
Wella Announces the Finalists of Wella Trend Vision Awards
This year’s awards centered around the Monochromatic trend, which is rooted in minimalism and intentional by design.
Nick Stenson and Ammon Carver take on expanded roles, continuing the acceleration of growth at The Salon at Ulta Beauty.


Ammon Carver and Nick Stenson take on expanded roles at Ulta Beauty.
Today, Ulta Beauty announced leadership moves within the salon team as part of the ongoing effort to elevate beauty services within the industry and provide exceptional guest experiences. These appointments demonstrate Ulta Beauty’s commitment to its associates and guests to grow the company’s beauty service area.
Nick Stenson has been promoted to vice president, salon services and trend. Stenson joined Ulta Beauty in 2016 as chief artistic director, bringing an extensive background and strong credentials in the beauty industry. Stenson has brought his expertise and talent to both the artistry and salon business side of Ulta Beauty, strengthening the services culture through his collaborative leadership and dedication to developing his team. In his new role, Stenson will be responsible for driving the strategic direction of Ulta Beauty’s services business with the goal of expanding the portfolio of services, growing guest visits and retention, as well as increasing Ulta Beauty’s industry presence as leaders in trend and the artistic development of salon professionals.
Ammon Carver will succeed Stenson as the new chief artistic director for Ulta Beauty. Carver joins Ulta Beauty from L’Anza Healing Haircare where he served and will continue to serve as creative director, while also representing L’Anza on the newly formed Ulta Beauty Pro Team. Carver’s prior experience includes 12 years as artistic director at Matrix, and many years as a successful stylist at highly-regarded New York City salons. In his new role, Carver will be responsible for all artistic development for the services business including management of the pro hair team, trend development and influencing services strategy.
“We have a vision for how we continue to evolve and grow The Salon at Ulta Beauty which includes having the visionary leadership at the helm,” says Kecia Steelman, chief store operations officer for Ulta Beauty. “We are thrilled to have Nick and Ammon play an even greater role as we elevate our presence in the industry as a leader in artistry and education with the ultimate goal of continuing to delight our guests.”
“I am thrilled to have the opportunity to lead the acceleration of our service strategy,” says Stenson, vice president, salon services and trend for Ulta Beauty. “Ulta Beauty supports beauty professionals as they begin and as they grow their careers in our always dynamic industry. Ammon and I have worked together for 15 years and share a commitment to artists supporting artists in education, trend development and beyond. As part of the Ulta Beauty team, we truly have the opportunity to make a demonstrable difference not only for Ulta Beauty but the broader industry as well.”
Stenson also notes, that in addition to his new responsibilities, he will continue to prioritize his role as a hairdresser and a leader to all the beauty professionals within the Ulta Beauty network. He will continue to appear and collaborate with the Ulta Beauty Pro Team.
In addition, Mayura Kumar, who joined Ulta Beauty in 2017, has been promoted to senior director, services category management and strategy. Including her current responsibility of managing partner relationships and digital strategy, Kumar will now oversee the corporate service operations team. Kumar’s extensive background in digital transformation has been instrumental in streamlining the company’s services marketing strategy and will continue to be an asset in this new role.
About Ulta Beauty:Ulta Beauty (NASDAQ: ULTA) is the largest beauty retailer in the United States and a premier beauty destination for cosmetics, fragrance, skin, hair care products and salon services. Since opening its first store in 1990, Ulta Beauty has grown to become the top national retailer providing All Things Beauty, All in One Place™. The company offers more than 20,000 products from over 500 well-established and emerging beauty brands across all categories and price points, including Ulta Beauty's own private label. Ulta Beauty also offers a full-service salon in every store featuring hair, skin and brow services. Ulta Beauty is recognized for its commitment to personalized service, fun and inviting stores and its industry-leading Ultamate Rewards loyalty program. As of January 28, 2017, Ulta Beauty operates 974 retail stores across 48 states and the District of Columbia and also distributes its products through its website, which includes a collection of tips, tutorials and social content. For more information, visit www.ulta.com.

This year’s awards centered around the Monochromatic trend, which is rooted in minimalism and intentional by design.
Haircare brand The Doux has launched “My Salon Empire,” a free-to-play salon management game on Roblox, helping the next generation celebrate the diversity of textured hair and explore salon entrepreneurship.

The show reported 30% attendance growth. It felt that way. This event for the southwest professional beauty community had heart, spice, and something for everyone.

Wella artists presented the Monochromatic trend movement, introduced new Pure Perfection color and Sebastian styling innovations, while the Wella team created interactive fun throughout Wella Studio in Los Angeles.

Dominique LyVar, an influential educator and artist, is remembered by those who loved him for his significant impact on the industry and contributions to the community.

Known for his buttery blondes and a technique for highlighting hair with more precision that he called chunking, Brad Johns died on August 27. His friend and fellow colorist, David Stanko, shares thoughts on his talented colleague and close friend.

As technology evolves at an accelerated rate, you want to make sure you have the best in your business toolkit to help you grow sales, motivate your team, communicate with your current and future clientele, and streamline your managerial tasks. The 2026 SALON TODAY Technology Solutions Guide is designed to help you navigate today's growing landscape of salon and spa technology. In this guide, you'll find a curated look at more than 50 of the latest software platforms, digital solutions, and innovative features to help you compare options and identify the best fit for your business.

The Davines Edit reflects the brand’s passion for people and planet.

RÜTE Wash introduces a shower cap designed specifically for crown washing, helping clients with hair extensions cleanse the scalp while protecting the lengths from water.

Premiere San Antonio Presented by SalonCentric returns for its fourth edition August 30-31 at the Henry B. González Convention Center, delivering its biggest and boldest event to date.

One-Day Personal and Professional Development Education Event for Beauty Professionals Set for October 25, 2026, at the Hilton Philadelphia City Avenue.

According to the report, people are moving away from copy-paste trends and toward community, using real experiences to develop a sense of taste and beauty that reflects who they are.

Hairstylists and barbers can showcase their creative and technical vision in two global categories with cash prizes and a chance to represent in Portugal.

The BBR Beauty Show featured a prominent speaker lineup including Lacy Redway, Karrueche Tran, Danessa Myricks, Chelley B., Sabrina Elba, Jessica Harris-Dupart, and more.

The Professional Beauty Association and Pivot Point team up to develop an ongoing study that measures the confidence of salon owners, stylists, school owners, and students.

This shared recognition celebrates the strength of industry collaboration in advancing professional mobility.

In Dubai, a salon visit isn’t an appointment. It’s a weekly routine, and clients can spend $800 to $1,400 a month on it, according to Gaurav Tripathi of MADI International. On October 6-8, 2026, the market behind those numbers opens its doors as Beautyworld Dubai marks its 30th edition at the Dubai World Trade Centre, bringing together distributors, brands, stylists and salon owners from all over the world.
Sponsored by BeautyWorld Dubai