products
How social media changed my life: Almost three years ago, nobody knew my name. I opened my Instagram account in October 2014, and the rest is history: My work got published in all the big magazines out there, I got to perform on all the big stages and hair shows, and I transitioned from working three jobs for nine years to working weekends only. I could say social media opened a lot of doors and opportunities for me and practically changed my life in less than three years. It helped my career tremendously.
The first time I was featured on MODERN SALON: I was first posted on Modern Salon's social media on November 2014 and published in MODERN SALON magazine in August 2015.

In an anniversary year for the Arrojo NYC brand, on an early Monday morning, Nick Arrojo used a razor on my hair. And I liked it.

Join us in congratulating this year's list of hardworking, game-changing individuals.

With more than four decades in the industry, hairdresser and MODE Education founder Stan Newton has built a career around the art and discipline of cutting hair, learning the rules so he can break them.

Ashley Leoncini believes success in beauty is built through genuine connection, resourcefulness and the willingness to evolve. A bridal specialist with 17 years in the industry, Leoncini has created a career by making clients feel valued, investing in hands-on education and redefining success to include a healthier work-life balance.

Able to create a shag with gorgeous texture on anyone, Stephanie Carrillo has found her calling within the beauty industry. Now she teaches shag cutting techniques herself, inspiring countless other stylists to fall in love with creating the popular look.

When you think of Stephanie Geib, think bold color. Think beautiful dimension. Think...your hairstylist best friend. As a 2017 Honoree of the MODERN SALON 100, Geib is the perfect example of being a positive force in the beauty industry, advising that being kind to others and sharing your knowledge is the real success.

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.