Jess Dworniczak is a stylist based in Philadelphia. She uses her @jessdeehair Instagram platform to showcase her balayage and color skills and also serve up "tell it like it is" advice for beauty professionals. MODERN SALON editors follow Dworniczak for more than her color skills and advice, we also love her writing skills and reached out about sharing her experiences.
Top-performing post: a video of a demo of “scrubbing the cuticle” to remove product buildup. It went viral because it was so controversial, but that was the post that grew my thick skin for internet haters.
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Favorite apps: Facetune for photo touching skin, background imperfections; Snapseed for lighting editing
I follow: @garyvee, @iamginabianca, @ashleenormanhair, @itsmrjladner
Jess Dworniczak @jessdeehair
Pro tip: Post content that feels organic to you instead of what you think you should be posting, and let your personality show through to the fullest.
Hidden talent: My original passion was short cuts.
Fun fact: I’m an excellent writer.
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My audience follows me because: Because I’m that bitchy friend that evidently everyone always wanted.
How social media changed my life: As much as I hate how social media consumed our collective soul as humans, I’d be lying if I said it hasn’t opened doors for me that wouldn’t have ever opened otherwise. There wouldn’t have even been doors otherwise, they’d have been nice crisp drywall and the contractor wouldn’t have even noticed a nice shiny door should go there.
My first @modernsalon feature: I posted a black and bright red ombré on my tattooed friend and it was my first post that got that big reshare! I walked around showing everyone like they had any idea what it meant. You would’ve thought I was showing them the presidential election results with me as the victor.
Shannon Demont has found her calling, having taken her passions for hair, photography, social media strategy, and education, and rolling them all into one successful offering: hair photography education.
Skyla Kuykendall's work is the kind of hair that makes you happy. As a colorist who loves to blend natural with fantasy, she attributes her continued success in finding her dream clients to being her authentic self.
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.