
How to Build a Sustainable Beauty Career Without Burning Out
LifeSpa leader Ali Yanez explains why strong mentorship, predictable income, meaningful recognition and the right work environment help beauty professionals build careers that last.
Pravana has announced the winners to their 2012 Show Us Your Vivids Contest! See who the winners are, plus get the steps and learn their color formulas.
Pravana has announced the winners to their 2012 Show Us Your Vivids Contest! See the winners below, learn their inspirations behind their styles and get the steps to their color formulas.

BEFORE: Mike Reamer Submission, 2nd Place Winner
1st Place Winner
Amanda Stone from Tampa, Florida
Title: Colorful Bird
INSPIRATION: The inspiration for this hair color/cut was a very brightly colored bird. The way the feathers lay and transitioned into each other is smooth and seamless.
TECHNIQUE: After blow drying the hair, take sections from top of the ear to the other top of ear. Split the hair into two major sections. Everything below the ear was colored with 1oz Pravana VIVIDS Blue mixed with 1/2oz VIVIDS Green. On the two longest pieces of hair, fade the Blue/Green mix into Pravana VIVIDS Magenta mixed equal parts with Wild Orchid on the ends (using an ombre technique). This completes the bottom half of head.
For the rest of the hair sectioned up above the ear, separate into 6 sections, mimicking a “pie” shape off of the top point of the head (think of how you’d cut a pizza into six even slices and slide the lines slightly vertical). Lastly, take a circular section right at the crown intersecting the 6 sections of the pie, so this section would overlay the rest of head.
Color above the left ear with VIVIDS Blue, then move toward the face. Color the next section VIVIDS Violet, then VIVIDS Magenta mixed equal parts with VIVIDS Wild Orchid, then VIVIDS Green mixed equal with VIVIDS Blue, then VIVIDS Blue, and finishing the 6th section with VIVIDS Green.
As for the last circular section at the crown use 1oz Pravana VIVIDS Blue mixed with a 1/2oz VIVIDS Green (same formula as bottom).
After rinsing the hair carefully with Pravana Hydrating Conditioner, put a small amount of Pravana RELAX and blow dry straight into place with a paddle brush.

AFTER: Mike Reamer Submission, 2nd Place Winner

BEFORE: Maria Santana Submission, 3rd Place Winner
2nd Place Winner:
Mike Reamer from Hasting, Minnesota
Title: Calm Before the Storm
INSPIRATION: "My inspiration came from the term 'calm before the storm.' If you’ve ever watched the movement in the sky as a thunderstorm comes in, the colors and the movement are incredible. I decided to bring this to an edgy, yet wearable hair style," says Reamer.
TECHNIQUE:
STEP 1: Pre-lighten to a pale yellow. Use Pravana Pure Light Power Lightener w/ 20 Vol Creme Developer.
STEP 2: New growth (roots) placed in oval sections around the head. Use 20 grams 9.22 + 20 grams 10.11 + 3 grams 1n + 5 grams Ash Blue.
STEP 3: Foils, placed in various lightning bolt patterns throughout head.
Use:
30 grams Silk Degrees Shine Treatment + 5 drops Magenta + 3 drops Pink
30 grams Silk Degrees Shine Treatment + 4 drops Blue + 5 drops Yellow + 2 drops Pink
STEP 4: Mid-lengths and ends use a color melting technique between foils. Use 60 grams Silk Degrees Shine Treatment + 16 drops Silver.
STEP 5: Style. Blow dry with a root booster, shape with paste and finish with hairspray.

AFTER: Maria Santana Submission, 3rd place winner

AFTER: Amanda Stone Submission, 1st Place Winner
3rd Place Winner:
Maria Santana from Riverside, California
Title: My Cotton Candy Ice Cream Pony
Inspiration: Cotton candy flavored ice cream
Technique: Lift to Level 9 (20 volume + Pravana Pure Light Power Lightener for 45 minutes)
Shampoo, Condition and blow dry the hair 100 percent dry.
Proceed with four bowls of Pravana VIVIDS:
1st bowl: 2oz VIVIDS Pink
2nd bowl: 1oz VIVIDS Magenta
3rd bowl: 1oz VIVIDS Magenta + 1oz VIVIDS Wild Orchid
4th bowl: contained the custom formula “Deepest Aqua Blue”: 1oz of VIVIDS Green + 1/8oz of VIVIDS Blue + 1oz of no lift +1/2oz of water.
TRY IT: Start at the crown of the hair starting with the lightest color at root areas combing it through about 2 1/2 inches down, then proceed with VIVIDS Magenta barely over lapping the VIVIDS Pink - also combing downwards with the VIVIDS Magenta. Now the VIVIDS Wild Orchid formula barely overlaps the VIVIDS Magenta then combed downwards. All the ends are tipped with “Deepest Aqua Blue.” The whole application is done with a tinting brush.
Once all VIVIDS are applied go to each color line and massage the colors together at the line of demarcation to blend - all hand-blended. Process for 25 minutes. Rinse for 5 minutes.
To Style: Set into a finger wave to dry for 24 hours. Comb out with a teasing brush once dry. Apply Pravana Silk Degrees Shine Serum for shine and finish with Pravana Super Shape Hair Spray for a voluminous look.

LifeSpa leader Ali Yanez explains why strong mentorship, predictable income, meaningful recognition and the right work environment help beauty professionals build careers that last.

Whether a beauty professional chooses a commission salon, booth rental, salon suite or salon ownership, the common thread is having more choices than ever before.

Sport Clips Haircuts will host its inaugural "Level Up Live," a first-of-its-kind virtual event that combines live haircutting education, career inspiration, product knowledge, and employment opportunities for licensed stylists and cosmetology students nationwide.

Orthopedic PT reveals three daily exercises plus ergonomic advice that can help salon professionals avoid the aches and injuries caused by standing, bending and repetitive overhead work.

Four publications for beauty industry professionals to enhance their leadership skills, financial awareness, professional growth, and joy!

Salon suite pioneer Karen Kaminski argues that the next evolution of independent beauty businesses won't be defined by beautiful spaces alone, it will be driven by smarter systems that help professionals spend less time on administrative work and more time serving clients.

At a time when many LGBTQ+ people felt compelled to hide parts of themselves, Carlos Valenzuela found a career in beauty and a community that offered opportunity based on what you could do and how well you could do it.

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.

MODERN SALON sat down with Samuels to discuss the book, beauty education, mentorship and the habits that help beauty professionals thrive.

"The mistake people make is treating AI like a vending machine instead of a personal assistant." Digital marketing expert Scott Moon shares how beauty professionals can use AI while staying authentic

Real-world advice on creativity, consultations, color, burnout, business, boundaries, inclusivity, client care, and career growth from educators and industry experts.

Real-world advice on creativity, consultations, color, burnout, business, boundaries, inclusivity, client care, and career growth from educators and industry experts.

Today's clients are hearing more about longevity, biohacking, inflammation, and healthy aging than ever before. This article explores the science and language behind the skin longevity movement, and what it could mean for client consultations, treatment recommendations, and professional credibility.

Licensed to Thrive, Anna Manukyan's all-in-one beauty career and financial masterclass, is being gifted to professionals who enroll in L'Oreal LEVEL Rewards for a limited time.

From breaking free of external validation to creating joy-based goals, discover a more sustainable and fulfilling path to success.

A full day of education for hairstylists and salon pros focused on pricing, personal branding, client experience, social media, and long-term career growth.