Sadie Gray @sadiejcre8s says social media has totally changed her life and career. “I went from working just part time, to being booked six days a week for minimum 10 hours each day in a matter of six months.” This gives her a lot of new people to exercise her hidden talent on– the ability to impersonate anyone!
Specialty: Balayage, blonding, pastel colors and braiding/styling.
Top-performing post: My most engaged post, ironically, was nothing to do with hair but everything to do with self-love and self-acceptance. I opened up about my recent weight and my struggles and how I’m nowhere near where I want to be but how thankful I am for where I AM. This post got 835 Likes, 272 comments, 13 shares and six saves.
Favorite apps: Split Pic Pro (to create my before and after photos, or straight vs waves, etc) and Facetune to smooth out the background and any possible blemishes that my guest may feel self-conscious about.
Ad Loading...
I follow: @caroline.anythingbutbasic, @ilikeprettyhair, @hairerik, @glamhairbymarie, @glamiris
Sadie Gray @sadiejcre8s
Sadie Gray @sadiejcre8s
Pro tip: My best tip to get the best results on Instagram posts is to talk to your audience how you would want to be talked to. Don’t try and say the right thing; but think about the advice that you would appreciate being given. Talk to yourself. My best engagement is when I don’t give a crap what anyone thinks.
Hidden talent: I am super, super good at painting pictures of cartoon characters onto nails. I don’t ever tell anyone that because I really don’t want to do it – it takes forever. You can give me a picture of a cartoon character, and I can make it appear on your nail exactly like the pic.
Fun fact: No joke, I can impersonate anyone: especially people I know; but not on command. I can remember conversations verbatim. I can pencil draw almost anything if you show me a picture. I can more than likely make you laugh without meaning to.
My audience follows me because: I think my audience likes to follow me because I’m as real and raw as they come. Trying to “fake it” isn’t my thing. If I feel like I have to “fake it,” then I just won’t post.
Ad Loading...
How social media changed my life: It’s changed my business in the way that it skyrocketed my career. I went from working just part time, to being booked six days a week for minimum 10 hours each day in a matter of six months. This resulted in me renting out my own space and opening my salon. With that said, I have two young daughters, and working that much changed how often I was around at home. I had to learn how to draw boundaries and cut my hours down (way down!). My FIRST priority was — and still is— my daughters and my family. However, I’m such a people pleaser this was more difficult than what it should’ve been. My growth in this has been huge for my life.
My first @modernsalon feature: MODERN SALON was the FIRST big feature page that noticed my work. I literally started jumping up and down and whooping and hollering. I called my mom immediately. This was one of my goals — to create content that a magazine page wanted to feature on their own page! THAT was my confirmation that I was moving on up. The work Modern posted was one that actually ended up going viral. I have had people steal as their own and even bring it to me off Pinterest as their “inspo” pic. They’re usually pretty shocked when I say, “Oh, that’s my work!”
In an industry with so many options and opportunities, we asked artists what made them niche down and select a specialty. Amelia Fugitt (@ameliahairmakeup) says choosing to focus on transformations has transformed her career.
In this content series, we're focusing on artists who found a niche that really speaks to them and work for their career. Henry "Tribes" Amoloja (@theweightedcape), is based in Dallas, TX, and practices sensory-friendly barbering.
In an industry with so many options and opportunities, we asked artists what made them niche down and choose a specialty. Texas-based artist Kimberly Michelle has always loved focusing on healthy hair and scalp, and headspa rituals was a natural evolution.
In an industry with so many options and opportunities, we asked these artists what made them niche down and choose a specialty. See Caidy Brasure's perspective on specializing in editorial and special occasion styling.
In an industry with so many options and opportunities, we asked these artists what made them niche down and choose a specialty. See Shonda Harvey-Gayle's perspective on specializing in extensions.
In an industry with so many options and opportunities, we asked these artists what made them niche down and choose a specialty. See Stacey Ciceron's perspective on specializing in natural texture.
As we prepared this year’s MODERN SALON 100, our annual recognition of standout artists, we invited salon owners to nominate rising stars on their teams. The response was tremendous, filled with heartfelt praise for talented professionals.
Meet Jill Buck, a dynamic celebrity hairstylist, Davines North America Color Ambassador, and devoted mom whose creative flair extends seamlessly from the salon to the screen.
Alli Webb, the beauty entrepreneur and founder of Drybar, is back with a new haircare line inspired by lessons learned, and an embrace of her natural texture. After some difficult years, Webb decided to stop trying to control things and instead, find the magic in the mess.
Laura Gunter is a respected hairstylist, educator, and creative force based in Marietta, Georgia. With more than a decade of experience, she’s built a dynamic career that bridges artistry, mentorship, and industry leadership.
Eyre features deep, midnight hair color hues with metallic accents and her models are framed by darkness and caught in shadow, emphasizing their powerful presence.
From rethinking traditional assistant and apprenticeship programs to helping stylists avoid burnout and build community, this interview with Vee Vargas, a finalist for the NAHA Inspiring Salon of the Year, will inspire you.