Announcing the MODERN SALON 100 Class of 2026
Join us in congratulating this year's list of hardworking, game-changing individuals.
2018 MODERN SALON 100: Jessica Scott Santo @JessicaScottHair
Jessica Scott Santo, @JessicaScottHair, is best known for her balayage. See why we chose her to be part of our 2018 MODERN SALON 100.
August 2, 2018
Jessica Scott Santo, @JessicaScottHair
1/2
3 min to read
The balayage perfection created by Jessica Scott Santo has us in awe every time she posts. The educator and colorist shows her amazing skills through every blonde, brunette or bronde that sits in her chair. Scott Santo attended MODERN's first-ever Artist Session: Influencer Series where she worked to create a stunning color combination on her sister and where we were lucky enough to get to know her on a deeper level and see her stunning work in person.
Jessica Scott Santo
Manager & Master Stylist at Tangles Salon & Spa, Easton, PA
Specialty: Balayage
Followers: 23k
Most viral post: My most viral post was a side by side of a video and picture. The video was of me demonstrating a balayage technique on how you can achieve 7 levels of lift in less than 30 minutes, and the picture was the after picture! I have received over 117,000 views!
Favorite apps: iMovie for videos: I love how you can cut, crop, move sections out of a clip that’s not wanted and pretty easy to create a movie for Instagram. SplitPic: I love this app for showing side by side before and after pictures. This app will blur the photos together for making the picture look more seamless. Videoshop: another video app which is similar to iMovie but less technical and I use this app when I don’t need to do a whole lot of editing! I will never edit my actual photos. I believe the quality of the work should speak for itself!
Favorite hashtags: #modernsalon #showmethebalayage
I follow: Ashlee Norman, Candy Shaw, Jamie Sea (@prettylittleombre), Amy from @camouflageandbalayage
Pro tips: Lighting is key! Indirect lighting/outside and posing your clients on a neutral background or using portrait mode on your phone to blur out the background. Your work and styling speaks for itself! Another great tip is post content of what you’re best at! Followers don’t want to follow a profile that looks like a jumbled mess, even if the work is great, but if your best is fun fashion colors, just stick to that. If it’s balayage clients, stick to just posting balayage! Also posting content frequently and at the right time!
Hidden talent: I can actually do a full head of tape in extensions in under 30 minutes! I’m usually a hair girl but I can also do eyelash extensions and eyelash tints.
The first time I was featured on MODERN’s Insta: The first time one of my photos was featured was one of my easiest balayages I ever done. She had amazingly great, thick hair that I styled in glam curls. I balayaged her and did not even need to glaze her afterward.
See the full 2018 MODERN SALON 100 here!
Subscribe to Our Newsletter
More Stylist Spotlight
Challenging the Rules of Haircutting: An Interview with Nashville Artist Stan Newton
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.
by Anne Moratto
The MODERN Artist Ashley Leoncini: Build Connections, Stay Resourceful and Keep Pivoting
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.
by Anne Moratto
The MODERN Artist Stephanie Carrillo: Revitalizing Your Career Through Education
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.
The MODERN Artist Stephanie Geib: Professional Hair Bestie
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.
The MODERN Artist Hannah Mejia: Perfect Your Craft, Then Chase the Dream
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.
by Anne Moratto
The MODERN Artist Katy Samuels: Trust Yourself and Create Your Own Path
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.
by Anne Moratto
The MODERN Artist Erin Munoz: Grow Your Business, Protect Your Balance
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.
by Anne Moratto
The MODERN Artist Tyler Plemmons: The Power of Positivity
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.
The MODERN Artist Angelica Tanta: Practice, Perseverance and the Power of Never Giving Up
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.
by Anne Moratto
The MODERN Artist Angela Orozco: Why Authentic Relationships Will Always Matter
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.
The MODERN Artist Erin Mills: Build the Business, Change the Life
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.
by Anne Moratto
The MODERN Artist Mish Jolie: Do It Even If You're Scared
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.
by Anne Moratto
MODERN Artist Amanda Harsche: Growth Through Connection
Amanda Harsche has built her career on two simple beliefs: never stop learning and never stop connecting.
by Anne Moratto
Chaz Dean Shares 5 Career Lessons for Hairstylists Building a Lasting Career
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.
by Anne Moratto
The MODERN Artist Connective Edit: Jessica Domoney Says Success Starts with Boundaries
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.
by Anne Moratto
The MODERN Artist: Melissa Dawn Chose Her Own Adventure
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.
by Anne Moratto