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: Kimberly Bruce @themisfitblonde
Kimberly Bruce, @themisfitblonde, is best known for her blonding. See why we chose her to be part of our 2018 MODERN SALON 100.
August 2, 2018
Kimberly Bruce, @themisfitblonde
1/2
3 min to read
Kimberly Bruce's Instagram is full of epic transformations. Her photos provide the perfect balance of education and portfolio work, with captions often detailing colors used and helpful steps for her followers. The result is stunning work that captivates her audience and increases engagement. It's these beautiful images and business smarts that have Bruce on a path toward even greater success.
Kimberly Bruce
@themisfitblonde
Monroe on Mane, Sturbridge, Massachusetts
Specialty: Blonding
Followers: 76.6k
Most viral post: A hair painting ombré on a client with amazing long medium-brown hair where all around hairline and ends were a level 9 light blonde. I think it went viral because my client is gorgeous with gorgeous hair! For that picture everything just worked! Lighting was perfect, her hair was falling perfect, and the color had perfect highlighting and contouring for the shape of the cut. It just worked!
Favorite apps: Framatic (to put my work in frames or for before and afters). Putting my picture in a frame first allows me to put side by sides in one photo or zoom in on a single photo. Facetune (to blur out the background) Blurring the background makes the hair the main focus and makes sure nothing in the background is taking away from the hair. Phonto (to add a water mark) Watermarking my picture allows people to find me and gives me credit in case a picture goes viral. I love all of these apps because they make my pictures look more professional and help me stand out in the sea of hair pictures.
Favorite hashtags: #modernsalon #blondespecialist #ittakesapro
I follow:@lisalovesbalayage@cathrinelovescolor@camouflageandbalayage@breakingbronde@theamericanbrunette
Pro tips: Good lighting is a must!! Indirect natural light works best. Before and afters or processing photos with the after are also very popular for me. To get local interest and business, I hashtag my town and surrounding towns and always put in a location. I like to use local colleges, malls, and concert venues. This helped me to attract the type of clientele I was looking for
Hidden talent (beauty-related): Speed foiling! I can do a super tight foil quickly.
Hidden talent: I love organizing!
How social media changed my life: Growing my Instagram has completely changed my life/career. It has allowed me to open my own salon with my business partner Lauren Pettinelli (@breakingbronde). In the past 3 years I’ve completely filled my books and am no longer accepting new clients. It’s allowed me to shape my clientele into the type of work I want to do (blonding). I have a passion for hair and Instagram has been such a great tool to network and meet like-minded hairstylist and has also taught me so much. It took me out of my comfort zone and opened up a whole new world of new products and techniques. I wouldn’t be where I am today in my career without it!
The first time I was featured on MODERN’s Insta: The first time I was on MODERN SALON’s Instagram was when Maggie Mulhern asked for a how-to on a picture of mine! I was ecstatic! It was a client that I had been doing for a few years and we were taking her as light as possible. It was our second session and I did a root melt first, then went in and balayaged the back and foiled the top! It came out beautiful! And we were really excited to get her that light on her second session and then to have a feature in MODERN SALON was just the icing on the cake!
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