
Rodrick Samuels on The Silent Work, Modern Beauty Education and Why Empathy Wins
MODERN SALON sat down with Samuels to discuss the book, beauty education, mentorship and the habits that help beauty professionals thrive.
Follow these four steps to ensure that you and your guests inhabit health-centered surroundings.

Germs are everywhere this time of year, so it’s extra important to make sure your work area is safe and sanitary for you and your clients. Much research has shown that clients are turned off by a dirty salon or spa. According to spastandard.com, there are four measures you can take to upgrade the cleanliness of your salon and spa space:
Inspect retail testers and displays. Frequently take a look at the pumps on face and body products, and dust off your retail candles. Replace testers often, as well as items that look dingy beyond fixing. Every two weeks, remove all items from shelves in order to clean the shelves and dust off the products, or establish a rotation schedule so that every shelf or area gets addressed.
Tidy up the common areas. Your waiting, changing and relaxation areas should sparkle. Every pillow and magazine should be in place and all trash put into receptacles.
Go through as a guest. Make it a daily practice to take the guest’s walk through the salon or spa to really see what your clients are seeing. Start outside, picking up any trash near the entrance and cleaning off fingerprints from the door and windows. Inside, notice dead light bulbs, drippy benches, empty toilet paper dispensers, dust bunnies in the corners, hair in the steam room—anything that detracts from the services you’re providing. Get the view upward from a shampoo chair, downward from a massage table and at eye level everywhere.
Clean after every client. Your styling station or treatment room speaks volumes about who you are as a professional. Any sign of the previous client, from hair and makeup to greasy footprints and extractions, can cost you repeat business. Empty trash bins, too. Every guest should feel like your first guest of the day.
Your guests will appreciate this, but so will your family. Keeping your space clean for your clients helps you, too, guard against breathing in dust and bringing home germs.

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.

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.

From working backstage at multiple Paris Fashion Week shows to collaborating on four creative collections and expanding her international stage work, Michelle Bowden has had an incredible year of growth. Here, we break down her approach that drove her momentum, offering a framework for stylists looking to elevate their own careers.

This marks Ulta Beauty’s first scholarship partnership with Beauty Changes Lives, building on years of enthusiastic support for the organization and its mission.

Locally owned Great Clips salons offer a wide variety of career opportunities, competitive compensation, supportive salon teams and opportunities to grow your skills, both technically and professionally.
Sponsored by Great Clips

Salon suite consultant Karen Kaminski explains why cheap salon suite rent can destabilize the salon suite business model and why value-based pricing may be a smarter strategy.

These stylists practice hairdresser magic, transforming clients into unicorns, mermaids, rainbows and living works of art.

Keratin Complex is taking education on the road in 2026 with the launch of KC on Tour, a live event series featuring industry icon and salon business coach Tabatha Coffey.

Modern professionalism is evolving beyond hard skills. Technical training is essential but about 85 percent of job success comes from soft skills. In a world where AI and automation are increasing, human connection becomes more valuable, not less.

In his new book "The Creative Mastermind," a writer and creative executive behind brands such as "Top Chef," "Fear Factor," and "Real Housewives," shares his insider knowledge for navigating today's chaotic content landscape.

Personalization is no longer just the cherry on top; it’s the whole sundae. If clients don’t feel like you designed and personalized the experience just for them, they’ll find a salon that does.

Ulta Beauty is always innovating to meet professionals where they are. Amazing transformations happened at The Salon at Ulta Beauty in 2025, and Ulta Beauty artistry and education will be everywhere you want to go in the year ahead. Come see all The Salon at Ulta Beauty has planned for you in 2026!
Sponsored by Ulta Beauty