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.
by Anne Moratto
Are You an Aquaholic? Don’t Go Overboard When Drinking Water
We're hopefully all getting better about drinking water, but too much H2O is not a good thing!
October 21, 2016
Colin Anderson for Getty Images
2 min to read
Every trend has fans that take it to the extreme. We’re always told to drink more water, but too much of a good thing is bad for you, even water.
“Some people are such water drinking devotees that they are aquaholics, resulting in overhydration,” explains Dr. Christopher Calapai, a New York City osteopathic physician certified in family medicine and anti-aging medicine. “As a result, experts now fear we’ve become so focused on staying hydrated that we’re guzzling water to life-threatening extremes.”
The H2O “abusers” tend to be dedicated athletes who sweat enough to upset the balance between water and sodium in the blood, and adding a lot of plain water only makes the situation worse. Others are over-quenching thirst caused by medications they’re taking that give them a dry mouth. Still others may have psychological conditions that lead to compulsive water drinking or have a medical condition that causes excess water retention even when the water intake would be fine for a normal body. In all cases, the kidneys can’t keep up with ridding the body of the water through urine.
In the early stages, symptoms of overhydrating include:
Nausea and vomiting
Headache
Changes in mental state—confusion or disorientation
When the overhydration becomes more severe, creating dangerously low levels of sodium in the blood, called hyponatremia, symptoms progress:
Muscle weakness, spasms or cramps
Seizures
Unconsciousness
Coma
If you’re an endurance athlete, don’t just rely on thirst, Calapai advises. Instead, spread your drinking out. Drink before and during the race or workout, not just afterward, so that you’re drinking no more than one liter per hour. Calapai also recommends sports beverages that contain electrolytes—sodium and potassium—which are both lost in sweat. When you wake up, start drinking slowly, Calapai advises. Don’t start your day with three cups of water or juice. Learn to sip!
Calapai suggests three approaches to determining how much water you need:
Weigh yourself daily for a week to check hydration. “Your body weight shouldn’t fluctuate too much,” he notes.
Notice how much you pee—and its color—in the morning. There should be a large amount of pale or clear urine.
Aim to wake feeling hydrated. If you’re thirsty when you get out of bed in the morning, you may not be consuming enough fluids.
Choose low-sugar sports drinks—no more than 5 grams of sugar per 8-ounce serving. “Even natural drinks like coconut water have too much sugar and potassium to hydrate,” Calapai says.
Coffee, tea and watery fruits and vegetables count toward fluid intake. “Caffeine is not a diuretic,” Dr. Calapai says. “It’s about volume, so if you drink five cups, you’ll pee more.”
Subscribe to Our Newsletter
More Career
AI Won't Replace Your Voice—Unless You Let It
"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
by Anne Moratto
50 Smart Things Beauty Educators Have Told Us
Real-world advice on creativity, consultations, color, burnout, business, boundaries, inclusivity, client care, and career growth from educators and industry experts.
by Anne Moratto
What Salon and Spa Professionals Need to Know About Skin Longevity
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.
Financial Educator Anna Manukyan Launches Masterclass for Early Career Stylists
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.
6 Ways Self-Love Will Help You Crush Your Goals
From breaking free of external validation to creating joy-based goals, discover a more sustainable and fulfilling path to success.
MODERN SALON Boot Camp Heads to Austin: One-Day Beauty Business & Career Education Event for Beauty Professionals
A full day of education for hairstylists and salon pros focused on pricing, personal branding, client experience, social media, and long-term career growth.
How Michelle Bowden Had a Breakout Year (and How Other Stylists Can, Too)
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.
Ulta Beauty and Beauty Changes Lives Launch “The Possibilities Are Beautiful” Cosmetology Student Scholarship
This marks Ulta Beauty’s first scholarship partnership with Beauty Changes Lives, building on years of enthusiastic support for the organization and its mission.
A Path for Everyone: Great Clips Salons Offer Diverse Career Opportunities
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
Are Salon Suites Becoming Too Cheap? The Hidden Risks of Low Salon Suite Rent
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.
Magical Creatures: Why These Stylists Love Creating Fantasy Hair Color
These stylists practice hairdresser magic, transforming clients into unicorns, mermaids, rainbows and living works of art.
by Anne Moratto
Keratin Complex Launches KC on Tour 2026 with Tabatha Coffey
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.
by Anne Moratto
Why Soft Skills and Client Communication Matter More Than Ever in the Beauty Industry
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.
by Anne Moratto
Author Daniel Cubillo Drops the Blueprint for Building a Career in the Content Arena
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.
What Custom Notifications Tell Us About the Personalized Future of the Salon Client Experience
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.
Beautiful Careers Happen Here
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