
Announcing the MODERN SALON 100 Class of 2026
Join us in congratulating this year's list of hardworking, game-changing individuals.
Creamy blondes, icy platinums, cool beiges and pretty much any kind of blonde you can imagine, Grace Joo can create them. She is also a marvel at taking dark, grown-out roots and blending them into a perfect, zero-line-of-demarcation, finish.

Grace Joo
@colorwithgrace
Creamy blondes, icy platinums, cool beiges and pretty much any kind of blonde you can imagine, Grace Joo can create them. She is also a marvel at taking dark, grown-out roots and blending them into a perfect, zero-line-of-demarcation, finish.
Grace Joo
Palette Salon Studios, Pasadena, California
Specialty: Blondes
Followers: 26k
Most viral post: My client came in with so many different colors and uneven highlights everywhere and I completely transformed her hair into a nice blend. It got featured on almost all the major hair Instagrams.
Favorite apps: Facetune is perfect for blurring out the background to make the picture pop, Layout for before and after photos and Splitpic is also good for before and after photos without borders.
Favorite hashtags: #rootedblonde #longhairdontcare #colorcorrection
I follow:@colorbymichael@josievilay@lisalovesbalayage@prettylittleombre@platinum_perfection
Pro tips: Everyone loves before and after photos and seeing what you started off with. Lighting is everything. It can make you or break you. Sometimes if the lighting is off, the hair can look worse than what you see in person. Natural sunlight is the best but when the sun goes down, ring lights are a good alternative. I also like to share the steps I took to achieve the look while tagging all the products I used during the process in the caption. It helps clients and hairdressers to understand the process.
Hidden talent (beauty-related): When I was in cosmetology school I was the best at doing nails. I even won first place in a contest. I have very steady hands.
Hidden talent: I am the Jenga master.
How social media changed my life: Social media gave me the opportunity to share my work and be my own person. I get to share my creativity and passion with the world with absolutely no cost. Ninety percent of my clients come from social media and its evolving every day. We used to depend on walk-ins or word of mouth but now you’re able to see our work with a click of a button.
The first time I was featured on MODERN’s Insta: It was a before and after picture of my client’s hair and I edited it so it’s side-by- side. Her hair was level 3 Asian hair and it took me almost seven hours to achieve this icy, blended rooted blonde. The photo got more than 10,000 likes. I got so many followers and potential clients blasting my phone. It was a very exciting moment for me because I followed Modern Salon’s page ever since I started doing hair a few years ago.
See the full 2018 MODERN SALON 100 here!

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.

Transformation artist Melissa Dawn has spent more than two decades building a career that's equal parts creativity and business strategy. Dawn is known for dramatic transformations, creative color and a philosophy that encourages beauty professionals to keep learning, set healthy boundaries and define success on their own terms.